The Best Guitar for Every Player: The Ultimate Guide.
Are you looking for the perfect guitar to help you express your musical creativity? It can be daunting seeking out the perfect axe to suit your individual style and sound needs. With so many options, it can be difficult to know what guitar is right for you. But don’t worry! This guide will help you tackle the overwhelming task of choosing the perfect guitar for your every musical need.
When shopping for a guitar, the two most important criteria players should consider are the player’s skill level and the type of music they typically play. Beginner guitarists will likely want a low-cost, easy-to-play instrument while more experienced guitarists may want to splurge on a model with higher quality materials and features. To help you narrow down your guitars search and purchase the best guitar for you, we’ve broken down this guide into four categories: electric guitars, acoustic guitars, hybrid guitars, and bass guitars.
Electric Guitars
Electric guitars, quite simply, have become an essential tool for every kind of musician who values an expressive sound. Whether you are a rock star or just a bedroom strummer, electric guitars offer the very core of the sound. From Fender’s Stratocasters and Telecasters to Gibson’s Les Pauls and SGs, great electric guitars come in many shapes and sizes.
In recent years, the electric guitar has seen an explosion of variations and advancements as manufacturers attempt to carve out an even greater sonic range. Aside from traditional models, some of the most popular variations include left-handed guitars, 7-string and 8-string models, hollow-body guitars, and semi-hollow-body guitars.
Each of these electric guitars has a distinct personality and offers something unique to the musician. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran, electric guitars are available in a variety of price points and provide an unparalleled level of versatility.
Acoustic Guitars
The acoustic guitar has been at the core of most music throughout history, offering a timeless sound that can be used in any genre. Acoustic guitars come in both steel string and classical/nylon string configurations, and are great for both strumming and fingerstyle playing. The steel string acoustic, commonly referred to as a dreadnought, features a wide soundboard, allowing for immense volume and projection. Classical/nylon string models are well-known for their warm, mellow tone and are great for fingerstyle or classical players.
Much like electric guitars, there are many forms of acoustic guitars to choose from. For example, some acoustic guitars have smaller bodies, making them easier to transport and more comfortable for young players. Other acoustic guitars, such as acoustic-electric models, come with pickup systems, allowing musicians to instantly capture their acoustic sounds in the studio or on-stage.
Hybrid Guitars
Some guitarists may find that both acoustic and electric guitars don’t quite fit the bill when it comes to their sound. If this is the case, a hybrid guitar could very well be the ideal choice. These models features features from both acoustic and electric guitars, and offer a truly unique sound that can’t be replicated by any other instrument.
Also known as “acoustic-electrics”, hybrid guitars are designed with acoustic equipment, such as a soundboard, wood body, and steel strings, but also feature an electric pickup which can deliver amplified acoustic sounds. Perfect for players who want to switch quickly between acoustic and electric tones, these guitars are popular with singer-songwriters and other gigging musicians.
Bass Guitars
Bass guitars, or “basses”, are a popular and essential component of any band or ensemble. These “low-end” instruments provide essential support and depth to the overall sound, and are available in a range of sizes, shapes, and sounds. Although often overlooked, the bass guitar is an incredibly dynamic instrument, capable of providing a rich and powerful low-end sound.
Bass guitars come in a variety of configurations, from modern electric basses to vintage-style acoustic-electric models. Players looking for the classic British sound of blues and rock and roll should check out the renowned Precision and Jazz bass. If you are looking for a more modern take on the sound, try an active version such as the Fender Squier Jazz bass.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a new guitar player or a seasoned pro, finding the best guitar for your needs can be a daunting task. Taking into consideration the type of music you will be playing, your skill level, and your budget, you’ll be able to narrow down your search and comfortably choose the right guitar for you. The perfect guitar awaits you, so begin your journey to finding your right sound today!