III Electric:
If you love rock and roll, and want to learn to play electric guitar, some guitar instructors think it is better to learn to play an acoustic guitar first. This is a topic for debate. Some instructors think it is better to master the basics first, and then switch over to an electric guitar. It will help the student player to learn the easier instrument first. Then, he can buy an electric guitar, and an amplifier, to advance to a more difficult instrument.
Some guitar instructors think it is preferable to learn electric guitar right from the start, and not bother with learning on an acoustic guitar. Guitar instructors have their own individual methods of teaching. Ask your own guitar instructor what he thinks. Following is a list of the most familiar types of electric guitar.
Flying V:
This design was introduced by Gibson in 1958. They wanted a futuristic solid-body design, with slighly less weight. It was not well received, and production was discontinued in 1959. It was designed for music that had not been created yet. As a result, they only produced a few. Flying V guitars from these early years have become collectors items. If you find one, the price tag will be a shock. In the 1960s, guitarists of that generation started paying attention to it. Jimi Hendrix in particular liked the way it looked, and when othe people saw him playing it, it became so popular that Gibson was persuaded to resume production in 1967. In the 1970s, it became a favorite of heavy metal musicians, and has remained popular ever since. Other manufacturers can copy the Flying V only if they make their own modifications to the design. Copying the original design too closely will result in all sorts of legal problems. We sell AXL's version of the Flying V- influenced design. If you are into heavy metal, take a look at our AXL Jackknife.
Les Paul:
No list of solid-body guitars would be complete without mention of the Les Paul. It was first brought to market by Gibson Corporation in 1952. They still produce several models of Les Paul guitars, after making many modifications along the way. The basic Les Paul has a mahogany body, with maple top. The neck is maple, with rosewood fretboard. The neck joint is set, (glued), instead of the bolt-on neck joint used by the Fender Corporation. The Les Paul is copied by other manufacturers, using the designation of "LP Copy." Such copying does not imply endorsement by the Gibson Corporation. At present, we don't have any LP Copy guitars in our product selection.
SG Copy:
The SG is a solid-body guitar, introduced by Gibson in 1961 to compete with the Fender Stratocaster. Initials SG are their name for "solid guitar." Since it's first introduction, this design has been advertised as "the fastest neck in the world," (because of the ultra-slim neck profile). Since 1961, Gibson has produced the SG in many variations. It is characterized by two horn-shaped cutaways, which give easy accessability to upper registers. Electronics usually consist of two humbucker pickups, and a three-way pickup selector. Electronic variations changed from one model to the next, as improvements were developed. This design has been widely copied by other manufacturers. Such copying does not imply endorsement by the Gibson Corporation. Other manufacturers call their guitars "SG Style". "SG Copy", or simply "SG." Since it was first introduced, the SG has remained a popular rock and roll guitar.
Strat Copy:
The Stratocaster name is trademarked by the Fender Corporation. Fender first produced this model in 1954. Since then, Fender has made modifications to the original. Most notably, the original model had two single-coil pickups and a three-position pickup selector. In 1977, Fender began producing a model with three single-coil pickups and a five-position pickup selector. The Stratocaster design has been widely copied by many manufacturers. Copying this style does not imply any endorsement by Fender. The term "Strat" has become a generic name for this type of guitar. Manufacturers other than Fender will call their guitars "Strat-Style," "Strat-Copy," or simply "Strat."
The Strat body is solid wood, with a flat top, and two cutaways. The electronic assembly and pickguard are mounted on the body in one piece. The pickguard is solid white, as opposed to the white pearloid pickguard on the Vintage Strat. The iconic white pickguard is sometimes replaced by a black pickguard in later models. Many players favor the bright, clear tone of the single-coil pickups. It is still frequently produced with three single-coil pickups, but newer designs have been modified to use other pickup configurations.
Vintage Strat Copy:
The term "vintage" can be confusing. It usually refers to older guitars that are sought-after by collectors. There is also a brand by that name. Our New York Pro Vintage Strat is a faithful reproduction of Strat guitars from the 1960s. The one-piece maple neck has no fretboard. The metal frets are embedded directly into the neck. A pearloid pickguard is it's most distinctive feature, giving it a retro look. The die-cast machine heads are an older style, carried over from the 1960s. This guitar is popular with fans of rock music from 1960s, who like to reproduce the look and sound of that decade.
Tele Copy:
The Telecaster name is trademarked by the Fender Corporation. Fender first started commercial production of this model in 1950. Numerous modifications have been made to the original design since then. It has been in continuous production since 1950. Copying this style does not imply any endorsement by Fender. Manufacturers other than Fender will call their guitars "Tele-Style," "Tele-Copy," or simply, "Tele."
The Tele body is solid wood, with a flat top, and one cutaway. While being manufactured, a router is used to make a space to install electronics in the body. Electronics are accessed for repair through a removable control plate on the back. The removable plate is an advantage over other electric guitars, giving easier access for repairs. It has a bolt-on neck. Early models were produced with two single-coil pickups, and a three-position pickup selector. Through the years, this model has been produced with an assortment of pickup configurations. Our New York Pro Tele, WF-175, has one double humbucker pickup, and one single-coil pickup.
The Tele has become a favorite of the do-it-yourself craftsman. Some players can't resist tinkering with the electronics, and creating their own variations. The bright, rich, tone of this guitar is distinctive. Installing the electronic assembly in a hole in the body utilizes the natural resonance of the wood. The "Tele sound" is attributed to a combination of the solid body, and the design of the bridge pickup. It can be played loudly as a lead instrument, with long sustain if desired. It has been important in the evolution of country, funk, rock and roll, and electric blues.
Semi-Hollow:
These guitars have a body consisting of a solid center block running the length and depth of the body, with hollow wings on both sides of the block.
Hollow-Body:
These electric guitars have a hollow soundbox the same as the soundbox of an acoustic guitar, with the addition of electrical components. They are also called "semi-acoustic". but are not to be confused with "acoustic electric." Acoustic-Electric guitars are designed to be played in either acoustic mode, or electric mode, according to the wishes of the player. These are covered in the "How to Choose an Acoustic Guitar" page. Although hollow-body, (semi-acoustic) guitars are capable of making sound when not plugged in to an amplifier, in practice, this is never done. The electronics are designed to be played while connected to an amplifier. The difference between the two types of guitar is in the electronic components that are installed.
Hollow-body, and semi-hollow body, guitars have a fuller and richer tone than solid-body electric guitars, but are prone to disagreeable feedback in some performance situations. They can be played much louder than acoustic guitars. Hollow-body electric guitars are favored by musicians who are supporting players in small bands, for playing jazz, and for musicians who play Big Band music. They are also popular with lead singers who play the blues. Most notably, famous guitarist, B. B. King, plays a hollow-body guitar named Lucille. (Lucille is part of the Gibson ES series.)
IV Amplifiers:
Still under construction.
V Definitions: Still under construction.
Acoustic Feedback, Amplitude, Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, Clipping, Distortion, Equalizers, Frequency Bands, Op-amp,
Pickup: a device which converts the motion of metal strings into electrical signals.
Piezoelectric Pickups: are discussed in the Acoustic/Electric guitar section.
Transducer: also discussed in the Acoustic/Electric guitar section.
Tremolo arm: (later)
