The electric guitar revolutionized music in the 1950's and ushered in the world-changing rock and roll era. Musicians today, both professional and amateur, have access to a huge range of electric guitars from the classic Fender Stratocaster to the radical Dean Razzorblade. Each brand and style of guitar has a unique sound. With electric guitars and bass guitars, that sound can be further shaped and altered by the use of tone and volume controls on the guitar itself giving musicians the total control that they want. Most Electric guitars have a solid body, with no holes for sound or a hollow interior to carry vibration, instead relying on the pickups to carry the vibrations to the amplifier to produce sound. Made of hardwoods such as mahogany or alder with a lacquer finish, these guitars are rugged and withstand rigorous playing from pop to shredding metal riffs. Many of these finishes are stylized with graphics or colors for a more personalized fit to the musician's individual style. The majority of electric guitars are steel six string, but there are twelve string configurations as well for versatility. Acoustic guitars have also been made electric with the addition of pickups that allow the sound of the acoustic guitar to be translated into an electronic impulse and amplified. Acoustic electric guitars still maintain the acoustic sound, but with all the advantages of amplification. These guitars make performing to a larger audience possible. Having an acoustic electric guitar also allows musicians to step away from the microphone without losing the sound projection that they need. In every case, choosing a guitar, electric or acoustic is an important one for musicians. What genre of music you play, budget and personal style will all play a part in the decision making process.
|