6 Unlikely Instruments Classic Rock Bands Used to Change Their Sound

Classic rock isn’t just about guitars and drums. Many musicians added weird instruments to stand out, shape moods, or push creative limits. Here are six surprising picks that added new tones to rock songs you know.

1. Theremin in Rock – The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”

The theremin, played without touching, makes eerie tones by sensing hand movements near antennas. Led Zeppelin used it in live versions of “Whole Lotta Love” during extended solos. The Beach Boys used an electro-theremin version on “Good Vibrations,” giving the chorus a haunting, unique feel. These uses created ghostly, futuristic sounds that became memorable features in songs still beloved today.

2. Bagpipes on a Rock Anthem – AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way to the Top”

AC/DC shocked fans with live bagpipes on “It’s A Long Way to the Top,” played by Bon Scott. Mixing rock guitars with high-pitched pipes gave the track a bold, anthemic edge. It stands out as one of the few major rock hits where bagpipes play a key part. The contrast between raw rock and ancient tradition gave the song a timeless, unconventional feel.

3. Mellotron’s Orchestral Touch – The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever”

The Mellotron mimicked strings and choir voices using tape loops behind a keyboard. The Beatles added it to “Strawberry Fields Forever,” forging a dreamy, orchestral sound. Its unique tone became a signature in psychedelic and prog rock, used later by bands like The Moody Blues. A mechanical orchestra in a box, the Mellotron added depth and mood without hiring an actual orchestra.

4. Marimba on a Stones Hit – The Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb”

Brian Jones brought marimba into rock on the Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb”. That wood-xylophone sound added a quirky, rhythmic layer under the main riff. It’s subtle but catchy, giving the song a unique bounce that sets it apart from typical guitar-driven tracks. Using marimba showed how simple percussion could reshape tone and feel.

5. Hurdy-Gurdy’s Dark Folk Vibe – Led Zeppelin’s No Quarter Live Performances

A crank-stringed box, the hurdy-gurdy sounds a bit like bagpipes. Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones used it during No Quarter live performances. The old-world tone gave their music a darker, folk-edge during improvisations. It helped blend modern rock with ancient musical roots while adding new tonal textures rarely heard on rock stages.

6. Gizmotron: A Guitar Synth Device – Led Zeppelin’s In Through the Out Door

Invented by 10cc’s Kevin Godley and Lol Creme in 1969, the Gizmotron added motor-driven wheels to guitar strings, creating sustained, bowed sounds.  Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin used it on In Through the Out Door to mimic orchestral tones without keyboards. Though hard to build, the Gizmotron showed how rock guitar could start to mimic non-rock instruments through clever inventions.