Otis Singleton
Electric guitars are fascinating instruments with a rich history and a wide range of models and features. They are a marvel of engineering, with basic mechanical parts and electronics that allow for complete customization. The names of electric guitars often reflect their unique characteristics, such as the Foldaxe, designed with a folding neck, or the Les Paul, named after its designer, which has become a well-known model. Understanding the names of guitar parts, from the body and neck to pickups and bridges, is essential for any guitarist. The variety of electric guitar models, each with its own distinct name, contributes to the diverse world of music and allows artists to create their signature sound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electric guitar necks | Vary in composition and shape; bolt-on, set-in, or neck-through; selected for dimensional stability and rigidity |
| Scale length | The vibrating length of the strings from nut to bridge; typically 25.5 inches (Fender) or 24.75 inches (Gibson) |
| Frets | Positioned proportionally to scale length; shorter scale length has closer fret spacing |
| Fingerboards | Vary as much as necks; surface has a cross-sectional radius optimized for finger movement; radius ranges from nearly flat to radically arched |
| Pickups | Single-coil or double-coil ("humbucker"); single coils produce a clearer, brighter, more twangy sound; humbuckers have more power and reduce hum |
| Number of strings | Typically six, but can range from four to 12; more strings allow for frequencies beyond the standard range |
| Body type | Solid body, hollow body, or semi-hollow body; solid body is the most common type and is made from a solid piece of wood; hollow body and semi-hollow body are considered semi-acoustic |
| Brands | Gibson, Fender, Yamaha, Jackson, Rickenbacker, Ibanez, PRS, Epiphone |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric guitar names can refer to the number of strings, e.g. six, seven, eight, or twelve
- Some names refer to the guitar's body, e.g. solid body, semi-acoustic, or hollow body
- Names can refer to the type of pickups, e.g. single-coil or double-coil
- The amplifier settings can be referenced, e.g. reverb, overdrive, or distortion
- Names can refer to the guitar's neck, e.g. scale length or headstock
Electric guitar names can refer to the number of strings, e.g. six, seven, eight, or twelve
Electric guitar names can refer to the number of strings, with the most common electric guitars having six strings. However, it is not uncommon to see electric guitars with a different number of strings, such as seven, eight, or even twelve strings. These guitars with a higher number of strings can produce frequencies beyond the standard range of a six-string guitar and are played slightly differently. For example, a 12-string guitar's strings are not spaced equally but are paired together into six courses, requiring the player to fret and pick two strings simultaneously.
The standard six-string guitar, when held in playing position, has the thickest string closest to the player's face. This string is also the lowest in pitch but has the same name, E, as the first string, which is the highest string. To differentiate these two strings, names like "high E" and "low E" or "top string" and "bottom string" are used.
While most guitars with seven or more strings have the same tuning for the top six strings, the tuning of the lowest strings varies depending on the instrument. For example, the Russian guitar, a seven-string guitar, is tuned differently, with the strings D, G, B, D, G, B, and D.
The number of strings on an electric guitar can impact the playing style and the range of frequencies that can be produced. As a result, guitars with different string configurations may be better suited for certain musical genres or playing styles.
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Some names refer to the guitar's body, e.g. solid body, semi-acoustic, or hollow body
The names of electric guitars can refer to the guitar's body, with common types including solid body, semi-acoustic, and hollow body.
The solid-body guitar is the most common type of electric guitar. As the name suggests, it is made from a single piece of wood without any hollow parts. This means that the body is smaller than that of an acoustic guitar, and its shape can be more varied. The first solid-body electric guitar was designed by musician Les Paul in the Epiphone Guitar factory, and the design was later improved by Ted McCarty, who created the famous Gibson Les Paul in 1952. The Fender Stratocaster, introduced in 1954, is another example of a solid-body electric guitar. Most solid-body electric guitars have two to three pickups, and their placement can affect the tone of the guitar.
Semi-acoustic guitars, also known as semi-hollow body guitars, combine attributes of electric and acoustic guitars. They are hollow above and below the strings but have a solid piece of wood running down the middle, making them somewhat of a hybrid between hollow-body and solid-body guitars.
Hollow-body electric guitars, on the other hand, have both a soundbox and electric pickups. They are usually designed with an arched top and back, with "f-holes" inspired by the violin, and joined at the neck at the 14th fret. This type of guitar produces a warm, percussive tone similar to that of an archtop guitar, making it a popular choice for jazz, blues, and rockabilly players.
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Names can refer to the type of pickups, e.g. single-coil or double-coil
Electric guitars use pickups to convert the vibration of their strings into electrical signals, which are then reproduced as sound by loudspeakers. The type of pickup used can have a significant impact on the overall tone of the guitar. One common way of classifying pickups is by the number of coils they contain, giving rise to names like "single-coil" and "double-coil" or "humbucker" pickups.
Single-coil pickups, as the name suggests, contain only one coil. They are usually long and slender, with each unit covering all four strings on a bass guitar. Single-coil pickups are known for producing a clear and bright sound. However, they are also susceptible to picking up hum or electromagnetic interference from the environment, such as from fluorescent lighting, tube amps, or computer monitors. This can result in a "buzzing" sound that some guitarists find undesirable.
To address the issue of hum in single-coil pickups, double-coil or humbucker pickups were invented. Humbuckers are designed with two coils wound together, which helps to "buck" or reduce the unwanted hum. This configuration also results in a richer and fuller tone, often described as having more "gain." The higher output of humbuckers makes them louder and gives them a more pronounced midrange and tighter low end compared to single-coil pickups.
Another variation of the single-coil pickup is the lipstick pickup, which was designed by Danelectro in the early 1950s using real lipstick tubes. These pickups have a unique sound, with plenty of bass and treble response but less emphasis on the mid-range. They are known for producing a crisp, jangly sound and are popular among players who want a bright and responsive tone.
The placement of the pickups on the guitar also affects the tone. Typically, pickups are placed closer to the neck, the bridge, or somewhere in the middle. The neck pickup produces a warmer and more mellow tone, while the bridge pickup delivers a brighter and fuller sound. Some guitars offer a switch that allows the player to toggle between different pickups, providing a range of tonal options.
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The amplifier settings can be referenced, e.g. reverb, overdrive, or distortion
Electric guitars require external sound amplification to be heard at typical performance volumes. Amplifiers can be used to shape or electronically alter the sound produced by the guitar to achieve different timbres or tonal qualities. This is often done through the use of effects such as reverb, overdrive, and distortion.
Reverb is an audio effect that simulates the natural reverberation of a sound within a space. It creates the illusion of the original sound being played in a different acoustic environment.
Overdrive is an effect that originated from pushing tube amplifiers to their limits, resulting in a smooth, clipping sound that adds character and depth to the tone. It is more than just a means to achieve louder, grittier tones. When used correctly, it can add life to a simple chord progression or give a solo the extra punch it needs to stand out. Overdrive pedals simulate the natural sound of a tube amplifier being pushed to its limits and allow guitarists to achieve this sought-after saturated tone without having to crank their amplifiers to deafening volumes.
Distortion is an effect that occurs when the signal changes altogether. This change can be observed by comparing the output to the input signal. Distortion pedals add a lot of gain to a guitarist's tone and are very versatile. They can be used to create the illusion of a second drive channel when using a single-channel amplifier or as an always-on amp exciter.
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Names can refer to the guitar's neck, e.g. scale length or headstock
The names of electric guitars can refer to their necks, including the scale length, shape, and headstock.
The scale length, or vibrating length of the strings from nut to bridge, is a common reference point. For example, a typical Fender guitar uses a 25.5-inch (65 cm) scale length, while a Gibson Les Paul typically uses a 24.75-inch (62.9 cm) scale length. The scale length can vary slightly over time, as seen with the Les Paul. The number of frets on the neck typically ranges from 21 to 24 on electric guitars, with classical guitars usually having 19 frets and a standard scale length of 25.6 inches.
The shape of the neck's cross-section can vary, from a gentle curve to a more pronounced "V" shape. U-shaped necks, often found in Telecaster guitars, are nicknamed "baseball bat" necks and are ideal for players who place their thumbs on the back or side of the neck. V-shaped necks, though rarer, are found in vintage guitars and suit players who put their thumbs over the edge of the fretboard. Flattened C-shaped necks, or 'D'-shaped necks, are generally thin and facilitate quick movement across the frets for high-tempo playing.
The method of connecting the neck to the body also varies. Bolt-on necks, pioneered by Leo Fender, allow for easy adjustment and replacement. Neck-through designs, on the other hand, feature a neck that extends the length of the instrument, forming its centre, and are commonly seen in bass guitars. Glued joints, such as dovetail or mortise and tenon joints, are also used, with the former being stronger and found on acoustic and hollow-body electric guitars.
The headstock, or the long, thin piece of wood attaching the headstock to the body, is another important feature. Scarf headstocks, commonly found in Jackson guitars, use two pieces of wood to create an angled joint with the neck, reducing waste and enhancing string stability. Some guitars, like those by Kiesel, Strandberg, and Steinberger, do not have headstocks, making them lightweight and enabling quick string changes, although they may be harder to tune due to the absence of tuning pegs.
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Frequently asked questions
"ES" stands for "Electric Spanish".
"Humbucker" refers to double-coil pickups designed to reduce or counter the humming sound associated with single-coil pickups.
"Fender Telecaster" refers to a vintage electric guitar model with a small fingerboard radius of approximately 7.25 inches (18.4 cm).
"Log guitar" refers to Les Paul's experimental design of a solid-body electric guitar, which was a wood post with a neck attached and two hollow-body halves attached to the sides for appearance only.
