Introduction
Guitar shapes refer to the silhouette and contours of the guitar’s body. While many people focus first on color or style when choosing an instrument, the physical shape of the guitar is one of the most important factors. The shape of the guitar body significantly impacts the tone, playability, comfort, and visual aesthetic.
For both acoustic and electric guitars, there are a handful of classic shapes that have become standard over decades of guitar evolution. The dreadnought and Stratocaster are two of the most iconic examples. Each shape was meticulously designed for musical performance, with nuanced differences that provide unique sounds, feels, and looks.
In this ultimate guide, we will overview the major acoustic and electric guitar shapes. You’ll learn the history behind each design, the tonal qualities associated with the shape, and the genres and playing styles they are best suited for. We’ll also cover some unique custom guitar shapes and the process of designing your own.
With the knowledge provided here, you’ll be able to confidently choose a guitar shape that matches your personal preferences and inspires you to play your best. The goal is to find a shape that feels comfortable, looks great, and produces your ideal tone. Let’s dive in and explore this fascinating world of guitar shapes!
Acoustic Guitar Body Shapes
The shape of an acoustic guitar’s body has a significant impact on its sound, playability, and overall style. There are several common acoustic guitar shapes to consider, each with their own tonal qualities and playing characteristics.
Dreadnought
The dreadnought is the most iconic acoustic guitar body shape. Originating in the early 20th century, its defining features include a wide lower bout, curvaceous waist, and deep body. This large resonating chamber produces a very loud, booming, bassy tone with lots of projection. The dreadnought’s powerful voice makes it well suited for rhythmic strumming and aggressive flatpicking styles.
Jumbo
Even larger in size than a dreadnought, the jumbo acoustic has a deep body with wide, square shoulders. Jumbos are known for their incredible volume, resonance, and rich low-end. The shape produces a warm, deep tone with excellent midrange response. Jumbos are a great choice for fingerstyle playing and lighter strumming.
Grand Auditorium
This versatile shape has a narrower waist than a dreadnought and is smaller overall. Grand auditorium guitars offer a blend of projection, balance, and tonal clarity. Their articulate midrange and balanced response across all strings make them suitable for various techniques from fingerpicking to strumming.
Orchestra Model (OM)
Orchestra model acoustics have a curvy, compact body with a narrow waist. Their focused, articulate tone has a controlled bass and crisp treble. The OM’s balance and quick response excel at fingerstyle playing. The shape also works well for light strumming and delicate flatpicking styles.
Parlor
Parlor guitars have the smallest standard acoustic body size. Their compact, narrow shape makes them comfortable to hold and easy to transport. Parlor guitars produce a tight, punchy tone with excellent midrange presence. This makes them ideal for intricate fingerstyle playing, though they can also be gently strummed.
Electric Guitar Body Shapes
The electric guitar ushered in a revolution in popular music. Without the need for a hollow acoustic resonating chamber, solidbody electric guitars enabled radical new shapes and designs. Each iconic electric guitar shape has its own distinctive tones, attributes, and associations with musical genres and styles.
The Stratocaster is the legendary double-cutaway guitar shape designed by Leo Fender. With its sleek contours and comfort-focused ergonomics, the Strat became the epitome of the modern electric guitar. The versatile Stratocaster produces a bright, articulate tone with excellent string-to-string note separation. This makes it shine for lead playing across many genres from surf rock to country to jazz fusion.
The Telecaster was Fender’s original foray into solidbody electric guitars. Its utilitarian slab body design is deceptively simple yet highly resonant and toneful. The Tele is known for its twangy bridge pickup tone, which cuts through a mix brilliantly to define the core of blues, rock, country, and pop recordings. The neck pickup has a smooth, round warmth perfect for rhythm.
Gibson’s Les Paul model brings an elegant carved maple top to a solid mahogany body. This results in incredible sustain and a thick, rich tone. When driven into overdrive, Les Pauls excel at fat, sustained rock and blues leads. The resonant warmth and singing sustain make this guitar a favorite for classic rock, blues, and jazz.
The Gibson SG modernized the classic Les Paul formula with a slim, deeply contoured double-cutaway body design. Made of lightweight mahogany, the SG is known for its comfort as well as its tone. The bright yet warm voice cuts through clearly with excellent presence and bite. These qualities make the SG a staple for hard rock and heavy metal.
The Gibson Explorer introduced an aggressively angular offset body shape to enhance upper fret access. The Explorer’s solid mahogany build produces a dense, resonant tone with incredible sustain. The thick, punchy midrange of this iconic guitar shape suits the needs of hard rock and metal players.
The Flying V took guitar body design to even more radical extremes. Its V-shaped mahogany wings were engineered for balance and playing ease at the highest frets. Sonically, the Flying V produces a powerful roar with searing lead tones. This truly unique guitar shape remains an iconic choice for hard rock and heavy metal.
Semi-hollow body shapes like the Gibson ES-335 add a twist by combining solid wood for the core and pickups with hollow wings for resonance. This provides the focused, sustained tone of a solidbody with the pleasing warmth and acoustic dynamics of a hollowbody. Semi-hollow guitars are prized for their versatility across genres like jazz, blues, classic rock and more.
Iconic and Custom Guitar Shapes
Some of the most recognizable guitar shapes come from major brands like Fender, Gibson, and Rickenbacker. The Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul, and SG are iconic electric guitar designs that have stood the test of time. Each shape has distinctive features that impact its sound and playability. Fender is known for its comfortable, contoured double cutaway shapes like the Strat and Tele, while Gibson excels at carved top single cutaway models like the Les Paul.
Beyond the major brands, some guitarists commission fully custom instruments. These unique guitars reflect the player’s personal style and musical needs. For example, Steve Vai’s Ibanez JEM model has an iconic "monkey grip" cutout handle and floral inlays, while the Gibson Explorer was designed with improved upper fret access. Avant garde shapes from boutique luthiers push the boundaries of artistic expression in guitar design.
However, there are legal considerations around copying or closely imitating major brands’ iconic designs. Fender, Gibson, and other companies actively protect their guitar shape trademarks and intellectual property. Luthiers looking to produce their own takes on classic models need to ensure there is enough originality and differentiation to avoid infringement. The line between parody and IP theft can be blurry.
For guitarists interested in a fully custom shape, finding an experienced luthier is key. The design process involves moving from concept sketches to 3D CAD modeling to CNC carving. Exotic woods, inlay work, and electronics can be customized. Pricing is impacted by the materials used and the complexity of the design. Commissioning a custom guitar takes patience, but the end result is a unique instrument tailored to the player’s needs and style.
Comparing Acoustic vs Electric Guitar Shapes
Acoustic and electric guitars have key differences in their body shapes and designs due to the different ways they produce sound.
Acoustic guitars rely on a hollow wooden body to amplify and project the vibrations from the strings outwards. The top and back plates resonate to create the acoustic sound. Larger body sizes generally create louder volumes and deeper bass response. Smaller sizes produce more focused, controlled tones. The choice of tonewoods and bracing patterns also significantly impact an acoustic’s voice.
Electric guitars use magnetic pickups and an amplifier to produce sound rather than acoustic resonance. The solidbody construction prevents feedback and gives the guitar a focused, direct tone. Without needing acoustic projection, electric guitar bodies can be smaller and lighter than acoustics. The type of wood still impacts an electric’s tone, but the pickups, hardware, and amplifier settings play a bigger role.
When deciding between acoustic and electric guitars, consider whether you want an amplified or purely acoustic sound for your music. Acoustics provide a natural, organic voice, while electrics offer more versatility with effects and gain. Many players enjoy both types for their different musical qualities. Think about which instrument better matches your personal playing style, needs, and goals. With so many models available, you can likely find the perfect acoustic or electric shape to inspire your creativity.
Choosing Your Ideal Guitar Shape
When selecting a guitar, choosing the right shape for your needs is crucial. There are several factors to consider when determining which body style suits you best:
Match Shape to Playing Style and Sound
The most important consideration is how the guitar shape fits with your personal playing style and desired sound.
-
For aggressive, heavy styles like rock and metal, look for shapes with powerful projection and bite like a Les Paul or SG.
-
Fingerstyle players tend to favor small-bodied acoustics like parlor guitars for their balance and articulation.
-
If you want to play jazz chords or intricate rhythms, consider an archtop or semi-hollow shape for their clean tones.
Take time to assess the sounds and techniques you want to achieve, then match those goals to the appropriate shape.
Consider Ergonomics and Comfort
The shape you choose also needs to feel natural and comfortable in your hands and body. Consider factors like:
-
Body size/weight – Larger or heavier guitars can cause fatigue over long playing sessions.
-
Neck profile – Thinner necks promote fast playing while chunkier necks offer more grip.
-
Upper fret access – Some shapes have better access to higher frets than others.
-
Balance – How the guitar’s weight is distributed when strapped on or sitting.
Test out each shape while standing and sitting to evaluate comfort. An uncomfortable guitar can hinder your progress.
Evaluate Aesthetics and Budget
The look and visual appeal of the guitar shape matters more than you might think. The right aesthetic can inspire you to pick up and play your instrument. But also be realistic about your budget constraints.
More iconic shapes from major brands tend to be pricier but offer great value. Cheaper designs from smaller luthiers can work too. Weigh the importance of appearance against other factors, and find attractive shapes you can afford.
With some trial and error, you’ll discover the ideal shape for your musical growth and enjoyment. Follow both your head and your heart in choosing.
Trying Out Guitars
When you’ve narrowed down your options, the best way to finalize your decision is to try out different guitar shapes in person. Go to guitar stores and music shops and ask to test play various models. Holding and playing the actual guitar is the only way to know if the shape truly feels and sounds right for you.
Play acoustic and electric guitars in a variety of shapes and sizes. Pay attention to how the body contours fit against your own body in both sitting and standing positions. Notice if the guitar feels too large or small for your preferences. Check the balance and weight distribution when you strap on an electric.
As you play, listen critically to the tonal qualities of each shape. An acoustic dreadnought will sound very different than a parlor. The tone of a Les Paul will contrast an SG. Make sure the guitar’s voice matches your tonal needs.
Keep an open mind but also trust your instincts during this process. If a particular shape immediately grabs your interest or inspires you, that’s a great sign. If another guitar feels awkward and unnatural, take note. You may need to try some shapes multiple times before forming a solid opinion.
Bringing a musical friend or guitarist can provide a helpful second opinion as you test guitars. They may notice things you miss, like discomfort in your posture or how well the guitar projects. Two sets of ears can better judge the guitar’s tone. Have your friend play the guitar too, since its feel and sound may differ by player.
The trying out process takes time and patience, but it’s an essential step. You don’t want to purchase a guitar you’ve never played. The more shapes you can try before deciding, the better your chance of finding your perfect match. Trust this process to lead you to the right fit.
Conclusion
When choosing a new guitar, selecting the right body shape for your needs is crucial. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the most popular options for acoustic and electric guitars. To recap, the main acoustic shapes include:
- Dreadnought – Large and deep for volume and bass
- Jumbo – Even bigger than a dreadnought
- Grand Auditorium – Narrower waist than a dreadnought for comfort
- Orchestra Model – Compact and well-balanced for fingerstyle
- Parlor – Small size for portability and focused tone
On the electric side, iconic shapes covered include:
- Stratocaster – Contoured double-cutaway perfected by Fender
- Telecaster – Fender’s original slab solidbody
- Les Paul – Gibson’s carved maple top on mahogany back
- SG – Slim double-cutaway with excellent comfort
- Explorer – Distinctive for upper fret access
- Flying V – Radical V shaped body balanced for playing
- Semi-hollow – Blend of solidbody with hollow warmth
The most important factor is choosing a shape that feels right for your personal playing style and musical needs. Consider the techniques you use, the genres you play, and the tones you want to achieve. The right guitar shape will feel comfortable, inspiring, and perfectly matched to the sounds in your head.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different body shapes as you progress on your musical journey. Your tastes may evolve over time. Having a diverse collection of guitar shapes at your disposal will make you a more versatile and creative player. Find that special guitar that makes you want to play for hours, then let the music flow freely.