“The 5 Best Guitar Shapes: What You Need to Know.”.
Guitar shapes and sizes have a big impact on the type of sound and playing style you can get out of your instrument. Knowing the various shapes, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each, can help you make the right decision when it comes to selecting your guitar. So let’s look at the five most common shapes – the double cutaway, the dreadnought, the jumbo, the parlor, and the archtop.
The double cutaway shape is undoubtedly the most popular design of them all. It’s characterized by two sharp edges along the top of the body, and it comes in a range of sizes from smaller travel guitars to large hollow-body, electric models. This shape offers great access to the higher frets, which is important for many styles of music. It also provides plenty of volume and sustain, so it’s well-suited for both rhythm and lead playing.
The dreadnought is the most traditional-looking of the five shapes. It’s got a deep, rounded body and its relatively large size produces an impressive amount of volume. They’re a great choice for guitarists who want the full, rich sound of an acoustic guitar with plenty of projection.
The jumbo is one of the larger shapes and is distinct because its shape is basically a rectangle. It produces a tremendous amount of volume and is ideal if you’re looking for thunderous sounds and ear-shattering riffs. They’re great if you’re in a loud band, playing large venues, or simply if you like to make a big sound.
The parlor is one of the smallest designs, with a narrow, compact body that’s great for travel or practice. It doesn’t produce a huge sound, but what it does offer is articulation and clarity. The size also makes it great for fingerpicking styles, as well as strumming and other intricate techniques.
The archtop is best-suited for jazz players, as well as those who are doing their own thing. This is mainly because of the shape, which has a characteristic arch across the top of the body that boosts its hollow sound and provides plenty of sustain. It has a great feel and produces a clear, warm tone that’s perfect for bebop, swing, and more.
So there you have it – five of the most popular guitar shapes and sizes. Depending on what style of music you play and the type of sound you’re looking for, any one of these would be a great choice for your next instrument. Shop around, do some research, and try out some guitars to find the perfect one for you.