Electric Guitar - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
In the wise words of Radiohead, anyone can play guitar' so if you've ever had the urge to shred on stage, or just learn some of your favorite songs, it's never too late to grab an ax and channel your rock star. indoor rock.
But buying an electric guitar can be a challenge, especially if you're a new guitarist, or buying it as a gift. An electric guitar can be an expensive purchase, so you don't want to make the wrong choice and end up with a lesser quality instrument.
If you need help, you've come to the right place. At Real Indian, our goal is to help you find the perfect products that fit your individual needs. We test items in our labs, collect feedback from existing customers, and consult with experts. The result? Fair and thorough reviews to help you cut through the jargon. Read on for our complete guide to electric guitars and learn everything you need to know to choose the right one for your next jam session.
Types of Electric Guitars
Electric guitars can be categorized based on their price range as it usually follows that you get what you pay for in the world of musical instruments. Below you'll find the pros and cons of each, as well as some popular guitar manufacturers to consider in each price range.
Electric Guitar Styles
You've probably noticed that electric guitars come in a range of shapes or styles. While the style can make a small difference in the sound of the guitar, it is insignificant enough to encourage choosing a guitar style depending on what you like the look of.
Here are some of the most popular styles of electric guitar.
- Strat
Perhaps one of the most classic and easily recognizable guitar styles out there, the Stratocaster (or "Strat") has a deep double cutaway, creating a French horn-like effect.
- SG
Take a look at some metal bands, and we're sure you'll see some SGs in the mix. These guitars are double cutaway with distinctive pointed, horns, horns...
- Flying V
The iconic flying "v" has a distinctive V-shaped body that made it popular in the thrash metal scene.
- Telecaster
The Telecaster has a fairly similar shape to the Strat, but is single cutaway, rather than double cutaway.
- Les-Pauls
The Les Paul is another classic style, often favored by heavy rock players such as Slash. It has a single cutaway, but with a much curvier and rounder appearance than the Telecaster.
Considerations for Selecting an Electric Guitar
- Solid Body vs. Hollow Body
Most electric guitars are solid body models, meaning the body is made from a single piece of wood. However, you can find hollow body electric guitars that look and sound more like acoustic guitars.
Hollow body electric guitars often produce a richer tone with extra sustain, but may not be suitable for playing heavier music as they can produce feedback when played at high volumes.
- Tonewood
The term "tonewood" refers to certain varieties of wood that have tonal properties that enhance a guitar's sound. Popular tonewoods for guitars include maple, mahogany, rosewood, walnut, swamp ash, basswood, alder, and ebony.
Depending on the type of wood, it can give a warm tone or a bright tone, or something in between. Many guitars are made from a variety of woods, with different types used for the body, neck, and fingerboard.
While the material a guitar is made from will make a slight difference in tone, you'll find a wide variety of factors are at play. So unless you're a self-confessed audiophile, don't worry about the type of wood used. As long as it's a quality wood, you should get a great tone.
- Pickups
The vibrations of the strings and convert them into an electronic signal. They are one of the most important parts of an electric guitar, and they help dictate the type of sound it produces. Most guitars have single-coil pickups, dual-coil pickups (more commonly known as humbuckers), or one of each.
Single-coil pickups give a brighter sound that can cut through the mix, so they're often preferred by players who like clean leads, or who prefer a loud, rich treble sound. That said, with enough power they can be loud enough for punk or grunge.
Humbuckers are made of two individual coils connected out of phase with each other. They have a fuller sound and are typically used for heavier music.
Although less common, you can also find guitars with active pickups — like EMGs — that incorporate a preamp for higher output and better sound control.
Tips
At first, many people choose an electric guitar similar to the one their musical hero plays or used to play — it can help achieve a sound similar to that of their favorite band.
The most expensive guitars are usually made in the United States, but imports from other countries can also be purchased. Japan, Mexico, China, and Korea are the most common, and often produce quality instruments.
Most electric guitars have 22 frets, but some have 24, which will allow you to play the full octave above the 12th fret. This is perfect if you like to play in a higher register, but unnecessary for most guitarists.
An electric guitar can be a big purchase, so it's worth getting insurance that covers theft or accidental damage. Some retailers offer this at the point of sale.
Scale length is the length of a guitar string, from the nut to the bridge. A longer scale length feels tighter to play and gives a brighter tone. A shorter scale length offers a warmer sound.
If buying an electric guitar for a child, consider a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar, which will be more manageable for smaller hands.
FAQ
Que. Should I buy an electric guitar on its own, or a starter pack for a beginner?
Ans. If you're a beginner or buying for a beginner, you'll probably want to start with a fairly basic guitar, just in case you don't like playing. You can also find starter sets or packs that come complete with a small practice amp, lead, strap, and other useful items for new guitarists. They're usually cheaper than buying them separately, but they're not significantly cheaper, so don't worry if you have a heart set on a guitar that doesn't come with a starter pack.
Que. What type of neck construction is best?
Ans. Electric guitars have bolt-on neck, fixed neck, or through neck construction. Bolt-on necks are bolted to the body, fixed necks are placed on the body and glued on, and neck construction is where the neck runs the length of the body. The latter is generally considered the best and most durable, but is not found on the cheapest guitars.
Que. What are all the buttons and switches on my electric guitar for?
Ans. Most electric guitars have several control knobs on the body. The number of knobs and what they do can vary, so it's worth experimenting, but we'll go over the most common settings. Most electric guitars have three control knobs and one switch. One control knob is for volume and the other two are for tone, with one controlling the neck pickup, and the other controlling the bridge pickup. The switch is to switch between using the neck or bridge pickup.
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