The guitar Types of GuitarsThe term guitar is used for a number of different types of guitar, with different sounds, techniques and uses. Although most people will probably conjure up an image of an electric or acoustic guitar in their minds when somebody mentions the word guitar, there are several other sub-categories of guitars. Let us look at the main types of guitars. Acoustic GuitarsAn acoustic guitar produces its sound by allowing the strings
to vibrate and then be amplified by a large hollow body section. Almost always constructed of wood (due to its excellent tonal properties),
they are usually flat-topped and flat-backed. The exception to this rule is the newer type of acoustic guitars that will use a flat wooden top,
bonded to a shaped composite back as well as
arch-top guitars. Acoustic guitars have been the backbone of modern music since the 1950s, and remain one of the most versatile instruments available. They are relatively easy to play, and make excellent first instruments for beginner musicians.
Electric GuitarsAn electric guitar is simply a guitar that uses a pickup to send the sound of the plucked string via a cable to an amplifier to produce its sound. Electric guitars range from simple acoustic guitars that have been fitted with an after-market pickup, to technologically advanced instruments which contain electronic circuitry. Most people will think of a name such as Fender when they discuss electric guitars, or Gibson guitars. The Fender Stratocaster and the Gison Les Paul are the standard that all guitars aspire to be. Since the early 1960s, the electric guitar has done more to define modern music than any other instrument. Classical GuitarsClassical guitars are acoustic, and are very similar to standard acoustic guitars. Where they differ is in the way in which the neck is constructed, and the types of strings that are used. A classical guitar has a much wider neck than an acoustic guitar, and uses tuning pegs instead of machine heads, to apply tension to the strings. Additionally, most classical guitars will have a much softer tone. Electric Bass GuitarsAn electric bass guitar will have much in common with a standard electric guitar. Almost all of the fitting on an electric bass guitar are the same as those found on an electric guitar, except they will have been up-sized to handle the thicker bass strings. Once again, usually a 4 string set is used, although some advanced electric bass guitars will have five, six or sometimes seven strings. Acoustic Bass Guitars Acoustic Bass Guitars are quite rare; they are constructed in the same fashion as a standard acoustic guitar, except they will be fitted with bass strings and have a very large body. Usually this will be a standard 4 string set, although some newer acoustic bass guitars may come with five, six or even seven strings. Due to the fact that bass strings are much thicker, and therefore will vibrate less when plucked or strummed, an acoustic bass guitar produces very little actual volume. For this reason most acoustic bass players use a microphone to amplify their playing.
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