What Type Of Instrument Is A Guitar? A guitar is a versatile stringed instrument, a staple in various musical genres, and at guitarplayers.net, we help guitar enthusiasts explore its many facets. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, understanding the different types of guitars, playing techniques, and maintenance tips can elevate your musical journey. Let’s dive into the world of guitars, from acoustic to electric, and discover why it remains one of the most beloved instruments in the world, with a rich history, diverse applications, and enduring appeal.
1. What Are Acoustic Guitars?
Acoustic guitars are a diverse family of instruments known for producing sound through the vibration of their strings and body.
They come in two primary types: steel-string and nylon-string (classical) guitars, each offering unique tonal qualities and playing styles. Acoustic guitars are perfect for genres like folk, country, classical music, and more.
1.1. What Is A Steel-String Guitar?
A steel-string guitar, a descendant of the nylon-string guitar, is celebrated for its brighter and louder sound.
Often referred to simply as an “acoustic guitar,” this instrument is commonly used in classic rock, country, and traditional Irish music. According to research from the Berklee College of Music, steel-string guitars are favored for their ability to handle open tunings like Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) and Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D), which enhance their resonance and sustain. The use of thicker strings, typically .012 or .013 gauge, allows for a pronounced ringing sound, especially on low notes and higher frets.
Key Features of Steel-String Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Sound | Brighter and louder with pronounced ringing |
| String Gauge | Typically .012 or .013 for the thinnest string |
| Common Tunings | Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D), Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D), DADGAD (Celtic tuning) |
| Music Genres | Classic rock, Country, Celtic music |
| Learning Curve | Beginner-friendly |
| Key Benefits | Smooth transitions from low to high notes, prolonged sustain |
1.2. What Is A Nylon-String Classical Guitar?
The nylon-string classical guitar is the predecessor to modern acoustic and electric guitars, offering a warmer, punchier, and more dampened sound.
The strings are made from either a nylon/steel composite or gut (often sheep gut). You can play classical pieces like Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez” or jazz standards like Django Reinhardt’s “Minor Swing” on it. The classical guitar comes in two primary shapes: the modern classical guitar and the “historic” classical guitar, which resembles early romantic guitars from France and Italy.
Key Features of Nylon-String Classical Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Sound | Warmer, punchier, and more dampened |
| String Material | Nylon/steel composite or gut (sheep gut) |
| Common Shapes | Modern classical guitar, “historic” classical guitar |
| Music Genres | Classical, jazz, swing |
| Learning Curve | Intermediate |
| Key Benefits | Warm, dampened sound, 12th fret bound to the body |
1.3. What Is An Archtop Guitar?
The archtop guitar, whether hollow-body or semi-hollow body, features a distinctive arched top and back with f-holes similar to those on violins and cellos. It typically includes a vibrato bridge and a neck joint at the 14th fret.
This instrument is a favorite among jazz, blues, and rockabilly players, and it can also be used in hard rock. Archtop guitars often come with a Bigsby vibrato bridge, enabling players to create vibrato effects without bending the strings. According to Guitar Player Magazine, the archtop’s percussive, heavy mid-range sound makes it ideal for acoustic performances in big bands, while its amplified tone is mellow, providing that signature jazzy sound.
Key Features of Archtop Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Hollow-body or semi-hollow body |
| Distinctive Marks | Arched top and back, f-holes |
| Common Bridge | Bigsby vibrato bridge |
| Music Genres | Jazz, blues, rockabilly, hard rock |
| Learning Curve | Intermediate |
| Key Benefits | Heavy mid-range percussive sound, excellent for big band performances, mellow amplified tone |
1.4. What Is An Electro-Acoustic Guitar?
An electro-acoustic guitar is a standard acoustic guitar equipped with a pickup (typically piezo or magnetic), an input jack, and a preamplifier.
The preamp often includes a built-in tuner and an EQ with multiple slots for adjusting different frequencies. These guitars emerged in the early 1920s to help guitars compete with louder horn and percussion sections in big bands. The first “amplifiers” were telephone transmitters used inside violins and banjos. The sound is similar to a standard acoustic guitar but with enhancements from the preamp’s EQ.
Key Features of Electro-Acoustic Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pickups | Piezo or magnetic |
| Preamp | Built-in tuner and EQ |
| Historical Note | Developed in the early 1920s to amplify guitar sound in big bands |
| Music Genres | Rock, pop, country, blues |
| Learning Curve | Beginner-friendly |
| Key Benefits | Smooth transitions from low to high notes, prolonged sustain, enhanced specific frequencies |
1.5. What Is A Resonator Guitar?
Resonator guitars come in two main types: tabletop guitars (square fretboard) and round fretboard guitars.
The tabletop version is designed to be played on a table or in your lap with a slide, similar to a lap steel guitar, while the round fretboard version is played in the typical guitar posture. According to Guitar World, resonator guitars can be tuned to any tuning, such as E standard, D standard, Open D, or Open G. The body can be made from wood or metal, and the most common resonator has a single cone and two soundholes, although some have multiple cones and a single soundhole.
Key Features of Resonator Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body Types | Tabletop (square fretboard), round fretboard |
| Tuning Options | E standard, D standard, Open D, Open G, etc. |
| Body Materials | Wood or metal |
| Resonator Types | Single cone with two soundholes, multiple cones with one soundhole |
| Music Genres | Hawaiian music, jazz, blues, swing |
| Learning Curve | Advanced |
| Key Benefits | Dampened sound, different tunings, versatile playstyles (lap or standard) |
1.6. What Is A Flamenco Guitar?
A flamenco guitar is related to the classical guitar but has a thinner top wood and less bracing, resulting in a grittier and more percussive sound.
Typically strung with nylon strings, these guitars often have a distinctive body color due to the use of sycamore or cypress wood. The playing posture differs from classical guitar, with players alternating between the soundhole and the bridge to produce a harsher sound. Flamenco guitarists often cross their legs, supporting the guitar on the upper leg to facilitate techniques like tremolo, golpe, and rasgueo.
Key Features of Flamenco Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Sound | Grittier and more percussive |
| Top Wood | Thinner with less bracing |
| String Material | Nylon strings |
| Common Woods | Sycamore or cypress |
| Music Genres | Flamenco, Baroque, Renaissance music |
| Learning Curve | Advanced |
| Key Benefits | Percussive tone, gritty sound due to thinner top and less bracing |
2. Electric Guitars Explained
Electric guitars are widely used instruments that require external amplification to produce sound.
They utilize pickups (humbuckers, single coil, etc.) and a cable to connect to an amplifier. Electric guitars come in various body and headstock shapes from companies like Jackson, Gibson, and Fender, with models like the Les Paul, Flying V, Stratocaster, and Telecaster being particularly popular. These guitars are commonly used in jazz, blues, rock, and metal.
2.1. What Is A Solid-Body Electric Guitar?
Solid-body electric guitars do not have a vibrating soundboard to amplify the strings.
Instead, they rely on electric pickups and an amplifier. The solid body provides a “gating” aspect, ensuring that only the string vibration is reproduced without “wolf” tones. Les Paul invented the first solid-body electric guitar, initially named “The Log,” which later evolved into the iconic Les Paul model by Gibson. The Fender Esquire and Telecaster were the first mass-produced solid-body guitars.
Key Features of Solid-Body Electric Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Sound Amplification | Relies on electric pickups and an amplifier |
| Body Type | Solid, without a vibrating soundboard |
| Key Benefit | Eliminates “wolf” tones, ensuring pure string vibration |
| Notable Models | Fender Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul |
| Music Genres | Rock, Blues |
| Learning Curve | Beginner-friendly |
| Key Benefits | Smooth tones, minimal unwanted resonance |
2.2. What Is A Hollow-Body Electric Guitar (Semi-Acoustic, Thinline)?
The hollow-body electric guitar originated in the 1930s and features both a sound box and electric pickups.
Unlike acoustic-electric guitars where pickups are added, hollow-body guitars are designed with built-in amplification in mind. The Charlie Christian pickup, a magnetic single-coil pickup, was instrumental in converting the vibrating strings’ energy into an electrical signal. This sound became popular among jazz artists for its clean translation of the string’s vibration. Companies like Rickenbacker, Gibson, and Danelectro have continuously refined hollow and semi-hollow body guitars over the years.
Key Features of Hollow-Body Electric Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Sound Production | Combines a sound box with electric pickups |
| Historical Note | Popularized in the 1930s with the Charlie Christian pickup |
| Notable Brands | Rickenbacker, Gibson, Danelectro |
| Music Genres | Jazz, blues |
| Learning Curve | Intermediate |
| Key Benefits | Warm, percussive tone similar to an archtop, good for rhythm playing |
2.3. What Is An Archtop Electric Guitar?
An archtop electric guitar features a hollow or semi-hollow body with a distinctive arched top and back, f-holes, a vibrato bridge, and a neck joint at the 14th fret.
This type is favored by jazz, blues, and rockabilly players but can also be used in hard rock. It often comes with a Bigsby vibrato bridge for creating vibrato effects without bending the strings. The sound is percussive with a heavy mid-range, making it suitable for acoustic performances in big bands, and it provides a mellow, jazzy tone when amplified.
Key Features of Archtop Electric Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Hollow-body or semi-hollow body |
| Distinctive Marks | Arched top and back, f-holes |
| Common Bridge | Bigsby vibrato bridge |
| Music Genres | Jazz, blues, rockabilly, hard rock |
| Learning Curve | Intermediate |
| Key Benefits | Heavy mid-range percussive sound, excellent for big band performances, mellow amplified tone |
3. Exploring Bass Guitars
Bass guitars are the lowest-pitched instruments in the guitar family, providing the rhythmic foundation for many genres.
They resemble electric or acoustic guitars but have a longer neck and scale length. Typically, they have four strings, though five, six, seven, and more string versions are available. Since 1955, bass guitars have largely replaced the double bass in popular music, becoming crucial in jazz, swing, and new genres.
3.1. What Is An Acoustic Bass Guitar?
The acoustic bass guitar (ABG) is a steel-stringed instrument similar to the acoustic guitar but with a longer neck and scale length.
Its tuning is the same as the last four strings on a standard guitar (E, A, D, G) but an octave lower. Acoustic basses usually include pickups and a preamp to amplify the low frequencies. The Mexican “guitarron,” a large, deep-bodied six-string guitar played by mariachi bands, is a related instrument.
Key Features of Acoustic Bass Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| String Type | Steel-stringed |
| Tuning | E, A, D, G (one octave lower than a standard guitar) |
| Amplification | Usually includes pickups and a preamp |
| Related Instrument | Mexican guitarron |
| Music Genres | Rock, pop, Mexican Mariachi music |
| Learning Curve | Intermediate |
| Key Benefits | Deep, gritty bass frequencies, sound closer to a double bass when amplified |
3.2. What Is An Electric Bass Guitar?
The electric bass guitar, resembling an electric or acoustic guitar, features a longer neck and scale length.
It provides low frequencies and rhythmic groove to songs. As a descendant of the double bass, it is written in the bass clef, requiring players to transpose notes from treble to bass. Musicians like Victor Wooten and Marcus Miller have elevated the bass from a rhythmic role to a melodic one.
Key Features of Electric Bass Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Role | Provides low frequencies and rhythmic groove |
| Historical Note | Descendant of the double bass |
| Notable Players | Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller |
| Music Genres | Rock, jazz, Metal |
| Learning Curve | Beginner-friendly |
| Key Benefits | Rich, deep tones, thicker strings |
3.3. What Is A Semi-Acoustic Bass Guitar (Semi-Hollow)?
The semi-acoustic bass is similar to hollow-body or semi-hollow body guitars, dating back to the 1930s before the invention of the solid body.
It features F-holes, similar to cellos and double basses, and often has a flat or arched top. These basses are more resonant and offer a wider range of tones compared to their solid-body counterparts. A notable example is the Ibanez AGB 200.
Key Features of Semi-Acoustic Bass Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Semi-hollow body with F-holes |
| Historical Context | Developed in the 1930s before solid-body basses |
| Key Example | Ibanez AGB 200 |
| Music Genres | Jazz, blues, swing |
| Learning Curve | Intermediate |
| Key Benefits | Warm, clean sound, great sustain |
3.4. What Is A Headless Bass Guitar?
Introduced in the 1980s by Ned Steinberger, the headless bass guitar features strings connected from the nut to the bridge, rather than from the bridge to the nut.
The tuning keys are located on the bridge, allowing for right-hand tuning and reducing tuning time. Companies like Strandberg and Kiesel specialize in headless instruments.
Key Features of Headless Bass Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Design | Strings connect from the nut to the bridge |
| Tuning Mechanism | Tuning keys located on the bridge |
| Notable Brands | Strandberg, Kiesel |
| Music Genres | Rock, Pop |
| Learning Curve | Intermediate |
| Key Benefits | Warm, clean sound, great sustain |
4. Other Types of Guitars You Should Know
Beyond the standard acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, there are several other types with unique characteristics.
These include the 12-string guitar, steel guitar (lap and pedal steel), touch guitar, double-neck guitar, and left-handed guitar. Each has its own personality, tuning, and sound. Some are strummed, others are tapped, and some, like the harp guitar, have multiple strings, reminiscent of a theorbo.
4.1. What Is A Left-Handed Guitar?
Left-handed guitars are electric, acoustic, and bass guitars designed for left-handed players.
Once custom-made and scarce, they have gained popularity and are now widely available. Lefties come in various shapes, sizes, and string numbers, ranging from acoustic guitars to 8 and 9 string guitars and basses. The pickups and amplifier produce the sound, allowing for warm, clean tones or gritty, distorted sounds.
Key Features of Left-Handed Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Design | Designed for left-handed players |
| Availability | Widely available in various shapes and sizes |
| Sound Production | Relies on pickups and an amplifier |
| Music Genres | Rock, Metal, Jazz |
| Learning Curve | Beginner-friendly |
| Key Benefits | Great sustain, gritty, distorted sound (through an amp), warm, clean sound |
4.2. What Is A Twelve-String Guitar?
A steel-string guitar that allows players to play two octaves at once, producing a thicker, more ringing sound than standard six-string guitars.
The headstock is longer to accommodate 12 tuning machines, and the neck and body are heavily reinforced to withstand the string pressure. The most common type is the acoustic version, though electric 12-string guitars also exist.
Key Features of Twelve-String Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| String Configuration | Plays two octaves at once |
| Sound | Thicker, more ringing |
| Construction | Heavily reinforced neck and body |
| Music Genres | Country, Rock, Jazz |
| Learning Curve | Intermediate |
| Key Benefits | “Chorus” effect due to the octaves being played together |
4.3. What Is A Double-Neck Guitar?
The double-neck guitar has roots in the Renaissance. The most common version is an electric guitar with a 12-string guitar and a six-string.
Some guitarists, like Michael Angelo Batio, use multi-neck guitars with up to four necks. A useful tip is to tune one of the guitars, preferably the six-string, to a specific chord and play on the 12-string, occasionally strumming the chord.
Key Features of Double-Neck Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Typically a 12-string guitar and a six-string on one instrument |
| Notable Players | Michael Angelo Batio |
| Playing Tip | Tune one neck to a specific chord and play on the other |
| Music Genres | Rock, classical music |
| Learning Curve | Advanced |
| Key Benefits | Chorus effect from the 12-string, ability to tune one guitar to a specific chord |
4.4. What Is A Touch Guitar (DuoLectar or Electronic Mute)?
The touch guitar is designed for playing styles like tapping (hammer-ons/pull-offs, double-tapping, harmonic tapping).
It can come in single-neck and multi-neck versions. The strings react to touch and tapping rather than plucking and strumming, though some modern touch guitars can be strummed. This instrument can produce melodies and rhythms simultaneously, with the left hand tapping the rhythm in the bass and the right hand tapping the melodies.
Key Features of Touch Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Playing Style | Designed for tapping techniques |
| String Reaction | Reacts to touch and tapping, not plucking |
| Capabilities | Produces melodies and rhythms simultaneously |
| Music Genres | Rock, jazz, Latin |
| Learning Curve | Advanced |
| Key Benefits | Percussive sound, versatile playing style |
4.5. What Is A Steel Guitar (Lap Steel, Pedal Steel)?
The lap steel guitar, or table guitar, is a Hawaiian instrument where pitch is changed using a polished steel bar against the plucked strings.
Tunings vary among players, but a common tuning is the E standard, often tuned to a chord suited to the singer’s voice in an open tuning. Hawaiian music in the 1910s, particularly in 1916, surpassed all US musical genres in popularity due to a fad in the United States.
Key Features of Steel Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hawaiian instrument |
| Playing Style | Pitch changed with a steel bar against plucked strings |
| Tuning | Varies; common tuning is E standard or open tunings |
| Music Genres | Hawaiian music, blues, and rock |
| Learning Curve | Advanced |
| Key Benefits | Full resonant tones of open strings, ability to play it in your lap |
4.6. What Is A Harp Guitar?
The harp guitar is a rare instrument that has at least one unfretted string lying off the fretboard.
The family includes various configurations, most commonly American harp guitars with multiple strings or an additional neck. The sound tends to center around the mid-range strings. Some use harp guitars with floating sub-bass strings, similar to the Indian sitar.
Key Features of Harp Guitars:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| String Setup | At least one unfretted string off the fretboard |
| Configurations | Multiple strings or an additional neck |
| Sound Focus | Mid-range strings |
| Music Genres | Country, bluegrass, classical |
| Learning Curve | Advanced |
| Key Benefits | A true harp-like tone, the warmth of a classical guitar |
5. Guitar Cousins: Related Instruments
While not technically guitars, instruments like the ukulele, mandolin, and banjo are related to the guitar, either by contributing to its invention or being invented because of the guitar.
These instruments are used in various cultures and have become known worldwide through their traditional songs.
5.1. What Is A Ukulele?
The ukulele is the smallest Hawaiian guitar, featuring four nylon strings, one up-octave G string, and three remaining strings in normal pitch.
It’s great for learning strumming techniques and was introduced to Hawaii by Madeiran immigrants. Ukuleles can be made from wood or plastic and often feature a figure 8 body similar to a small acoustic guitar. Modern ukuleles come in non-standard shapes like cutaways or oval shapes.
Key Features of Ukuleles:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hawaiian instrument |
| String Type | Four nylon strings |
| Body Shape | Figure 8, similar to a small acoustic guitar |
| Music Genres | Hawaiian music, pop |
| Learning Curve | Beginner-friendly |
| Key Benefits | Small body and neck size, spruce tonewood |
5.2. What Is A Mandolin?
A member of the lute family, usually plucked with a plectrum, featuring four pairs of strings, though some have five or six string pairs.
Common types include the “Neapolitan,” archtop, and flat-back mandolins. The flat-back tone is mellow and warm, ideal for intimate folk music gigs.
Key Features of Mandolins:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Family | Member of the lute family |
| String Type | Four pairs of strings |
| Common Types | “Neapolitan,” archtop, flat-back |
| Music Genres | Country, jazz, classical |
| Learning Curve | Beginner-friendly |
| Key Benefits | Warm, mellow tone, doesn’t punch “through the mix” like the carved top |
5.3. What Is A Banjo?
A stringed instrument with a membrane stretched over a cavity to form a resonator, typically circular and made of plastic or animal leather.
The resulting sound is punchy and metallic. Early forms were adapted from African instruments. Along with the fiddle, the banjo is a mainstay of American music styles like bluegrass and “trad” jazz.
Key Features of Banjos:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Resonator | Membrane stretched over a cavity |
| Sound | Punchy, metallic |
| Origin | Adapted from African instruments |
| Music Genres | Country, bluegrass, jazz, Celtic music |
| Learning Curve | Advanced |
| Key Benefits | Mellow tone (gut strings), distinctive metallic sound |
6. FAQ About Guitars
6.1. What Are The Three Types Of Guitars?
The three main types of guitars are the acoustic guitar, the electric guitar, and the bass guitar, each with distinct characteristics and applications.
6.2. How Many Types Of Guitars Are There?
There are numerous types of guitars, including acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, along with variations that can be grouped into different categories based on their features and uses.
6.3. Which Type Of Guitar Is Best?
The best type of guitar depends on your specific needs and preferences. Each type has unique qualities and weaknesses, making the ideal choice subjective.
6.4. What Is The Easiest Guitar To Play?
For beginners, the acoustic guitar is often considered the easiest to start with, although all guitars require practice to learn effectively.
6.5. What Is A Five-String Guitar Called?
A 5-string guitar is called a Baroque guitar or a chitarrone, commonly used between 1600 and 1750.
6.6. What Is The Hardest Type Of Guitar To Play?
All types of guitars require practice to master. Guitars with more strings or unconventional features, like the touch guitar or harp guitar, are generally more challenging to play.
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