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Twelve string guitars
The twelve string guitar is usually an acoustic instrument, but electric twelve string guitars exist, usually in the form of a double-neck guitar. Twelve string guitars produce a more ringing tone, however, they are a bit harder to play and maintain than the standard guitar and are usually confined to niche roles, and are usually used strictly for rhythm. They are played in the same fashion as a six string guitar, as the strings are paired together. Playing them is more difficult than a six string guitar however, because the additional strings require more pressure to depress. It is also more difficult to bend notes tunefully. They are usually more expensive than your average acoustic or electric, and tend to wear out faster due to the additional strain on the neck. |
Steel guitars
The steel guitar is distinctive in being played horizontally, either across the players knees or on its own legs. There are two main varieties of the instrument, which is played using the metal slide, or 'steel', from which the guitar takes its name. The steel is held in the left hand, when used by a right-handed player. The two main variations are the lap steel guitar, which typically has six strings, and the pedal steel guitar, which can have more - and sometimes two or even three separate sets, each tuned differently. Pedals and knee levers are used to alter the tuning on particular strings whilst playing which, along with the sliding action of the steel, gives the pedal steel its distinctive voice, most often heard in country music and western swing.
Resonator Guitars
Often mistakenly referred to as 'steel' guitars (some models have metal bodies), the acoustic resonator guitar is distinctive in not having a regular soundhole, but a large - usually circular - plate which conceals the resonator cone. The cone closely resembles an audio loudspeaker, though made from spun aluminium. The bridge of the guitar is connected either to the centre of the cone or to the edge (by an aluminium 'spider'), and the strings' vibrations are thus amplified and projected outwards through the perforated plate on the guitar's top. The most common resonator guitars have a single cone, although the original model (the tri-cone) has three. Resonators possess a loud, bright voice, making them easily heard in a large room or in the open air. They are popular with blues musicians, and country players. They can be played in the conventional style, or with a metal or glass slide.
Bass guitars
See the dedicated bass guitar page. |
