G101 Lesson 2 Parts of the Guitar
The 3 main parts of the Acoustic Guitar
The acoustic guitar body is the large, hollow part of the guitar that amplifies the sound of the strings. When you strum or pluck the strings, they vibrate, and these vibrations are transmitted through the bridge to the top (soundboard) of the body. The hollowbody then resonates, projecting the sound through the sound hole. The body is typically made of wood and consists of three main parts:
Top (soundboard): The front surface that vibrates to produce sound.
Back and sides: Shape the tone and volume.
Sound hole: Allows sound to escape and enhances projection.
The size and shape of the body greatly affect the guitar’s tone and volume.
Neck. Connects the body to the headstock and supports the fretboard. It’s where you press the strings to form notes and chords.
Fretboard (or Fingerboard) – The flat surface on the front of the neck. Holds the frets and is where you press the strings. Usually made of wood like rosewood or ebony.
Frets – Thin metal strips embedded along the fretboard. Divide the neck into musical intervals. Pressing a string behind a fret shortens the vibrating length, changing the pitch.
Nut – At the top of the neck where it meets the headstock. Guides the strings to the tuners and maintains proper string spacing and height.
Truss Rod – A metal rod inside the neck. Adjusts the neck’s curvature (relief) to control string action and prevent warping.
Inlays (Position Markers) – Dots or designs on the fretboard (usually at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th frets, etc.). Help players quickly locate positions on the fretboard.
Heel – Where the neck meets the guitar body. Provides structural support and helps attach the neck to the body.
Headstock – Topmost part of the guitar. Houses the tuners and connects to the neck.
Tuning Pegs (or Machine Heads/Tuners) – Adjust string tension to tune the pitch. Turning the pegs tightens or loosens the strings.
Tuning Posts – Strings are wound around these. They rotate as you turn the tuning pegs.
Nut – A small slotted piece at the end of the fretboard. It guides string spacing and maintains height from the fretboard.
Truss Rod Cover (optional; often seen on steel-string acoustics) – Covers the access point to the truss rod for neck adjustments.
Electric Guitar (Solid Body Guitar)
Body: The main large section of the guitar that holds the pickups, bridge, and controls. It influences the guitar’s tone and sustain.
Pickups: Magnetic coils that convert string vibrations into electrical signals sent to an amplifier.
Bridge: The metal piece where the strings anchor on the body. It affects tuning stability and string action.
Pickguard: A plastic plate that protects the body from scratches while picking or strumming.
Output Jack: The port where the guitar cable connects to send the signal to an amp.
Volume and Tone Knobs: Controls that adjust the loudness and brightness of the guitar’s sound.
Pickup Selector Switch: A switch that chooses which pickups are active, allowing tonal variation.
Tremolo/Whammy Bar (if equipped): A lever that alters string tension to create pitch effects (vibrato).
Neck: The long, narrow part that extends from the body. It houses the fretboard and connects to the headstock.
Fretboard (Fingerboard): The flat front surface of the neck where you press down strings to play notes.
Frets: Metal strips on the fretboard that divide it into musical intervals.
Inlays (Fret Markers): Visual markers on the fretboard to guide hand placement.
Headstock: The top part of the guitar where the tuning machines are mounted.
Tuning Pegs (Machine Heads/Tuners): Knobs that tighten or loosen the strings to tune the guitar.
Nut: A small strip (plastic, bone, or metal) between the neck and headstock that guides the strings into the tuners and maintains spacing.
