The Quest for the Perfect Guitar: An Introduction
The guitar is one of the most iconic instruments of all time. It is a timeless classic, loved by musicians of all genres and playing styles. From classical to folk, blues to jazz, rock ‘n’ roll to heavy metal, the guitar has been a consistent storyteller for centuries. Its unique combination of strings and frets have laid the foundation for much of the popular music that we now enjoy.
There are so many different types of guitars available it can be an intimidating process for the novice player to pick one that is suitable for their needs. Acoustic and electric guitars, 12 string and double-neck guitars, fretless basses and more – the choices can feel overwhelming. To make the decision even more difficult, the sheer variety of woods and finishes have a range of subtle nuances.
For any guitarist, this is a quest to find their voice – the perfect guitar. In this blog, we’ll discuss the steps one should take when attempting to find the right guitar to suit their playing style and level of skill. From the types of guitars available and the benefits of each, to the key characteristics to look for in a quality instrument, we’ll provide an introductory guide to guide your perfect guitar mission.
Let’s start with one of the most fundamental elements of any guitar: the type.
Electric vs. Acoustic
When it comes to finding the perfect guitar, the decision between an electric and acoustic model will set the tone of the journey ahead.
Electric guitars come in two types – solid body and hollow body. The solid body is largely seen as the more modern design, with a single solid piece of wood providing structure to the instrument. This design is able to produce a powerful amplified sound and is used widely in rock, blues, and heavy metal – although it can suit any style. Its greatest benefit is that the relatively low weight of solid body electric guitar makes it great for longer performances.
Hollow body electric guitars are the traditional choice, most popular in the genres of jazz and blues. They offer a more distinct, richer sound than the solid body, with wood’s unique characteristics emphasising the tone of the instrument. Hollow body electric guitars are typically much heavier than a solid body electric and may be too cumbersome for playing many extended shows.
The acoustic guitar is split into two main camps – steel string and classical. Steel string guitars, sometimes referred to as flat-tops, use metal strings – usually cold-rolled steel – to create a bright and punchy tone. Most suited to playing popular music styles such as bluegrass, folk, and country, the steel string is a great guitar for the novice player.
On the other hand, there’s the classical guitar – a traditional instrument used in classical, flamenco, and Spanish music. Its nylon strings create a mellow and sweet sound and offer a much softer playing experience. Classical guitars usually come with a wider neck than a steel string, which can be daunting for the beginner, but once mastered the finger-picking style commonly used by classical guitarists can create a truly beautiful sound.
Body Size
The size of a guitar is vital to a player, so it’s important to consider this when searching for the perfect proposition.
The body size of an acoustic guitar is simply determined by its depth – the deeper the body of the guitar, the more volume and resonance it will create. As such, dreadnought sized guitars are often the favourite of many performers, offering strong bass response and loud projection. On the other hand, a smaller size might be more comfortable for those solely playing strumming styles.
Electric guitars also feature different body sizes – from the larger jumbo style to the smaller and slimmer performers. If a player is looking for a more vintage concept, the larger guitar is the ideal choice. Jumbo models will generally feature a thicker sound with a warmer character and a greater range of tone control. Smaller body guitars, on the other hand, will boast higher attack and sharper tones.
Wood Selection
When looking through various models of guitars, you will likely notice several different types of wood being used in the construction of each individual instrument. Wood selection is an integral element of guitar design – each type of timber will impart its own unique character to the guitar and its tone.
The most popular woods used in electric and acoustic guitars are:
* Alder: Generally associated with warm, balanced tones on both electric and acoustic guitars, alder is a softwood with an even grain structure that allows for smooth production of sound.
* Maple: Producing more vibrant and higher pitched ringing notes, maple wood is often used for the guitar’s neck and fretboard construction, offering a bright and snappy tone.
* Mahogany: A deep and dark sounding wood, mahogany produces bold lows on a guitar – often used for electric solid body and acoustic guitars.
* Rosewood: Featuring a unique grain pattern, rosewood is a popular selection for the fretboard of many guitars. It is well balanced, providing a moderate attack and sustain.
Frets and Fingerboards
A guitar’s fingerboard and fretwork provide smooth and accurate playability. Many different material options are available, with ebony and rosewood being the most widely used. A variation of both hardwoods, with maple being another popular choice.
Most modern fretboards boast a fretwire made of nickel-silver which has a long-lasting and corrosion-free life. Well-crafted fretwork is essential to a good playing experience and while the fret size – measured in millimetres – will largely depend on the player’s preference, it’s important to get the fret radius spot on. A shallow radius will offer a slightly rounder feel, while a larger radius will have a flatter profile and provide a more accurate response.
The Bridge
Guitar bridges are the pivotal element that work together with the four strings of the guitar to produce the desired sound. There are three main types:
* Fixed bridge: As the name suggests this bridge is fixed to the guitar’s body and transmits the string’s vibrations to the soundboard of the guitar.
* Tremolo bridge: also known as the whammy bar, this type of bridge allows players to introduce a wide range of vibrato, dive bombs and harmonics to their tone. It takes a great deal of skill to master, but can create some truly unique sounds.
* Slide bridge: commonly found on lap steel and pedal steel guitars, the slide bridge is perfect for blues, country and rockabilly music. The bridge allows players to quickly and easily move the string up or down the fretboard for a unique sound.
Nut
The nut is the small strip of material at the top of the guitar neck that holds the strings in place and also creates the instrument’s action or height. Most often made from synthetic materials such as Graph Tech’s Tusq material, or natural materials such as bone and antler, the nut is a critical element to the guitar’s sound. It will affect the clarity of the treble strings, as well as the action of all the strings, whether they are being picked or strummed.
Pickups
For electric guitars, pickups are another key element to the instrument producing the sound. Pickups act as a transducer, converting the guitars’ vibration into electrical signals, which are then amplified and sent out through an amplifier.
Single-coil pickups are popular with many genres of music, offering a brighter and more twangy sound with plenty of treble response. Humbucker pickups, on the other hand, are slightly larger and offer a more traditional sound that includes more low end and output. These pickups are a favourite choice of many rock, blues and jazz guitarists as they are more controllable in high gain circumstances.
A Final Word
The search for the perfect guitar is an ongoing pursuit for many players. As an artist, you should never settle for anything less than what you truly desire and that holds true with the instrument you choose. The right guitar will be everything to you – the model you rely on to emotionally communicate with the audience. When you find yours, you’ll know.
Finding the Perfect Guitar: An Essential Guide.