Electric Guitar

Here’s Why Electric Guitars Are Shaped the Way They Are

By · 13 min read

Here’s Why Electric Guitars Are Shaped the Way They Are

Electric guitars are a notoriously weird bunch. Some have lightning bolt-shaped curves, some have horns and “fangs,” and others have whammy bars that can be used to dive bomb. Well, it’s safe to say that there’s no standard shape for an electric guitar–and the variety of shapes is part of why they are so cool.

Some electric guitars go beyond the usual shape entirely. Fanned fret guitars use angled frets and different scale lengths per string to improve tension and comfort.

Electric guitars are shaped the way they are for aesthetics, comfort, creative designs, and ease of use. Unlike acoustic guitars, the design has little importance to the sound of the final output, meaning that an electric guitar can be made of any shape.

Looking for a body style that does shape the sound? Check our picks for the best hollow body guitars.

Electric guitar shapes have been evolving and will continue to evolve into the future. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why the different designs in the first place, how they affect your playing experience, and some of the features that make these designs possible.

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electric guitars are shaped the way they are

Electric Guitars Shapes vs. Acoustic Guitars

Electric guitars are often perceived as any type of guitar with a more slender form and a sharper appearance than the classic acoustic model. In fact, people tend to automatically assume that a slender body with pointed ends automatically belongs to an electric guitar. While this might be true on most occasions, it isn’t always the case; there are plenty of acoustic guitars out there with sleek bodies and little wood as well. 

So, what are the differences between electric and acoustic guitars that bring out different shapes in both instruments? It all comes down to their construction and the materials used. 

Let’s take a look at how these two instruments differ in terms of design, shapes, sound, and playing style:

  • Thickness. Acoustic guitars tend to be much thicker than electric guitars, especially at the body end of the instrument. The added bracing gives the acoustic guitar a distinct tone and much of its volume during a performance. This means that they may be heavier as well. A large body can help dampen unwanted vibrations your picking hand produces when playing an acoustic guitar.
  • Action height. The action on an electric guitar (the distance between the strings and the fretboard) can vary quite drastically between instruments depending on how much you play it (i.e., when you adjust it). However, it’s typically higher on an acoustic guitar.
  • Body shape. Electric guitars tend to have a thinner body with a smaller overall size than traditional acoustics, with larger bodies and more wood responsible for their mellow, bass-focused tone. Body thickness in acoustic guitars is crucial in determining how the instrument will sound when amplified, so it’s not just for looks.
  • Differences in the sound. The sound of an acoustic guitar is very different from the sound of an electric guitar. Acoustic guitars produce a warm, resonant sound rich in mid and low-end frequencies. On the other hand, electric guitars are known for their bright and crisp sound.
  • Strings. The difference in sound is largely due to the type of strings each instrument uses. Acoustic guitars are fitted with strings made of either nylon or steel. On the other hand, electric guitars are fitted with strings made of either nickel-plated steel or pure nickel. Metal strings create electromagnetic disturbances in the pickups.
  • Differences in construction. Acoustic guitars are typically made with a wooden soundboard fitted with a sound hole. Many types of wood are used in acoustic guitar construction, but the most common woods are spruce, cedar, and mahogany. 

Electric guitars, on the other hand, are constructed a bit differently. Electric guitars are usually made with a solid wooden body, a wooden neck, and a wooden or sometimes metal fretboard. While there are some electric guitars that are made purely of metal, the use of wood in the construction of an electric guitar is much more prevalent. 

The Anatomy of an Electric Guitar

Although guitars have differences in how they look and sound, they all share the same basic parts. Each guitar part outlined below has a functional purpose in sound production. 

  • The body. The guitar’s body is where most of the sound comes from. The type of wood making the body and its finish will affect the sound output. 
  • The bridge. The bridge is the point at which the strings are anchored to the guitar. 
  • The neck. The neck is the section of the guitar that connects the body and the headstock. The nut, frets, and truss rod are located on the neck of the guitar. 
  • The headstock. The headstock is the back end of the guitar where the tuning pegs are located. The tuning pegs can be adjusted to change the tension of the strings.
  • The fretboard. The fretboard is the section of the guitar where the frets are mounted.

That’s the basic anatomy of any electric guitar on the market. As you can see, electric guitarists have a unique range of performance options compared to other guitarists.

The Evolution of the Electric Guitar Shapes

With the many designs on the market, you may wonder why all electric guitars share some resemblance with the very first guitars with little attempts to improve on the design. It may surprise you, but the first electric guitar was inven