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Types of Guitars

Types of Guitars

There are many types of guitars, each with its own unique characteristics and sound. Here are some of the most common types of guitars:

Acoustic Guitar

The acoustic guitar is a classic instrument that has been around for centuries. It is indubitably the most commonly found type of guitar. 

Acoustic guitar is the sort of guitar you would like to take on your camping trip or to a college jamming session without having to worry about cables and sockets. These guitars can be played anytime, anywhere.

Broadly speaking, there are two essential determinants of an acoustic guitar’s sound- It’s dimensions and the wood used in construction.

While the dimensions of an acoustic guitar affect the resonance, its wood affects the quality of sound produced by the guitar.

These guitars have a hollow body that amplifies the sound of the strings when they are strummed or plucked.

Acoustic guitars come in different shapes and sizes, including dreadnought, concert, and jumbo and they are commonly used in folk, country, and acoustic rock music.

Classical Guitar:

The classical guitar has a flat fretboard and a wide neck with nylon strings that are easier on the fingers than steel strings. 

It is commonly used in classical and flamenco music. The sound of a classical guitar is warm and mellow, with a focus on fingerpicking techniques rather than strumming.

Electric Guitar:

The electric guitar uses pickups to convert the vibration of the strings into an electric signal, which is then amplified by an amplifier.

Contrary to acoustic guitars, electric guitars have a solid body with no concavity since there is no need of a hollow box for the sound to resonate.

The sound of an electric guitar can be heavily manipulated using effects pedals and other devices.

Electric guitars are commonly used in rock, metal, and jazz music.

Bass Guitar:

The bass guitar is a type of electric guitar that is tuned lower and has longer strings. It is used to play the bass line, which is the foundation of most modern music. Bass guitars can be played with fingers or a pick and are commonly used in rock, funk, and R&B music.

12-String Guitar:

The 12-string guitar is an acoustic or electric guitar with six pairs of strings.

 It produces a rich and full sound that is commonly used in folk and rock music. The strings are typically tuned in octaves or unison, which creates a chorus-like effect.

Resonator Guitar:

The resonator guitar is an acoustic guitar that uses a metal resonator cone to amplify the sound. 

It has a distinctive tone that is commonly used in blues and bluegrass music.

Resonator guitars come in different shapes, including round-neck and square-neck.

Archtop Guitar:

The archtop guitar has a curved top and f-holes, similar to a violin. It has a warm and mellow sound that is commonly used in jazz and blues music.

Archtop guitars come in different shapes, including full-bodied and thin-bodied.

Baritone Guitar:

The baritone guitar is a type of guitar that is tuned lower than a standard guitar. 

It has a longer scale length and thicker strings, which produce a deeper and more resonant sound. Baritone guitars are commonly used in jazz and surf music.

Travel Guitar:

The travel guitar is a compact and portable guitar designed for traveling and practicing on the go. It comes in different shapes and sizes, including backpacker and mini guitars. 

Travel guitars typically have a shorter scale length and smaller body, which makes them easier to carry around as they can be snugly fit in travel cases and airplane cabins.

In conclusion, there are many types of guitars, to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics and sound. 

However, if you are a beginner and looking for a guitar best suiter for your needs, you can check out our piece on the best beginner’s guitar here.

Remember it does not matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, there is a guitar out there that will suit your needs and preferences. From acoustic and classical guitars to electric and bass guitars, the possibilities are truly endless. Keep strumming!

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