ELECTRIC GUITARS

An electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses pickups to convert the vibration of its steel-cored strings into electrical current, which is then amplified. The signal that comes from the guitar is sometimes electronically altered to achieve various tonal effects prior to being fed into an amplifier, which produces the final sound. The electric guitar was first used in 1970jazz and has also long been used in many other popular styles of music, including almost all genres of rock and roll, country music, blues, ambient (or "new-age"), and even contemporary classical music.
Compared with an acoustic guitar, which has a hollow body, electric guitars make comparatively little audible sound simply by having their strings plucked. Rather, the movement of the string generates (i.e., "induces") a very small electrical current in the magnetic pickups, which are magnets wrapped with coils of very fine wire. That current is then sent via a wire to an amplifier.[4] The current induced is proportional to such factors as the density of the string or the amount of movement over these pickups. That vibration is, in turn, affected by several factors, such as the composition and shape of the body. Some hybrid electric-acoustic guitars are equipped with additional microphones or piezoelectric pickups (transducers) that sense mechanical vibration from the body. Because in some cases it is desirable to isolate the pickups from the vibrations of the strings, a guitar's magnetic pickups will sometimes be embedded or "potted" in epoxy or wax to prevent the pickup from having a microphonic effect. Because of their natural inductive qualities, all magnetic pickups tend to pick up ambient and usually unwanted electromagnetic noises. The resulting noise, the so-called "hum", is particularly strong with single-coil pickups, and aggravated by the fact that very few guitars are correctly shielded against electromagnetic interference. The most frequent cause is the strong 50 or 60 Hz component that is inherent in the frequency generation of current within the local power transmission system. As nearly all amplifiers and audio equipment associated with electrical guitars relies on this power, there is in theory little chance of completely eliminating the introduction of unwanted hum. Double-coil or "humbucker" pickups were invented as a way to reduce or counter the unwanted ambient hum sounds. Humbuckers have two coils of opposite magnetic and electric polarity. This means that electromagnetic noise hitting both coils should cancel itself out. The two coils are wired in phase, so the signal picked up by each coil is added together. This creates the richer, "fatter" tone associated with humbucking pickups. The optical pickup senses string and body vibrations using LED light.

Fender Standard Stratocaster Review:

Features : 10 Mine is a 2006,which has the sunburst finish and rosewood fretboard.The upgrades on this guitar have really improved it to the point where I would put this up an American made one,any day of the week.The jumbo frets make string bending a breeze,while the shielded compartment finally gets rid of that annoying hum that used to be in the older models.Finally,the increased trem block allows for more sustain and much better tone.I don't see the need for any modifications on this at all.It's a keeper just the way it is.
Sound : 10 I like to play a mix of 80's hair metal and classic rock,I say to thos who don't think this guitar isn't suited to Metal,I say learn how to play!The tones that I get from this are just amazing.Great sounding guitar.Probably the best that I've ever had,in over 30 years of playing.
Action, Fit, & Finish : 8 The only thing I had to do was,set the intonation properly,and adjust the springs in the back and adjust the bridge saddles,so as to prevent tuning problems.I never use a trem,so tightening the springs is no big deal for me.Plus,I also had to tighten up the hardware a bit.I don't know if that's Fender's fault,or due to the fact that this guitar was sitting on a shelf for almost a year.I bought this brand new in March 2007.
Reliability/Durability : 10 All in all,this is a quality guitar that I can use live and depend on.I don't have to worry about it breaking down on me,after all,if you take proper care of your instrument,there's no reason why it can't last a lifetime.I have used this on many gigs since I got it,without using any type of back-up at all.It's a Fender,it was made to last.
Overall Rating : 10 I've been playing for over 30 years,and I use this with a Peavey Studio Pro 112,and a Digitech RP150.That is all I need.I would definately buy another one if given the chance.I would like to have a Artic White one with the rosewood fretboard.


Gibson Les Paul Special Review:

Features : 10 I think mine is a 96 model in cherry red. It is factory standard I have not modified it and I don't think it should be modified either.
Sound : 10 I play rock blues jazz metal r&b reggae punk amongst others. I sounds great has a truly vintage tone, before the introduction of humbuckers all gibsons sounded like this. I use a laney AOR A3012 series 2 amp and a snarling dog wah, sounds brilliant i love the deep bassy sound of the neck pickup. This is not going to sound like a fender, so I don't mind the fact that this guitar lacks a bit in variety because it is the sound I wanted.
Action, Fit, & Finish : 10 My special is a dream to play, there are no flaws.
Reliability/Durability : 8 This guitar has been very durable. unfortunately the neck pickup has popped out of the body and is gaffer tped down, it still works though and it was my fault not a fault of the guitar. The volume and tone knobs fall out periodically as with all gidsons, I just switched them around untill I found a tight fit for each. I would never gig without it and I need no other guitar right now.
Overall Rating : 10 If I was to buy a new Les Paul it would be the BFG because it has my favourite feature of this guitar - the neck pick up. I like the fact it has 4 pots (one tone and one volume for each pickup) lets you preset tones for live performances which is a feature i was surprised not to see on the BFG. I love my guitar.