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The Different Types of Acoustic Guitars: A Complete Guide to Guitar Body Shapes and Sizes

Wondering what custom guitar to buy online? Have a look at different types of guitars based on their shapes and sizes.

The acoustic guitar is a popular musical instrument that has been used for centuries in the United States. Since they don’t need a range of accessories to function, acoustic guitars can be transported and stored conveniently.

When purchasing a guitar, visual appeal is the first element a person is attracted to. However, the instrument’s sound and performance depend largely on its body shape and size that directly affect its tonal properties.

There are several models and types available on the market, which can make it challenging to choose the right one. Here’s how acoustic guitars are classified according to shape and size.

Why Does the Shape of a Guitar Matter?

Two main components make up a guitar’s shape – the body and the neck. The shape of the acoustic guitar matters because it affects how the guitar looks, feels, and sounds. The thicker and heavier the wood, the better the resonance gets. As a result, your notes will sound fuller and more sustained.

The grip of a guitar affects the player’s way of standing or sitting. For example, guitars with a curve on the bottom half of the body can rest easily on your leg while playing in a sitting position. Moreover, the neck of guitars is denoted by letters.

  • Players use the C-shape guitar as a universally comfortable profile. They are not too round and have a relatively flat shape.
  • U-shape is a more rounded version of the C-shape. It’s also quite heavy and suited for players with larger hands.
  • The V-shape is a more pointed version of the U-shape, which many players find more comfortable to play.

Why Does the Size of a Guitar Matter?

Acoustic guitars come in 4 standard sizes.

  1. 4/4 size – full-size classical guitar
  2. ½ size – has a total length of 34 inches. It is best suitable for children learning to play.
  3. ¼ size – this isn’t one-quarter of a full-sized guitar. It has a total length of 31 inches.
  4. ¾ size – it’s 7/8 in size compared to a full-size guitar

Dreadnought Guitars

This is the most common guitar shape you will find in the market. It ‘s known to have the highest amount of bass frequencies and an excellent projection. Typically, the Dreadnought has a length of 20” and a width of 16” with a scale length of 25.4”.

The shape of this guitar produces big, bold sounds because of its large internal cavity. The produced sounds are powerful low-end, bright trebles, and snappy mid-range. Rock, bluegrass, and country musicians generally prefer playing a Dreadnought.

Jumbo Guitars

The jumbo guitar was released for musicians looking for a louder volume and high performance. Its round shape provides a larger cavity which produces a booming sound. A Jumbo guitar is a versatile musical instrument and most suitable to play in front of huge crowds. Not only is it great for soft picking but also hard strumming. If you are looking for an instrument to match your solid belting voice, then the Jumbo guitar will be the perfect fit.

Auditorium Guitars

The Auditorium guitar, also known as the “orchestra guitar”, falls in the medium-sized category with a thin waist and a broad upper bout. The tight waist makes it sound a bit different from the Dreadnought. It has a big sound with an incredible treble-bass balance, applicable for fingerstyle playing. The guitar is popular for its tone and performance for all styles of music, from blues and rock to folk and country.

Classical Guitars

The Classical guitar is a Nylon stringed beauty known for its soft tone. It has smaller dimensions than that of a Dreadnought and is generally used to play classical music. It is easy to identify a classical guitar by its open slot tuners and wider neck and fretboard. The fretboard of a classical guitar is very flat, which makes it challenging to play the chords against the natural curvature of your hand. Moreover, the gap between each string is much wider than a regular acoustic.

Parlor Guitars

A Parlor guitar has a smaller body frame. Children and those who love finger styling find it as an appropriate instrument to use. The great body shape makes it easier to do plucking and several other styles of playing.

A Parlor guitar is easy to travel with, and if you want to play a “vintage” sound, this is one of the best options you have. Whether at home or in a studio, this instrument is an intimate experience that connects you to your music inspiration.

Shop a high-performance guitar at Rock Guitars to help you make an impression on everyone who hears you play. Guitars made by EddieA offer robust performance and functionality. The stunning aesthetics add to the charm of every guitar’s visual elements detailed by hand. Check out some of his incredible works of art on his website and get in touch with him to buy custom guitars online.

Written By

The author, Claire M, is a professional writer who loves to create content on the topics she enjoy. She uses her free time to read stories and fave pet cat.

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