Are Thinline Guitars Good?
Thinline guitars are relatively widespread among guitar players. However, are Thinline guitars good?
Thinline guitars are good at playing in many genres of music, such as jazz, country blues, rock, and folk music. They’re lightweight and easily amplified, so they’re an excellent option for trying out new things. However, if a user wants to avoid feedback or play loudly, a Thinline isn’t a good option.
Now that you know what Thinline guitars are good for, we’ll cover what you can do with them, what they’re made out of, how they sound, and what makes them different from other guitars. Here is your guide to everything you need about Thinline guitars.
What is a Thinline Guitar?
Thinline guitars are a specific brand of guitar made by Fender. Fender has made thinline variants of both the Jazzmaster and Telecaster.
Other companies have emulated the style to create their thinline guitars. These guitars differ from “regular” (also known as solid-body) guitars in that they have a thinner body and are semi-hollow. You can easily identify these guitars with the single f-hole cutout in the front.
Below is a list of the best-selling thinline guitars on Amazon. Some are classic Fenders, while others are reproductions of the thinline style.
- 【H-H Pickups】Donner Jazz Electric Guitar has two Dual Humbuckers pickups. Humbucker pickup always is the first choice for Jazz,and H-H pickups will be perfect for a Texas blues/rock sound.
- 【String-through Body Bridge】Maple fingerboard, Canadian maple neck, solid poplar body. This structure can effectively reduce the generation of feedback of Donner TL thinline electric guitar.
- 【22 Copper-nickel Frets】Donner electric guitar features a pickup selector switch, a volume knob, and two different tone knobs. 22 copper-nickel frets with Fret position Marks on neck and top of the fingerboard.
- 【DJC-1000S Jazz Thinline Guitar】 Doesn’t give the “traditional” jazz tone, still warm but more “modern” sounding. Known for its warm tone, playability, and build solid enough to take a beating.Though known better in the country/rock world as the guitar of choice for many players, the Thinline TL has snuck its way into the jazz guitar idiom over the decades. Known for its warm tone, playability, and build solid enough to take a beating.
- 【3-Ways Pickup Switch】 3-Ways Pickup switch provide different tone performance.The DJC-1000S series offers natural, vibrant sound in your hands with a choice of convenient and practical features that will have the beginning guitarist in your house strumming away in no time. Delivers a smooth tone ideal for rock and roll, playing the blues, and everything else in between!
- Thin-line cutaway Body design for exceptional playability
- 25″ Scale Length and narrower string spacing for Enhanced comfort
- New scalloped bracing pattern for increased bass response
- Abalone sound hole rosette
- Stage-focused pickup system for shaping your sound in the mix
- Incredible sound: Perfect for musicians-in-the-making or advanced players, this guitar features an impressive tone, standout projection and incredible sonics. It’s waiting to be heard.
- Fine hardwood construction: Guitar is made from X-braced, A-grade Spruce wood, known for its resiliency and versatility and Basswood for warmth. Whether playing soft or loud, strumming or flatpicking, the guitar remains responsive and retains its tonal integrity.
- Thinline cutaway design: The body of this full-size (41″) guitar is cut away at the neck for better access and more comfortable playing of the top frets. It’s also thinline (3″ thick) which creates an unparalleled sound & aesthetic, and is lightweight for burdenless travel and playing.
- Loaded with upgrades: On-board 4-band pickup/EQ (bass, mid-range, treble, and presence), two sets of upgraded phosphor bronze strings, and an ultra-glossy, tough-as-nails finish with chrome tuning pegs.
- Complete kit: Bundle includes the Ashthorpe guitar, a soft nylon “gig bag” guitar case, thin, medium & heavy celluloid picks, on-board 4-band pickup EQ, guitar cable, a shoulder strap, an extra set of strings and an owner’s manual.
- Unique P90 + Humbucker Pickup Configuration: Tap into a broad selection of tones with a vintage-style P90 neck pickup and high-gain humbucker in the bridge position, including a coil split switch for even more possibilities.
- Thinline Semi-Hollow Body Construction: GTL-200 is crafted from premium ash tonewood and features a semi-hollow body design that improves tone and resonance while reducing weight, ensuring comfort for extended practice sessions and performances.
- Rounded Frets + Comfortable Neck: GTL-200 utilizes a genuine maple fretboard with rounded and polished frets for smooth playability. The slim neck is easy to navigate for both beginning guitarists and experienced professionals.
- Coil Split Function with Push-Pull Knob: Experience the magic of coil splitting with the push-pull knob. Transition the chrome-covered bridge pickup from humbucker to single coil mode effortlessly, broadening your tonal options with a simple flick of the switch.
- Gig bag + Accessories: GTL-200 comes with all the essential accessories, including a padded gig bag, guitar picks, guitar strap, instrument cable, electronic tuner, and extra strings.
- 100% designed by Fender
- Inspired by 1970s-era Telecaster models
- Fender-Designed Wide Range humbucking pickups
- Vintage-tinted gloss neck finish
- Nickel-plated hardware
Thinline guitars were originally from the 1950s but didn’t gain popularity until a decade later in the 60s. This came from the popular Fender Telecaster Thinline, which lasted throughout the 70s.
Other well-known companies like Gibson, Gretch, and Rickenbacker are also known for more popular Thinlines. Smaller companies have also emulated the style to create less popular guitars.
Do They Make Thinline Acoustic Guitars?
Thinline acoustic guitars are closer to regular acoustic guitars in that both are hollow. The only difference here is that thinline acoustics are thinner and lighter.
Much like electric thinline guitars, acoustic thinline guitars are smaller. This makes it easier to reach all of the parts, making them closer in size to smaller guitars (like 3/4 guitars).
So, you can buy both acoustic and electric thinline guitars. Although you will find acoustic thinlines closer to their “normal” counterparts.
So, why would you pick a thinline guitar? Below are a few different things to note.
What Can You Do With A Thinline Guitar?
Many people get thinline guitars in the first place is that they are pretty versatile. Thinline guitars can play many different music genres, but are best for blues, country, and some rock guitarists.
This allows artists to shake it up and does not limit their options regarding the different types of music they can dabble in or even play professionally in.
Thinline guitars only need a light touch and can be amplified well, so they are relatively easy to play and have a nice tone. Their sound is a bit quieter, making the instrument an excellent choice for playing on stage in groups and when a softer tone is needed (such as in rhythm).
As far as guitars go, Thinlines are about as well-rounded as they come. Although they might be quieter than other guitars, they are great at jumping around from genre to genre. A Thinline guitar will likely be a good investment if you’re looking for an electric guitar with bright and crisp notes.
What Are The Benefits Of Using These Thinline Guitars?
These guitars are more rounded than other guitars, creating this unique sound. You might consider them something between a hollow acoustic and solid-body electric (but with all electric sound). They are also different because they are smaller, lighter, and thinner than other guitars.
The fact that they are lighter than other guitars can be a great benefit, especially for traveling musicians. Their weight allows them to be easily transported from place to place without much effort. It also means that artists can play one of these guitars for hours without getting extremely tired.
These may seem like small things, but after long hours on stage and travel, not having to store a massive guitar and carry it around can make a huge difference in the traveling experience of artists. Some even argue that because these guitars are thinner, they are more comfortable and easier to play because the notes are more accessible and easier to reach than on larger guitars.
What Do Thinline Guitars Sound Like?
Since they are smaller, thinner, and only have one F-hole, Thinlines are quieter than many other guitars. That doesn’t mean they don’t sound just as good as other guitars.
Some may even say they are perfect because of their size and volume levels. They sound good in just about any setting, and if you need the guitar to be louder, plug it into an amp that can increase the volume to suit your needs.
Thinline guitars have specific strengths when it comes to sound: many of them produce warmer sounds quite well. They also make sounds that are a bit softer than standard guitars.
A soft sound can also be perfect when blending with other group members. When we say quiet, that doesn’t mean they are so quiet that you can’t be heard, just quiet than their solid-body counterparts.
Also, Thinline guitars won’t dominate your other bandmates are playing and singing their instruments.
What Are The Drawbacks of Thinline Guitars?
Some things that make telecasters stand out among other guitars could also be seen as setbacks or weaknesses. Again, they are thinner, so they have less room for vibrations and volume. The one F-hole cutout that telecaster guitars have contributes to their softer sound. These guitars are also a bit more delicate than larger, thicker guitars.
The fact that they are hollow in the top part of their bodies also makes it so they can’t handle a ton of gain or feedback. On stage, they won’t be able to play very loudly or hard music. They might also not be a great choice as lead guitar.
If you’re into hard rock, heavy metal, or similar music genres, Thinline guitars aren’t the best to purchase, as they will struggle to play what you want. However, rhythm guitarists are an exception to this rule.
All in all, Thinline or telecaster guitars are fairly versatile instruments and can be great options for musicians who like to play multiple music genres. They are lighter and thinner than standard guitars, can be purchased in electric and acoustic formats, and are arguably more comfortable to play than regular guitars.
On the flip side, Thinline guitars are quieter than standard guitars and cannot handle as much gain or feedback. Should an artist want to play louder, heavier music, Thinline guitars are probably not the best choice.
