Guitar Components

Starting from the top end of a common guitar, meaning, at the end of the guitar neck furthest from the body, we start at what is known as a “headstock”, which is fitted with machine heads that adjust the tension of the strings, which in turn affects the pitch. Most guitars have a traditional layout for the placement of these heads, or pegs, as they are more commonly known, but some guitars can have abstract layouts or none at all, depending on the type and brand of guitar.

Coming from the headstock, we hit what is called a “nut”. This is a bridge-like piece of material, usually made out of bone, plastic, brass, corian, graphite, stainless steel, or other medium-hard material, and gives the strings a place to rest their tension, after they string out over what we are coming to next: the fret board.

The fret board, also sometimes called a “finger board”, is usually made of wood running all the way up the neck, and is embedded with metal “frets”, which, when the strings are pressed upon them, shortens the vibrating length of the string, changing the pitch of the sound.

The frets of the fret board are placed in points along the strings that divide them mathematically, and are usually the first thing to wear out on a guitar. However, they can be replaced as necessary.

Next we come to the “truss rod”, which is a metal rod that runs along the inside of the neck, and allows for tension to be adjusted by way of a hex nut located either in the headstock or in the body of the guitar. The truss rod counteracts the enormous amount of tension the strings place on the neck, and helps keep the neck straight. This rod is sometimes necessary to compensate for changes in the guitar from outside influences such as humidity. The truss rod has great influence over the intonation of the guitar’s sound.

The part on a guitar known as a “neck” is the name given collectively to the frets, fret board, tuners, headstock, and truss rod, all attached to a long wooden extension. The rigidity of a neck is usually an indicator to the overall quality of a guitar, as it largely determines the instrument’s precision.

The neck joint, or “heel” of a guitar is the point where the neck meets the body. This connection is held together by either glue or by bolts. In most cases, acoustic guitars are held by glue, with the opposite applying to electric varieties. Bolt-on necks are sometimes associated with cheaper units, however, they do allow for greater versatility when making adjustments or minor repairs to a guitar.

Next, we come to a major component, as no guitar would make a sound without them: the strings. These run up from the bottom of the body, over top the fret board, and onto the headstock. Pushing a string against a fret on the fret board changes the length of the string’s vibration, effectively changing its tone.

Lastly, we land upon the body, which is the main and largest part of a guitar. The body houses the bridge, which holds down the strings at the bottom end, and provides sustenance for holding the instrument against your body. In acoustic varieties, it also provides amplification by means of being hollow, allowing for heightened volume. In electric varieties, it houses the electric pickups, which transmit sounds to an amplifier. Bodies come in as many shapes and sizes as the imagination can envision.

Other minor parts would include electronic wiring, for units that use them, which is usually hidden away inside the body, a pick guard, to protect the body from scratches while playing with a pick, and perhaps, a strap, used to sling the instrument over the body while playing.



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