“Why the Right Guitar Body Matters – Mastering Your Tone.”.
Choosing the right guitar body is a crucial step in getting the best sound from your instrument. The ‘body’ of the guitar – which consists of the wood, hardware and finish – is one of the key factors that determines its overall tonal, sound and playability.
At its most basic, the guitar body defines the size, shape and aesthetic look of your instrument. Different shaped bodies give a different range of tones and playability, while different woods provide different tonal characters, and different materials provide different levels of sustainability and durability.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular body types and shapes, and the differences in their tones and sounds.
The Solid Body Guitar
This is one of the most popular and iconic shapes for electric guitars, and has many variations. Most often made from either a single piece of wood, such as ash, alder, mahogany or maple, or from more than one piece of wood that is laminated together, a solid body guitar produces a ‘dry’ sound, thanks to its reduced feedback.
It is more suited to producing clean tones and is great for those seeking a versatility in sounds. Its light weight also makes it perfect for those who want a highly portable instrument for taking on the road.
The Semi-Acoustic Guitar
Also known as the ‘hollow body’ or ‘semi-hollow’ electric guitar, this model features a hollow body with a solid block running through its center. This makes it much thinner than an acoustic guitar and slightly reduces the body’s ability to resonate and create tone.
This style of guitar is often popular with jazz and blues players due to its unique tone and sustain. It is also better at suppressing feedback while playing cranked-up amps.
Acoustic Guitars
These are built using solid or laminated wood and feature a larger body than electric guitars. This shape is designed to better capture the sound of the guitar, including the vibrations coming from the strings.
These guitars also often include additional elements such as a soundhole or pickguard to further amplify the sound. The larger body size makes acoustic guitars suited for more projection in sound and better resonance.
Conclusion
No matter what type of guitar you need, there are a range of bodies, shapes, woods and finishes available to choose from to get the best sound. Take the time to do your research and consider your needs and playing style before investing in a guitar body for the best overall tone.