How to choose an electric guitar
Level and style of music
For beginners, start with a versatile, comfortable guitar. If you want to play specific styles like metal, opt for a model with powerful pickups and a fast neck.
Body type
Solid bodies offer good sustain and are less susceptible to feedback at high volumes. Hollow or semi hollow bodies produce a warmer, more resonant sound.
Pickup type
Single pickups deliver a bright, clear sound, while double pickups produce a more powerful, warm sound.
Neck
Thin C- or D-shaped necks are preferred for fast playing. Rounder U- or V-shaped necks are more comfortable for some players.
Bridge
A fixed bridge offers more sustain and tuning stability, while a vibrato lets you create pitch effects.
top electric guitar brands
Fender
Fender is an iconic brand. It is famous for its Stratocaster and Telecaster models, which are benchmarks in many musical styles. This brand is recommended if you want a versatile instrument with a clear, snappy sound.
Ibanez
The Ibanez brand is prized by virtuoso guitarists and fans of metal and progressive rock. It offers instruments with fast necks and modern, powerful tones.
Gibson
Gibson is known for its Les Paul and SG models. The brand markets guitars with a powerful, warm sound, much appreciated in rock and blues.
FAQ
Why choose an electric guitar?
Electric guitars offer great sonic versatility thanks to their pickups and the possibility of connecting them to amplifiers. This means you can explore a wide range of musical styles, from rock and jazz to blues and metal. What's more, its playability is often pleasant for beginners, thanks to a thinner neck and softer strings than an acoustic guitar.
What's the difference between an acoustic and an electric guitar?
Acoustic guitars produce sound naturally, thanks to a resonance box that amplifies the vibration of the strings. It's ideal if you want to play without additional accessories. An electric guitar, on the other hand, requires an amplifier to produce an audible sound, as its pickups pick up string vibrations and transmit them to the amp.
What's the difference between single-coil and humbucking pickups?
A single-coil pickup is characterized by a bright, clear and precise sound, with good dynamics. This type of pickup is ideal for producing the clear sounds of blues, country or classic rock.
The humbucker is made up of two coupled coils. It offers a powerful, thick, warm sound with more sustain and less background noise. Choose these pickups if you want to play rock, hard rock or metal.
What are the best woods for an electric guitar?
Each type of wood has its own advantages. Alder is a light wood that produces a balanced sound with good midrange, present bass and clear treble. It is versatile and is often found in Stratocaster and Telecaster bodies.
Mahogany is a dense wood that brings warmth, sustain and depth to the sound. It is used for Les Paul bodies. Finally, maple is a hard, glossy wood that promotes clarity and sustain. It is frequently used for necks and tops to add brilliance to the sound.
