The 6-string guitar is the most widely played instrument on Earth. From the Delta blues of the 1930s to stadium rock and modern fingerstyle, virtually every genre of popular music has been built on the back of six strings stretched across a wooden neck. Yet despite its ubiquity, the 6-string guitar rewards deep understanding — of body shapes, tonewoods, string gauges, tuning systems, and how all of it interacts to produce the sound in your head.
This guide covers everything you need to know about 6-string guitars — acoustic and electric — from how they work to how to choose the right one for where you are and where you want to go.
How a 6-String Guitar Is Strung
Standard tuning on a 6-string guitar runs from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest): E – A – D – G – B – E. The interval pattern — perfect fourths from E to B, then a major third from B to high E — was developed over centuries and represents the most practical compromise between chord playability and melodic range.
| String | Note | Standard Gauge (Light) | Typical Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (Thickest) | E2 | .012 (acoustic) / .010 (electric) | Steel / bronze wound |
| 5th | A2 | .016 / .013 | Steel / bronze wound |
| 4th | D3 | .024w / .017 | Wound steel |
| 3rd | G3 | .032w / .026w | Wound steel |
| 2nd | B3 | .042w / .036w | Wound or plain |
| 1st (Thinnest) | E4 | .053 / .046 | Plain steel |
6-String Acoustic vs 6-String Electric: The Core Difference
| Feature | 6-String Acoustic | 6-String Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Amplification | Self-contained — hollow body resonates naturally | Requires amplifier — magnetic pickups convert vibration to signal |
| String Gauge | .012–.053 standard | .009–.042 standard |
| Action | Higher — more finger pressure needed | Lower — easier on fingers |
| Tonal Range | Warm, woody, organic — clean only | Enormous — clean to heavy distortion |
| Total Setup Cost | Guitar only — ready to play | Guitar + cable + amplifier minimum |
| Best Genres | Folk, country, bluegrass, singer-songwriter | Rock, blues, metal, jazz |
6-String Acoustic Guitar Body Shapes
DREADNOUGHT
The most popular 6-string acoustic body shape in the world. Designed by C.F. Martin in 1916, the large square-shouldered body delivers powerful volume and bass-heavy tone ideal for strumming and flat-picking. The Martin D-28 and Gibson J-45 are the definitive dreadnoughts — instruments that have appeared on more recordings than any other acoustic guitar shape.
GRAND AUDITORIUM
The most versatile 6-string acoustic shape available — popularised by Taylor Guitars. Balanced tone that responds equally well to fingerpicking and strumming, with a comfortable waist that makes it easier to hold than a dreadnought for extended sessions. The Taylor 214ce is the best-selling example.
000 / CONCERT
Smaller-bodied but full-sized, the 000 is the 6-string acoustic of choice for fingerstyle players and recording guitarists. Focused midrange, excellent note separation, and a comfortable seated playing position. The Martin 000-15M and 000-28 define this shape.
PARLOR
The smallest standard 6-string acoustic — originally the dominant acoustic guitar format before the dreadnought arrived in 1916. Warm, intimate, midrange-forward tone. Perfect for recording, travel, and players who want a guitar that feels like an extension of the body rather than something to wrestle with.
💡 Choosing Your Body Shape
If you strum chords: Dreadnought or Grand Auditorium. If you fingerpick: 000, OM, or Parlor. If you want one guitar for everything: Grand Auditorium. Body shape affects tone and comfort as much as tonewoods do — don't overlook it.
6-String Electric Guitar Types
SOLID BODY
The most common electric guitar format — a dense wooden body with no acoustic chambers. Maximises sustain, minimises feedback. The Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster (single-coil) and Gibson Les Paul (humbucker) are the definitive solid-body 6-strings — instruments that defined rock, blues, country, and metal.
HOLLOW BODY (ARCHTOP)
A fully hollow electric guitar — the format of jazz. Large, resonant body with an arched top. Warm, complex, full tone with natural acoustic resonance. Feedback-prone at high volumes. The Gibson ES-175 and Epiphone Broadway are the classic examples.
SEMI-HOLLOW (CENTRE BLOCK)
A thin acoustic-ish body with a solid wooden block running through the centre — reducing feedback while preserving acoustic warmth and resonance. The Gibson ES-335 is the defining semi-hollow 6-string — versatile across blues, rock, and jazz in a way that pure solid-body or pure hollow guitars cannot match.
Best 6-String Guitars by Budget
Yamaha FG800 | ~$220
The world's most recommended beginner acoustic 6-string. Solid spruce top, scalloped bracing, mahogany back and sides — genuine quality at an honest price. Yamaha's quality control at this tier is unmatched by any competitor.
Best for: New players wanting a solid-top 6-string acoustic that will grow with them.
Squier Classic Vibe 50s Stratocaster | ~$449
The best beginner electric 6-string available — not a compromise. Alnico V single-coil pickups, a gloss maple neck, and build quality that regularly surprises players who pick it up expecting a budget instrument. Sounds and plays like a guitar worth twice the price.
Best for: New electric players who want real Fender tone without the USA price tag.
Taylor 214ce | ~$999
The benchmark 6-string acoustic-electric under $1,000. V-Class bracing, Grand Auditorium body, solid Sitka spruce top, and the ES-B pickup system — a complete package for performing singer-songwriters and versatile players who demand the best at this price point.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced players who need one 6-string acoustic for home, studio, and stage.
Fender Player Stratocaster | ~$849
The Player Series Stratocaster represents the best value in modern Fender production — Mexican-made with Player Series alnico pickups, a comfortable C-shaped neck, and the classic 6-string electric platform. A working musician's guitar at a working musician's price.
Best for: Intermediate electric players ready to step up from entry-level instruments.
Martin D-28 | ~$3,199
The most iconic 6-string acoustic guitar ever built. Solid Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood back and sides, scalloped X-bracing, and a tonal complexity that improves with every decade of playing. The instrument against which every other acoustic 6-string is measured.
Best for: Professional players, serious collectors, and anyone ready to invest in a lifetime instrument.
Gibson Les Paul Standard | ~$2,799
The definitive humbucker 6-string electric — a mahogany body with maple cap, Burstbucker Pro pickups, and that unmistakable warm, sustaining Les Paul tone. Played on more rock records than any other single electric guitar model. A true lifetime instrument.
Best for: Professional rock, blues, and hard rock players who want the real thing.
🌟 FEATURED BUILDER: Byron Custom Guitars
Want a Guitar Built Exactly the Way You Imagine It?
Every production guitar is built to a fixed spec, in large numbers. If you've ever wanted something different — a guitar that is truly your own — that's where Byron Custom Guitars comes in.
Byron is a custom guitar workshop where every instrument is handbuilt to order. When you order a Byron guitar, you choose everything:
- Body shape — dreadnought, parlor, jumbo, OM, Grand Auditorium, slope-shoulder, and more
- Tonewoods — including rare imported exotic woods you can browse in the gallery
- Inlay designs — custom patterns and artwork inlaid into the fretboard and headstock
- Headstock shape, body binding, finish colour, and pickguard design
Build-progress photos arrive every two weeks so you can watch your instrument come to life. Every custom guitar ships free worldwide and includes a free hard case.
Build Time
8–10 weeks
Shipping
Free worldwide
Case
Hard case included
Customisation
Full spec-to-order — truly one of a kind
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Common Alternate Tunings for 6-String Guitar
| Tuning | Notes (low to high) | Character | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | E A D G B E | Versatile, universal | All genres |
| Drop D | D A D G B E | Deep bass, power chords with one finger | Rock, metal, folk |
| Open G | D G D G B D | Rich resonance, slide-friendly | Blues, slide, country |
| Open D | D A D F# A D | Full open-string chord, slide-ready | Blues, folk, slide |
| DADGAD | D A D G A D | Modal, droning, Celtic character | Celtic, folk, fingerstyle |
| Half-Step Down | Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb | Slightly looser, slightly warmer | Blues, classic rock |
Final Thoughts
The 6-string guitar has remained the world's most played instrument for over a century because it strikes the perfect balance between harmonic richness, melodic range, and physical accessibility. Whether acoustic or electric, dreadnought or parlor, single-coil or humbucker — the 6-string rewards anyone willing to invest time in learning it.
At Byron Custom Guitars, every 6-string is built to your exact specifications — body shape, tonewoods, neck profile, and finish all specified from scratch. No fixed spec. No compromises.
👉 Browse all 6-string models at ByronCustomGuitars.com
Ready to own a guitar built exactly the way you want it? Start with Byron Custom Guitars — free worldwide shipping, hard case included.
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