You’re eyeing two similar guitars, and one has 24 frets while the other stops at 22. It looks like a clear win for the bigger number, but it isn’t that simple.
Those last two frets change where the neck pickup sits, which shifts your tone in ways many players don’t expect. Reach and feel up high change too.
So the right pick depends on the music you make and how your hand likes to sit. This is one piece of the larger question of how many frets a guitar should have.
This article lays out the case for each neck, with the upsides and the catches. Let’s begin with the 22-fret guitar.
Quick Comparison
| Category | 22 Frets | 24 Frets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note range | Stops two semitones short | Two full octaves per string | 24 Frets |
| Neck-pickup tone | Warmer, more defined | Slightly brighter, thinner | 22 Frets |
| Upper-fret access | Can feel cramped up high | Smoother into high positions | 24 Frets |
| Availability | In nearly every store | Common, but fewer models | 22 Frets |
| Best for | Rhythm, blues, classic rock | Lead runs, metal, shred | Tie |
| Beginners | The easier starting point | Perfectly playable too | 22 Frets |
| Overall | Warmth and availability | Range and lead access | Depends |
22 Fret Guitars
The 22-fret guitar is the most common configuration on the market. These guitars are the easiest to manufacture, and they’re often more comfortable to play.
A 22-fret neck has a slightly different feel from a 24-fret neck, partly because the neck pickup sits a little further from the bridge.
Across the most-used range, a 22-fret instrument leaves players plenty of room to stretch out their fingers. Beginners and experienced players alike rarely feel limited by it for chords, scales, and the vast majority of songs.
The fact that 22-fret guitars are so common means they’re easy to find at any large music store or online. Most guitarists start out on these models, and many stick with them even after trying a longer neck.
These factors are what keep the 22-fret guitar the most popular option available today.
22 Frets: Pros
- They’re convenient to use and generally easier to learn on than 24-fret guitars.
- They’re available in nearly every music store and from any online guitar retailer.
- Many players feel 22-fret guitars have a warmer, more defined neck-pickup tone, because the neck pickup sits closer to a node in the string’s vibration and produces a fuller low end.
22 Frets: Cons
- You can’t reach as high on the neck. There’s no room for that final stretch into the second octave, so the very highest notes a 24-fret guitar offers simply aren’t there.
- Finger placement on the upper frets can feel slightly more cramped as you climb, especially when compared with a 24-fret layout.
24 Fret Guitars
The 24-fret guitar has become increasingly popular, particularly with lead and metal players. The extra two frets extend the range to a full two octaves on each string, opening up the highest notes that a 22-fret neck can’t reach.
That added range does come with a trade-off in feel. The neck pickup has to move slightly toward the bridge to make room for the extra frets, which can give the neck pickup a brighter, slightly thinner voice than you get on a 22-fret guitar.
You may have heard that 24-fret guitars are harder to find than 22-fret models. That used to be true, but they’re gaining ground fast.
You can find them in most large music stores or online, and a growing number of brands offer them as an option or a standard feature on certain models, including many of the best 24 fret guitar choices.
24 Frets: Pros
- They give you greater access to your entire playing range. You can reach two full octaves on each string, with a smoother transition into the highest positions.
- They’re well suited to lead playing, fast runs, and styles that live in the upper register, where that extra reach matters most.
24 Frets: Cons
- The upper frets can be tighter and take a little more practice to navigate cleanly, since the frets get closer together as you climb.
- Moving the neck pickup toward the bridge changes the tone. Some players miss the rounder neck-pickup sound of a 22-fret guitar.
- 24-fret guitars are sometimes more expensive than comparable 22-fret models, which may matter if you’re on a budget.
How 22 and 24 Frets Compare
So we’ve looked at the strengths and weaknesses of each neck. Here’s how they stack up side by side.
| Factor | 22 Frets | 24 Frets |
|---|---|---|
| Note range | Two octaves minus two semitones | Two full octaves per string |
| Highest reach | Stops short of the top notes | Reaches the highest notes |
| Neck-pickup tone | Warmer, fuller | Brighter, slightly thinner |
| Upper-fret spacing | A touch roomier | Tighter near the body |
| Availability | Most common, easy to find | Common and growing |
| Best for | Rhythm, blues, all-rounders | Lead, shred, upper-register work |
For reliability and warmth of tone, many rhythm and blues players lean toward 22 frets. For sheer range, the 24-fret neck clearly edges ahead because it reaches those final high notes that a 22-fret guitar can’t.
Both layouts let you play the overwhelming majority of music comfortably. The choice usually comes down to whether you value that extra two-fret reach or the slightly fuller neck-pickup tone.
If you want to dig deeper into the hardware itself, our guide to what are guitar frets made of covers the materials under your fingers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 22 or 24 fret guitar better for beginners?
For most beginners, a 22-fret guitar is the easier starting point. The upper frets are slightly more spaced out, and the wider availability means more affordable options to choose from.
That said, a 24-fret guitar is perfectly playable for a new player too. Comfort and overall neck feel matter far more than the two extra frets when you’re first learning chords and scales.
Do 24 fret guitars sound different from 22 fret guitars?
They can, mainly because of where the neck pickup sits. On a 24-fret guitar the neck pickup moves slightly toward the bridge, which tends to make it sound a touch brighter and thinner.
A 22-fret guitar keeps the neck pickup a little further back, which many players describe as warmer and fuller. The difference is most noticeable on clean neck-pickup tones.
Are 22 fret guitars easier to find than 24 fret guitars?
Yes. The 22-fret layout is the most common configuration, so it shows up across the widest range of brands, models, and price points.
24-fret guitars are no longer rare, though. Plenty of manufacturers now offer them, especially on instruments aimed at lead and metal players.
Can you play the same songs on both?
For the vast majority of music, yes. Only material that specifically uses the top two frets of a 24-fret neck would be out of reach on a 22-fret guitar.
If you mostly play rhythm parts, chords, and standard solos, you’ll rarely notice the missing frets. Lead players who chase the highest notes are the ones most likely to feel the difference.
Final Thoughts
Both 22-fret and 24-fret guitars let you cover almost everything you’ll ever want to play, but they each have their own feel and tonal character. A 22-fret neck leans toward a warmer neck-pickup sound and is the easiest type to find, while a 24-fret neck hands you two full octaves and that extra reach into the highest notes.
If you’re torn, there’s nothing stopping you from owning both. Many players keep a 22-fret guitar as their main rhythm instrument and a 24-fret guitar for lead work or as a backup.
In the end it comes down to personal preference and your budget. The only way to know for sure which one suits you is to try them out in person.
Whichever you choose, the right neck should give you years of enjoyment.
