The Beauty of the Best Guitar Shapes: Express Yourself in Style With Every Strum.
Whether you’re an aspiring musician or a professional guitarist, having the perfect guitar shape to match your unique playing style is an important feature of any guitar purchase. But with so many different shapes to choose from, trying to pick the perfect one can be a daunting task. Luckily, the beauty of guitar shapes is that the possibilities are near limitless and each shape has something different to offer its players.
From the iconic Les Paul shape that has been timelessly used by some of the most iconic guitarists to the critically acclaimed Stratocaster design that is popular among rock and blues players, each shape has a unique purpose and brings a certain edge to a player’s performance. So let’s take a closer look at some of the best guitar shapes the world of music has to offer.
First off, we have the traditional Les Paul shape. Developed by Gibson in the 1950s, this solid-body shape has always been a popular favorite among guitarists. Its wide and thick body gives it a smooth and balanced tone while its two humbucker pickups deliver a wide range of tones. What makes the Les Paul shape particularly attractive to players is its importance to some of the greatest musicians of all time, like Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Guns N’ Roses’ Slash.
Next up is the Stratocaster shape, developed by Fender in 1954. Characterized by its iconic double cutaway design and three single-coil pickups, the Stratocaster is a favorite of blues and rock players alike. Its unique design gives the Strat a bright and twangy sound, making it perfect for rock, blues, and country music. Notable players of the Stratocaster include guitarists Eric Clapton and David Gilmour.
The most iconic of all guitar shapes is quite possibly the good ol’ Telecaster. Developed by Fender in 1951, the Telecaster sports a unique single-cutaway design and two single-coil pickups. This shape has seen use by some legendary players like Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones and Johnny Cash. Known for its unique bight and twangy sound, this shape is perfectly suited for country and blues music.
Now let’s move onto more modern adaptations of classic guitar shapes. One of the most popular modern shapes is the Superstrat; a modified version of the Stratocaster that features hot-rodded features like double humbuckers, reverse headstock, and Floyd Rose vibrato system. Ideal for shredders and metal players, the Superstrat shape has been used by some of the most famous modern guitarists, like John Petrucci and Dave Mustaine.
Finally, we have the dreadnought shape, an acoustic guitar shape that has remained popular since its inception in the early 1920s. Characterized by its big body, deep sound and balanced tone, the dreadnought is a favorite among all types of players, from strummers to fingerpickers. One of the most notable dreadnought players is James Taylor, who is often seen playing his iconic Taylor 810 Dreadnought.
While there are so many incredible guitar shapes from which to choose, the personalized choice really lies in the hands (or should we say fingers?) of the player. Every guitar player has their own unique playing style and with all the shapes available there’s sure to be one that suits them perfectly. Ultimately, the best guitar shape is what makes the player feels comfortable, allowing them to express their creativity without limits.