Turn On Tune In And Pluck Off!!! (Guitars in general)

Member Name: Caveat-Emptor

Product:	Guitars in general
Date:	20/07/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The most versatile instrument on the planet

Disadvantages: No one guitar can give you all the sounds

My review of Guitars in general
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Introduction
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No other instrument in the world conjures up the same feelings for me as the guitar. No one really knows the true origins of the instrument; it probably came out of the ancient stringed instruments of Greece and other classical civilisations. A close cousin of the Lute, the guitar has been gradually increasing in popularity for the past few centuries (Stradivarius actually made guitars as well as violins -would you believe!).


My Opinion/ Features
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Nowadays we guitarists (and anyone wanting to start playing) are spoilt for choice;

We have classical (or Spanish) guitars, primarily used for playing classical music (though not always -they can be used for other types too). Classical guitars offer a warm full tone that's brilliant for finger picking on. The soft nylon strings also make them very popular with beginners because nylon is a lot kinder on your fingers (than steel strings) so you don't get as many blisters.

Even more popular is the steel strung acoustic (sometimes called a folk guitar). The folk guitar is popular with everyone from singer songwriters to bluegrass fingerpickers. You can play it with a plaectrum, with plastic/metal finger picks or with just your fingers. Often you can get pick ups fitted to folk guitars too which I think makes them more versatile still. I think I slightly prefer the sound of a Folk Guitar to a Classical Guitar, and I find it's narrower fretboard easier to play on -though the strings are not as finger friendly as the classical guitar because they are steel on the thin strings and bronze wrapped steel on the thick strings.

For playing with other musicians be it in bands or jamming etc, then the electric guitar is the most fun!! I love the way you can change the sound at the flick of a foot pedal, in a way that's just impossible on an acoustic guitar (classical or folk). Some electric guitars also have tremolo arms so you can change the pitch of the strings rapidly while playing them.

There are also 4 string bass guitars -I really enjoy playing bass but not as much as guitar lol!! as well as guitars you put on your lap just to play slide guitar on (by sliding a piece of metal/brass/glass/pipe etc along the strings).


My Verdict
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No matter what sound you're into there's a guitar that will suit you. I'm still amazed at the huge palette of musical choices available from the various types of guitars available (and new variants are invented quite regularly).

I found that no one guitar will give you all the sounds you want, so it's best to get a selection (if you're mad on guitars like me). I currently have 15 and I'm still hungering after others.... it's a very addictive hobby; playing guitar -but it's just about the most interesting one I've ever come across... A world without guitars would be a sad place indeed; and I heartily recommend you get one!!

Hope you found my review helpful and interesting!!

Best wishes,
Caveat-Emptor

Summary: Best instrument ever bar none!