Styles of guitar.

There are so many different models of guitar available now but many are based on certain influential designs. Here we will look at some of the most inspiring guitars that have been produced.

Fender Telecaster

Often seen as the working man’s guitar, the Telecaster is basic and unrefined but has been around for over 50 years for a good reason. They sound fantastic. The singlecoil pickups are unique to the telecaster and help to give the guitar it’s famous sound. It’s a favourite with Country guitarist because of it’s thin and cutting sound but is capable of so much more. Used by artists such as Keith Richards, Jeff Buckley, Jonny Greenwood, Bruce Springsteen, Danny Gatton,  John 5.

Fender Stratocaster

The Stratocaster was Fender’s follow-up to the Telecaster and it’s certainly a more refined design. It’s curvier body featuring comfort contours and double cut-away design feel much more comfortable to hold. The guitar also features a tremolo and different singlecoil pickups to the Telecaster. Famous users include Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, John Mayer, David Gilmour, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mark Knopfler, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen and Billy Corgan.

Gibson Les Paul

After seeing the success Fender were having with the Telecaster, Gibson realised they needed to produce a solid bodied guitar too. The Les Paul was there answer. Bearing the name of the legendary Les Paul, it’s a very different guitar to the Telecaster and Stratocaster. Featuring a thick mahogany body with a maple cap, set mahogany neck and humbucking pickups, it produces a much thicker and more powerful sound. Famous users include Les Paul, Zakk Wylde, Jimmy Page, Slash, Steve Jones and  Joe Perry.

Gibson ES-335

The Gibson ES-335 was the world’s first commercial semi-hollowbody electric guitar, released by Gibson in 1958. The body is constructed of a solid bock of maple running through the centre. The sides, top and back are made from pressed maple laminate, adding a more acoustic element to the amplified sound. The ES-335 is considered by many to be the ultimate all-rounder. Famous users include Larry Carlton, Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Rich Robinson, Eric Clapton and Alvin Lee.

Superstrat

Take a Stratocaster, shrink the body and make it more streamlined, add more frets, fit a locking tremolo, a powerful humbucking pickup in the bridge position and airbrush a suitably garish on the body and you have a superstrat. Many manufacturers produce guitars which could be called superstrats but the most famous are probably Ibanez, Jackson and ESP. Eddie Van Halen is probably the most famous superstrat player after he assembled a guitar from various parts and used it on the early van Halen albums. Versatility isn’t really the aim with these guitars (although they can be). These guitars are built to rock.