tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1 2007-03-27T10:07:52Z All about guitars! Electric guitars, Acoustic guitars, Guitar history, Famous guitarists! Movable Type 3.33 tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.10 2007-03-27T09:53:05Z 2007-03-27T10:07:52Z

There are literally hundreds of guitar manufactures located all over the globe. However a majority of the more common, quality guitars are built in England, Europe, Japan, and the United States. By far the most well-recognized guitar manufactures are Gibson...

awakers Ibanez A Japanese company, Ibanez incorporates more modern elements into design, such as radical body shapes, slimmer necks and flatter fingerboards (which allowed for faster playing), higher-output electronics and colorful finishes. This led to an increasing popularity with HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_music" \o "Heavy metal music" heavy metal musicians. Ampeg Famous mainly for its bass guitars and amplifiers, Ampeg guitars are also famous for its see-through guitars, designed by guitar legend Dan Armstrong. Rickenbacker This company was the inventor of the first electric guitar, and has a fabled history in the realm of guitar manufacturers. Rickenbacker is also famous for being the quintessential guitar for the evolving rock and roll genre during the 50s and 60s, when most notably, the Beatles, were playing their guitars exclusively. ESP ESP is a famous Japanese manufacturer, with a short but respected history in guitar manufacturing. It has quickly built its name on being used by a wide range of well-known musicians within the hard rock/metal/death metal genres. Music Man Music Man is a respected American manufacturer with a short history. Nevertheless, Music Man guitars have a small cult following lending a bit of mystic and eccentricity to their products PRS guitars This American company was originally started to design guitars that bridged the technical gap between Fender and Gibson designs. It is known for very high-quality, high-priced guitars. PRS stands for the name of the company’s founder, well-known guitarist Paul Reed Smith. ]]> tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.9 2007-03-27T09:53:04Z 2007-03-27T10:06:23Z

Acoustic and electric guitars both have many advantages. Let’s take a look at what these advantages might be. Acoustic guitars require no external amplification, and thus, are great for campfires, street playing, and other such activities. Since they require no...

awakers Acoustic and electric guitars both have many advantages. Let’s take a look at what these advantages might be. Acoustic guitars require no external amplification, and thus, are great for campfires, street playing, and other such activities. Since they require no amplifier, it is also cheaper to get one and get started on learning. They have a very clear and crisp sound, and are favored as a way to begin playing guitar due to the fact that acoustic guitars are great for learning rhythm. Playing from a rhythm perspective as opposed to a lead guitar format, allows simplicity when writing your own songs. Since rhythm sections are the base of a band, it promotes study of various chords, and their stiff strings strengthen one’s fingers. However, if all you want to play is rock and roll, you might want to spend the extra dollars and buy an electric guitar with an amplifier to get the sound you want. Electric guitars are, in essence, easier to play due to lighter string tension, a more accessible fret board and a slimmer body. A greater range of electronic effects are also attainable through the use of a wide range of effects pedals or devices, allowing the artist to fine tune the exact sound they want to hear. Electric guitars can also play the clean sounds that are similar to an acoustic guitar, and are thus quite versatile. They are also great for studying the basics of lead guitar, as their light string tension creates great ease in moving up and down the fret board during guitar solos. In my own case, my first guitar and amplifier was a cheap Fender copy and a small floor amplifier. It did the job just well, creating a bright clean sound while also allowing the study of different guitar sounds created through the use of an amplifier. However, my second guitar was an acoustic, and it felt great to play something so loud, clear, and bright. In my honest opinion, both suit the beginner just fine. tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.8 2007-03-27T09:53:01Z 2007-03-27T10:05:43Z

With the right knowledge, buying your first guitar can be a relatively painless experience. Knowledge is power! This is what you need to know: Have patience. Do your research and never feel that you have to buy a guitar at...

awakers With the right knowledge, buying your first guitar can be a relatively painless experience. Knowledge is power! This is what you need to know: Have patience. Do your research and never feel that you have to buy a guitar at the first place you come to. Take your time when deciding what you want to buy. Browse the stores, play as many different kinds of guitars as possible, so that you can know what you really want. Maintain control. Do not let any salesman push you when deciding what your purchase will be. Get help. If possible, make friends with someone who plays the guitar already. They can no doubt help you make the right selection to fit your needs. To elaborate on this points a bit, remember that it is okay to take up as much of a music store employee’s time asking as many questions about guitars as you feel necessary. Make them earn that commission! One further golden rule of the music store, and something you will no doubt notice as soon as you walk in, is that it’s perfectly okay to grab a stool, grab a guitar that interests you, and plug in to the nearest amp. Everybody knows that you need to test what you are buying, so don’t be shy! However, if you do plug into an amplifier, make sure you try to use one there that is similar to the one you might plan to use. If you are shopping for an acoustic guitar, then of course, no amplifier is necessary. Additionally, when testing out a guitar at a store, do not hesitate to play it loud. You have to hear what a guitar sounds like in order to know if it is for you or not. If you begin to play loud and a shopkeeper begins to glare at you, take your business elsewhere, as they obviously have no concern for the finer aspects of musical instruments. They only care about selling. So, don’t be shy. Even if you’re a novice, play it loud! When testing a guitar, make sure you play each fret, in order to test the quality of the neck. If the neck is weak or badly bent, you might hear sounds such as buzzing or diminished tonal quality. More importantly, play everything, take notes, shop around, and don’t be afraid to take your time. Buying a guitar is not always cheap; therefore you are entitled to get what you want the first time around! tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.7 2007-03-27T09:52:59Z 2007-03-27T10:04:25Z

It’s quite difficult to list out simply who the world’s best guitarists are, as it largely depends on one’s personally perception on what “best” is—it’s all relative. In my own experience, at local shows of bands and performers from various...

awakers Eric Clapton Eric Clapton was born in England in the 1940s and began playing the guitar at a young age, becoming almost immediately frustrated with it soon after beginning. His road to stardom is a long and far reaching one, and at first became intrigued and curious about the blues genre. At 17, he joined his first band, and a few years after joined a band known as the Yardbirds, helping to get his name out into the masses. From there he played in a few other bands before taking a spot in the band, Cream, which has since been deemed a “Supergroup”, and was, and still is, recognized around the world as the point as which Clapton began to attain fame as a guitarist. Before Cream, he was virtually unknown outside England. After this turning point in his road to stardom, Clapton was involved in other collaborations before launching his well-known and very successful solo career, where he remains playing to this day. Jimi Hendrix This very influential guitarist, born in 1942, was well-known for pioneering the use of feedback and distortion in his playing, which wasn’t explored fully until Hendrix arrived on the guitar scene. He known as one of the world’s most recognized, influential and greatest guitarists in rock and roll history. His band, named The Jimi Hendrix Experience, basically rewrote rock and roll, and laid the ground work for many bands to come later. Hendrix was also known for wild guitar antics on stage; he would sometimes play the guitar with his teeth or from behind his back. He was also well-known for his weapon of choice: the Fender Stratocaster. The use of this model also influenced many later guitars to play the same guitar, with famous artists such as Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, and Eric Clapton switching over to the Stratocaster. Jimi Hendrix was made all the more famous by his death in 1970, from a drug overdose. Hendrix was known for uniqueness in so many ways; even in the way his guitar was set up: he played a right-handed guitar, even though he was left-handed, and had the strings reversed to accommodate this, essentially playing the guitar upside down. Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix are but just a few of the many great guitarists out there from a multitude of different genres. Nevertheless, no article introducing guitars would be complete without mentioning at least those two remarkable guitarists. Other notable guitarists are Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen, Jeff Beck, and David Gilmore. ]]> tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.6 2007-03-27T09:52:58Z 2007-03-27T10:02:57Z

As I mentioned before, the guitar has become the driving force in genres such as classical guitar, blues, country, and rock and roll, and still holds dominance over these types of music genres. Spanning a history of over four centuries,...

awakers As I mentioned before, the guitar has become the driving force in genres such as classical guitar, blues, country, and rock and roll, and still holds dominance over these types of music genres. Spanning a history of over four centuries, classical guitar is characterized by its fast finger picking and strumming, proving itself to be one of the most difficult styles of guitar to learn. Professional players often shape their fingernails to achieve desired string tones. Classical guitars have no need for truss rods, due to the low tension of their strings. Famous guitarists include Paco De Lucia and Grisha Goryachev. Blues guitar originated in the United States in the 1920s, stemming from an overall blues genre that evolved from the communities of former African slaves and their spirituals, praise songs, field hollers, shouts, and chants. Blues guitar usually uses a common pattern, and provided the roots for the evolution of modern rock and roll, jazz, hip hop, pop, and country music. Famous blues guitar artists include Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. As I just mentioned, country music evolved from blues music, and also has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, blues, gospel music, hokum, and old-time music, and evolved rapidly in the 1920s. Popular country artists include the infamous Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks. Finally, one of the most well-known genres, rock and roll, evolved from all previous types of guitar-based music, and has a broad range of genres within itself, such as classic rock, pop, punk rock, heavy metal, death metal, alternative rock, and the recent genre of rap-metal. All of these sub genres have even more sub genres within them, making classification of each genre an almost monumental task worthy of being a doctorate thesis topic perhaps! Guitar genres are constantly changing form and mixing with each other. New genres are being created every day. Often it is the interest in certain genres of music that inspire one to take up the task of learning to the play an instrument, and the guitar is no different. If you aren’t familiar with the structure of these genres, I suggest a trip to a local record store would be in short order. tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.5 2007-03-27T09:52:57Z 2007-03-27T10:01:05Z

At first, the big question about learning to play the guitar is whether or not to take lessons, or simply, as in the case of many successful and well-known guitarists, to undertake learning the instrument by yourself. Both have merits,...

awakers At first, the big question about learning to play the guitar is whether or not to take lessons, or simply, as in the case of many successful and well-known guitarists, to undertake learning the instrument by yourself. Both have merits, as I will describe here. In my own case, I learned to play the guitar by myself from either the occasional book on chords and guitar basics, and once I learned those, from listening to music itself and trying to play along. There is a lot to be said about learning guitar basics, whichever way you end up learning them. Many would say that as long as you have the basics down, you can develop your own chords and take your time in learning more intermediate-level guitar theory. It all depends on you. The basics might be all you need, as many famous guitarists came through this school of learning. However, there is also a lot to be said about studying more intense guitar theory, as well as gaining a deep technical knowledge of music itself. It all depends on your natural skill, level of ability, and your curiosity and how you go about satisfying it. Some people learn better from a teacher, and some people learn better by themselves at their own pace. For the absolute beginner, when you finally do purchase your first guitar, I would recommend picking up a How-To book on guitar basics and chord structures. With this type of investment, one can at least enjoy playing some basic chords in relatively little time, and then, as time goes by, begin to assess their own ability and level of interest. I would have to admit, I have seen a lot of people become discouraged initially, but once they get the basics down, they begin to enjoy more, stress less, and finally begin to figure the guitar out in their brains. If you have ever heard of Eric Clapton, one of the world’s most respected and famous guitarists, you might be interested to know that even he was discouraged when he first started playing the guitar. Whatever your initial skill level might be, don’t let it get in the way of the reason why you wanted to learn guitar in the first place. You might just be the next guitar god! Wouldn’t we all like to think so? It’s possible. Once you have the basics and you are enjoying yourself with your new purchase, that is the time when you can more accurately assess your interest and discover whether or not shelling out the extra bucks for lessons is worth it or not. Hopefully, in your guitar travels so far you’ve had the chance to make other guitar friends, and hopefully, they will be better than you, giving you a chance to learn from more experience players. That way is cheaper and probably more enjoying than paying someone you don’t really know. So get out there, go jam at the local music shop, and attend the shows of local bands. If you become a serious player, you will already be hooked and ready to learn more. tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.4 2007-03-27T09:52:55Z 2007-03-27T10:00:28Z

As in many facets of artistry, there are many words and phrases relative to the art that outsiders may not understand. For the sake of helping one understand guitar lingo, as well as helping one know what they are buying...

awakers Acoustic Sound that is not enhanced electronically Amplifier A device for amplifying the signal of a guitar's pickups—a guitar usually plugs into an amp through a cord with two quarter-inch jacks on either end. Amplification can change the sound of a guitar dramatically and is one of the most important pieces of equipment in achieving a guitarist's sound. Arpeggio To play the notes of a chord individually rather than together as a chord Bend To bend the string at a certain fret by pushing the string into another string's space Capo A guitar accessory that holds the strings down at a certain fret so that chords can be played as if they were open Chord A combination of notes played simultaneously Cutaway A part of the guitar body that's been removed so it's easier to reach the fingerboard's top notes—most electric guitars have at least one cutaway Effects Pedal Plugs from an electric guitar into an amplifier and changes the sound of the guitar according to the effect the pedal has been programmed with Harmonics A ringing sound similar to a bell, created by placing a finger gently on a string and picking that string Octave An interval eight diatonic scale degrees above a given tone Pick A small piece of shaped material that is held in the pick hand and used to pluck or strum the strings of the guitar—typically made out of vinyl or plastic, but some are also made of glass, metal, and stone Pull Off Fretting two notes on the same string, playing the higher of the two notes, and while that note is still ringing, pulling the finger off the higher fret Tablature A method of notation for string instruments—usually indicates a tone with notation referring to the finger and string used to create it ]]> tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.3 2007-03-27T09:52:54Z 2007-03-27T09:57:04Z

Starting from the top end of a common guitar, meaning, at the end of the guitar neck furthest from the body, we start at what is known as a “headstock”, which is fitted with machine heads that adjust the tension...

awakers Starting from the top end of a common guitar, meaning, at the end of the guitar neck furthest from the body, we start at what is known as a “headstock”, which is fitted with machine heads that adjust the tension of the strings, which in turn affects the pitch. Most guitars have a traditional layout for the placement of these heads, or pegs, as they are more commonly known, but some guitars can have abstract layouts or none at all, depending on the type and brand of guitar. Coming from the headstock, we hit what is called a “nut”. This is a bridge-like piece of material, usually made out of bone, plastic, brass, corian, graphite, stainless steel, or other medium-hard material, and gives the strings a place to rest their tension, after they string out over what we are coming to next: the fret board. The fret board, also sometimes called a “finger board”, is usually made of wood running all the way up the neck, and is embedded with metal “frets”, which, when the strings are pressed upon them, shortens the vibrating length of the string, changing the pitch of the sound. The frets of the fret board are placed in points along the strings that divide them mathematically, and are usually the first thing to wear out on a guitar. However, they can be replaced as necessary. Next we come to the “truss rod”, which is a metal rod that runs along the inside of the neck, and allows for tension to be adjusted by way of a hex nut located either in the headstock or in the body of the guitar. The truss rod counteracts the enormous amount of tension the strings place on the neck, and helps keep the neck straight. This rod is sometimes necessary to compensate for changes in the guitar from outside influences such as humidity. The truss rod has great influence over the intonation of the guitar’s sound. The part on a guitar known as a “neck” is the name given collectively to the frets, fret board, tuners, headstock, and truss rod, all attached to a long wooden extension. The rigidity of a neck is usually an indicator to the overall quality of a guitar, as it largely determines the instrument’s precision. The neck joint, or “heel” of a guitar is the point where the neck meets the body. This connection is held together by either glue or by bolts. In most cases, acoustic guitars are held by glue, with the opposite applying to electric varieties. Bolt-on necks are sometimes associated with cheaper units, however, they do allow for greater versatility when making adjustments or minor repairs to a guitar. Next, we come to a major component, as no guitar would make a sound without them: the strings. These run up from the bottom of the body, over top the fret board, and onto the headstock. Pushing a string against a fret on the fret board changes the length of the string’s vibration, effectively changing its tone. Lastly, we land upon the body, which is the main and largest part of a guitar. The body houses the bridge, which holds down the strings at the bottom end, and provides sustenance for holding the instrument against your body. In acoustic varieties, it also provides amplification by means of being hollow, allowing for heightened volume. In electric varieties, it houses the electric pickups, which transmit sounds to an amplifier. Bodies come in as many shapes and sizes as the imagination can envision. Other minor parts would include electronic wiring, for units that use them, which is usually hidden away inside the body, a pick guard, to protect the body from scratches while playing with a pick, and perhaps, a strap, used to sling the instrument over the body while playing. tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.2 2007-03-27T09:52:52Z 2007-03-27T09:54:26Z

According to most accounts, the guitar first appeared on the scene more than 5,000 years ago in areas such as Arabia and Persia, eventually migrating to Europe via Ancient Greece and Spain. According to archaeological discoveries of artwork depicting stringed...

awakers According to most accounts, the guitar first appeared on the scene more than 5,000 years ago in areas such as Arabia and Persia, eventually migrating to Europe via Ancient Greece and Spain. According to archaeological discoveries of artwork depicting stringed instruments, its shape was a lot different than it is now, but it still maintained the same basic structure: a body, a neck, and a headstock. It is now also known that people who were occupying areas of Asia Minor and Syria around the year 1400 B.C., who were known as the Hittites, played a guitar-like instrument. By all accounts, the modern guitar completed its evolution in Spain by the early 1800s, hence the common designation, Spanish guitar. It was during this Spanish evolution of the guitar that the form and shape of this instrument began to blossom into its own. In many of its previous configurations, while still maintaining the basic design of the guitar as we know it, it resembled lutes and sitars more than its current figure. In Spain, classical guitar began to flourish with players/makers such as Agustin Caro, Manuel Gonzalez, Antonio de Lorca, and Manuel Guiterrez, as well as other European guitarists, including Rene Lacote and Johann Staufer, helping to develop the guitar’s first genre. By 1850, the guitar had reached its finally stage of development with the work of Antonio Torres Jurado, who refined the dimension and physical characteristics of the classical guitar, allowing for the durability and playability required for solo performers and live concerts. Since that time, the basic structure and concept behind the design of the guitar has remained unchanged, except for the introduction of the electric guitar in 1936, invented by George Beauchamp, who co-founded Rickenbacker guitars. However, it was a company called Danelectro that first mass-produced them for the public, launching the guitar into pop culture, profoundly affecting our modern world in return. The etymology of the English word, “guitar”, stems from the Spanish word, guitarra, which evolved from the earlier Greek word, kithara. Further etymology stems the guitar’s Persian and Indo-European roots. tag:www.guitar-advisor.com,2007://1.1 2007-03-27T09:52:49Z 2007-03-27T09:53:30Z

In this short series of articles, we will be focusing on one of the most popular musical instruments the world has ever seen: the guitar—delving into its history, terminology, components, function, heroes, genres, and manufacturers, while also taking a look...

awakers In this short series of articles, we will be focusing on one of the most popular musical instruments the world has ever seen: the guitar—delving into its history, terminology, components, function, heroes, genres, and manufacturers, while also taking a look at how one can buy a guitar, and eventually, play it. First, let’s take a look at some background information on this extremely versatile and even ancient means of making melody: The guitar has been in use since ancient times, when ancient dudes (as Bill and Ted might say) rocked the lands of antiquities in many styles. However, today, it is primarily known as the driving force in genres such as classical guitar, blues, country, and rock and roll. It is within these genres that the six-string variety became the most popular, and thus, imprinted the popular concept of the guitar in the minds of billions. Of this versatile six-string type, there are two main sub-types of guitars nowadays, which I am sure everyone is aware of: acoustic and electric. It is mostly either of these two types that one would buy as their first guitar; as was the case for me. Mine was a cheap electric guitar, and, while not one of the best brands, it did the job quite nicely. But we’ll touch on that a bit later.