Any instrument that, in general models, uses frets to modify the pitch of strings is considered a fretted instrument.  The most common examples of fretted instruments are Guitars and Basses, but several other instruments fall under this category such as the Banjo, Ukulele, and Mandolin.  Contemporary fretted instruments will use either Nylon-plastic or metal strings and the majority have wooden bodies.

Guitar

First Guitars

The most common misconception about guitars is that one has to start on an acoustic guitar and then move on to an electric guitar.  Both acoustic and electric guitars use the same principles to play, but the ‘feel’ of the strings will be different.  It is mostly a personal preference where to start rather than a necessary skill level.  A student’s first guitar can be a professional guitar, but it is recommended to begin on more basic models as the student will develop a unique style that, in order to achieve a desired ‘sound’ or tone, requires specialized models of instruments that offer a preferred tone.  Different woods, such as maple or koa, offer different tones and can be combined to fit on different parts of the instrument. Most student guitars are also built to be more durable instruments.

Acoustic

Student level acoustic guitars have wooden bodies, typically spruce or basswood, with a wooden neck and fret board.  Full size acoustic guitars will come in either nylon string or steel string (typically bronze or nickel-plated).  All acoustic guitars share the same basic sound-producing process.  The strings are vibrated to produce the notes and the sound is amplified by the body of the guitar via the sound hole.  For students who do not fit full size models of fretted instruments, we offer miniature-size acoustic guitars.  We strongly recommend having the student come into the store for a proper fitting.

Electric

A student level electric guitar will typically have a simple design engineered more for durability rather than tone.  The electronic component plays an important role in how the guitar will sound.  Magnetic coils are set between the bridge and the neck of the guitar picking up the vibrations from the metal strings and sending the sound information out to an amplifier.  Where the pickups are placed, what kinds of pickups are used, and the amplifier all play their part in producing the guitar’s tone.  A student electric guitar will have basic pickups and typically have only one or two.  For students who do not fit full size models of fretted instruments, we offer miniature-size electric guitars.  It is commonly a better fit to start on an electric guitar as its small body size doesn’t obstruct the student’s reach.

Classical

A Classical Acoustic Guitar has a much wider neck than a contemporary guitar.  It is also exclusively uses Nylon strings (though the bass strings will have a metal wrapping).  The classical guitar uses a different playing posture and fingering style than contemporary guitars.  There are smaller sized guitars available in the classical style, but full size classical guitars are typically not used as a first instrument unless the student has a desire to pursue playing Classical style Guitar.

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Step-up and Professional Guitars

Intermediate Guitars and Professional Guitars are extremely varied in price, look, feel, and sound.  90% of a professional level Guitar is the sound it produces.  At this level, the student will be ready to develop his/her own unique ‘sound’ and personal playing style.  This, along with a preferred ‘feel’ to an instrument, will be the main factor for choosing a step-up or professional guitar.  The most important thing to remember when choosing a professional instrument is that the instrument should never be hindering the student’s performance.

Acoustic

At this level, there are many options available.  More exotic woods, such as Maple and Mahogany, are more common.  Hand-made instruments are most desired for their attention to details that can affect the instruments playability.  There is also a cut-away design that allows the student to play beyond the 12^th fret with more ease.  There are also Jumbo Acoustic Guitars that produce a deeper tone and project much louder.  Acoustic/Electrics allow a student to plug a standard acoustic guitar into an amplifier.  Some students also look to a 12-string acoustic guitar, a type of Acoustic Guitar that utilized 12 strings instead of the standard 6 in order to achieve fuller overtones.

Electric

Aside from different materials the body and neck can be constructed out of, an additional range in sound comes from the vast options in electronic components.  Many electric guitars will have different kinds of pickups allowing for a large range of tone.  Some concentrate on a specific sound and use only specific pickups.  The more power the pickups use the ‘harder’ the sound will be.  Pickup style and placement also play a vital role in how the guitar will sound.  Variations in the body design are very common as well.  Hollow-body, Arch top, and the ‘flying-V’ design are some popular examples. 

Classical

A Classical Guitar will vary mostly in feel and look, but design will usually stay universal.  Exotic woods are very common and will more often have combinations of body, sides, top, and neck to give a well-rounded sound. 

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Bass

First Basses

First basses are solid-body electric basses with 34.5” long necks.  Student Basses come in two standard styles: P-Bass and J-Bass. A  P-Bass will have a wider neck and a limited tonal option.  The J-Bass has a slimmer neck and contoured body for greater comfort and playability while providing a wide array of tonal colors.  Electric Basses can also have a variety of pick-ups, the part that takes the sound from the strings and sends it to the amplifier, which will produce a wide scope of sounds.

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Step-Up and Professional Basses

In most cases, an intermediate model instrument can be similar, if not visually identical, to a student model instrument only made with higher quality materials and crafted with a little more detail.  Different woods, such as maple or koa, offer different tones and can be combined to fit on different parts of the instrument.  Professional Basses are extremely varied in price, look, feel, and sound.  90% of a professional level fretted instrument is the sound it produces.  At this level, the student will be ready to develop his/her own unique ‘sound’ and personal playing style.  This, along with a preferred ‘feel’ to an instrument, will be the main factor for choosing a professional fretted instrument.  At this level, there are many options including different body woods, different fret boards, different pickups and different strings.  The style and placement of the pickups on an Electric Bass will change the kind of bass sound the Bass will produce.  The most important thing to remember when choosing a professional instrument is that the instrument should never be hindering the student’s performance. 

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