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- Explanations of the gear and how to use it
- Tips on tone and rhythm that will have you sounding like a pro
- Lessons on how to play chords, rhythm patterns, riffs, scales, and licks
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Electric Guitar Basics
Unlike acoustic guitars, most electric guitars have solid bodies, so the string vibration is not particularly audible. That’s why electric guitars must be plugged into an amplifier. The specific parts of the electric guitar are shown below.
The Parts of the Electric Guitar
How to Choose an Electric Guitar
There are a few important features to consider when buying an electric guitar. Choose a guitar that is comfortable to hold and play. It should have a straight neck and a low action (the distance between the strings and the frets), and it should stay in tune. It should also have the sound and features that are suitable to your style of music. Below are some specific guidelines to follow when choosing the specialized aspects of an electric guitar.
- Neck and frets: Because the neck and frets are the parts of the guitar you actually play, they’re the most important features to consider when selecting an electric guitar. Necks can be wide or narrow, thick or thin. Some necks have a flat fingerboard, while others are curved. The frets can be low and square or high and round. No one neck design is better than another. However, the neck must feel right to you and fit your hand comfortably.
- Pickups: The vibrations of the strings are picked up by these magnetic devices and sent to the amplifier. Single-coil pickups, like those found on most Fender guitars, use one magnet wrapped with wire (the “coil”) and produce a crisp, biting sound but are a bit noisy. Humbuckers use two coils to cancel (or “buck”) the hum found with single-coil pickups. They are typically found on Gibson guitars and produce a thicker, warmer tone with a higher output, or volume.
- Knobs and switches: Most electric guitars have either two or three pickups. Each pickup can have its own volume and tone controls, or there might be one single knob for the whole guitar. Pickup selector switches (usually 3- or 5-position) can combine almost any combination of pickups for a wide variety of sounds. Other switches can turn a humbucker into a single-coil pickup, giving you even more tonal possibilities.
- Whammy bar: Also called a tremolo or vibrato bar. This type of bridge is not screwed down onto the guitar (“fixed bridge”) but is held in place by springs (“floating bridge”), allowing the bridge to pivot and change the tension of the strings, which in turn changes the pitch. Heavy-duty locking tremolo systems keep the strings in tune even after wild guitar solos.
- Cutaways: Though the body design of a guitar is mostly cosmetic, cutaways allow easy access to the high frets. Single cutaway designs (like that of the Les Paul) might feel better balanced, but double cutaways (like that of the Stratocaster) offer unobstructed access to high frets.
How Much to Spend
The rule of thumb is to buy the best guitar you can afford. Guitars generally retain their resale value, and some even increase in value over the years. Very cheap instruments can be hard to play and keep in tune, which can be frustrating for beginners. For a quality electric guitar, expect to spend at least $300.
New vs. Used
A good used guitar can be an excellent value. You can find some real bargains by searching want ads or shopping on eBay. On the downside, most private transactions will not offer a return policy or warranty, so there are a few things you should look for when considering a used instrument.
Evaluating a Used Guitar
- Check that the tuning pegs all work and turn easily.
- Inspect the body for cracks. Any crack is a bad sign.
- Press the strings down at each end of the fingerboard. The strings should touch all of the frets.
- Play a few notes and chords to see how the guitar feels and responds.
- Ask the owner if the guitar has ever been repaired.
Buying from a Music Store
Make sure you go in well prepared. Take a list of models that appeal to you, and stick to your budget. Ask the dealer or salesperson to provide you with an amp that’s similar to the one you are using (or will use). In addition to taking note of how the guitar sounds and feels, be sure to:
- Play each fret to make sure there are no fret buzzes.
- Check the intonation: how well does it keep in tune?
- Fiddle with the knobs and switches to confirm that the guitar does everything you want it to do.
- Listen closely for unwanted clicks and pops from pickups.
Questions to Ask a Dealer
- Will he play and demonstrate different brands and styles of instruments for you?
- Will she tune and adjust the guitar to your liking?
- Does he offer repair services or additional warranties?
- What is her return/refund policy?
- Does he provide freebies, such as a carrying case, strings, or picks, with your purchase?
- Will she accept the instrument in trade if you decide to upgrade?
| Content provided by Music Sales Corporation. | Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
