Wiktor Wise
Electric guitars are available in a wide range of body styles, tonewoods, and electronics. When buying an electric guitar, it's important to consider your budget, the guitar's body style and tonewood, its electronics, and the included accessories. Additionally, take your time to try out different guitars to ensure they feel comfortable, suit your playing style, and are free from any functional issues. For beginners, it's recommended to choose a value-priced guitar that offers a good tone, easy playability, and durable construction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body shape | Single-horned or twin-horned; the latter has a "double cutaway" design and makes it easier to access the top of the fingerboard |
| Body type | Solid body, semi-hollow body, or hollow body |
| Body material | Wood, including ebony, richlite, or rosewood |
| Pickups | Single-coil or humbucker; single-coil pickups are great for clean sounds but don't perform well with distortion, while humbucker pickups reduce noise and hum |
| Number of pickups | 1-3 pickups in different combinations (bridge, middle, neck) |
| Electronics | Coil splits, coil taps, phase inverters, TBX controls, mid-boost circuits, etc. |
| Tremolo | Beginners are recommended to avoid tremolo, especially the Floyd Rose or double floating style, as it can cause tuning problems if used incorrectly |
| Weight | Heavier guitars may be too heavy for beginners |
| Price | Electric guitars range in price from under £100 to over £2000 |
| Aesthetics | Choose a guitar that you like the look of and that resembles the guitar of your favourite artist |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric guitar varieties: solidbody, semi-hollowbody, and hollowbody
- The body shape and style: affects playability and aesthetics
- Tonewoods: the type of wood used for its desirable tone and sustain
- Accessories: amplifier, instrument cable, headphones, and guitar tuner
- Construction: check for smooth volume pots, a straight neck, and clean frets
Electric guitar varieties: solidbody, semi-hollowbody, and hollowbody
Electric guitars come in three main varieties: solid body, semi-hollow body, and hollow body. Each type has its own unique characteristics and is suited to different playing styles and genres of music.
Solid-body electric guitars are made from a solid piece of wood and are known for their sustain and reduced feedback. They typically produce a clear and punchy sound, making them a popular choice for rock and metal musicians. Solid-body guitars also tend to be more affordable than their semi-hollow and hollow counterparts, as they require less intricate craftsmanship.
Semi-hollow body guitars, on the other hand, blend the characteristics of solid-body and hollow-body guitars. They have a solid block of wood running through the centre, with hollow chambers on either side. This design gives them a warmer and more resonant sound than solid-body guitars, while still maintaining good sustain and clarity. Semi-hollow body guitars are very versatile and are used across a wide range of genres, from jazz and blues to rock and indie.
Hollow-body electric guitars have a completely hollow chamber, similar to an acoustic guitar. This gives them a deep, warm, and resonant tone that is favoured by jazz, blues, and indie musicians. However, due to their construction, hollow-body guitars can be more prone to feedback at higher volumes.
When choosing an electric guitar, it's important to consider your own musical preferences and playing style. If you're a beginner, it's a good idea to start by looking at what your favourite artists use and finding a similar model within your budget. You should also consider the comfort and feel of the guitar, as well as its visual appeal.
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The body shape and style: affects playability and aesthetics
The body shape and style of an electric guitar are important factors to consider as they affect playability and aesthetics. Firstly, the body shape influences the way the guitar feels to play. The 'horns' of the guitar are the most defining feature of standard guitar bodies and help categorise the body shape. A twin-horned guitar, labelled with a 'double cutaway', has horns that make it easy to access the top of the fingerboard. These guitars offer excellent comfort and easy access to all the frets. On the other hand, a single-horned guitar, or 'single cutaway', makes it slightly harder to access the top of the fingerboard for high-range solo techniques. However, some guitar designs compensate for this with low-profile neck joints and sculpted horns.
V-shape and extreme body shape guitars are unique and perfect for those wanting to stand out. However, they are not as practical when played in a seated position. The weight of the guitar is also an important consideration, especially for beginners. LP-style guitars are generally very heavy, weighing about 5 kg, which may be too heavy for most beginners. In contrast, the MiniS, weighing about 2.5 kg, is a good option for children under 12 years old. The STH model, weighing 3.5 kg, is another good choice for beginners as it is not too heavy.
The aesthetics of the guitar also play a significant role in the buying decision. It is important to choose a guitar that you like visually and feel excited about. You can start by considering the guitars used by your favourite artists and then finding a similar model within your price range. Additionally, electric guitars come in three main body types: solid body, semi-hollow body, and hollow body. The body type is an essential consideration as it impacts both the look and the sound of the guitar.
While the body shape and style are crucial, it is also worth noting that the guitar's setup can make a significant difference in playability. Guitars are highly adjustable, and factors like temperature and humidity can affect their setup. Therefore, it is normal for a guitar's original factory setup to change during transportation, and adjustments can be made to suit your preferences.
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Tonewoods: the type of wood used for its desirable tone and sustain
Tonewoods refer to the type of wood used to make an electric guitar, which can significantly impact its tone and sustain. While you can find electric guitars made from a wide variety of woods, some types are more commonly used than others due to their tonal qualities and aesthetic appeal. Here are some popular tonewoods to consider when choosing an electric guitar:
Ebony is a dense and hard type of wood that is commonly used in electric guitar fretboards. It is known for its smooth action and bright tone, falling tonally between maple and rosewood. Ebony is a popular choice for shred-based lead guitars and traditional Gibson Les Pauls. However, due to its dwindling supply, some manufacturers have started using Richlite, which closely mimics Ebony in terms of appearance and tonal characteristics.
Maple is another popular choice for electric guitar tonewood, known for its bright and crisp tone. It is often used in combination with other woods, such as mahogany, to balance out the overall sound of the guitar. Maple is a versatile wood that can be found in various guitar styles, from Strats to Les Pauls.
Mahogany is a dense and resonant wood that is commonly used for guitar bodies, particularly in Les Paul-style guitars. It is known for producing a warm and full sound with excellent sustain. Mahogany is often paired with maple to create a balanced tone that combines warmth with clarity.
Alder is a lightweight and balanced tonewood commonly used in solid-body electric guitars, such as the Fender Stratocaster. It offers a strong upper-midrange response with a full and clear sound. Alder is known for its versatility, making it suitable for various musical styles and genres.
When choosing an electric guitar based on tonewood, it's important to consider the type of music you want to play and your desired tonal characteristics. Different woods can emphasize certain frequencies, affecting the overall sound of the guitar. Additionally, the body shape and style of the guitar can also impact its tone and playability, so it's worth trying out different models to see which feels and sounds the best to you.
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Accessories: amplifier, instrument cable, headphones, and guitar tuner
When purchasing an electric guitar, it is important to consider the accessories that will enhance your playing experience. Here is a guide to help you choose the right amplifier, instrument cable, headphones, and guitar tuner:
Amplifier
The type of amplifier you choose depends on your guitar of choice and the genre of music you play. If you play an acoustic-electric guitar, an acoustic guitar amplifier will enhance the natural resonance of your guitar and may include built-in reverb and a looper. For electric guitars, solid-state amplifiers are low-maintenance, reliable, and ideal for beginners as they allow you to switch between a clean sound and distortion. Tube amplifiers, on the other hand, offer a warmer, vintage sound that suits genres like blues and classic rock. Bass amplifiers are designed to handle lower frequencies without muddling the sound.
Instrument Cable
When choosing an instrument cable, consider the conductor gauge or American Wire Gauge (AWG). A thicker conductor, such as 20 AWG, will provide a stronger signal path and is less prone to breakage. The quality of the copper in the cable is also important, as higher-quality copper will increase conductivity and improve the signal transmission. Additionally, look for cables with the right amount of capacitance for the desired length, as thinner cables tend to have higher capacitance, leading to potential volume loss and a darker tone. Shielding is critical to protect the cable from external radio frequencies that can interfere with the signal.
Headphones
Headphones allow you to play your electric guitar without disturbing others. While wireless headphones offer convenience, wired headphones provide better sound fidelity for guitar playing. Look for headphones with a flat response that accurately represents your amplifier's tone. Yamaha's YH-WL500s are a wireless option with low latency, while Audio-Technica offers popular studio-quality wired headphones. If you're on a budget, the AKG K240s provide excellent value.
Guitar Tuner
A guitar tuner is a crucial accessory for keeping your guitar in tune. Clip-on tuners, such as the TC Electronic PolyTune Clip, offer convenience and accuracy while being compact and pocket-sized. However, be cautious when using clip-on tuners with nitrocellulose finish guitars, as the rubber grips can react with sensitive nitro finishes. Chromatic, strobe, and polyphonic tuners are also available, depending on your preferences and playing context.
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Construction: check for smooth volume pots, a straight neck, and clean frets
When it comes to electric guitar construction and setup, there are a few key areas that require regular maintenance and adjustment to ensure optimal performance. These include the volume pots, neck, and frets.
Starting with the volume pots, it's important to ensure smooth and responsive volume control. The standard passive volume system may present a problem with the taper, resulting in abrupt volume changes instead of a smooth and gradual taper. To address this, look for volume pots with an audio taper and a ratio closer to 65:35 or 70:30, which will provide a more seamless volume reduction. Additionally, consider the quality of the parts used, such as metal film resistors and high-end capacitors, to fine-tune the volume response to your preferences.
The neck of an electric guitar is another critical area that requires attention. Due to its sensitivity to weather changes, the neck may need regular adjustment. Learning how to adjust the truss rod can help ensure the neck remains straight, although it's important to be cautious as over-adjustment can damage the neck.
Clean and well-maintained frets are also essential for a smooth playing experience. While changing strings, take the opportunity to clean the fretboard using lukewarm soapy water or guitar polish. Avoid using harsh solvents unless absolutely necessary, as they can compromise the integrity of the fretwork and the glue used to install the frets. For more intensive cleaning, carefully scrape away grime and dirt using a safe tool, such as a popsicle stick with a square end. To reach tight spaces next to the frets, an old toothbrush can be useful, and for polishing, 0000 steel wool or Flitz metal polish can provide a beautiful shine while removing minor scratches.
By focusing on these construction and maintenance aspects, you can ensure your electric guitar performs at its best and provides a comfortable and enjoyable playing experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric guitars come in three basic varieties: solid-body, semi-hollow-body, and hollow-body. The type you choose will depend on the kind of music you want to play and your personal preference.
There are a few things to consider when buying an electric guitar. Firstly, ensure the guitar suits your playing style and price range. Secondly, check the action of the strings – if they are too high, it may be uncomfortable to play. If they are too low, you may experience fret buzz. Also, check that the neck is straight and the intonation is correct. Finally, ensure the guitar is well-constructed and the controls work.
You will need an amplifier, an instrument cable, headphones, and a guitar tuner.
