22 vs 24 Fret Electric Guitars: What's The Difference?

Guitarists can be picky when it comes to the ideal specs on their instrument, but the debate of what fretboard length to choose is justified. Whether your guitar has 21, 22, 24 frets or even more, will change how comfortable you’ll find it to play, what you can play and even how it will sound. Here’s a brief overview of how just 22 and 24 fret guitars differ:

Guitars with 22 frets have a shorter fretboard than those with 24 frets
This means the neck pickup is fitted further away from the guitar bridge
As a result, 22 fret guitars typically produce a ‘fatter’, more rounded tone
In contrast, the neck pickup on 24 frets guitars will generally sound crisper and more defined, losing some warmth
You gain full access to four complete octaves on a 24 fret guitar, giving you more space for soloing up at the higher frets
Vintage-inspired electric guitars are also made with 21 frets, while some modern guitars might have 27

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Should you get a guitar with 22 or 24 frets?

The fretboard length you choose can make more difference than you might expect to the feel and sound of your guitar. Let’s take a look at the key points that separate the two so that you can make the best choice for your style…

Fretboard range – do those two frets make a difference?

The most obvious difference between 22 and 24 fret guitars is the two extra frets, giving you access to four full octaves. Guitarists won’t often use the 23^rd or 24^th frets, although they’re sometimes utilised in rock and metal, especially in technical or progressive styles.

Bands like Megadeth, Avenged Sevenfold, and Children of Bodom all reach into the higher frets in their solos. Some players like Wes Hauch, Rusty Cooley and Jake Bowen take things even further, notching up 27 frets on their custom shop guitars.

The real reason many players will choose a 24-fret guitar is the breathing room it gives you when fretting that high. The 22nd fret can feel cramped, especially on set-neck or single-cut guitars, whereas 24 frets give you more breathing room. There’s also fretboard familiarity: once you’re used to a certain number of frets, moving to any other setup can feel frustratingly unfamiliar.

Do 22 fret guitars sound different to 24 fret guitars?

Yes – If you were to compare two identically spec’d guitars, one with 22 frets and the other with 24, the neck pickups will sound different.

The fretboard of a 22 fret guitar is shorter without the two additional frets, meaning the neck pickup can be placed further away from the bridge of the guitar. This produces a warmer, more bass-rich tone, ideal for blues, jazz, or vintage rock tones.

On the other hand, a 24 fret guitar has less room to accommodate the neck pickup on the body without extending scale length, forcing it in closer to the bridge pickup.

In essence, the 22 fret guitar gives you greater tonal range and contrast between the two pickups: the warmer, livelier sound of the neck pickup and the crisper, cutting edge of the bridge pickup.

The difference between the two on a 24-fret guitar isn’t as great, meaning there is slightly less tonal range and ‘colour’ to use. This is the main reason that some guitarists will argue for the superiority of 22-fret instruments, especially when it comes to tone.

Few brands offer the same model in both 22 and 24 fret versions, but PRS Guitars is a rare example. Comparing the PRS Custom 22 to the Custom 24 showcases the tonal differences caused purely by fret count and pickup placement.

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What About 21 Fret Guitars?

While 22 frets are standard on most modern electric guitars, many vintage-inspired models still feature 21 frets.

All Fender guitars featured 21 frets until the introduction of the American Standard range in 1987. Any guitar resembling ’50s, ’60s or ’70s specs (unless hotrodded) will most likely contain 21 frets – that goes for both Telecaster and Stratocaster models.

If you’re after true retro feel, 21-fret models are your top choice. You’ll find guitars with 21 frets populated in the Vintera series, which take their inspiration from the golden age of Leo Fender guitar designs.

What’s the benefit of 21 frets? The neck pickup sits even further from the bridge, resulting in an even deeper, rounder neck tone, and you’ll get that much-coveted vintage tone in the middle position too, if you’ve got one. The perfect sound for old-school blues, surf rock or early rock n’ roll, 21-fret guitars are the choice for vintage sound and style over fretboard range.

FAQs:

Are 24-fret guitars easier to play?

Not necessarily. 24 fret models provide better access to higher notes and extra space in the upper register, which can make soloing feel slightly more comfortable and less cramped at the top end. If you frequently play in the upper fret range, it may make a difference, but generally other factors like the guitar’s neck profile, body shape and weight will affect all-round playability more than those extra 2 frets.

Do 22 and 24-fret electric guitars sound different?

Yes, especially in the tone from the neck pickup. A 22-fret guitar positions the neck pickup further from the bridge, resulting in a warmer, fuller sound. On a 24-fret guitar, the neck pickup has to be closer to the bridge, losing some of the bass and tonal colour and resulting in a slightly brighter and more defined tone.

Can you play the same songs on 22 and 24-fret guitars?

For the most part yes. Most songs don’t require notes beyond the 22nd fret. However, some technical solos, generally only found in progressive metal or shreddy styles do make use of the 23rd and 24th frets.

Are 22-fret guitars better for vintage tones?

Yes. Many vintage-style electric guitars, like early Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters, feature 21 or 22 frets. These typically offer a warmer, rounder neck tone and a more traditional feel, ideal for blues, rock, and jazz. If you’re really after the best vintage feel, 21-fret models are the pick for you.

Why do some guitars have 27 frets?

Extended-range guitars with 27 frets cater to niche styles, like progressive metal, where full access to high notes is essential. These guitars are much less common and are usually custom models or part of limited production runs from modern metal-focused brands like Ibanez, Jackson and ESP.

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22 vs 24 Fret Electric Guitars: What’s The Difference?