Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Bob Dylan are all fans of the rubber bridge guitar. I played one for a month to find out what the hype was about – and it wasn’t at all what I expected

When you think of modern-day guitar gear innovators, Reuben Cox – the LA-based luthier who helped revolutionize the sound of indie music with his trademark rubber bridge mod – has to be part of the conversation.

Through his Old Style guitar store (and with the help of some notable artists championing his mods), Cox has been a key figure in pioneering and popularizing the rubber bridge guitar – a rather unassuming instrument that provides a very distinct tone.

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription