BENEFITS OF LEARNING ON AN ELECTRIC GUITAR
Twenty years ago when I was shopping around for my first guitar, the thought of starting on an electric never crossed my mind. At the time, my mother and I assumed acoustics were the way to go for beginners. Fast forward to 2021 and beginners are choosing electrics. Electric guitars offer players features that are not (commonly) available on standard acoustic guitars, that improve versatility and playability. In this article we’ll explain why you should consider starting on an electric guitar and highlight our favorite models, parts and accessories popular with beginners today.
Why start on an electric guitar?
Playability
Unlike acoustic guitars, which require large body cavities to produce enough vibration to create sound, most electric guitars are made of a slab of solid wood. Solid bodies are thinner and more ergonomic than their electric relatives. Rather than relying solely on wood vibration, electrics come equipped with pickups that use magnets to transfer the vibrations of the instrument, to an amplifier which expands the tone. Amplifiers offer more control of and customization of your sound, great for players looking to personalize their tone. (more below).
Scale Length
Scale length is the distance between nut and saddle. This distance has great impact on how the instrument sounds and plays in a few ways:
- the shorter the scale, the less tension there is on the strings, which makes bending and strumming chords easier.
- shorter scale guitars have less distance between each fret, requiring less of a stretch when playing difficult chords and exercises.
The right scale length for you is dependent on your personal preference and play-style. There is no such thing as a “standard” or “best” scale length. Most Fender electic guitars come in 24” scale length or 25.5”. Short scale instruments are a more accessible option for: — young players — players with small hands — players that prefer less string tension — Players looking for a more comfortable experience (this is subjective) Here are a few models that have the shorter 24” scale length: — Jaguar — Jazzmaster — Mustang 25.5 Scale guitars are great for players: — with normal/large sized hands — that enjoy the classic Fender tones that became popular in the 50s and ever since. Here are a few models that have the 25.5” scale length: — Stratocaster — Telecaster
Measuring Scale Length
If you have a guitar, and aren’t sure of the scale length you can search for the scale length of your model online, or measure it yourself. To do so, measure the distance from the saddle to the nut. Another option is to measure the distance from the nut to the 12th fret (this comes in handy if you have a small sized measuring tape).
Fret Spacing
Scale length has an impact on the spacing between the frets of the guitar neck. Longer necks means wider fret spacing. This can be uncomfortable for someone with smaller hands or a young player.
Action
The gap between the strings and the frets is called the “action.” Some players prefer a lower action because less effort is required when pressing down to make a note. On the other hand, a high action can provide more attack and room for expression. Generally speaking, short scale guitars require a higher action allowing the strings more room to vibrate. This is because the strings have more room to wiggle because they are under less tension. We’ve written a guide on how to minimize finger pain, which can be a problem for beginner players, especially those that prefer higher actions and heavy gauge strings.
Versatility
Electric guitars offer features that are not found in acoustic instruments, including the capability of being plugged into an amplifier via an onboard input jack. Plugging into amplified allows you to fine tune your tone and adjust your volume using knobs. Most Fender contemporary digital amps include LCD screens for using effect presets, more below. Modifying your tone with amps and effects is a great way to sound more like your favorite music, especially within genres like rock which commonly rely on effects like distortion and reverb.
Effects and Tone Integration
If you’ve ever heard a Tom Morello guitar solo, then you know how guitar effects can be used to transform a simple riff, into something that sounds like anything but a stringed instrument. Electric guitars are designed to integrate well with effect pedals and amplifiers, which allow players to expand the tonal options for their instrument. Electric guitars can be easily modified sonically using amplifiers and effect pedals. Electric guitars can be used on just about any genre of music. Certain effects can turn your guitar into a different instrument all together. Rather than a guitar, you might think you’re listening to a DJ spinning a record during one of Tom Morello’s solos during his Rage Against The Machine days. For the modern beginner, we recommend testing out one of our contemporary digital amps like the Mustang GTX50. The Mustang GTX50 makes switching between presets easy by pairing seamlessly with our Tone app for one-touch control of your amp. For the modern beginner, that still loves the vintage aesthetic, we recommend the Champion 20.
Genre Defying
If you listen to genres of music commonly played on electric guitars, like classic rock and blues, then there is a good chance starting on an electric is a good choice for you. Guitarists across many genres rely on effects that are applied to the guitar signal before it’s sent out to the amplifier speaker. For genres that require acoustic tones, try using an acoustic amp preset or an acoustic guitar simulator pedal.
Modification / Upgrades
Most Fender electric guitar components can be removed and replaced if needed for functional, cosmetic or aesthetic reasons. Installing new components can be a fun and educational process that connects you deeper with your instrument and why it sounds/behaves as it does. We recommend these easy-to-install upgrades for beginners looking to customize their instrument: — Fender Locking Tuning Machines (for Strat and Tele) – stay in tune longer, with locking tuning machines that lock strings into place. (Screwdriver required) — 11-hole Modern-Style Stratocaster S/S/S pickguard – change the aesthetic of your Stratocaster with 8 color choices. (Screwdriver required) — Tex Mex Strat Pickups – find new sonic possibilities with these versatile pickups. (Soldering iron and screwdriver required)