How we pick our products
Welcome to our big electric guitar test 2023. Here we present all the electric guitars we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the web.
We want to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best electric guitars for you.
You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should pay attention to if you want to buy an electric guitar.
Summary
- An electric guitar is an electrically amplified guitar that comes in countless models. Well-known models are the Stratocaster, Les Paul, SG, Telekaster, semi-acoustic guitar and the Superstrat. However, there are other unusual designs and also individualised electric guitars.
- When buying an electric guitar, you should pay attention to the quality and workmanship. The electric guitar should be bought in a music shop or from a trustworthy online dealer with a return guarantee.
- Famous guitarists like Kurt Cobain also started out small. It’s best to start with a guitar teacher. The most important accessories are cables and amplifiers, among other things.
The Best Electric Guitar: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying an electric guitar
Where is an electric guitar most often used?
What should I consider when buying an electric guitar?
There should be no cracks or material defects in the workmanship. For beginners or guitarists with little knowledge of electric guitars, competent advice is definitely necessary.
Take your time when choosing and buying your electric guitar. Then you can check everything out and get advice.
Can I rent an electric guitar?
If you really want to try out an electric guitar first, you can also use the dealers’ return service or test your guitar in a music shop.
What accessories do I need for an electric guitar?
The following guitar accessories are important for the electric guitar itself:
- Guitar case / guitar bag
- Picks
- Music stand
- Guitar stand / wall mount
- Amplifier
- Cable
- Tuner
For insider tips, it’s best to talk to your music shop consultant, well-known electric guitarists or your guitar teacher about your electric guitar choices and necessary accessories.
What is the best way to learn to play an electric guitar?
This happens because this classical guitar is more comfortable and easier to play at the beginning due to its nylon strings.
Nevertheless, you can start with an electric guitar right away. The best way to learn the electronic guitar is with a guitar teacher. Even if there are many other alternatives, a good teacher is irreplaceable. He or she can also help you choose your electric guitar, accessories and teaching materials.
Decision: What types of electric guitars are there and which is the right one for me?
An electric guitar has steel strings and is electrically amplified. This makes it louder and achieves a variety of sounds that can be produced. Many people don’t look closely enough at an electric guitar and think that they are basically all the same. A mistake.
Depending on your musical taste, a different electric guitar model will suit you. It’s best to try out a few instruments in a music shop.
Types of electric guitar include:
- Stratocaster
- Les Paul
- SG
- Telecaster
- Semi acoustic guitars
- Superstrat
- Other models
There are an incredible number of models and designs of this amplified guitar. These guitar models differ mainly in their weight, but also in the use of the music style, the sound and the materials.
Stratocaster
The Stratocaster is probably the electric guitar that laymen would call a common electric guitar. Nowadays, a guitar is only called a Stratocaster if it has the shape of a Fender Stratocaster. But what does that mean? This guitar has a body made of ash or alder wood. The neck is either light and made of maple or dark and made of rosewood.
The Strat’s shape allows it to adapt perfectly to the guitarist’s body. This electric guitar differs from the other models mainly in its sound. It has a biting sound and also a vibrating lever.
Les Paul
The Les Paul guitar sounds really “fat”. This comes from the heavy body made of mahogany with a glued maple top. This guitar can produce distorting sounds, but they are not as versatile and are often used in classic rock.
The weight, which helps with the sound, is of course on your shoulder or arms. If you have played a lot with lighter guitars before, it can be a noticeable change.
The characteristic sound, as great as it is, can also be a disadvantage if you only have a Les Paul but want to be more musically versatile.
SG
The SG guitar was once a Les Paul guitar. However, it became an electric guitar model in its own right because it is now quite different from its mother electric guitar.
Above all, the SG is lighter than the Les Paul and also lighter than the Stratocaster guitar. It is a dynamic guitar that is often used in blues-rock. The body is also made of mahogany. This guitar is especially popular with young bands.
Telecaster
This guitar typically has a long neck made of maple and the body of ash. Due to the neck pickup, the Telecaster can be used in the blues.
This type of electric guitar became famous especially in country music. With its rocky country sound, it is therefore most popular in this style of music.
The special, interesting sound is also a weakness of the guitar, similar to the Les Paul. You can’t be too versatile on the road, because you run the risk that every piece will sound a bit country.
Semi-acoustic guitars
A semi-acoustic guitar is built relatively flat. In addition, these guitars are hollow inside. This is where the unique sound comes from. This sound is best described by songs from the Beatles.
Unfortunately, the semi-acoustic guitar is also known for uncontrollable feedback. Nevertheless, the pure and slightly distorted sound is a real sound experience and is often used for rhythm. This guitar also finds its place in the blues.
Superstrat
The Superstrat has a longer scale length and different wood types than the forms mentioned so far. This guitar is a variation of the Stratocaster electric guitar. It delivers a varied sound experience.
Sometimes this guitar can be found with pickups and sometimes without. Indeed, there are often several variations within one guitar model.
Other models
There are of course many other electric guitar models. Among them is the Flying V, which stands out because of its special V-shaped body. The Paul Reed Smith guitar, which lies between the Gibson and the Stratocaster or Tele guitar in terms of scale length and sound.
Then there is the Parker guitar, which stands out from other electric guitars with its lightweight plastic body and additional sounds and a new shape. Guitars can also be customised. Of course, the sound changes and the costs are enormous.
Interesting facts about the electric guitar
How does an electric guitar work?
A so-called electric guitar sounds by picking up sound electrically. This means that it does not work in the same way as an acoustic guitar.
Acoustic guitars, such as the Western or concert guitar, sound through the sound body and the vibrations of the guitar strings. With the electric guitar, the vibrations of the steel strings are picked up by the pickup and reproduced electronically amplified.
The first real guitar was built by Gibson in 1936. It was the ES-150.
In the 1920s, musicians tried to make their guitars louder. In 1923 the first pickups were produced and in 1936 the first real electric guitar.
Which famous electric guitarists are there?
There were and are a lot of electric guitar stars. Kurt Cobain, Billy Corgan, Paul Landers, Bob Marley, Johnny Marr, Kirk Hammett and Tom DeLonge are just a few of them. Do you like one electric guitarist in particular or do you just love the sound and music of that guitarist?
Then find out which guitar your guitar hero plays. It can often be an additional motivation to play the same model or a comparable one as your role model.
What types of guitars are there and how do they differ?
There are many types of guitars, differing in appearance, construction, sound and playing style. We have compiled a selection of guitar types and their characteristics in the following table:
| Type of guitar | Construction | Sound box | Strings | Sound hole |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical guitar | The classical guitars differ only in visual subtleties | Yes | Nylon (mostly 6) | Yes |
| Western guitar | Dreadnnought, Jumbo and others | Yes | Steel (mostly 6) | Yes |
| Electric guitar | ST, TL, Single/Double Cut, and many others partly very experimental. | No | Steel (mostly 6) | No |
| Semi-resonance guitar | ST, TL and Single | Yes | Steel (mostly 6) | 2 holes |
| Acoustic bass | Similar to the acoustic guitar | Yes | Steel (mostly 4) | Yes |
| Electric bass | There are two traditional ones: Precision and Jazz. But customised ones are also possible | No | Steel (mostly 4) | No |
Picture source: unsplash.com / Juan Di Nella
Why you can trust me?
Most popular
Related posts
