The Ultimate Guide to Electric Guitars: Get Ready to Rock!.
Electric guitars have been an integral part of most genres of music for over 70 years now, and for good reason. Famous players have captivated us with their grinding riffs and melodic chords, inspired us with their virtuous styles, and revolutionized the way we perceive sound.
Choosing the right electric guitar can be a daunting task. With such a wide variety of shapes, sizes, pickup configurations, and body materials, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to electric guitars. Whether you’re new to the guitar world or an experienced player looking to upgrade, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll start by breaking down the different types of electric guitars. We’ll also look at what makes certain guitars more suitable for certain styles of music. After that, we’ll guide you through the different components of electric guitars, from necks to pickups. Finally, to finish up, we’ll look at the best brands to buy for all budgets.
The Different Types of Electric Guitars.
When browsing through electric guitars, the first thing you’ll likely notice is the wide variety of shapes and sizes available. Different guitar styles are better suited for certain genres of music, so it’s important to understand your playing style before committing to a specific type. Let’s break down the four main types:
The Solid Body Electric Guitar. This is the most common and recognizable style of electric guitar. These guitars are usually made out of strong, solid pieces of wood and feature metal hardware. The solid body guitar is considered to be the most versatile of electric guitars, and is perfect for those just starting out.
The Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar. As the name suggests, this type of electric guitar is a hybrid between a solid body and an acoustic guitar. These guitars feature a solid body with hollowed-out areas above and below the strings. They have a warmer sound than solid body guitars and are great for blues, jazz, and rock.
The Hollow Body Electric Guitar. This type of guitar is not actually electrically powered. They feature a hollowed-out body, like an acoustic guitar, but with pickups and other electronic components. These guitars are usually found in jazz, swing, and Latin settings.
The Resonator Electric Guitar. This type of guitar is usually distinct in sound due to its combination of electrical and acoustic components. It features a resonator cone instead of the traditional pickup, giving it a unique sound. It is perfect for those who prefer a mellow, vintage sound.
Now that you know the basics of the different types of electric guitars, we’ll break down the individual components.
Electric Guitar Necks.
The neck is perhaps the most important part of an electric guitar. It connects the body to the strings and holds them in place. Different necks are better suited for certain styles of play, so it’s important to understand which is best for you.
The most common neck shapes are C-shaped, V-shaped, and U-shaped. The C-shaped neck is the most popular neck because it is comfortable to play and gives greater access to the higher frets. It is popular with jazz, blues, and rock guitarists.
The V-shaped neck is favored by metal, shred, and punk guitarists. It gives the player more control over their sound and increases playing speed. The U-shaped neck is the least popular of the three, but it is favored by jazz players because of its warm, mellow tone.
Electric Guitar Pickups.
The pickups are responsible for converting the strings’ vibrations into the electronic signal sent to the amplifier. There are two main types of pickups: single-coil and humbucker. Single-coil pickups generally produce a warmer, mellower sound, while humbuckers provide more output and a stronger mid-range tone.
Single-coil pickups are generally found in vintage guitars, like a Fender Stratocaster, and are perfect for jazz, blues, and country styles. Humbuckers, on the other hand, are found in most modern guitars and are ideal for rock, metal, and punk styles.
The Best Electric Guitar Brands.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a look at some of the best electric guitar brands. These brands have been consistently producing quality guitars for decades, so we can confidently recommend them to those looking to upgrade.
Fender. Fender has been producing quality electric guitars since the 1950’s and is perhaps the most well-known guitar company in the world. They are best known for their iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster models, which have been played by some of the most iconic guitarists of all-time.
Gibson. Gibson has also been around for over 70 years and produces a wide range of electric guitars. They are best known for their Les Paul, SG, and ES-335 models. These guitars are renowned for their warmth and vintage sound, making them perfect for classic rock and blues.
Ibanez. Ibanez is one of the most popular modern guitar makers in the world. They are best known for their iconic RG and S series guitars, which have been favored by metal and rock guitarists for years.
Epiphone. Epiphone is another iconic guitar maker, and they are owned by Gibson. They produce quality electric guitars in all shapes and sizes, ranging from full-size models to beginner-friendly mini-guitars.
Godin. Godin is a Canadian company that produces high-quality electric guitars at affordable prices. Their Synth Access and Multi-ac models have become increasingly popular with those looking for a unique and versatile instrument.
When it comes time to buy, it’s important to consider your budget, your playing style, and the type of tones you’re looking for. With that in mind, we hope this guide has been helpful in narrowing down your search for the perfect electric guitar.