Guitars come in various shapes and forms, each contributing uniquely to the sound, feel, and overall experience of playing the instrument. Among these, the term “flat guitar” often piques curiosity. What exactly is a flat guitar called? Is it a specific model, a style, or a construction characteristic? This article explores everything there is to know about flat guitars, helping you understand the terminology, function, design, and musical implications.
Understanding the Term “Flat Guitar”
The phrase “flat guitar” is not a standard term officially recognized across all guitar categories, but it is commonly used informally to describe guitars with flat tops, or in certain cases, flat fingerboards or flat backs. It may also refer to instruments like flat top acoustic guitars, flat-bodied electric guitars, or lap steel guitars played horizontally.
The most accepted usage in the musical world is flat top guitar, which specifically refers to a type of acoustic guitar with a flat soundboard (top), as opposed to archtop guitars, which have a curved or arched top.
Let’s explore the key categories and meanings behind what a flat guitar might refer to.
What is the Flat Top Guitar?
Definition and Characteristics
A flat top guitar is an acoustic guitar that features a flat soundboard (the face of the body under the strings), which is typically made from a solid or laminated piece of tonewood. This is in contrast to archtop guitars, where the top is carved into a curved shape, often with f-holes and a floating bridge.
The flat top acoustic guitar is the most popular and widely used type of acoustic guitar in modern music. It is the instrument that comes to mind when most people think of an acoustic guitar.
Structural Features
- Flat soundboard (top plate)
- X-bracing or fan bracing patterns
- Fixed bridge with pins or through-stringing
- Round sound hole (usually)
- Larger body to enhance resonance and projection
Sound Qualities
Flat top guitars are known for their loud, open, and balanced tone. They offer strong projection, especially in steel-string versions, and are suitable for a wide range of genres including folk, country, rock, blues, and pop.
Flat Top vs. Archtop Guitars
Understanding the distinction between flat top and archtop guitars can help clarify the term “flat guitar.”
| Feature | Flat Top Guitar | Archtop Guitar |
| Soundboard Shape | Flat | Arched |
| Sound Hole | Round (typically) | F-holes (violin-style) |
| Bridge Type | Fixed bridge | Floating bridge |
| Bracing | X-bracing, fan bracing | Parallel bracing |
| Common Genres | Folk, country, pop, rock | Jazz, blues, swing |
| Tone | Open, resonant, full-bodied | Focused, warm, punchy |
Other Interpretations of “Flat Guitar”
Although “flat top guitar” is the primary meaning, the term flat guitar may also refer to other aspects or types of instruments:
1. Flat Fingerboard Guitars
Some guitarists use “flat guitar” to refer to instruments with non-radiused (flat) fingerboards, as opposed to those with a curved (radiused) fretboard.
Flat fretboards are commonly found on classical guitars, offering ease for chordal fingerings and classical technique.
Curved fretboards are prevalent in steel-string acoustics and electric guitars, better suited for string bending and fast lead playing.
2. Flat-Bodied Electric Guitars
Certain electric guitars have a body design with minimal contouring, which might be referred to as “flat” due to their appearance.
Examples: Gibson Les Paul Junior, Fender Telecaster
Design: Slab body without belly cuts or arm contours
Sound: Bright, raw, and punchy – ideal for blues, punk, and rock
3. Lap Steel Guitars and Weissenborn Guitars
Lap steel guitars are often called “flat guitars” due to how they are played—flat on the lap or on a stand.
- Played with a slide or steel bar
- Usually have no frets (or raised frets not meant to press)
- Tuned to open tunings
- Known for their use in Hawaiian music, country, and bluegrass
Weissenborn guitars, a subset of lap guitars, have a hollow neck and flat body. They are acoustic and known for their ethereal, resonant slide tones.
Flat Top Acoustic Guitar Construction
The flat top acoustic guitar remains the most iconic and widely played “flat guitar.” Let’s explore its construction in depth.
Tonewoods Used
Spruce (Sitka, Adirondack): Bright and powerful
Cedar: Warm and responsive
Mahogany: Punchy with a strong midrange
Rosewood: Deep bass and clear trebles
Bracing Patterns
The bracing of a flat top guitar greatly affects its tone and durability.
X-Bracing (most common): Balanced tone, strong projection
Fan Bracing (used in classical guitars): Warm and mellow tone
Lattice Bracing: Advanced, responsive bracing for classical performance
Body Shapes
Flat top acoustic guitars come in various body shapes that influence tone and playability:
Dreadnought: Big sound, strong bass, popular for strumming
OM/000 (Orchestra Model): Balanced tone, versatile for fingerstyle
Parlor: Small and midrange-focused, ideal for blues and travel
Jumbo: Loudest, with deep bass and sparkling highs
Historical Evolution of Flat Guitars
Early Acoustic Developments
Flat top guitars have roots in 19th-century European classical guitars and American folk instruments.
Martin & Co., founded in 1833, pioneered the X-bracing system.
The Dreadnought, introduced in the 1910s and 1930s, revolutionized flat top guitar design.
Impact of the Folk Boom and Rock Era
1950s–60s Folk Revival: Artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez popularized flat top acoustics.
1970s Onward: The flat top became standard for singer-songwriters, with legendary brands like Martin, Gibson, Guild, and Taylor leading the way.
Modern Flat Guitar Brands and Models
Top Brands
Martin: Legendary dreadnoughts like D-28
Taylor: Sleek, bright-sounding acoustics with modern neck design
Gibson: Historic models like the J-45
Yamaha: Affordable, reliable student and intermediate flat tops
Larrivée and Collings: High-end luthier-crafted flat tops
Electro-Acoustic Variants
Modern flat guitars often feature pickup systems for live performance. These include:
- Under-saddle piezo pickups
- Soundboard transducers
- Internal microphones
- Blended systems
Brands like LR Baggs, Fishman, and K&K Sound are leaders in acoustic guitar amplification.
Why Choose a Flat Guitar?
If you’re choosing between guitar types, here’s why a flat top guitar might be perfect for you:
Pros
- Excellent for singer-songwriters and solo performances
- Ideal for strumming and fingerpicking
- Great projection and resonance
- Available in various price ranges
- Easy to maintain and modify
Cons
- Larger bodies can be less comfortable for smaller players
- Sensitive to humidity and temperature due to the solid wood construction
- Less feedback-resistant than archtops or solid-body electrics
Flat Guitars in Popular Music
Some of the most legendary guitar performances have come from flat guitars. Consider:
Elvis Presley – Gibson J-200
Bob Dylan – Martin D-28
Joni Mitchell – Various flat tops with alternate tunings
Eric Clapton – Unplugged sessions with a Martin 000-28EC
John Mayer – Signature Martin OM-28JM
Their music has shaped generations and inspired countless players to pick up a flat top guitar.
Conclusion
To summarize, when someone refers to a “flat guitar,” they are most often speaking about a flat top acoustic guitar—an instrument with a flat soundboard, commonly used across nearly all acoustic genres. However, the term might also refer to flat fingerboard guitars, flat-bodied electrics, or lap-style instruments played horizontally.
Understanding the nuances of guitar design empowers you to choose the best instrument for your playing style and musical goals. Whether you’re strumming chords around a campfire or recording fingerstyle ballads in a studio, a flat top guitar is a versatile and timeless choice.
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