A steel-string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound. It is often referred to simply as an acoustic guitar, although strictly speaking the nylon-strung classical guitar is acoustic as well.The most common type can be called a flat-top guitar to distinguish it from the more specialized archtop guitar and other variations.The standard tuning for an acoustic guitar is E-A-D-G-B-E (low to high), although many players, particularly fingerpickers, use alternate tunings (scordatura), such as “open G” (D-G-D-G-B-D), “open D” (D-A-D-F♯-A-D), or “drop D” (D-A-D-G-B-E).
The steel string acoustic guitar was invented by Guitar maker Christian Fredrich Martin. Martin moved from Germany to America in 1833 and worked as a guitar maker, or luthier. American guitarists wanted a louder and brighter sounding guitar, to play in bands with banjos and other instruments that produced a louder and brasher sound.In the early 20th century, Martin experimented with steel strings on his guitars. Due to the increased tension on the guitar he needed the body to be stronger, so he designed a more robust internal bracing system to compensate for the increased tension the steel strings put on the guitar’s body. Most modern steel string acoustic guitars are based on Martin’s original bracing concept.Martin guitars continues to be one of the top acoustic guitar makers and their guitars are used by musicians worldwide, playing all sorts of guitar styles.
Related posts: