Electric Guitars For Classical Players when guitarists are transitioning to electric guitar are very helpful. Classical Players often bring strong technical foundations in music theory, finger independence, and left-hand technique, need not adapt to narrower string spacing, lighter gauge strings, and picking instead of fingernails. Key adjustments include a wider neck on an electric guitar, managing amplification, and adjusting to a lower action as well as using specialized neck pickups for a smoother, warmer tone. We accommodate these players.

Haywire Custom Guitars Wide Neck for Stratocaster style guitars

Haywire Custom Guitars Wide Neck for Stratocaster style guitars help transitioning classical guitarists.

A wide nut width can provide familiarity

        Seeking a wider neck is the best way to transition from classical to electric.

  • Physical Differences: Electric guitars have lower action and smaller bodies, making them more forgiving for speed but challenging unless spacing is better.
  • Tone Shaping: Utilize neck pickups for a warmer, “sweet muddy” tone reminiscent of classical tones.
  • Recommended Gear: Haywire Customized Stratocasters or Telecasters are often recommended for their versatility and neck pickup tone and 2″ wide necks.
  • Haywire Custom Guitar “Crossover” Instruments for Classical Players: Consider a “crossover” 2″ wide nut electric or guitars with wider necks, such as 1-7/8″ from our Haywire Custom Shop. Or, customized Fender, Jackson Epiphone models, when a standard electric feels too small.
  • Classical Artists Known for Playing Electric:

    Gulli Bjornsson: Known for electric guitar compositions.

    • Jiji: Plays both classical and electric guitar.
    • Neoclassical Players: Many electric players are influenced by baroque music and technique, such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, and Marty Friedman.
    • Embrace the Change: While technical foundations are helpful, be prepared for entirely new approaches to technique, such as learning pinch harmonics and bending.

  • Top Five Classical Works for Electric Guitar

Composers from Bach to Harrison Birtwistle have written for the guitar, while other electric guitar players have transcribed works into their instrument. In honor of April being International Guitar Month, we’ve selected our five favorite compositions featuring the electric guitar.

1. Rhys Chatham: A Crimson Grail

2. Steve Reich: Electric Counterpoint 

3. Steven Mackey: Tuck and Roll

4. Julia Wolfe: Lick

5. Michael Kamen: Concerto for Electric Guitar

Classical guitarists who prefer a wider neck on their electric guitars often do so for finger-style playing and to mimic the feel of a classical guitar’s neck. Haywire Custom Guitars will provide a wider neck, typically 1-7/8 to 2″ inches or greater at the nut, and provide more space between strings, making it easier to play complex fingerings and chords. While there isn’t a specific “classical electric guitar” category, Haywire Custom Guitars can do it for players needing this modification.

Why a wider neck?

  • Finger-style Technique:
    Classical guitarists often use finger-style techniques and a typical 2′ nut width, which requires precise finger placement and string separation. The wider neck provides the extra space needed for these techniques.
  • Familiar Feel:
    Many classical guitarists transition to electric guitar and prefer the wider neck to maintain the feel of their acoustic instrument.
  • Reduced String Clashing:
    A wider neck can reduce the likelihood of fingers accidentally muting adjacent strings, especially when playing chords or complex passages. 
    • Custom Guitars:
      Many custom guitar builders specialize in creating instruments with specific neck dimensions, including wider necks for classical guitarists. Websites like Haywire Custom Guitars discuss this.
    • Neck Radius:
      In addition to the nut width, the neck radius (how curved the fret board is) also impacts play-ability. A flatter radius, often found on wider necks, can be preferred by classical players.
    • String Spacing:
      While a wider neck provides more space, the actual string spacing at the bridge can also affect play-ability. Make sure to consider both neck width and string spacing when choosing a guitar. 

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