Electric vs. acoustic guitar
If you are beginning to approach the extraordinary world of the guitar, sooner or later you will ask yourself this question: What’s the best guitar to learn on? In another article, we have already focused on the advantages and disadvantages of the electric and acoustic guitar models. These are the most popular and flexible models and are used in almost every type of music.
Personally, I think the electric guitar is the best to learn at the very beginning. Being smaller, thinner, and lighter, an electric guitar is a much easier instrument to play for the first steps than an acoustic guitar. It has the great advantage that you can practice your chords and scales in silence. This is because an electric guitar has very thin metal strings that emit a very soft sound if you don’t connect it to an amplifier.
Different styles of electric guitars
The world of electric guitars is a very attractive and fun one. Part of its appeal is a large number of different styles of electric guitars that exist. Within this world, there are so many different models you can collect. Since its creation in 1932, the electric guitar has been used mainly by jazz guitarists. They wanted to be able to play guitar solos in the so-called big bands of the time.
In the 50s and 60s, the electric guitar became a popular instrument because of its ability to be used in many different genres. There are one or more models that can be recommended for each of these styles. There is a wide range of models of electric guitars nowadays. We can divide these models into three types: solid, semi-hollow, and hollow.
Solid-body guitars do not have a soundboard that amplifies the vibration of the strings. Instead, they have electric pickups and need an amplifier to amplify the vibration of the strings. Hollow or semi-hollow body guitars have large bodies made of glued wood sheets. You can play them at the same volume as an acoustic guitar. And you can use these models also plugged in an amplifier as they have pickups to amplify string vibration.
Solid-body guitars
Solid-body guitars are made from a single piece of solid wood. The most classic models of this type are: the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Offset, Les Paul, SG, and Flying V. These models are used today to perform contemporary music styles such as jazz, blues, country, folk, rock, pop, heavy metal, and others.
Of all these electric guitars, the best ones to start learning are the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and SG. These models allow for a more comfortable standing and sitting position. They have a more ergonomic shape than the rest, adapting better to the body. They also have the lightest and easiest bodies to handle.
Variables of the solid body guitars
The following are other important factors to consider when asking yourself: What’s the best guitar to learn on?
Which electric guitar to choose? A cheap guitar or an expensive one?
When choosing which is the best guitar to learn, you must consider the price. What you can and should spend on an instrument for a beginner. You could choose to buy a new or used guitar. The pros of buying used are: paying less, and it’s better in case you decide to stop playing soon because you will not have spent too much.
Among the pros of buying new, we can include that you will acquire an instrument without wear and tear. You will be able to choose the model that suits you best. And you will have a guarantee for what you buy. There is also a third option to acquire a guitar. This is to borrow the guitar from a family member or friend who is not using it.
Which model to choose? A guitar for professionals, or a guitar for beginners?
Commonly, every brand has some model for beginners. Acquiring one of these models to start playing should not be taken as a disadvantage. With this line of products, the leading brands in the market can offer a more economical product to a larger group of customers. When we are beginner guitarists, we must be aware of these special models to start playing.
Professional electric guitar models usually come with more improvements. Premium quality elements, more expensive wooden bodies, and paint finish. But if you ask me, these professional electric guitar models are not the best choice to start playing. The models created especially for beginners will surely be easier to play, simpler to manipulate, and more accessible to buy.
The Epiphone SG-Special Beginner Electric Guitar is an excellent choice to start with. Epiphone is a pioneering brand in the making of electric guitars. Beginning in the year 1928, the production of their first guitars, and acquired by CMI in 1957, who also owned the legendary Gibson brand. This company knows what to do when making electric guitars, and you won’t be disappointed by any of its models.
The Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V Electric Guitar for Beginners is another excellent choice to start playing. Like the Epiphone SG-Special Beginner Electric Guitar, it has a low price. Yamaha made this guitar with the highest quality woods and top of the line electronics. It’s a Stratocaster that perfectly imitates the best models on the market but with a better starting price.
Final suggestions for choosing the best guitar to learn on
If my child or a friend asks me, “What’s the best guitar to learn on?” I would advise him to start with an electric guitar. Preferably solid-bodied and affordable. I would also add that he should try to acquire one of the models, which the leading brands in the market have designed especially for beginners. And finally, in addition to choosing the best type of instrument, I’ll tell him to consider the method of learning. I’ll encourage him to choose a well designed and tested courses that can help him achieve results in a very short time, as is the case with this online course.
