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| | | There's nothing quite like the distinctive slicing sound of an electric guitar riff, whether it's in rock, jazz, blues, pop or country music. | | |
| Typical costs: | - A basic electric guitar with amplifier and cord starts around $200 -$400 for a beginner's outfit; a better quality kit can run $500 -$2,000, and high-end electric guitars are $2,000 -$5,000 or more for the instrument alone.
- An electric lap steel guitar, also called a Hawaiian guitar, rests flat on the lap or on a stand, and may include floor pedals or knee levers for changing the tuning of the strings while the guitar is being played. In addition to Hawaiian music, steel guitars are used in country western and blues. Most modern steel guitars are electric rather than acoustic. They start around $75 -$150, can run $200 -$500 and go as high as $1,000 -$3,500 or more for custom models.
- An electric bass guitar uses the four lowest strings on a standard guitar, but is tuned an octave lower. A basic electric bass with amplifier and cord starts around $100 -$400 used or $200 -$500 new; can easily run $500 -$1,500 and can be $2,000 -$5,000 or more for professional models.
What should be included: | - On an electric guitar, the vibrations of the stings are picked up and amplified electronically. Typically, the body is solid (not hollow like an acoustic guitar), although there are some semi-hollow body electric guitars. A full hollow-body electric is basically an acoustic-electric hybrid with pickups. The Internet Guitar Database names the parts of an electric guitar.
- The wood used in the body determines the instrument's tone. Entry-level guitars are typically made of commercial-grade mahogany (agathis), plywood or basswood; medium-level guitars are often made of alder, ash, maple or mahogany; and high quality woods for electric guitars are walnut or rosewood. eBay provides a beginners guide to electric guitars.
- Unless your goal is to play classical or acoustic music, most experts recommend starting with an electric guitar because it has lighter strings and can be easier to play than an acoustic. Guitar enthusiast Ben Newbold compares the pros and cons of acoustic and electric guitars and explains how to care for your instrument.
Additional costs: | - A case protects your guitar from excessive humidity, dryness or temperature changes, as well as scratching. Padded fabric gig bags start around $15 -$90 for basic bags and run $100 -$300 or more for high-quality models. Hardshell cases start around $50 -$100, average $100-300 and can run $300 -$400 or more. Padded leather bags cost $300 -$500 or more.
- An electric guitar sounds only as good as the quality of its amplifier. If not included with the guitar, basic amplifiers start around $20 -$200, runs $250 -$500 for a better quality amp, and can run $1,000 -$1,500 or more.
- Guitar picks average $2 -$4 for a pack of 12. A guitar strap averages $10 -$30 but can be more if you want something fancy, and a guitar tuner runs about $15 -$100. Extra strings (they break at inopportune moments) are about $2.50 -$12.50 for a set of six.
Shopping for an electric guitar: | |
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Article updated August 2008 |
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