Electric guitar

Range guitar

Elektrofryingpan

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Electro-Spanish Ken Roberts Model

Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster

Guitard Epiphone 03

Electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses one or more pickups to convert the vibration of its steel strings into electrical signals. The vibration occurs when a guitarist strums, plucks, fingerpicks, or taps the strings. It is fundamentally different from acoustic guitars, which amplify the sound acoustically. The signal from an electric guitar is capable of being amplified to produce a more powerful sound, making it a key instrument in the development of various music genres such as rock, pop, blues, and jazz.

History

The electric guitar's origins can be traced back to the early 20th century, with the Rickenbacker "Frying Pan" being one of the first models ever produced in the 1930s. The invention of the electric guitar was motivated by the need for a guitar that could be heard equally with other instruments in bands and orchestras, overcoming the natural volume limitations of the acoustic guitar. This led to the development of guitars that could be connected to an amplifier.

Design and Components

The body of an electric guitar can be solid, semi-hollow, or hollow; solid bodies produce less feedback with high gain amplification. The neck of the guitar is usually made from maple or mahogany, and the fingerboard from rosewood, ebony, or maple. Electric guitars use pickups to convert string vibrations into electrical signals. These pickups can be single-coil or double-coil (also known as humbuckers), each producing a distinct sound. The electric guitar also includes volume and tone control knobs, and a switch to select between different pickups.

Playing Techniques

Electric guitar players use a variety of techniques that exploit the instrument's capabilities. These include bending, vibrato, tapping, and the use of a guitar pick or plectrum. The use of guitar effects such as distortion, reverb, and delay is also common to enhance the sound.

Impact on Music

The electric guitar has had a profound impact on many music genres, providing a cornerstone for the development of rock and roll, heavy metal, punk rock, and many other genres. Iconic electric guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page have become celebrated for their innovation and mastery of the instrument.

See Also

• Bass guitar
• Guitar amplifier
• Effects unit
• Rock music
• Blues music