Electric Guitar

A dominant landmark on the landscape of music history, the insanely versatile and immediately recognisable sound of the electric guitar has carved out a vast legacy. This instrument is able to shape everything from complex jazz phrases and sultry and languid blues licks, all the way up to fierce and powerful riffs. In short, the electric guitar can do anything.

Buying an Electric Guitar Online

If you're looking for a new electric guitar, we've done everything to make sure that you're in good hands at Bax Music. We offer a wide array of electric guitars built by a long list of renowned brands, including the most well-known models like the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson® Les Paul®. Beginners as well as experienced guitarists are welcome to take tour of our guitar-based online sweet-shop of models, and if you ever need personalised advise, our specialists will be glad to help whether via email or over the phone. Basically, we want to be able to kit you out with the perfect electric guitar for the best price possible!

Sound Conjured by Pickups and an Amplifier

Unlike the hollow bodies of acoustic guitars, most electric guitars have a solid body. The term refers to the solid piece of wood that forms the base of the instrument and, on its own, produces little to no volume. To get sound out of an electric guitar, it needs to be plugged into an electric guitar amplifier or similar gear. And to capture the sound of the vibrating strings whenever they're picked or strummed, the guitar needs to be fitted with one or more pickups. These clever little electro-magnets are fitted on the body and send the sound of the guitar to the amplifier.

Get Off to a Great Start with an Electric Guitar Starter Pack

As well as a guitar and an amplifier, you'll need a jack cable fitted with two 6.35mm mono (TS) jack plugs to connect the two together. Most electric guitarists also prefer to play using a plectrum and find it easier to tune up their instrument using a tuner . A comfortable guitar strap helps support the best playing posture, and to keep your new best friend safe either at home or on the way to lessons, rehearsals or gigs, it's worth having a guitar stand and guitar bag handy.

Learning to Play the (Left-Handed) Electric Guitar With or Without Lessons

The guitar is so popular because, when it comes to learning to play it, it's relatively accessible. You don't necessarily need to learn a load of music theory to make a guitar sound good. There are plenty of guitarists who have only ever learned to play songs by ear, and on the internet, you can find an immense library of extensive articles and video tutorials on the subject. There are also plenty of lesson and technique books available to help guitarists develop their skills. But, if you want to start with the right basic technique, a few lessons from a professional teacher is definitely recommended.

The Strings of the Electric Guitar

Most solid-body electric guitars have six strings, and for beginners, a six-string model is recommended. With a six-string guitar you can cover pretty much any genre of music, but if you love heavier styles like metal, then you could also thinking about getting a seven-string electric guitar, which has an extra low B-string to reach lower-pitched notes, while eight and even nine strings electric guitars are available for the boundary-breaking experimentalists. If you want to learn more about the different materials used to make electric guitar strings, then see our dedicated electric guitar string section.

Electric Guitar FAQs

How much does an electric guitar cost?

The price of electric guitars is extremely varied, and the difference in price comes down to a number of factors. The quality of build and the quality of the materials and hardware play just as big a part as the finish and setup of the instrument, and sometimes you're paying more for the 'name' or the exclusivity of a limited edition or signature model. You can, of course, pick up cheaper second-hand guitars or B-stock guitars and save a little cash.

Who invented the electric guitar?

In 1931, guitar builder Adolph Rickenbacker unveiled the first ever electric guitar with built-in magnetic pickups to electronically amplify the sound. However, the guitar had a hollow body which was extremely sensitive to feedback (which sounds like a high-pitched squeal), so during the forties, Les Paul developed the first electric guitar with a solid body. It wasn't until the start of the fifties that Leo Fender introduced the first mass-produced electric guitar: the Telecaster.

Which electric guitar would be best for me?

It might sound nuts, but the best advice you can give a beginner guitarist looking for their first model is: pick something you love the look of. If you love the look of your guitar, you'll be more motivated to pick it up and play; you'll have way more fun when you're playing; and you'll get better faster.

What's the best electric guitar for beginners?

Most beginners choose an affordable ST-style guitar. These models have a really comfortably contoured body and the really versatile sound of a set of three single-coil pickups. Fazley offer some great entry-level ST-style guitars for a really good price.

How do you play the electric guitar?

You can play the electric guitar with your fingers or with a plectrum, or pick. Most guitarists use a plectrum, and you can learn more about plectrums by taking a look at our plectrums section.

How can I learn to play the electric guitar?

The truth is: practice really does make perfect! It's a great time to learn to play the guitar since plenty of help is available from plenty of sources. There are endless video tutorials available online as well as lesson books and apps. You can even dip into our beginner's blog . Of course, a solid foundation is essential, so it's always recommended to get a few lessons from a professional teacher.

What kind of strings does an electric guitar need?

The kind of strings you use for an electric guitars depends on what you prefer in terms of playing feel and sound. Thinner (lower gauged) strings have a lighter, more flexible playing feel, while thicker (higher gauged) strings feel tighter and give your sound a bit more power and volume.

What's a good electric guitar?

A good electric guitar is a model that plants the biggest grin on your face. :)