Electric Guitar Basics

The most popular electric guitars, and WHY they are popular!

The most popular electric guitars used today are the Gibson Les Paul and SG, the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster, and the Paul Reed Smith Custom. 

The Gibson Les Paul is noted for soaring lead tones, and rhythm tones from metal to crunchy.  It is a classic guitar for many types of music - rock, blues, jazz and country.  Les Pauls have been used by Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, John Fogerty, James Hetfield, Pete Townshend and countless others.

The Gibson SG is a staple of rock guitarists for its clear, clean sound that can be distorted and crunched.  It is used mostly as a rock guitar by such players as Angus Young, Dave Grohl, Tony Iommi and Robbie Krieger.

The Fender Stratocaster is noted for its clean, sparkling sound that can be distorted and fashioned to whatever tone you like.  It is used extensively in rock, and is (or was) the favorite guitar of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Al Jardine, Richie Sambora, and many, many more.

The Fender Telecaster has a natural and twangy sound that is used most often in country music.  Famous players include Vince Gill, Waylon Jennings, Bruce Springsteen and Keith Richards.

The Paul Reed Smith Custom is smooth and warm sounding, but can also be distorted and crunched.  It is widely used for rock as well as other music styles.  Famous players include Carlos Santana, Dave Navarro, Neal Schon and Vince Neil.

So whatever your musical style, follow the lead of the guitarists who had a hand in creating various guitar sounds and styles, and choose one of the above guitars.  They are all excellent choices for style, sound, durability and playability, and are all considered classics!