What is the thinnest electric guitar? The thinnest electric guitar is the Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 Trem with a body thickness of only 1.3 inches.
Editor’s Note: The thinnest electric guitar is a topic of interest to guitarists of all levels, from beginners to professionals. This is because a thinner guitar body can be more comfortable to play, especially for those with smaller hands. Additionally, a thinner guitar body can be lighter, which can be beneficial for those who have to stand for long periods of time while playing.
We’ve done the research and dug through the information to put together this thinnest electric guitar guide to help you make the right decision.
Key Differences:
| Feature | Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 Trem |
|---|---|
| Body Thickness | 1.3 inches |
| Weight | 5.5 pounds |
| Scale Length | 25.5 inches |
| Number of Frets | 24 |
| Price | $2,499 |
Main Article Topics:
- Benefits of a thinner electric guitar body
- How to choose the right thinnest electric guitar for you
- Reviews of the best thinnest electric guitars on the market
1. Body Thickness
The body thickness of an electric guitar is a key factor in its overall weight, balance, and playability. A thinner body can make the guitar more comfortable to play, especially for those with smaller hands or who play for long periods of time. It can also make the guitar lighter, which can be beneficial for those who have to stand while playing.
- Comfort: A thinner body can be more comfortable to play, especially for those with smaller hands or who play for long periods of time.
- Weight: A thinner body can make the guitar lighter, which can be beneficial for those who have to stand while playing.
- Balance: A thinner body can also affect the guitar’s balance, making it more or less neck-heavy.
- Playability: A thinner body can make the guitar easier to play, especially for those with smaller hands.
The Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 Trem is the thinnest electric guitar on the market, with a body thickness of only 1.3 inches. This makes it an excellent choice for those who are looking for a comfortable, lightweight, and playable guitar.
2. Weight
The weight of an electric guitar is a key factor in its overall comfort and playability. A heavier guitar can be more difficult to hold and play for long periods of time, especially for those with smaller hands or who have to stand while playing. A lighter guitar, on the other hand, can be more comfortable to play for longer periods of time, making it a better choice for those who play gigs or practice for extended periods of time.
- Comfort: A lighter guitar is more comfortable to play for long periods of time, especially for those with smaller hands or who have to stand while playing.
- Playability: A lighter guitar can be easier to play, especially for those with smaller hands or who have to play for long periods of time.
- Endurance: A lighter guitar can help to reduce fatigue, making it easier to play for longer periods of time.
- Gigging: A lighter guitar is easier to transport and play on stage, making it a good choice for gigging musicians.
The Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 Trem is one of the lightest electric guitars on the market, weighing in at only 5.5 pounds. This makes it an excellent choice for those who are looking for a guitar that is comfortable to play for long periods of time.
3. Scale Length
The scale length of a guitar is an important factor to consider when choosing a guitar, especially for those with smaller hands. A shorter scale length can make the guitar easier to play, as it reduces the distance between the frets. This can be beneficial for both beginners and experienced players alike.
- Comfort: A shorter scale length can make the guitar more comfortable to play, especially for those with smaller hands.
- Playability: A shorter scale length can make the guitar easier to play, as it reduces the distance between the frets.
- Reach: A shorter scale length can make it easier to reach the higher frets.
- Intonation: A shorter scale length can affect the intonation of the guitar, making it more difficult to play in tune.
The Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 Trem has a scale length of 25.5 inches, which is slightly shorter than the standard 25.5 inch scale length. This makes it a good choice for those with smaller hands or who are looking for a guitar that is easier to play.
4. Number of Frets
The number of frets on a guitar is an important factor to consider when choosing a guitar, especially for those who play lead guitar or who use a lot of techniques that require access to the higher frets. A guitar with fewer frets will have a shorter scale length, which can make it easier to reach the higher frets. This can be beneficial for both beginners and experienced players alike.
Thinner guitars often have fewer frets than traditional electric guitars because there is less space on the body for the frets. This can be a benefit for those who have smaller hands or who find it difficult to reach the higher frets on a traditional electric guitar.
The Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 Trem has 24 frets, which is fewer than the standard 24 frets on a traditional electric guitar. This makes it easier to reach the higher frets, which can be beneficial for lead guitarists and those who use a lot of techniques that require access to the higher frets.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between guitars with different numbers of frets:
5. Cutaway
In the context of electric guitars, a cutaway is a section of t
he body that is cut away to allow the player to reach the higher frets more easily. This is especially important on thinner electric guitars, as the body is already thinner and there is less space for the player’s hand to reach the higher frets.
- Improved access to higher frets: A cutaway allows the player to reach the higher frets more easily, which is essential for playing lead guitar and other techniques that require access to the full range of the guitar’s fretboard.
- Greater comfort: A cutaway can also make the guitar more comfortable to play, as the player’s hand does not have to stretch as far to reach the higher frets.
- Enhanced playability: A cutaway can improve the playability of the guitar, as the player can move their hand more freely and easily across the fretboard.
Overall, a cutaway is an important feature to consider when choosing a thin electric guitar, as it can significantly improve the guitar’s playability and comfort.
6. Body Shape
The body shape of a guitar is an important factor to consider when choosing a thin electric guitar, as it can affect the guitar’s weight and balance. A guitar with a thinner body will be lighter and more balanced than a guitar with a thicker body. This can be beneficial for those who have to stand while playing or who have to play for long periods of time.
There are a variety of different body shapes available for thin electric guitars. Some of the most popular body shapes include:
- Solid body: Solid body guitars have a solid body that is made from a single piece of wood. This type of body is the most common type of body for thin electric guitars, as it is lightweight and durable.
- Semi-hollow body: Semi-hollow body guitars have a hollow body with a solid top and back. This type of body is lighter than a solid body guitar, but it is also more prone to feedback.
- Hollow body: Hollow body guitars have a hollow body with a thin top and back. This type of body is the lightest type of body, but it is also the most prone to feedback.
The body shape of a guitar can also affect its sound. Solid body guitars typically have a brighter sound than semi-hollow body guitars, which have a warmer sound. Hollow body guitars have the warmest sound of all three types of body shapes.
When choosing a thin electric guitar, it is important to consider the body shape of the guitar. The body shape will affect the guitar’s weight, balance, and sound. It is important to choose a body shape that is comfortable to play and that produces the sound that you are looking for.
7. Neck Profile
The neck profile of a guitar refers to the shape of the neck from the back to the fingerboard. It is an important factor to consider when choosing a guitar, as it can affect the guitar’s playability and comfort. A thinner neck profile can be easier to play for those with smaller hands, while a thicker neck profile can provide more support and stability. Additionally, the neck profile can affect the guitar’s sound, with a thinner neck profile typically producing a brighter sound and a thicker neck profile producing a warmer sound.
- C-Shape: The C-shape is the most common neck profile, and it is found on a wide variety of guitars. It is characterized by a rounded back and a relatively narrow width, which makes it comfortable to play for most people.
- D-Shape: The D-shape is similar to the C-shape, but it is slightly thicker and wider. This makes it a good choice for players who want a little more support and stability.
- V-Shape: The V-shape is a less common neck profile, but it is popular among some players. It is characterized by a sharp V-shaped back, which makes it very thin and fast.
- Asymmetrical: The asymmetrical neck profile is a relatively new design, and it is becoming increasingly popular. It is characterized by a different shape on the treble side and the bass side of the neck. This makes it more comfortable to play for some players, as it allows the thumb to rest in a more natural position.
When choosing a thin electric guitar, it is important to consider the neck profile. A thinner neck profile can be easier to play for those with smaller hands, and it can also produce a brighter sound. However, a thicker neck profile can provide more support and stability, and it can produce a warmer sound. Ultimately, the best way to choose a neck profile is to try out different guitars and see what feels the most comfortable and playable.
8. Fretboard Radius
The fretboard radius of a guitar is an important factor to consider when choosing a thin electric guitar, as it can affect the guitar’s playability and comfort. A flatter fretboard radius can make it easier to play chords, as the strings are closer together and require less finger movement. This can be beneficial for players with smaller hands or who have difficulty stretching their fingers to reach the strings on a guitar with a more curved fretboard radius.
- Improved chord playability: A flatter fretboard radius can make it easier to play chords, as the strings are closer together and require less finger movement. This can be beneficial for players with smaller hands or who have difficulty stretching their fingers to reach the strings on a guitar with a more curved fretboard radius.
- Increased comfort: A flatter fretboard radius can also be more comfortable to play, as the player’s hand does not have to stretch as far to reach the strings. This can be beneficial for players who have to play for long periods of time.
- Enhanced playability: A flatter fretboard radius can improve the playability of the guitar, as the player can move their hand more freely and easily across the fretboard. This can be beneficial for players who use a lot of techniques that require moving the hand across the fretboard, such as hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Overall, a flatter fretboard radius can be a beneficial feature to consider when choosing a thin electric guitar, as it can improve the guitar’s playability, comfort, and overall feel. However, it is important to note that the ideal fretboard radius is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and players should try out different guitars with different fretboard radii to find the one that is most comfortable and playable for them.
9. Pickups
The type of pickups used in a guitar can have a significant impact on its sound. This is especially true for thin electric guitars, as the body of the guitar can affect the way the pickups interact with the strings. In general, single-coil pickups produce a brighter sound, while humbucker pickups produce a warmer, fuller sound. The position of the pickups can also affect the sound, with pickups that are closer to the bridge producing a brighter sound and pickups that are closer to the
neck producing a warmer sound.
- Single-coil pickups are typically used in guitars that are designed for clean, bright sounds, such as country and blues guitars. Single-coil pickups are also often used in guitars that are used for rock and pop music, as they can provide a clear and articulate sound.
- Humbucker pickups are typically used in guitars that are designed for heavier, distorted sounds, such as rock and metal guitars. Humbucker pickups are also often used in guitars that are used for jazz and fusion music, as they can provide a warm, full sound.
- The position of the pickups can also affect the sound of the guitar. Pickups that are closer to the bridge produce a brighter sound, while pickups that are closer to the neck produce a warmer sound. This is because the strings vibrate more freely near the bridge, which produces a brighter sound, while the strings vibrate less freely near the neck, which produces a warmer sound.
When choosing a thin electric guitar, it is important to consider the type of pickups that are used in the guitar. The type of pickups will have a significant impact on the sound of the guitar, so it is important to choose pickups that will produce the sound that you are looking for.
10. Electronics
The electronics on a guitar play a vital role in shaping its sound and playability. This is especially true for thin electric guitars, as the body of the guitar can affect the way the electronics interact with the strings. In general, the electronics on a thin electric guitar can be divided into three main components: the pickups, the controls, and the output jack.
- Pickups are responsible for converting the vibrations of the strings into electrical signals. The type of pickups used can have a significant impact on the sound of the guitar. Single-coil pickups produce a brighter sound, while humbucker pickups produce a warmer, fuller sound. The position of the pickups can also affect the sound, with pickups that are closer to the bridge producing a brighter sound and pickups that are closer to the neck producing a warmer sound.
- Controls allow the player to adjust the sound of the guitar. The most common controls are the volume knob, the tone knob, and the pickup selector switch. The volume knob controls the overall volume of the guitar, the tone knob controls the brightness of the sound, and the pickup selector switch allows the player to select which pickup or combination of pickups is active.
- Output jack is where the guitar cable is plugged in. The output jack is typically located on the side or bottom of the guitar. It is important to use a high-quality output jack to ensure a good connection between the guitar and the amplifier.
The electronics on a thin electric guitar can have a significant impact on the guitar’s sound and playability. When choosing a thin electric guitar, it is important to consider the type of pickups, controls, and output jack that are used in the guitar. The electronics should be chosen to complement the guitar’s body and neck, and to produce the sound that the player is looking for.
11. Price
There are several reasons why thinner electric guitars can be more expensive than traditional electric guitars. First, thinner guitars require more specialized materials and construction techniques. The body of a thin electric guitar must be made from a lightweight and durable material, such as carbon fiber or graphite. These materials are more expensive than the wood that is typically used to make electric guitar bodies.Second, the hardware on a thin electric guitar must be designed to be lightweight and strong. This can require the use of specialized materials and manufacturing techniques, which can increase the cost of the guitar.Finally, thinner electric guitars often require more hand-assembly than traditional electric guitars. This can also increase the cost of the guitar.
Despite the higher cost, thinner electric guitars offer several advantages over traditional electric guitars. They are lighter and more comfortable to play, especially for those with smaller hands or who have to play for long periods of time. They are also more portable, making them ideal for traveling musicians. And, because they are made from lightweight materials, they produce a brighter and more resonant sound than traditional electric guitars.
If you are looking for a high-quality thin electric guitar, be prepared to pay a premium price. However, the benefits of a thinner electric guitar may outweigh the additional cost for many players.
Table: Comparison of Thin and Traditional Electric Guitars
| Feature | Thin Electric Guitar | Traditional Electric Guitar |
|---|---|---|
| Body thickness | Less than 1.5 inches | 1.5 inches or more |
| Weight | 5-7 pounds | 8-10 pounds |
| Materials | Carbon fiber, graphite | Wood |
| Hardware | Lightweight, strong | Standard |
| Assembly | More hand-assembly | Less hand-assembly |
| Price | More expensive | Less expensive |
FAQs
This section provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the thinnest electric guitars.
Question 1: What is the thinnest electric guitar on the market?
Answer: The Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 Trem is the thinnest electric guitar on the market, with a body thickness of only 1.3 inches.
Question 2: What are the benefits of a thinner electric guitar?
Answer: Thinner electric guitars offer several benefits, including increased comfort, portability, and playability.
Question 3: What should I consider when choosing a thin electric guitar?
Answer: When choosing a thin electric guitar, it is important to consider factors such as body thickness, weight, scale length, number of frets, cutaway, body shape, neck profile, fretboard radius, pickups, electronics, and price.
Question 4: Are thinner electric guitars more expensive than traditional electric guitars?
Answer: Yes, thinner electric guitars can be more expensive than traditional electric guitars due to the specialized materials and construction techniques required.
Question 5: What are some of the best thin electric guitars on the market?
Answer: Some of the best thin electric guitars on the market include the Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 Trem, the Aristides 060, and the Kiesel Vader.
Question 6: What are the pros and cons of a thin electric guitar?
Answer: The pros of a thin electric guitar include increased comfort, portability, and playability. The cons include the potential for higher cost and the need for specialized materials and construction techniques.
Tips for Choosing the Thinnest Electric Guitar
When choosing the thinnest electric guitar, there are several factors to consider to ensure you select the
best instrument for your needs. Here are some tips to guide you through the process:
Tip 1: Determine Your Playing Style and Comfort Level
Consider the type of music you play and your playing style. If you prefer fast, technical playing or have smaller hands, a thinner guitar with a shorter scale length and fewer frets may be more comfortable and easier to play.
Tip 2: Consider the Body Thickness and Weight
The body thickness and weight of the guitar can significantly impact your comfort and playing experience. Thinner guitars are generally lighter and more comfortable to hold and play for extended periods.
Tip 3: Pay Attention to the Neck Profile and Fretboard Radius
The neck profile and fretboard radius can affect your playing comfort and technique. Choose a neck profile that fits your hand size and playing style, and consider a flatter fretboard radius if you prefer easier chord playing.
Tip 4: Evaluate the Pickups and Electronics
The pickups and electronics play a crucial role in shaping the guitar’s sound and playability. Consider the type of pickups (single-coil vs. humbucker) and their placement to achieve the desired sound.
Tip 5: Set a Budget and Explore Different Brands
Determine your budget and research different brands that offer thin electric guitars. There are quality options available at various price points, so explore your choices to find the best guitar for your needs.
Key Takeaways:
- Consider your playing style and comfort level.
- Pay attention to body thickness, weight, and neck profile.
- Evaluate pickups and electronics for desired sound.
- Set a budget and explore different brands.
By following these tips, you can make an informed decision when selecting the thinnest electric guitar that meets your specific requirements and playing needs.
Conclusion
The exploration of the thinnest electric guitar reveals the innovative advancements and considerations in electric guitar design. Manufacturers have pushed the boundaries of guitar construction to create instruments that offer enhanced comfort, portability, and playability, particularly for guitarists with smaller hands or those who play for extended periods.
Choosing the thinnest electric guitar involves careful evaluation of factors such as body thickness, weight, neck profile, fretboard radius, pickups, and electronics. By considering these aspects and understanding the impact they have on playing experience and sound, guitarists can make informed decisions that align with their individual needs and musical aspirations.
The pursuit of thinness in electric guitars is a testament to the continuous evolution of musical instruments, driven by the desire to enhance comfort, performance, and the overall guitar playing experience. As technology and innovation continue to advance, we can anticipate even more groundbreaking designs and advancements in the world of electric guitars.
