How to Get Perfect Tone for a Country Guitar

Country music started in the 1920s and is a combination of folk, gospel, Celtic and blues. Acoustic guitars were primarily used in country music until the 1940s. Today electric guitars are found in almost every country band. Finding the perfect country tone on an electric guitar is done by manipulating different aspects of the guitar. Read on to learn how to get the perfect tone for a country guitar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Pluck the strings to find the country tone. If you pluck the strings close to the neck or on the neck you get a full sound. If you play close to the bridge the sound is brighter. The sound varies between these points. Find the area you are comfortable with and that you like for the tone.

2. Adjust the knobs on the body of the guitar to produce a bright, crisp sound. The settings vary from guitar to guitar.

3. Use a guitar amp to amplify the guitar. Do not use a PA system. It dulls the crisp, country tones of the guitar. Turn the distortion and reverb down. Work with the EQ controls to find a crisp sound.

4. Create the slide sound of a steel guitar using an electric with a finger slide bar. A slide bar is a small metal bar that slides over your pinkie finger and is moved down the neck of the guitar to make the sound.

5. Experiment with your own style. Find the setup that is good for your style of country music.