GUITARS

~ GUITARS ~

 

Ah yes, the wonderful world of guitars! These incredible and fascinating instruments have been (in my opinion) the most influential and popular things to ever hit the music scene (well, in the last 100 years at least). They are used in every genre of music; Used all over the World; They can speak and make you feel things that words fail to do. There is just nothing about these amazing stringed-noise-makers that would give anyone a reason not to love them!

Guitars come in many different shapes, sizes, styles, number of strings on them, etc… I really have no clue how many different kinds of guitars there are out there, but I can tell you that it is a BIG number! Now, when one thinks about the different types of guitars, the main three are:

-Electric-

–Acoustic–

-Acoustic Electrics-

 

-ELECTRICS-

These beauties are unstoppable! Now, there are many different kinds of electric guitars out there, with many different styles and features. However, they all do have these same components:

  • Body, Neck and Head of the guitar – These 3 pretty much make up the whole guitar.
  • Strings – With guitars, the majority of them have 6 Strings that basically generate whatever it is you are playing. Other styles of guitars can have anywhere from 7 to 12+ Strings. (Depending on how many tuning pegs you have)
  • Tuning Pegs – The top of the Strings are attached to these guys (Located on the Head) and allow you to tune your guitar.
  • Bridge – Bar/Fixture located on the Body of the guitar. This holds the other end of your strings to keep them intact and is adjustable as well. It also allows you to screw a Whammy Bar into it (If your have a Bridge that will let you).
  • Pickups – Also located on the base of the guitar, but above the Bridge and underneath the strings. These puppies basically “Pick-Up” the sounds you are making (playing) and sending them to be played out of the Amplifier.
  • Knobs and Switches – Also located on the Body. These control a few things; your Volume of your Pickups, Tone, Turn a Pickup On/Off, and over all Volume your guitar is putting out.
  • 1/4″ Output Jack – Usually located at the very bottom of the body. It’s basically a 1/4″ Port for a 1/4″ guitar chord to go into, which is also attached to an Amp or External source, that will take every sound you are making and transfer it to your amp or whatever to be played out of.

The main differences between Electrics, would be:

  • Brand of the Guitar and/or Pickups
  • Number of Strings it can hold
  • More/Less Knobs and Switches
  • Type of Bridge
  • and of course, The Look and Shape

 

Like I said, there are SO many different guitars out there for so many different things. There really is no limit to what you can do with one, given that there are SO many different ways you can configure one up. I have a few different ones myself and all of them play beautifully and serve a purpose.

 

-ACOUSTICS-

Yes, the good ole’ Acoustic Guitar. What can I say about these campfire fan favorites? Acoustic Guitars have been around for a very LONG time, even before the electric guitar (mainly because Acoustics don’t need electricity to play). Acoustics have all of the same features of an Electric, except for they:

  • DON’T need electricity to play
  • Do Not have Pickups, an Output Jack, Knobs or Switches
  • Have a Bigger and Hollow Body – This is where your sound will come from

 

Because of these differences, you can play your Acoustic just about anywhere. No need to haul an Amp around with you and worry if there is an outlet you can plug it into. Acoustics are self-sustained, and I love these things.

 

-ACOUSTIC ELECTRICS-

Ok now, since you know about Acoustic and Electric Guitars, time to hear about Acoustic-Electric Guitar. These things are a little bit of both worlds. They look just like an Acoustic Guitar, but on the Electric side, they have:

  • A 1/4″ Output Jack
  • An Internal Pickup
  • and most have a Tuning Gauge on the side of the body (which is really useful)

 

Of course, there are some differences between these (Brand, Decoration, Overall Look, etc…), but ALL of them will have the Jack and Pickup. With these babies you can play just about anywhere you want to (like a normal Acoustic), but if you are looking to add effects and/or play louder, you can plug it into something to make it so (like an Electric). You see, you get a bit of both worlds and that’s awesome!

 

Yep, like I said before, with all of the amazing things with guitars, there really is no reason why anyone would not love them. With so many different guitars out there for: Any Style of music; Whatever level your playing ability is at; Right handed; Left Handed; or whatever, I guarantee that there are many you’ll find that will fit your needs to whatever it is you are looking for in a guitar. So go on and check out as many as you want to. Without a doubt in my mind, I know there is at least one that is calling out for you!

And as always, Keep Rockin!

 

Jerrick (J-Rock) S.