Electric Guitar

An electric guitar is a guitar that, unlike a standard acoustic guitar, requires external electric sound amplification to be heard at typical performance volumes. It uses one or more pickups to convert the vibration of its strings into electrical signals, which loudspeakers reproduce as sound, and the sound is shaped by amplifier settings and effects such as reverb, distortion and overdrive. The first electrically amplified stringed instrument marketed commercially was the cast aluminium lap steel guitar nicknamed the Frying Pan, designed in 1931 by George Beauchamp, and commercial production of electric guitars began in 1932. Adopted by jazz guitarists who wanted to play solos in big band ensembles, it became during the 1950s and 1960s the most important instrument in popular music and a major component in the development of electric blues, rock and roll and heavy metal.