Guitar Information of Different Types & Makes of Guitars

Here are some guitar information that will help you learn more about the different types and brands of guitars.

As a guitarist, I'm of course very interested in the different tone colors, timbre and feel that the various types of guitars produce.

For recording, I find the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson very satisfying for electric guitar recording. As for acoustic playing in the recording studio, the Martin is definitely my choice.

Mostly, it was the pop groups, in the early 60's and 70's, who were instrumental in making popular the electric guitars, acoustic steel string and the nylon classical guitars.

As for the Jazz guitar players, they were mostly into the vintage Gibsons and the Gretsch models.

Guitar Information about the Acoustic Guitars (steel strings)

In the early sixties, the Beatles, the Rollings Stones and many other British and American pop groups popularized the acoustic (steel strings) guitars. For example, the Martin D-45, and the D 18 were very popular brand names.

The Ovation guitars which came in the 70's caused quite an impact on the market. And the Adamas guitar was modeled after the standard Ovation acoustic design.

Under the bridge of these guitars, there is a transducer which helps to amplify the vibrations. The tone and volume control are placed on the right upper side of the guitar.

There are altogether twenty-four frets on the fingerboard.

Guitar Information about the 12 String Guitars

The Gibsons, Martin, Washburn and Fender 12 string guitars are very popular choices. These 12 string guitars have a rich full sound. It sounds bright and gives a good resonance to the tone.

The following steps will show you how to tune the instrument.

1. Tune the additional 1st and 2nd strings in unison.

2. The additional 3rd string to the 6th string are tuned an octave higher than the standard tuning.

This is possible as the additional strings are thinner than the standard strings.

Guitar Information about the Electric Acoustic Guitars

Made famous by many pop, rock groups of the early seventies, these electric acoustic guitars are designed like the archtop guitars. A transducer is placed under the bridge to amplify the sound. Tone controls are placed on the middle side of the guitar.

The electric acoustic guitars produce good tone which can be helped along by adjusting the tone controls.

Most of these models are of the cut-away design. This gives lots of freedom when approaching the twelve fret onwards.

Guitar Information about the Electric Guitars

From the early sixties, groups like the Shadows and Ventures brought great prominence to the electric guitar.

--- Fender Guitars (solid body type)

The Fender guitars were in great demand, and many groups started popularizing the Fender brand name.

Leo Fender was the creator of these models.

The famous Fender Stratocaster was in production about the early fifties and came into the market around 1954. The models Telecaster and Stratocaster were of great craftsmanship and quality.

Today many of the branded guitars have been modeled after the Fender guitars.

Fender guitars have a sleek body shape, snugs nicely and are very comfortable when playing them.

Its double cutaway gives freedom in reaching for the higher notes from the twelve position onwards. A whammy bar is fixed to the bridge. There are three single coiled pickups with tone controls which are used to shape the sound.

Guitar greats like Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Yngwie Malmsteen have been instrumental in bringing the Stratocaster to great heights.

--- The Gibson Les Paul

It was introduced in the early 50's and was Gibsons first solid body type design. Many of the American rock groups started using this model during the early 60's.

This model was created by Les Paul and named after him. Many other Gibsons designs were modeled after it. And many guitar brands are now fashioned after the Les Paul guitar model.

Guitar Information about the Classical Guitars

The country Spain has always been affiliated with the classical and Flamenco guitars. Antonio De Torres was instrumental in building and improving the volume and tonal aspects of the classical guitars.

In fact, Torres was hailed for his breakthroughs in guitar making. Through his work, he has left a legacy for guitar craftsmen to follow and perfect the instrument.

Famous Guitar Makers

--- Antonia De Torres

Antonio De Torres built his creation called the Torres guitar in 1882. It was made from Brazilian rosewood and the neck is made of cedar.

--- Manuel Ramirez

Manuel Ramirez started crafting his creations in the late 19th century. The model 1A has its soundboard made of Canadian cedar. The body is made from Indian rosewood and the neck from cedar.

The pride of Spain, the Ramirez name is synonymous with excellent quality.

--- Domingo Esteso

A disciple of Ramirez, Domingo Esteso built classical and flamenco guitars. His guitars were much in demand. The tone produced by the Esteso design had a beautiful rich tone.

Characteristics of the Flamenco Guitars

Made from cypress, the guitar's color is much lighter. The inlays and bindings are made with dark wood. The soundboard is thinner compared to the classical guitars.

Some basic flamenco guitars possess a shallow body and this helps to give a warmer sound and attack.

A plastic guard is placed near the sound hole, and this is normally used for tapping rhythms.

Conclusion on the guitar information of the various brands and makes of popular guitars.

The classical guitar design is evolving. With the proliferation of technology, better guitars are being produced. Classical guitars now have greater volume and sustain and have really good projection.

to the top of Guitar Information

back to www.ultimate-guitar-playing.com homepage