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Types of Guitar
Types of Guitar
At a glance...
1. Strings
2. Sound production
3. Genres
4. Shape and size
5. Feel and suitability
6. Price
One of the first questions I get from people who are looking to pick up the
guitar is, “what is the difference between a classical, acoustic, and electric
guitar? And which one should I choose for my first guitar?”
It really all comes down to what you would like to accomplish with the
instrument and your personal
preference for genre of music, sound, feel of the instrument, and of course,
price. No arbitrary rule states that, for example, all beginners must begin on
the classical guitar.
By explaining the main differences among these three types of guitars, this
article hopes to help you choose a guitar.
Strings
The most obvious difference among these three types of guitars are their
strings. Classical guitars use nylon strings, while acoustic and electric guitars
use steel strings.
Nylon strings tend to sound a lot warmer and fuller compared to steel strings.
They are also softer and gentler on the fingertips, so some beginners may
decide to start with a classical guitar.
Nylon string guitars can be heard in Latin, Flamenco, Spanish, and Classical
styles of music. It is quite uncommon to hear classical guitars in more
contemporary genres like Pop and Rock.
Steel strings are rougher on your fingertips, compared to nylon strings, for the
first month or so before you start growing calluses and your fingertips are
used to the constant rubbing and pressure against steel strings.
Steel string acoustic guitars tend to sound brighter with a sharper “attack” to
the sound. They are also able to sustain a note longer than nylon strings can.
For electric guitars, which also use steel strings, the strings tend to have a
smaller impact on the overall sound of the instrument, because the sound of
an electric guitar can be affected by other factors such as the type of amp,
amp settings, guitar pedals, settings of the knobs and switches on the guitar,
etc.
Sound Production
Classical and acoustic guitars produce and amplify sound in the same way.
The vibration of the strings causes the hollow body of the guitar to resonate
and project that specific frequency of sound.
On the other hand, electric guitars are fitted with magnetic pickups that sit
under the steel strings. When the strings vibrate, the pickups convert that
magnetic energy into an electrical signal, which is then routed out of the guitar
into an amp via a cable. Without an amp, you won’t be able to hear your
electric guitar.
Genres
Acoustic guitars are used in many contemporary forms of music and even
some not-so-contemporary forms like the Blues. You will definitely hear
acoustic guitars more often than classical guitars in your favorite recordings.
A single model of electric guitar can be made to fit several different genres.
For example, the Fender Telecaster is used in genres like Jazz, Blues, Soul,
Funk, Pop, Rock, Country, and even Metal. An electric guitar is more versatile
than classical and acoustic guitars. There is a caveat though; I have yet to find
a pedal or setting that allows my electric guitar to convincingly sound like an
acoustic or classical guitar.
Shape and size
Guitars come in many shapes and sizes. The rule of thumb for classical and
acoustic guitars is, the bigger the size, the louder and fuller-sounding it will be.
Classical guitars tend to come in a single “default” shape.
Acoustic guitars, on the other hand, have a variety of shapes such as Concert,
Grand Concert, Auditorium, Grand Auditorium, Dreadnought, Jumbo, Travel,
etc.
Electric guitars have the widest range of shapes. Since the size and shape of
the body of the electric guitar tend not to influence the sound of the instrument
as much as classical and acoustic guitars, manufacturers are free to play
around with different designs.
A Doraemon shaped electric guitar is one of the more interesting shapes I’ve
come across in my lifetime.