Are you in the market for an acoustic guitar with a sleeker, more modern look? Then you’ll want to check out thinline acoustic guitars. This guide will provide you with the information you need to choose a great-sounding thinline model that fits your style and budget.
Let’s explore the world of thinline acoustics!
The sound of an acoustic guitar is one of the most melodic, beautiful and soothing sounds in existence. Acoustic guitars come in many shapes and sizes. Thinline acoustic guitars are known for their reduced body size but equally as rich sound. In recent years, thinline models have become increasingly popular due to their weight and comfortable body shape while still providing superior tone and projection. In this guide, we’ll explore thinline acoustic guitars, their differences from standard models, understand how they differ by woods and construction techniques, determine which model is right for you and review some of the most popular thinline acoustic guitars available today. Let’s begin!
Anatomy of a Thinline Acoustic Guitar
A thinline acoustic guitar is any type of guitar with thinner construction than a traditional acoustic. The body of a thinline acoustic still has soundboard and back, but without the heavier bracing found on a traditional acoustic body. This means that it’s significantly lighter than its thicker counterpart, which makes it more comfortable for playing and easier to transport.
The soundboard of a thinline acoustic is usually constructed from spruce or cedar, with some models having a combination of both woods in the soundboard. The back, usually made from mahogany or rosewood (or both, in some cases), helps to reinforce the soundboard and provide additional sustain and resonance. Most thinline acoustics have an arched or domed shape that provides increased bass response and volume compared to regular flat-top acoustics.
The neck of a thinline acoustic is usually either maple or mahogany and can be topped with your choice of fingerboards, including fretted (also known as “dot” necks) or fretless (slotted). There is often less neck depth in these guitars due to their lightweight construction. The bridge may be standard or floating-style; the latter giving players more adjustability for intonation. In addition, many brands also offer different scale lengths for their guitars ranging from 25-1/2″ to 27″, giving players even more options when shopping for their ideal instrument.
Thinline acoustics come equipped with electric/magnetic pickups at the endpin so they can be amplified easily during live performances allowing them to project more prominent and dynamic sounds out into larger settings—something standard acoustics struggle to do unamplified. Many model variations now include multiple pickups depending on whether you want piezo under-saddles, piezo side-saddles or magnetic center splits which will all give you different tonal characteristics both when plugged into an amplifier or PA system as well as when left completely unplugged with just the natural resonance produced by its components.
Body
Acoustic guitars come in many shapes and sizes and range from the smallest travel guitar to the famous jumbo-sized guitars. Thinbody guitars are rapidly gaining popularity due to their unique sound and slim profile, making them a great option for players who need an instrument that sounds great but is easy to transport between gigs. The reduced size of a thinbody acoustic makes the instrument easier to hold and more comfortable for playing standing up or seated.
Most thinline acoustic guitars feature either a cutaway or a double cutaway body type. Both styles offer excellent access to the upper frets, while the double cutaway body often allows even greater freedom of movement along the entire neck. The double cutaway design also produces some interesting tonal nuances due to its extended lower bout which can increase resonance across all strings as well as aid in articulation on higher frets when soloing.
When selecting a thinline guitar body shape, it is important to consider abalone, ivory and wooden inlays used on fret boards. These aesthetic features are usually made with high-grade materials and offer cosmetic variety between different models. Some popular body types include dreadnought (most traditional), grand auditorium (more volume-focused) and round-shoulder (more mellow tones).
Neck
The neck of a thinline acoustic guitars is thinner than a traditional acoustic and also lighter in weight. These characteristics make the thinline easier to play, especially for those with smaller hands. The thinner neck also allows for more vibrational energy from the strings to be transmitted to the body, resulting in greater volume and projection.
When choosing a guitar, it’s important to find one that fits your hand size and has good action on the strings. A thinner neck can provide easier access to notes on higher frets and can also have a significant impact on overall playability.
The shape of the neck is also an important factor when selecting a guitar, as different shapes can provide varying levels of comfort and control. The most common styles include “C” (or classical) shapes, “V” shapes, “U” shapes and flatter varieties such as flat-tops and modern radiuses. The right shape will depend largely on your playing style, so it’s important to experiment with different types in order to find one that works best for you.
Frets
Frets are the metal wire embedded in the fingerboard of all acoustic and electric guitars, which act as fences to stop your fingers from slipping off of the strings. The fret determines the pitch of each note you play, and this design is an integral part of guitar playing. Frets are responsible for tuning the instrument, making sure that intonation remains consistent up and down the fretboard. In thin line acoustic guitars, there are usually between 15-20 frets on a traditional steel-stringed acoustic guitar; however, some models may have more or less depending upon their design specifications.
The size and shape of frets is important when considering a thin line acoustic guitar for purchase. Generally speaking, smaller frets create a warmer tone and larger frets have a brighter resonance. This can be beneficial if you plan on using your Guitar for different styles of music or playing higher register chords. Additionally, when purchasing a thin line acoustic guitar with chrome-plated brass frets with rounded edges, they generally last longer than standard nickel frets since chromium is much more resistant to wear and tear than other materials available in traditional steel string guitars.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Thinline Acoustic Guitar
Finding the perfect guitar for your individual needs involves a various of factors. Thinline acoustic guitars come in an array of styles and designs, and factors such as sound, playability, and price can vary. When selecting a thinline guitar, it is important to consider the following few factors.
Body Design and Materials: Thinline acoustic guitars have curved sides- often called “bellysides”-which contribute to the guitar’s beauty. Additionally, they possess thinner bodies with less interior bracing; this changes the sound. Along with body design, you should pay attention to material type as well; materials such as mahogany or rosewood enhance tone while spruce offers more sharpness in sound quality.
Price Range: The price range of thinline acoustics varies among brands and models; generally speaking though you can expect to pay at least $350 for quality models from reputable manufacturers. If buying from a secondhand vendor or website pricing may be lower but remember that old styles may not have modern features like electronic pickups and other things available today so factor in maintenance or additional costs if purchasing vintage gear.
Pickup Type: Acoustic-electric guitars are outfitted with pickup systems able to amplify sound onstage without relying on external microphone systems or PA equipment. Before making your purchase consider this feature carefully as some cheap models may not include quality pick up systems unlike those professional level acoustics offer via preamps/equalizers etc..
Sound Quality: One of the most important aspects of an acoustic is its ability to make good music–after all its use is primarily aesthetic! Sound Quality is subjective however it involves tone projection, sustain volume balance amongst other elements when assessing one’s preferences so always perform small tests on instruments before buying one that fits your playing style best!
Body size and weight
The body size and weight of your thinline acoustic guitar will influence many aspects of your playing. The most common acoustic guitar body sizes indicate the overall size of the guitar; larger bodies have a more powerful tone while smaller bodies deliver a more delicate sound. When it comes to thinline acoustic guitars, they have less internal volume, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they sound any quieter than full-bodied acoustic guitars. Although thinline models are light on weight, they produce an optimal resonance that yields remarkable sound projection.
There are several popular body sizes for thinline acoustic guitars, and the most popular ones include:
-Grand Concert: features a smaller lower bout and a slightly deeper body, producing focused tones with excellent mid-range tonal qualities
-Grand Auditorium: has balanced bass and treble response with an increased dynamic range
-Dreadnought: has a large low end with powerful sound projection to cut through live settings
-Jumbo: enhanced low end with warm tones characterizing the beautiful depth resonating from this model
Tonewood
Tonewood is one of the most important factors in the sound you will get from your guitar. Different woods are used for the top, back, and sides, each with their own characteristics when it comes to sound. Commonly used tonewoods for thinline acoustic guitars include Mahogany, Rosewood and Maple.
Mahogany – Mahogany provides warmth and a strong mid-range focus to the sound of an acoustic guitar. The combination of a mahogany top with mahogany back and sides gives an acoustic guitar a smooth overall tone.
Rosewood – Rosewood is known for its pristine highs and ample warm mid-range tones but can also have pronounced low-end if paired with the right tonewoods at the top and sides. A commonly used rosewood on many thinline acoustics is East Indian rosewood.
Maple – Maple has a bright voice which makes it ideal for cutting through the mix when playing live or heavier music styles. Alder or swamp ash are often paired with maple in order to add warmth to the overall tone.
Electronics
When it comes to purchasing an acoustic guitar, looking for one that has the right combination of sound and playability is essential. Nowadays, thinline guitars offer an excellent choice for those looking to have a solid instrument but with a better playing experience. Thinline instruments employ the use of mini-humbucking pickups, piezo elements, and other sound reinforcement systems without compromising the body’s tonal qualities. In this guide, you can learn about these electronics found in thinline acoustic guitars and explore popular models designed for different genres of music such as blues, folk, or country.
Mini-Humbucking Pickups: Though not as common as piezos or pickup/preamp systems on acoustic guitars, mini-humbuckers are now available on certain models in order to provide a warmer tone than single coils and still leave plenty of room beneath the strings. With two coils either adjacent or separate under the strings they are typically noiseless and less prone to feedback than their single coil counterparts. Therefore they provide higher output levels at low or moderate volumes when paired with an attached preamp system.
Piezo Elements: Often considered among the most natural sounding electronic systems available for acoustic guitars—piezzo elements are favoured by many players practicing jazz and classical music when plugged into an amplifier or PA system—providing users with this natural sound without having to compromise possible tonal characteristics from loading down your instrument with abundant pickups that would compromise its entire performance. By simply attaching one transducer located near its bridge plate it is able to pick up vibrations from the strings along with minimal interference from other sources. Additionally since these elements require significantly less power compared to traditional active humbuckers they can also be used unplugged quite well!
Pickup/Preamp Systems: Most notably found on dreadnought or auditorium style acoustics these sophisticated preamps combine both a miniature humbucker along with headphone/line outs—enabling users to easily sculpt their sound while cutting down on potential feedback issues due its advanced circuitry utilizing notch filters set specifically towards removing undesired frequencies instead amplifying them like traditional onboard active systems do! Furthermore users can also control parameters such as volume level knob (gain) treble/bass should they want even more control over tone although this type of setup requires additional wiring which some might not want installed on their instruments if it’s already performance ready at dealership level!.
Maintenance and Care
Taking care of your thinline acoustic guitar will ensure it remains in top condition, providing quality sound and looks for years to come. Proper maintenance and care can go a long way in extending the longevity of this instrument. Below are practical tips on how to maintain your thinline acoustic guitar.
– Cleaning: You should wipe down the fretboard, strings, body, pickguard and bridge after every use to remove any dirt or grime that may have settled into the crevices. You can also use a microfiber cleaning cloth dampened with special guitar polishing fluid to keep the finish of your instrument looking like new. Always make sure to dry off any moisture before storing the guitar away.
– Saddle adjustments: For optimum intonation, you should adjust the saddle accordingly and make sure they’re properly aligned with the nut so there’s no buzzing when you strum chords or play individual notes on the strings. Consider investing in a set of proper luthier tools as they come in handy when adjusting saddles and other aspects related to maintaining your thinline acoustic guitar.
– Cables/connections: Pay attention to connected cables such as power adapters for electric guitars as well as jacks for amplifiers; if any appear worn or aged then these should be replaced immediately regardless of whether they still work or not since frayed wires can cause short circuiting or other damage over time. Dust free connections prevent shorting out and ensures good connective power from equipment such as amplifiers when interacting with an electric guitar .
Cleaning
It is important to keep your Thinline acoustic guitar clean and in perfect working condition. Cleaning should be done on a regular basis, at least once a month, but more if the guitar has been used extensively or exposed to dust, dirt and other pollutants. The strings can easily collect dust particles which will reduce their vibrancy and shorten their life span.
To clean your guitar, begin by wiping off the body with a soft cloth that has been dampened with water or a gentle cleaning solution. Be sure not to use an excessive amount of cleaning product as it can damage the finish. Carefully wipe off each string one at a time starting from top to bottom so that dirt and debris will not travel onto clean areas of the strings. Once you have wiped down all of the strings, dry them with a dry cloth ensuring each string is free from moisture before moving onto the next one.
After all of the strings have been cleaned and dried, check for debris or dirt along any of the frets or saddles in order to make sure none are clogged up which could hamper sound quality. Gently scrape anything that does appear with a cotton bud as this ensures more thorough cleaning without damaging any parts of your instrument’s construction. Finally, use an appropriate cleaner for your fretboard – either lemon oil or special fretboard cleaners like Fret-Eze — and buff with a small amount on cloth until all excess is removed from surface area.
Storage
In addition to great sound and playing experience, one of the key elements that makes an acoustic guitar great is proper upkeep. It’s important to take good care of your instrument if you want it to sound and play its best for many years to come. With thin line acoustic guitars, this can be a bit of a challenge due to their delicate construction. Here are some tips on how to properly store and maintain your thin line acoustic guitar so it will continue to provide you with great sound quality for many years.
When not in use, it’s ideal to store your guitar in its case or a padded bag. If you need to set it down while playing open chords or arpeggios, do so on a soft surface such as an upholstered chair, couch cushion or bed as these will protect against bumps or dings to the instrument’s finish over time. For best results, use a padded stand designed specifically for thin line acoustic guitars which will keep them securely placed while providing maximum protection against impacts and other wear issues.
Another important factor when storing the guitar is humidity control. When stored in an overly dry environment, wood resists humidification more easily becoming brittle over time from lack of moisture so ensure adequate and consistent dampness in 10-50% relative humidity around your guitar case/bag by using Humidified/dehumidified cases (such as DampIt), silica gel product packs or large water containers placed next the case/bag This should help keep your instrument’s wood components from cracking due to low moisture levels caused by low relative humidities over the long run. Finally, don’t forget about keeping strings clean with light gauge strings (for extra protectionl) cleaned regularly with polishing paper & cloths for longer string life & better tone!
Conclusion
Thinline acoustic guitars have been steadily increasing in popularity for many years. With their light-weight feel and signature sound, these guitars are ideal for fingerstyle players that want to create intricate sounds. Beyond producing a clear and resonant sound, their thin body creates a unique look that stands out in any performer’s hands.
With so many companies offering thinline guitars, there’s something to suit the taste of any musician. Popular models range from sleek and modern takes on traditional designs to high-end boutique models with unique features. For even more customizability, some acoustic guitar brands offer DIY kits so you can craft your own one-of-a-kind instrument.
Whether you prefer classic styles or modern innovation, a thinline acoustic guitar is a great fit for any guitarist looking for something special.
FAQs
What is a thinline acoustic guitar?
A thinline acoustic guitar is a type of acoustic guitar that has a thinner body compared to a standard acoustic guitar.
What is a thin acoustic guitar called?
A thin acoustic guitar is also called a “thinline” acoustic guitar.
How thin is a thinline guitar?
The exact thickness of a thinline guitar may vary depending on the model and manufacturer, but generally, a thinline guitar is around 2 to 2.5 inches thick.
What are thinline guitars good for?
Thinline guitars are known for their comfortability and playability, making them suitable for long hours of playing. They also produce a more focused and articulate sound compared to a standard acoustic guitar.
Do Thinline guitars sound different?
Yes, thinline guitars have a different sound compared to standard acoustic guitars due to their thinner body, which produces a brighter and more articulate tone.
Why does Ed Sheeran use a small guitar?
Ed Sheeran uses a small guitar because it is easier to travel with, more comfortable to play, and provides a unique sound that suits his music style.
Are thin body acoustic guitar good?
Thin body acoustic guitars are good for those who prioritize comfort and playability. They also produce a unique sound that some guitar players prefer.
Who plays a Fender Thinline?
Many guitarists have played Fender Thinline guitars, including Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, and Prince.
What is the thinnest guitar?
The thinnest guitar is considered to be the “Paper Jamz” guitar, which is only 0.1 inches thick.
What are the two types of acoustic guitars?
The two main types of acoustic guitars are steel-string acoustic guitars and classical guitars. Steel-string acoustic guitars are commonly used in popular music, while classical guitars are often used in classical and flamenco music.
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