Super Fitness Health BlogThe Story of the Electroacoustic Guitar
In this article, I want to talk a little bit about the nature of electro acoustic guitars. The first thing to point out is that the electro acoustic guitar is very different from the semi acoustic guitar, with which it is often confused. The semi acoustic guitar is associated with particular musical genres such as jazz and rockabilly, the guitar having a hollow body but external pickups, much like the more common electric guitar.
The method of amplification used in an electroacoustic guitar can vary, as can the degree of sound control available on the guitar itself with many systems featuring a high degree of control over the tone and presence of the sound. At more expensive price points, pickup systems will often feature several transducers, allowing the guitarist control over which parts of the guitar body are amplified.
Prior to the emergence of proper electro acoustic guitars, principally in the late 1970s, guitarists who needed to project the sound of an acoustic guitar within the context of a band or a large auditorium had limited options. Unless they were prepared to sit down and have a microphone placed in front of the sound hole of their acoustic guitar, much like studio recording, they were limited to placing a temporary bar pickup across the soundhole. This results in a very thin, metallic sound as only the strings are being amplified, not the sound of the guitar body.
The very first electroacoustic guitar, in the sense that we understand today, was launched in the mid-1960s. In a strange reversal of normal technological development, this first model adopted design principles that were far more advanced than those used on modern day electroacoustic guitars. The design, pioneered by Charles Kaman, utilised the moulding and sonic properties of fibreglass to provide a much more controllable sound space within the body of the guitar.
Perhaps surprisingly, this revolution in guitar design has not progressed to any major degree. As the emphasis in technical development shifted from the shape and materials used in guitar bodies, towards the technology for accurately amplifying any acoustic guitar, the generally conservative nature of guitarists led to a return to traditional shapes and materials.
Of course, this separate development of guitars and pickup technology is generally beneficial to guitarists. Not only can they choose from a wide range of electro acoustic guitars at all price points, the modern electroacoustic is often as accomplished when used unamplified as it is in a stage or studio setting.
Of the guitar brands that have invested significantly in the acoustic and electroacoustic guitar market, companies that are very marketing led, such as Fender, have been very adept at responding to consumer demands for acoustic guitars with amplification technology at all price points. This provides the guitarist with combinations of guitar and pickup system that meet just about any guitar style, playing situation or budget.
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