Before learning to play the guitar, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with its various parts to know what the lessons and tutorials are referring to when they use these terms. It also gives you an idea how these parts work together to create the whole.
1. Body
The body of the guitar is the biggest part of the instrument and is comprised of the top, back and sides excluding the neck. The body of the electric guitar holds the pickups and knobs. It comes in many shapes chosen mostly for their style or appearance as the shape itself does little to change the sound output of the guitar, as opposed to an acoustic guitar where the sound relies on the shape.
2. Neck
The neck of the guitar is the long shaft that connects the headstock to the body, and where the fret board lies and where the strings are stretched against. It can be glued or bolted or even run all the way through the body in some constructions.
3. Truss rod
The truss rod is a steel bar inside the neck of the electric guitar and is anchored at each end. It keeps the neck stable and unbending but it may be loosened or tightened to bow or straighten the neck depending on preference. It also offsets the tension that is created every time the guitar is stringed.
4. Headstock, tuners, nut
The headstock is where the tuning keys can be found and where the guitar manufacturer usually brands their guitar. The tuners are the keys or knobs used for tightening and loosening the guitar strings. The Nut is found separating the fretboard and the headstock and keeps the guitar strings in place.
5. Fretboard and frets
The fretboard is glued on top of the neck and usually comprises of 21, 22 or 24 frets. The fret is a piece of wire that divides the fretboard into music intervals of one half step, so that a note can be played when a string is held against it. It is usually hammered into the fretboard.guitar saddle
6. Pickups
Pickups detect the vibrations from the strings of the guitar and transmit these to electric signals that the guitar amplifier thus resonates. They are made of a magnetic coiled with one or two copper wires. Electric guitar pickups can be either single coil or double coil (also called Humbucker). In general, single coil pickups produce a hum or buzz when plugged in an amplifier and has a thinner sound, while double coil pickups produce a flatter, full tone and no hum when plugged in an amp. Most electric guitars come with two pickups but there are guitars that come with three. The pickups can be activated and controlled with the use of the pickup switch.
7. Knobs and dials
The volume and tone of the electric guitar can be controlled with the use of the knobs which are usually found at the tail-end on top of the guitar’s body. Tone knob controls are usually for controlling treble and bass.
8. Bridge and saddles
The bridge is where the strings stretch over at the tail of the guitar; its position is important in the intonation of the guitar. Saddles are the moveable parts where the strings rest on the bridge of the electric guitar. They are also vital in the intonation of the guitar.
An understanding of the basic parts of your electric guitar will help you to get more out of your tuition.
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