Guitar accessory pioneer Jim Dunlop Sr dies aged 82: guitarists pay tribute

(Image credit: Jim Dunlop Guitar Products)

Influential guitar accessories innovator Jim Dunlop Sr has passed away aged 82.

The news was confirmed by the Jim Dunlop Guitar Products Facebook page, which paid the following tribute:

“Jim dedicated his life to making it easier and more enjoyable for musicians to express themselves.

Driven by a fearless, innovative spirit, Jim tirelessly sought out ways to improve and expand the options available to players around the world

“Driven by a fearless, innovative spirit, he tirelessly sought out ways to improve and expand the options available to players around the world.”

Born in Scotland in 1936, Dunlop travelled to San Francisco in the ’60s, where he worked as a mechanical engineer - in his free time, he pursued the design of guitar accessories.

Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc was founded in 1965, beginning with handmade capos, before Dunlop moved on to guitar picks, pioneering the gauges we continue to use today as part of the Tortex family of plectrums.

In the ’80s, Dunlop entered the effects pedal market, acquiring brands such as Cry Baby and MXR, leading to collaborations with legendary players such as Eddie Van Halen, Dimebag Darrell and Slash.

Guitarists lined up to pay tribute to the great innovator on social media - we’ve shared a selection below.

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Michael Astley-Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

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