We’ve come throughout loads of scorching takes on guitar over time, from debates on tonewood to theoretical information, we’ve seen all of it. However classic guitar knowledgeable George Gruhn has now thrown his hat into the ring, and believes guitar shapes don’t make a lot distinction to their sound in any respect.

In a debate on the Life With Strings Connected podcast, Gruhn says that physique form “doesn’t quantity to squat”. Nonetheless, it does appear that his definition of form considers purely the physique silhouette, fairly than the thickness of the mannequin or any neck specs.

“Altering physique shapes doesn’t quantity to squat… altering physique shapes on a strong physique guitar doesn’t quantity to a lot,” Gruhn says. He’s then quizzed by host Jamie Gale, who asks him if a Telecaster with humbuckers would sound like a Les Paul with humbuckers.

“No it wont, as a result of the construction of the guitar is totally different sufficient that the vibration sample of the strings is just not the identical,” Gruhn replies. At this level, Gale continues to be utterly baffled.

“So an SG seems like an Explorer?” asks Gale.

“No they don’t as a result of an SG is thinner,” Gruhn says, earlier than increasing on his which means of form. “The Explorer has a neck joint that’s rock-solid secure, the SG doesn’t. The Explorer has a a lot thicker physique than an SG and it [has] totally different wooden. The form is just not the essential half, you might make the Explorer in a special form and it will nonetheless sound about the identical,” he suggests.

The pair need to conform to disagree, with Gruhn hilariously including: “I can’t assist it in case you’re fallacious!”

You possibly can take a look at the complete podcast under, which is cut up into two elements:

Gruhn launched his personal guitar line again in 2023 with a mannequin named the Versitar. He described his creation as “the one guitar available on the market at this time which you could primarily have a look at from 100 toes away at a look and know instantly which model of acoustic guitar it’s”.

George Gruhn established Gruhn Guitars in 1970. You will discover out extra about him and the enterprise by way of the official Gruhn Guitars web site.

Rachel started writing for Guitar.com in 2021 whereas ending up her diploma. A proud DIY guitarist, she has been enjoying for over 10 years and has written for the likes of Kerrang!, The Forty-5, and MusicTech. An enjoyer of all issues heavy, you’ll discover her at a competition or downtuning her guitars when away from her desk.