If you want to play in a band, make loud music at home, or record your own music, your first step before anything else will be to get an electric guitar. Electric guitars come in many different varieties and brands, with huge functional and aesthetic differences. That said, it’s not hard to choose the perfect first guitar for you if you keep a few things in mind.
What is an electric guitar?
An electric guitar is an instrument that needs to be played through an amplifier. Although some hollow body guitars sound good unplugged, guitarists definitely need an amp for full electrics and perhaps some effects pedals to get the most from your electric guitar.
Parts of an electric guitar
In addition to having all the same parts as acoustic guitars, electric guitars also include the following:
Pickups are magnets wrapped in copper wires that convert the vibrations of your guitar strings into electrical signals. Single coil pickups have one coil of wire. Double coils, also called humbucker pickups, eliminate a slight hum that single coils produce. Some pickups are “active,” requiring battery power.
Pickup switches select which of your guitar’s 2-3 pickups is used. Pickups closer to the instrument’s bridge capture a more treble-heavy sound popular in rock solos, while those near the neck have a more mellow, jazz tone. It’s possible to use two pickups at the same time.
Control knobs let you adjust the volume and tone of the guitar, and sometimes of each individual pickup.
An output jack lets you plug a ¼-inch instrument cable into the guitar to send your signal to the amp.
A pickguard is common on many guitars. They’re either screwed directly to the body of guitars like Stratocasters or Telecasters, or they’re “floating,” which means suspended above the bodies of Gibson Les Pauls and most hollow bodies.
Some guitars feature a whammy bar or “tremolo arm” on the bridge, which shifts the pitch of the strings. You can knock your guitar out of tune if you overuse the whammy bar, so be careful.
What style of electric guitar is right for you?
Your music style will dictate what type (or types) of guitar you buy. For most rock and country bands, a “solid body” electric will be your best choice. The solid wood of these instruments minimizes piercing feedback, and their more minimal construction means they tend to be lower-priced, too. Fender Stratocasters are an incredibly popular solid body guitar for rock, while their Telecaster model is a much-loved country classic.
Many jazz, rockabilly, and blues guitarists prefer the more natural acoustic resonance of fully hollow bodied guitars, such as those by Gretsch. Hollow bodies, also called “archtops,” feature f-shaped soundholes like violins.
If you want the mellow tone of a hollow body style but are concerned about excessive feedback, consider a semi-hollow body like the Gretsch Streamliner. These have hollow chambers on either side, but solid wood beneath the pickups.
How much does an electric guitar cost?
Electric guitars range in price from just a few hundred dollars into the thousands. For the most part, solid bodies are less expensive than hollow bodies.
Fender’s “Squier” line of guitars produces quality counterparts to each of the brand’s popular models. If you really want a Stratocaster, Telecaster, or Jazzmaster, but have a tighter budget, check out the nearly identical Squier versions.
Things to keep in mind
It’s usually best for beginning guitar players to learn on an acoustic guitar before choosing an electric, less because of cost, and more because electric guitars are so style-specific.
That said, the action of playing an electric guitar is often easier than acoustic playing. Electric guitars almost always have lighter-gauge strings and lower action (the distance between strings and the neck), allowing less effort for more nimble playing. Furthermore, using effects such as distortion, reverb, and delay on your electric guitar can actually make “sloppy” playing less noticeable.
If you’re thinking about picking up a new electric guitar, we have tons of great options to consider. Here are some choices to get you started:
Fender American Performer Stratocaster electric guitar ()
This beautiful Fender model comes in multiple colors, has two fretboard options, and is bundled with a deluxe gig bag to make packing for your next show a breeze.
Fender Limited Edition Player Stratocaster electric guitar ()
Available in a stunning Adorama-exclusive color (Lake Placid Blue), this highly rated Fender guitar is praised for its value and sleek looks.
Fender Limited Edition Player Telecaster Electric Guitar ()
This Fender Telecaster is available in the same gorgeous Adorama-exclusive color, and players love it for its ease of use and simplicity.
Squier Stratocaster 6-String electric guitar pack ()
This is our most popular Squier for a reason. In addition to the slick guitar, this package comes with a Frontman 10G amplifier, guitar strap, gig bag, and much more.
Gretsch Electromatic Series G5420T Hollow Body Single-Cut electric guitar ()
This is Gretsch’s flagship guitar for a reason: it’s a jaw-dropping model that plays as good as it looks.
Feature photo by Simon Weisser on Unsplash
