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.
- 100% designed by Fender
- Inspired by 1970s-era Telecaster models
- Fender-Designed Wide Range humbucking pickups
- Vintage-tinted gloss neck finish
- Nickel-plated hardware
- Semi-enclosed humbucking pickups make full use of the characteristics of a semi-hollow guitar, allowing you to play high strings without harshness. The guitar’s warm but distinctive midrange is highlighted by the fact that it doesn’t produce an unnecessary low frequency sustain
- Purple wood fingerboard with Maple Top Veneer and Canada Hard Maple neck gives you clear, penetrating cleans and dynamic overdrive tones without drowning your voice in a wall of sound, even with peripheral effects
- The red sandalwood fretboard and mahogany body allow this guitar to maintain a well-balanced frequency range while no deformation due to changes in humidity, suitable for indoor or outdoor performance gigs
- The T-O-M Bridge and jazz Tremolo system are very stable, allowing you to change strings and tunings without causing the bridge out of position, and the strings won’t falling out of their slots during quick chording
- Ploylacquer gloss finish and flower inlay will make you stand out from the crowd and attract attention quickly
- Printed maple veneer: The beautiful maple veneer is not only eye-catching, but also created with a special printing technique, providing a durable finish that looks just like the real thing.
- Canadian maple neck: The Canadian maple neck offers a comfortable playing experience and a warm, rich tone.
- Single-coil pickups: The two single-coil pickups deliver a classic, vintage sound that’s perfect for a variety of musical styles, from blues to rock.
- F-hole design: The F-hole design not only adds a classic touch to the guitar, but also enhances its projection and resonation.
- Affordable and durable: The guitar’s printed maple veneer and high-quality construction make it an affordable option that still delivers great tone and durability, making it an excellent value for musicians of all levels.
- 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.
- Classic acoustic guitar design: This full-size 41″ acoustic-electric guitar from R.W. Jameson features a beautiful design and exquisite sound. Shaped like a classic acoustic guitar, it has a durable wooden construction with a spruce top and basswood body.
- Electric-acoustic versatility: The R.W. Jameson thinline acoustic electric guitar offers the option of various sounds. Unplugged, you can take advantage of the clean, raw, acoustic tones. Plugged into an amp, it produces a customizable electric tone with its on-board 4-band pickup/EQ.
- Perfect for students and all levels: Whether you are a beginner or student, an intermediate guitar player, or a seasoned advanced guitarist, this guitar offers endless appeal. It is well-made and of excellent quality, ensuring a great experience every time.
- Designed for comfort: This thinline cutaway acoustic electric guitar features the classic cutaway shape that allows for higher positioning and ample comfort. These features are excellent for coordination, making it easier to learn to play.
- Sold as a complete kit: This guitar is part of a complete package. Included is a perfect-fitting guitar gig bag, a shoulder strap, an extra set of strings, three celluloid picks, and a cable.
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.
