The Anatomy Of the Electric Guitar

The diagram below provides a guide o the location of the electric guitar’s major components,some of which have already been mentioned in this lesson. It is not necessary to memorise them all at this stage, although many have common sense names which you will quickly pick up as you play the guitar more.

The Body

The body of the instrument is where the string are strummed, plucked or picked. It is also the part of the instrument which rests on your leg if you are playing the guitar seated. As well as being the most visually distinctive part of each model of electric guitar, the body contains the electric circuits and components which convert string vibrations into electrical signals.

1. Bridge

The bridge unit of the guitar holds one end of the strings in place. The strings feed over several (ussualy six) saddles before being anchored within the body of the instrument.

2. Pickups

Each pickup units houses six magnets wound with coils of wire. As already described, these transform the vibrations of the strings into electrical signals.

3. Tone Controls

Tone controls unit it used to adjust the sound.

4. Pickup Selector

The pickup selector determines which pickup(s) will be used to sense string vibrations. Typically the neck pickup will produce a brighter sound.

5. Output Jack

One end of the lead is plugged into the output jack of the guitar and the other into the amplifier.

6. Strap Button

The Strap of the guitar is fixed to these buttons. Often these buttons will be part of a strap-lock system which prevents the strap from falling off the instrument at inconvenient times.

The Neck

The neck of the instrument is where a guitarist places their fingers to alter the length of strings and so the pitch of the sound that is produce by the guitar.

7. Fingerboard (or Fretboard)

The fingerboard is the part at the front of the neck. This Holds the fret-strips of metal placed horizontally across the fingerboard at specific intervals that create different musical notes. To play particular note, depress immediately behind one of the frets. This pulls the string taught across the fret and alters the length of the string to create the desired sound.

8. Nut

The nut is located at the top of the neck. This guides the strings toward the machine heads.

9. Position Markers

When playing the guitar it is useful to have marks on the side of the neck, as well as on the fingerboard itself, to signify certain frets. These are typically placed just behind the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 12th, 15th, 19th and 21st frets.

The Headstock

The end of the neck furthest from the body of the guitar is called the headstock. The primary function of this is to house the machine heads of the instrument. Some guitars, most notably those made by Steinberger, do not even have a traditional headstock.

10. Machine Heads or Tuning Key

The most important components of the hadstock are the machine heads. This is where the other end of a guitar string terminates. A tuning key tightens and loosens a string so that it creates a sound of the desired pitch when it is playe open (i.e. without any notes being fretted).

11. Truss Rod Adjustment

The truss rod runs the length of the neck, its purpose being to keep the neck rigid. If your guitar has been set up correctly, you should not need to alter the truss rod. It can be altered from the illustrated position, although this is not recommended for a beginner as incorrect adjustment can cause serious damage to a guitar.

12. String Trees

String Trees are often ommited from electric guitars. Where present, they assist in guiding the strings toward the machine heads.

Now that you know what the different parts of an electric guitar are called and what they do.

Original Source : Electric Guitar