What is a Guitar Synthesizer?

Using a guitar synthesizer can be a fun and easy way to make your guitar sound like a trumpet, saxophone or piano. By attaching the synthesizer, or buying a guitar equipped with one, you will be able to quickly and easily add hundreds of new sounds to your guitar repertoire. With several brands and models on the market, it is not hard to find the right guitar synthesizer to fit your tastes and musical needs.

Function

A guitar synthesizer allows its user to make a guitar sound like a different instrument. The user plays the guitar in its normal fashion and the synthesizer processes the sound to make it sound like a new instrument.

Types

There are two types of guitar synthesizers. The first contains sensors that are mounted on the guitar and the second is a separate device that uses midi technology to produce the desired effects.

Features

Guitar synthesizers usually consist of a hexaphonic, divided pickup that sends a signal from the guitar to a processor. The processor changes the guitars normal sound by synthesizing it into the players desired instrument.

Effects

Guitar synthesizers can alter the output of the guitar to make it sound like percussion, string, brass and woodwind instruments.

Time Frame

The guitar synthesizer has been used since the late 1970s. Though the instrument is still in use today, it was most popular during the early to mid 1980s.

Benefits

The guitar synthesizer allows its user to emulate many different instruments without having to learn to play other instruments or rely on electric keyboards to make these sounds.

Famous Ties

Guitarist Pat Metheny was won of the earliest supporters of the guitar synthesizer and is the guitarist that is most recognized for using the instrument. He has used the guitar synthesizer on many of his best-selling recordings over the past thirty years.

Resources

• Where to Buy a Guitar Synthesizer