The electric guitar is an instrument that has been around for nearly a century, and yet it remains as popular as ever. Whether you are a seasoned musician or a beginner just starting out, there is no denying the power and versatility of the electric guitar. In this article, we will explore the history of electric guitars, the different types available, and some of the most popular electric guitar brand on the market today.
History of Electric Guitars
Electric guitars have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the 1920s. Prior to the invention of the electric guitar, acoustic guitars were the primary stringed instrument used in popular music. However, as technology advanced and amplified instruments became more commonplace, electric guitars began to gain popularity among musicians of all genres.
The first commercially-available electric guitar was designed by George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker in 1931. This “Frying Pan” had a single-coil pickup mounted underneath its strings, allowing it to be plugged into an amplifier for increased volume. The Frying Pan paved the way for improved electric guitar designs that followed shortly after; these included Les Paul’s solid body design (1941) and Leo Fender’s iconic Stratocaster (1954).
The 1950s saw a huge surge in demand for electric guitars and amplifiers as rock ‘n’ roll music rose in popularity. This newfound demand spurred further innovation from manufacturers such as Fender who released the Jazzmaster (1958), Telecaster Custom (1959), Jaguar (1962) and Mustang (1964). As electronic effects became more sophisticated, manufacturers also began producing effects units such as tremolo arms or whammy bars, which allowed players to create new and unique sounds.
Types of Electric Guitars
In the world of music, electric guitars are among the most popular instruments. From rock and roll to jazz, electric guitars have been used in just about every genre of music. And there are a variety of types of electric guitars that can be used to create different sounds and styles.
The most common type of electric guitar is the solid body guitar. These typically have six strings and feature a thick neck that is made from wood or metal. The body itself is usually made from wood such as maple or mahogany, with pickups attached to it for amplification. These are seen in many classic rock bands, especially during solos as they allow for more sound manipulation than other types of electric guitars do.
Semi-hollowbody electrics are similar to solid body electrics but feature a hollow chamber within their bodies which gives them their name. This helps give them a warmer tone than solid body electrics while still providing enough sustain for lead playing styles like blues and funk. This type of guitar features two f-holes (or sound holes) on the front which help shape its sound when played through an amplifier by allowing some sound waves out into the room rather than being completely trapped inside the instrument’s body like with solid-body electrics do.
Hollowbody electrics, also known as jazz guitars, are more similar in shape to acoustic guitars than other types of electric guitars. These guitars have a completely hollow body, which gives them a bright and clear tone that is ideal for jazz or other styles that require a clean sound. However, due to their hollow bodies, they can be prone to feedback at high volumes, so they are not always the best choice for rock and roll or other high-energy styles of music.
With a solid foundation in technology, backed by a BIT degree, Lucas Noah has carved a niche for himself in the world of content creation and digital storytelling. Currently lending his expertise to Creative Outrank LLC and Oceana Express LLC, Lucas has become a... Read more