The guitar is a musical instrument that excels not only in classical music but also at a campfire or a rock concert. Whether you're playing or just starting to learn, we'll help you with the selection and introduce you to various kinds and types.
What kinds of guitars do we know?
Acoustic Guitars
An acoustic guitar consists of a resonating body (corpus) that aims to amplify sound and project it with the right tonal nuances. Depending on the string material, we categorize it into classical (known as the "Spanish guitar"), which has nylon strings, Jumbo, and Dreadnought (known as Western), which have metal strings.
Electric Guitars
An electric guitar operates by capturing string vibrations above a pickup, eliminating the need for a hollow body. This instrument gained popularity in the '50s when Fender introduced the Fender Stratocaster guitar. This model, in nearly unchanged form, is produced to this day and is considered one of the fundamental types of electric guitars. ST models became so pivotal and versatile that other manufacturers adopted them.
Telecaster guitars, also from Fender, became equally iconic and popular. The T models feature an elegant shape with a single cutout and are known for their clean sound, often found in softer genres like country and pop.
The third fundamental type of guitar is the Les Paul, originating from Gibson. This type is characterized by a rounded top side and a single cutout on the bottom. It's suitable for harder genres but also fits in genres like reggae or blues.
Electric-acoustic guitars
Electric-acoustic guitar is an acoustic guitar with a magnetic sensor that transmits vibrations through a cable to the output connector (jack) or into a built-in preamplifier. It is used in various genres where the sound of an acoustic guitar is required, but with a greater volume.
Bass guitars
Bass guitar, or also a bass guitar, replaced the previously used contrabass. Its sound is somewhere between the rhythmic and melodic components of music and suits all styles. According to the method of sound amplification, we distinguish between acoustic bass guitar and electric bass guitar.
History
The guitar has a rich history that dates back over 4000 years. Over the years, many theories emerged about its origins and predecessors, but almost certainly, we know that its precursors reached Europe from Egypt and Mesopotamia. These instruments usually had 4 strings, marking the beginning of the guitar, which became the most popular during the early Renaissance of 4-string instruments in most of Europe. As the years passed, the number of strings and their material changed. Experiments were conducted on neck attachment and body shape. Classical guitar, also known as the "Spanish guitar," as we know it now, emerged in the 19th century. Technologies for sound amplification started evolving, leading to the creation of new types.
Getting Started with Guitar Playing
If you are still deciding to start playing, definitely check out guitars for beginners, or you can buy a guitar for a child. For easier selection, on our blog, you'll find articles on how to choose a guitar, how to tune it, and how to learn to play the guitar.
Also, select suitable accessories, such as a tuner, a pick, replacement guitar strings, or an amplifier.