Archive | Guitar History

The Unbelievable Longevity of Acoustic Guitars

One of the most popular musical instruments used in various popular music genres, acoustic guitars date back over 5000 years ago.  Acoustic guitars come in many different styles. Depending upon the music genre you would like to play, each acoustic guitar will boast impressive playing features, as well as different resonating sounds.

There is no mistaking the distinctive look of an acoustic guitar-with its single sound hole, as well as the six strings that most acoustic guitars have. There are actually various classes of acoustic guitars in the world, the most popular of which would be the steel string and the classical types of acoustic guitars.

Unlike electric guitars, acoustic guitars have their own means of amplification, in the form of its hollow body. The hollow body and single sound hole allows for the resonance of the sounds produced by the acoustic guitar’s strings. Smaller acoustic guitar bodies produce lower tones, while larger body acoustic guitars are capable of producing heavier/deeper tones. Some acoustic guitars are designed with cutaways, which basically impact the general sound of an acoustic guitar.

Steel stringed acoustic guitars are, obviously, acoustic guitars fitted with steel strings. They often come in various shapes, made from various materials, the most popular of these materials would be wood. They also have narrow necks, and produce a distinct sound.

Now, classical acoustic guitars differ from steel stringed acoustic guitars in a couple of ways. Classical acoustic guitars have wider necks, and instead of steel strings, they use nylon strings. These nylon strings produce softer sounds compared to steel stringed acoustic guitars, making them perfect for playing classical pieces.

Rock, Country, Alternative and Pop generally use steel stringed acoustic guitars. Folk, Ragtime and country blues employ classical acoustic guitars, as the finger picking nature of these genres are perfect for classical acoustic guitars.

A weak sustain is also one of the many things that stand out about acoustic guitars. A weak sustain means notes would easily face after being struck. Electric guitars, coupled with special effects, have higher sustain values over acoustic guitars, but this doesn’t mean all acoustic guitars have this limitation. Certain acoustic guitars, like concert guitars, feature good sustain, resulting to good overall performance.

If you are looking to learn how to play guitar, getting an acoustic guitar would be the best way to start, as acoustic guitars are the most basic of guitar type.

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The Two Leaders In The Guitar Industry – Washburn and Rickenbacker

With origins dating back to 5000 years ago, guitars are one of the most popular of musical instruments in the world. Guitars have tested themselves through time, aptly earning the many varied associations it has become connected with as a musical instrument.

When I mention the words Rock and Roll, what image pops in your head? Guitars. Blues? Guitars. It doesn’t matter if it’s jazz, funk, pop, alternative, or heavy metal…guitars play the biggest part in how the music is played and heard.

Expensive or good quality guitars don’t necessarily result to better guitar playing, but rather poor quality guitars would negatively affect one’s guitar playing. Getting any class of guitar from these two brands of guitars would avoid scenarios where guitarists end up with poor quality musical instruments which they would just regret having with them.

This being said, it’s no wonder why there are hundreds of brands of guitars out there. However, there are two brands of guitars being the leaders in the making of quality guitars: Washburn and Rickenbacker.

Washburn Guitars

Washburn Guitars range from low costing guitars as well as the more specialized, high quality guitars. They are also all built by hand. Washburn Guitars would stand to be one of the oldest guitars, being that they have been around since 1883. When it comes to Washburn Guitars, they are one of the most innovative guitar sellers in the ranks of brands of guitars.

Rickenbacker Guitars

Rickenbacker Guitars, who in the 1930’s, were the first makers of the electric guitar. With its headquarters based in Santa Ana, California, Rickenbacker Guitars are known for quality electric guitars, and is the largest guitar company which makes all their guitars in the United States.

Rickenbacker Guitars was founded by Adolph Rickenbacher and George Beauchamp as the Electro String Instrument Corporation in 1931. The first guitars they produced were electric Hawaiian guitars. It was later changed to Richenbacher, then later changed to Rickenbacker. Rickenbacker Guitars are used by many artists in composing and recording, as well as in their live performances.

In the world of guitar brands, there are a number of brands of guitars out there in the market. These two brands simply stand out, bearing with them the endearing quality and craftsmanship, definitive of quality guitars, perfect for music, and as musical instruments.

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