With a range spanning from smooth jazz to heavy metal shredding, the electric guitar is clearly one of the world’s most versatile instruments. However, this would not be possible without different body types and styles, each with its unique characteristics and tonal qualities.
This guide is a deep dive into the world of electric guitars, exploring the different types and their distinct features.
Two Main Types: Solid Body and Hollow Body
All electric guitars belong to one of two basic body types based on how they are constructed: solid body and hollow body. There are also combinations of the two in the form of semi-hollow body guitars.
Solid body electric guitars are the most common type. As the name suggests, they have a body made from solid wood. This design offers excellent sustain and resistance to feedback, making it the most common type of electric guitar. Examples of solid body guitars include the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Les Paul.
Hollow body electric guitars have been around for almost a century. They were created to boost loudness in jazz bands – and are still mostly used in jazz music. The type’s distinguishing features include a large open body, archtop shape and F-hole design. A typical example is the Gretsch Electromatic series.
Semi-hollow guitars feature a similar style as hollow-body guitars but also add a wooden center block inside the hollow body. The result is a warmer, more resonant tone than solid body guitars. These guitars are suitable for a variety of genres and offer a unique blend of electric and acoustic qualities. The Gibson ES-335 is a well-known example of a semi-hollow guitar.
Solid Body Electric Guitar Shapes and Styles
As the most common type by far, solid-body electric guitars come in a wide variety of styles – many of which are instantly recognizable among guitarists. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most iconic ones.
Stratocaster – A Versatile Classic
Arguably the most famous electric guitar model, the Fender Stratocaster, known as the ‘Strat,’ has a distinct double-cutaway design and a trio of single-coil pickups. This configuration allows for a wide variety of tones, making the Strat a versatile instrument suited to various genres, from country to rock and blues. Notable Stratocaster users include Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and David Gilmour.
Superstrat – A High-Output Rock Machine
There is no formal definition of Superstrat, but as you might expect, they all use a design based on the Stratocaster but with various modifications. A Superstrat is typically equipped with high-output pickups compared to standard single coils, as well as alternative hardware, such as locking tremolo systems. These modifications make Superstrats ideal for rock and metal, offering powerful tones and extensive pitch-bending capabilities.
Telecaster – The Original Workhorse
The Fender Telecaster, or ‘Tele’ for short, is another iconic guitar that boasts a simple design with a single cutaway and two single-coil pickups. Known for its bright, biting sound, the Telecaster is a popular choice for country, rock, and jazz musicians. Famous Telecaster users include Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards, and Jonny Greenwood.
Les Paul – A Rock 'n' Roll Icon
The Gibson Les Paul is a heavyweight in the world of electric guitars, known for its rich, warm tone and high sustain. It features a mahogany body with a maple top and a set neck, and is typically equipped with two humbucker pickups. Les Pauls are favored by rock musicians but have been used across various genres. Notable Les Paul players include Slash, Jimmy Page, and Zakk Wylde.
Jazzmaster – Not Just for Jazz
The Fender Jazzmaster is another classic electric guitar body style. Introduced in 1958, the Jazzmaster was initially designed for jazz musicians, but it quickly found favor with surf rock and indie rock guitarists due to its unique tone and playability. It has an offset waist body, meaning that the waist of the guitar is not symmetrical. This design not only gives the Jazzmaster a distinctive look but also improves the balance of the guitar when played sitting down.
SG – A Lighter Alternative
The Gibson SG is another popular guitar model known for its lightweight design and powerful sound. It has a thinner, all-mahogany body and a double-cutaway design, allowing for easy access to the higher frets. The SG is a favorite among rock and indie musicians, with notable users including Angus Young of AC/DC and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath.
Gibson Explorer & Gibson Flying V
The Gibson Explorer, with its radical angular shape, was an oddity when it was first released. Despite its poor reception initially, the Explorer gained popularity in the late 70s and early 80s – especially among hard rock and heavy metal guitarists. The shape of the Explorer is not just for show but offers excellent balance when standing, making it a popular choice for live performances.
On the other hand, the Gibson Flying V, named after its distinctive “V” shape, was welcomed with open arms by the guitar community. It became a favorite of many blues and rock guitarists, including Jimi Hendrix and later many metal guitarists like Metallica’s Kirk Hammet. The Flying V offers a unique tone, with a bright and clear sound that cuts through the mix well. The shape also provides easy access to the higher frets, making it popular among lead guitarists.
Headless Electric Guitars
As the name implies, headless electric guitars come without a headstock. This design reduces the weight of the guitar and improves balance, making it comfortable to play for extended periods. Headless guitars also offer improved tuning stability, as the lack of a headstock eliminates the string tension across the nut.
Hollow & Semi-Hollow Body Shapes and Styles
Hollow body guitars, also known as ‘jazz boxes,’ have a fully hollow body, similar to an acoustic guitar. These guitars produce a warm, rich tone with a natural resonance, making them popular among jazz and blues musicians. However, they are more prone to feedback, particularly at high volumes or with high-gain settings.
Semi-hollow body guitars were created as a solution to the resonance and feedback that occurs in loud environments when playing with a hollow body guitar. The semi-hollow body guitars follow a similar design to hollow body guitars but also add a wooden center block beneath the pickups. This simple change reduces the amount of feedback, while also adding sustain.
Gretsch Electromatic – Hollow-Body Classic
The Gretsch Electromatic series is a good example of a classic hollow-body design. This lineup also features the iconic Bigsby tremolo system. Other than in jazz music, holllow-body electric guitars are also popular among rockabilly guitarists.
Gibson ES-335 – Leading Semi-Hollow Design Since 1958
Introduced in 1958, the Gibson ES-335 set a standard for semi-hollow body electric guitar design. A solid wood block runs through the center of the guitar, which places it in the semi-hollow category and helps prevent feedback issues. ES, by the way, is short for Electric Spanish.
Choosing the Right Electric Guitar Body Style for Your Music
Choosing the right electric guitar body style for your music is a personal decision that should be based on your playing style, musical genre, and personal preference. Each body style offers unique characteristics in terms of tone, playability, and aesthetics.
If you’re into rock or metal, you might prefer the aggressive look and sound of a Gibson Explorer or a modern metal guitar. If you’re into surf rock, or indie, the warm and versatile tone of a Fender Jazzmaster might suit you better. However, jazz guitarists more often opt for a hollow or semi-hollow body guitar.
Remember, the best guitar is the one that inspires you to play. So take your time, try out different models, and find the one that resonates with you the most. Happy playing!
