• Classification by Body Structure
  • Solid Body Electric Guitar: Solid body electric guitars are the most common, accounting for about 95% of the market share. The guitar body is made of a single piece of solid wood with no hollow parts, making the manufacturing process relatively simple and allowing for quick production of various styles. Without acoustic limitations, the body can be designed in diverse shapes—from simple classic styles with a neck and pickups to bold, unconventional ones. This design avoids feedback issues at high volumes and high gain, delivering smooth sustain and tight low-frequency performance during playing, which is especially suitable for high-distortion rock music. Fender’s Stratocaster (ST type), Telecaster (TELE type), and Gibson’s Les Paul (LP type) all fall into this category.

• • Hollow Body Electric Guitar: Hollow body electric guitars have a thick body, composed of a top panel, side panels, and back panel with a hollow interior. The top and back panels are smoothly curved in an arch shape, and F-shaped sound holes are usually cut on the left and right sides of the front. This design enables the guitar to produce rich, full sounds with excellent resonance, featuring warm and mellow tones that are highly favored by jazz guitarists. However, hollow body electric guitars have relatively short sustain and are prone to feedback issues due to signal reflection when connected to an amplifier, so more careful volume control is required.
  • Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar: The weight of a semi-hollow body electric guitar falls between that of solid body and hollow body electric guitars, and its tone combines the sharpness of solid body guitars and the warmth of hollow body guitars. Its body looks like a slightly thinned hollow body guitar, with F-holes on the top panel. The interior is not fully hollow—instead, a piece of wood (called a center block) is placed in the middle of the body. This design reduces the possibility of feedback and offers flexible tone performance, suitable for various musical styles. Whether it’s rock or blues, it helps players achieve satisfying sounds, making it a top choice for many musicians.
  • Chambered Body Electric Guitar: The main focus of chambered body electric guitars is to reduce the overall weight of the guitar, ensuring comfort after long hours of playing. Weight reduction is usually achieved by hollowing out parts of the wood while keeping the exterior sealed. Although this may slightly affect tone resonance, the performance is still close to that of solid body guitars, which is favored by some players. It is a good option for musicians who want to reduce weight without sacrificing tone.

• Classification by Classic Body Styles

  • Stratocaster (ST Type): Launched by Fender in the 1950s, it established the basic shape of modern electric guitars. It features a smooth double-cutaway body design, bright tones, and is mostly equipped with single-coil pickups, with outstanding high-frequency response. It is an iconic instrument for pop, funk, and other styles.
  • Telecaster (TELE Type): Also launched by Fender, it is one of the first successfully mass-produced solid body electric guitars. It has a simple single-cutaway structure and bright tones, and dominates in country music.
  • Les Paul (LP Type): Released by Gibson in 1952, it has a relatively thick body and is equipped with humbucker pickups, producing warm and rich tones. It has become the top choice for hard rock and heavy metal.
  • SG Type: Produced by Gibson, its iconic double-pointed cutaway design improves the playing experience on the higher frets, with more balanced and bright tones. It is often used by metal guitarists.
  • ES Type: As a representative of semi-hollow body guitars, it combines the resonance of acoustic guitars and the amplification characteristics of electric guitars, and is highly respected in the jazz field.

• Classification by Pickup Configuration

• • Single Coil Pickup Electric Guitar: It captures string vibrations through a single magnetic coil, producing clear and bright sounds with excellent high-frequency response—just like the classic tone of Fender Stratocaster. However, single-coil pickups have a 60Hz AC hum issue.

• • Humbucker Pickup Electric Guitar: It uses two coils wound in opposite directions, which effectively eliminates noise and delivers richer, warmer tones with prominent mid-low frequencies. It is suitable for rock, metal, and other styles. For example, Gibson Les Paul is often equipped with this type of pickup.

• • Hybrid Pickup Electric Guitar: Modern electric guitars often use hybrid configurations, such as “S-S-H” (single-coil at neck and middle + humbucker at bridge) or “H-S-H” combinations, to meet diverse tone needs. The pickup at the bridge tends to have bright and sharp tones, suitable for lead playing; the pickup at the neck produces mellow and warm tones, more suitable for rhythm playing.

II. Multifunctional Advantages: Why Chinese Electric Guitars Stand Out

III. Main Specifications and Parameters

1. Core Body Parameters (Affect Tone, Weight, and Resonance)

1.1 Body Material (Shapes the Basic Tone)

• Common Materials:
  • Basswood: Lightweight, with balanced tone and warm mid-low frequencies. Ideal for entry-level guitars or pop/rock styles. Low cost (used in most entry-level Strat-style guitars).
  • Maple: Dense and hard, producing bright, sharp high frequencies. Often used as a “top veneer” (e.g., the maple top on Gibson Les Pauls). Full maple bodies are rare (they’re heavy).
  • Mahogany: Rich mid-low frequencies, great sustain, and warm, thick tone. Perfect for hard rock/metal (e.g., Gibson Les Paul bodies).
  • Alder: Balanced tone—clear highs and tight lows. Combines brightness and warmth. The main material for classic Fender Strat/Tele bodies.
• Note: The effect of body material on tone depends on the pickup. For example, mahogany + humbucker pickups boost thickness, while alder + single-coil pickups enhance brightness.

1.2 Body Structure (Relates to Resonance and Feedback Control)

• Matches the “body type” categories mentioned earlier. Parameters are usually labeled directly:
  • Solid Body: Labeled “Solid” (no extra explanation—this is the most common type).
  • Semi-Hollow Body: Labeled “Semi-Hollow”. Some add “center block size” (e.g., “Center Block: 50mm”) to reduce feedback.
  • Hollow Body: Labeled “Hollow”. May note “sound hole type” (e.g., “F-Holes”—common in jazz guitars).

1.3 Body Weight (Affects Playing Comfort)

• Typical range: 2.5kg – 4kg (varies by material):
  • Lightweight (2.5-3kg): Usually basswood/light alder. Good for long standing performances (e.g., stage shows).
  • Standard (3-3.5kg): Alder/mahogany. Balances tone and comfort.
  • Heavy (3.5-4kg): Full mahogany or maple-veneer guitars. Solid tone but tiring for long playing (e.g., some Les Paul models).

2. Neck and Fingerboard Parameters (Determine Playability and Smoothness)

2.1 Neck Material (Affects Stability and Feel)

• Neck Core: Mostly maple (hard, not easy to warp). Some low-end guitars use basswood. High-end guitars may label “quartersawn maple” (more stable).
• Fingerboard Material:
  • Rosewood: Smooth texture, warm feel, and soft high frequencies. The most common fingerboard material (used in most Fender/Gibson guitars).
  • Maple: Smooth surface, bright high frequencies. Needs a protective finish (e.g., Fender Telecaster’s “Maple Fingerboard” models).
  • Ebony: Dense and hard, with sharp tone and smooth feel. Used in high-end guitars or metal-style guitars (e.g., Schecter, ESP high-end models).

2.2 Neck Shape (Affects Grip—varies by hand size)

• Common types (parameters use simple abbreviations):
  • C-Shape: Moderate curve, comfortable grip. Fits most hand sizes (the main shape for classic Fender Strats/Teles).
  • V-Shape: V-curved sides. Divided into “Soft V” (gentle curve, good for modern playing) and “Hard V” (steeper curve, good for vintage styles or large hands).
  • U-Shape: Thick, like a “baseball bat”. Good for vintage guitars or players who like a solid feel (e.g., some Gibson Les Paul vintage models).
  • Oval: Between C-Shape and U-Shape. Balances comfort and solidity (used in some PRS guitars).

2.3 Fingerboard Radius (Affects Comfort—fits chords or fast playing)

• Unit: Inches. Smaller numbers = more curved; larger numbers = flatter.
  • Small radius (7.25″-9.5″): More curved. Fingers fit better for chords. Good for rhythm playing or vintage styles (e.g., Fender vintage models use 7.25″).
  • Medium radius (10″-12″): Balances chords and single notes. Fits most styles (modern Fender/Gibson models use 9.5″-12″).
  • Large radius (14″-16″): Flatter. Good for fast playing, string bending, or metal (e.g., ESP/Jackson guitars use 12″-16″).

2.4 Scale Length (Affects string tension and tuning—fixed by brand)

• Unit: Inches. Common sizes:
  • 25.5″: Fender’s standard. Moderate string tension, wide range. Good for pop, rock, fusion (e.g., Strats/Teles).
  • 24.75″: Gibson’s standard. Lower string tension—easier to bend strings. Warmer tone. Good for blues, hard rock (e.g., Les Pauls, SGs).
  • 24.625″ (or 24.6″): PRS’s unique scale length. Balances tension and feel.
  • Short scale (22.75″-24″): Found in travel guitars or kids’ guitars. Low tension—good for small hands.

2.5 Fret Size (Affects tone clarity and durability)

• Common types (labeled as “Gauge” or “Size”):
  • Narrow Tall / Medium Narrow: Small contact area, delicate tone. Good for vintage guitars or players who like precise fretting.
  • Medium Jumbo: Balances durability and feel. The main size for modern guitars (most modern Fender/Gibson models).
  • Jumbo / Extra Jumbo: Thick frets. Less finger pressure needed, good sustain. Perfect for fast playing or metal (e.g., ESP/Jackson guitars).
• Fret Count: Usually 22 frets. Some metal guitars have 24 frets (more high notes, e.g., Schecter C-1). Vintage guitars often have 21 frets (e.g., Fender vintage models).

3. Pickup and Circuit Parameters (Determine Core Tone Style)

3.1 Pickup Type (The most important tone parameter—easy to distinguish)

• Labels show the type directly, with clear tone differences:
  • Single Coil: Labeled “Single Coil”. Bright, clear highs. Good for pop, funk, country (e.g., Fender Strat’s “Texas Special” pickups). Drawback: 60Hz hum.
  • Humbucker: Labeled “Humbucker”. Thick, rich mid-low frequencies. No obvious hum. Good for rock, metal (e.g., Gibson Les Paul’s “Burstbucker” pickups).
  • Piezo: Labeled “Piezo Pickup”. Installed under the bridge. Simulates acoustic guitar tone. Good for “acoustic-electric” needs (e.g., some PRS SE models).

3.2 Pickup Configuration (Labeled as “Neck-Middle-Bridge”—affects tone variety)

• Common setups (directly impact tone options):
  • S-S-S (3 single coils): Bright, versatile tone. Good for pop, funk (e.g., standard Fender Strats).
  • H-H (2 humbuckers): Thick tone. Good for rock, metal (e.g., Gibson Les Pauls, Schecter C-1s).
  • S-S-H (Single-Single-Humbucker): Neck/middle single coils (bright rhythm), bridge humbucker (thick leads). Balances many styles (main setup for modern entry-level guitars).
  • H-S-H (Humbucker-Single-Humbucker): Neck/bridge humbuckers (high gain), middle single coil (clean tone). Good for metal + clean switching (e.g., ESP LTD M series).

3.3 Circuit Controls (Affect tone adjustment range)

• Common labels (usually “knobs + switches”):
  • Volume Knob: 1-2 knobs. Controls overall volume. Some high-end guitars have a “Push-Pull” switch (switches pickup modes, e.g., “single coil/humbucker”).
  • Tone Knob: 1-2 knobs. Controls high-frequency cut (turn clockwise for brightest highs; counterclockwise for darker highs).
  • Pickup Selector Switch:
    • 3-Way Switch: Common in H-H or basic S-S-S models. Switches pickup combinations (e.g., H-H models: “neck pickup – both pickups – bridge pickup”).
    • 5-Way Switch: Common in S-S-S or S-S-H models. More combinations (e.g., S-S-S models: “neck – neck+middle – middle – middle+bridge – bridge”).

4. Hardware Parameters (Affect Durability, Tuning Stability, and Intonation)

4.1 Bridge Type (Determines tuning stability and vibrato function)

• Common types (labels show function directly):
  • Fixed Bridge: No vibrato. Simple structure, stable tuning. Good for rhythm guitars or metal guitars (e.g., Gibson Les Paul’s “Tune-O-Matic” bridge, Schecter’s “Fixed Bridge”).
  • Tremolo Bridge (Single-Cutaway): Press down to make vibrato. Can’t pull up. Stable structure (e.g., Fender Strat’s “Standard Tremolo”).
  • Floyd Rose Bridge (Double-Cutaway): Both up and down vibrato. Good for big techniques (e.g., metal’s “Dive Bomb”). Needs frequent tuning. Guitars with this bridge label “Floyd Rose” or “Double Locking Tremolo”.

4.2 Tuners (Affect tuning stability—also called “machine heads”)

• Key parameter: Usually labeled by brand or type. E.g., “Grover Tuners” (used in Gibsons, stable), “Fender Standard Tuners” (entry-level), “Locking Tuners” (used in high-end or double-cutaway guitars—reduces string slip, faster tuning).

4.3 Nut Material (Affects intonation transfer and durability)

• Common materials:
  • Plastic: Used in entry-level guitars. Low cost, average tone transfer.
  • Bone: Main material for mid-high-end guitars. Good tone transfer, stable intonation. Needs regular care.
  • Graphite: Self-lubricating. Reduces string breakage. Good for tremolo bridges (e.g., some Fender models).
  • Titanium: Used in high-end guitars. Hard, excellent transfer. Expensive.

5. Other Auxiliary Parameters (Affect Usage Scenarios and Details)

• Finish Type: Labeled “Finish Type”. E.g., “Polyurethane” (durable, easy to maintain), “Nitrocellulose” (vintage look, good tone transfer but easy to scratch—used in high-end vintage guitars).
• Color: Labeled “Color”. E.g., “Black”, “Sunburst” (Gibson’s classic color), “Olympic White” (Fender’s classic color).
• Output Jack: Labeled “Output Jack”. Usually a “1/4-inch mono jack”. Some acoustic-electric guitars add an “XLR balanced jack” (for professional shows).
• Weight Relief: High-end solid-body guitars may label “Chambered Body” (hollowed inside to reduce weight) or “Lightweight Construction”. Reduces weight without losing tone.

Summary: How to Check Parameters and Buy

1. Focus on Core Parameters First: For beginners, start with “neck shape (C-Shape first) + scale length (25.5″ or 24.75″) + pickup configuration (choose based on style: S-S-S/H-H/S-S-H)”. Then check material and hardware brand.
2. Where to Find Parameters: Brand websites list full specs under “Specifications”. E-commerce product pages highlight key parameters (e.g., “Mahogany body + humbucker pickups + 24 frets”).
3. Don’t Rely Only on Parameters: Guitars with the same parameters can sound/feel different due to brand craftsmanship. Try playing if possible—real feel and tone matter more than numbers.

IV. Industrial Clusters: Where to Find Electric Guitars Manufacturers in China