The Electric Guitar

No other instrument in history has changed popular music in the way the electric guitar has and its  popularity and influence show no sign of slowing.  It’s wide range of tones can be heard in every musical genre from Metal to Country and it has become firmly embedded in popular culture as one of the greatest innovations of the twentieth century.

For the beginner, taking a closer look at an electric guitar may seem confusing with various knobs, dials and switches, however they all share the same basic elements and this page will help you to understand not only what electrics are available, but also a closer look at the other essential gear to be considered when writing your shopping list.

Since it’s initial development in the 1930’s, electric guitar manufacturers have evolved and improved their design and there are numerous reputable companies based all over the world making their own take on the instrument.

Many guitar shops today feature impressively large displays of guitars in all shapes and sizes – this can be overwhelming even for experienced players to make a decision, although the majority of models available today can be traced back to just a few key designs from two American heavy weights in the industry, Fender and Gibson.

The models below have been played and imitated by numerous guitar companies since they were first introduced and are the most common body shapes you are most likely to encounter when purchasing your first guitar.