Guitars Buying Guide Part 3

October 20, 2017

Guitars come in different shapes and sizes. For example, children will find 1/2 size and 3/4-size guitars more comfortable to play than full-size guitars. A guitarist who travels a lot may prefer a lightweight guitar. Acoustic guitars tend to be much lighter than electric ones. Compare weight and overall dimensions while shopping, taking into consideration the guitar's intended use.

Electric guitars originated as a means to amplify the sound from an acoustic guitar in large jazz bands and originally involved attaching a microphone to an acoustic guitar. In time, electric guitars developed to include solid wood bodies that improved sound quality at high volume. Electric guitars are made in numerous styles and can vary greatly in terms of tone and playability.

Acoustic guitars are the foundation of guitar playing and remain popular today for their clean tones and easy pick-up-and-play style. Acoustic guitars from companies such as Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Ovation, Alvarez, and Washburn project a rich, organic sound without the assistance of electronics. When shopping, look at the materials that make up an acoustic guitar. Wood, size of the body, strings, and necks play a prominent role in the sound an acoustic guitar produces.

Acoustic-electric guitars are acoustic models that are designed with an electronic output. Some popular makers of acoustic-electronic guitars are Fender, Epiphone, Takamine, Taylor, Yamaha, and Jay Turser. The electronics in these models will typically increase the weight of the instrument and result in a higher cost than traditional acoustic guitars. These electronics include piezoelectric pickups. They are often used with a preamp built into the endpin jack to allow for connection to an amp. Tone and volume adjustments are made with the amplifier or preamp. Dual source systems have a piezo transducer and microphone inside the body, which provides increased amplification perfect for players who pluck strings rather than strum. However, dual source systems can be prone to feedback.

Bass guitars are a regular accompaniment to other guitars in many types of music and are usually used as part of the rhythm section in a band, along with the drums. Unlike the six strings on other guitars, bass guitars typically have four strings tuned to G, D, A, and E. Five-string, six-string, eight-string, and 12-string versions are also available.