Beginner Electric Guitar Lesson - History of the Electric Guitar by A Koblick

Electric guitars can be divided into several main categories: Solid body electric guitars, which are the most common type of electric guitar and are usually the choice instrument of rock guitarists and beginner electric guitarists. These guitars create no resonance in the body of the guitar, and rely solely on amplification of the pickups to carry their sound.

Then there are hollow body electric guitars, also known as semi-acoustic or acoustic-electric guitars. This type of electric guitar can be divided into thin hollow electric guitars and arch top electric guitars. These hybrid guitars use pickups as well as natural amplification from the hollowness of the body to create a warm natural sound. Acoustic-electric guitars have pickups simply as an alternative to amplifying the sound with a mic.

Electric guitars are very popular amongst guitar players due to the fact that the pickups on the guitar transform the vibration of metal strings into electrical current. The signal from electric guitars can be altered through a variety of signal processors and pedals, creating a huge amount of unique tones and tonal effects.

The transformations of the electrical signal occur prior to the sound reaching the amplifier. There are also many processors that can be used after the sound moves through the amplifier, such as distortion or equalization.

The above characteristics make the electric guitar extremely versatile, and it can be used in many different styles of music. Rock, pop, jazz, country, and blues musicians are known to use electric guitars. Many R&B, hip-hop, electronic, and other types of musicians have also adopted the electric guitar as a vital part of their sound due to its versatility.

The unique nature of the electric guitar sound and the variety of effects that can be created has given players the freedom to experiment with the many sounds that can be created. Musicians can use their imagination and creativity to introduce new effects and sounds from the electric guitar.

Due to its amazing versatility, it’s no wonder the electric guitar is the instrument that helped create the sound of some of the greatest musicians and bands in history. The electric guitar has ‘created’ more legends than any other instrument.

A few of the greatest guitar players of all-time that used an electric guitar to form their signature sound: Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend of The Who, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Eddie Van Halen, Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead, Slash of Guns ‘N’ Roses, Frank Zappa, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani.

Since the 1960’s musicians have mastered the electric guitar and the effect that are produced through signal processors. Popular effects include flanging, stereo chorus, delay, reverb, fuzz, delay, wah-wah, compression/sustain, distortion, phase shift.

Legendary musician’s names go hand-in-hand with some of the most well known guitar brands. Many of the brands have helped to create a culture around their names. When mentioning electric guitars, many popular brand names come to mind: Fender, Ibanez, Gibson, Jackson, Squier, Yamaha, Washburn, Dean, and Gordon Smith, just to name a few.