Semi-acoustic guitar - the golden mean between acoustic and electric guitar. Description and characteristics of semi-acoustic guitar

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Semi-acoustic guitars (reviews about them from both novice musicians and professionally developed ones are only positive) remain quite popular from the moment they were invented to this day. In order to understand why the instrument deserved such attention, it is enough to connect it to the amplifier. Noble and even somewhat velvety sound will never leave an experienced guitarist, however, as well as a beginner, indifferent. In the world of music and art, such a guitar is considered a real aristocrat.

What is a guitar?

One of the most common musical instruments is the guitar. It is used in almost all styles. The most common types are semi-acoustic, jazz, electric and acoustic guitars. It is a key accompaniment in blues, country, rockmusic, flamenco. Almost any work can be played on it.

Acoustics

The simplest instrument that appeared among the first and is the prototype of the semi-acoustic guitar. Made from precious woods. It should not be connected to amplifiers, as it has its own sound, which is distinguished by its purity and individuality of sound. Acoustic and semi-acoustic guitar (photo in the article) are very similar in appearance. Acoustics differ in that it has a thick soundboard, due to which a rather powerful sound arises.

Electric guitars

For the first time this species appeared in the XX century in the 60s. The reason for their appearance was the desire of the musicians to make the sound as loud as possible. The success of the semi-acoustic guitar was the impetus for the transition to the next stage in the field of musical instruments.

The case is dense and rather narrow. In some places there are special cutouts for parts, and there is also a socket for an electric cord. According to the shape of the deck, they are divided into: stratocaster (stratocaster), les paul (les paul), telecaster (telecaster). However, there are other guitars besides them, such as the flying V (flying V).

Semi-acoustic guitar

The instrument is a cross between an acoustic and an electric model. Its sound is quite soft, woody, but bright, contrasting and punchy. The advantages of this model are that the body is much thinner and lighter than other guitars, and the resonance is almost identical.acoustics. It is this nuance that allows it to be used in various musical fields. However, at concerts that are held in large halls or in open spaces, musicians rarely choose such an instrument, since electro-acoustic sound is preferred at these events.

Do not forget that the semi-acoustic guitar is one of the most common types of instrument. Pickups, in particular humbuckers, are most often installed on it. It is thanks to this device that the reproduced sound becomes clear and resonant. This instrument is ideal for beginning musicians. However, professionals treat him with respect. The main styles in which the instrument is used are rock and roll, jazz, blues, rockabilly and others.

A bit of history

The first model of a semi-acoustic guitar was made in the 30s in America by master Orville Gibson. She received the name - Gibson ES-150. At that time, jazz was quite popular, it was this that played a significant role in choosing the appearance of a semi-acoustic guitar. The first models were created as trial versions, which smoothly tuned musicians to more powerful instruments - electric guitars. The amplified sound in comparison with acoustics is so fond of that in a fairly short period of time they have become quite in demand and popular. Already in 1949, two new models of full-fledged semi-acoustic guitars were released, in which electric pickups were built.

After 10 years othersmanufacturers began to take on the manufacture of this type of instrument, Rickenbacker became Gibson's main competitor.

Semi-acoustic guitar device

Each guitar has a specific design that fully affects the sounds it reproduces.

The semi-acoustic guitar is divided into two subspecies: with a hollow body and a semi-hollow body.

The first has a construction structure similar to acoustics. As a rule, people who play such a guitar do not need amplification of the sound. However, when connected to the appropriate equipment, its sound becomes clearer, louder and more contrasty. Considered the most common type of semi-acoustic guitars.

The semi-hollow body is narrower than normal, has several inserts and f-shaped cutouts.

Bass guitar

The semi-acoustic bass often has four strings and is widely used in the music industry. It goes well with the drum kit and other instruments. Basically, in the manufacture, such material as wood is used, and of completely different species. It produces high-quality sound both with and without an amplifier. Resonant sound is produced in both cases.

List of the most popular models

Best semi-acoustic guitar - Gibson ES-335. This tool is the first successful option, which to this day is very popular and serves as a design model. Has many variations. It was created in response tothe search, as they say, for the golden mean between acoustic and electric guitars. The result is a unique instrument with a melodic and exciting sound.

The Gibson ES-339 model is more advanced, lightweight and has a unique punchy sound.

Epiphone Dot semi-acoustic guitar is a budget option. Its prototype is the Gibson ES-335 model. Playable sound without specific features. Can be used in styles such as jazz, rock, blues.