Silent guitar

Silent guitar
Mattias Eklundh playing on a Yamaha Silent Guitar Clinic
Manufacturer	Yamaha Traveler Guitar Warr Guitars Koopal
Construction
Body type	Hollow

A silent guitar is a type of guitar with a solid or chambered body that converts the vibration of the strings into electric current using a piezoelectric pickup. The body of the guitar does not amplify the vibration of the strings into audible sound. Thanks to this, musicians can practice with headphones without disturbing people around them, or obtain an acoustic tone under heavy amplification without feedback.

Types

Full-size bodies

A successful early silent guitar with a full-sized body was the Gibson Chet Atkins SST. It appeared to have a soundhole, but it was in fact a dummy. It was employed by Mark Knopfler, among others.

Small bodies

Reducing the body size of a silent guitar has little effect on the sound. The portability of a small bodied guitar, as well as the ability to practice silently, is an advantage to travelers.

Skeleton guitars

Jean-Pierre Riou, guitarist of Red Cardell plays on Silent Guitar 10S

Some silent guitars are small-bodied instruments with a knee-rest of outer frame in the dimensions of an acoustic guitar so that they can be played sitting. These can be detachable to allow conversion into a travel guitar.

Strings and tuning

Silent guitars are tuned in the same manner as traditional guitars, from low to high: E - A - D - G - B - E. Various models are available with seven, eight, and even 14-string configurations, although those are rare.

Manufacturers

Several guitar manufacturers offer silent guitars, including Yamaha, Traveler Guitar and Warr Guitars.

See also

• Electro-acoustic guitar
• Semi-acoustic guitar
• Hybrid guitar