What Makes That Sound

Most guitar companies attach the neck and the body by fitting a heel that extends from the base of the neck into a pre-cut groove on the body. The body of an electric guitar has little impact on the quality of sound produced, as the amplifier controls both the quality and loudness of the sound. An acoustic guitar having a neck attached to a hollow body is provided with a compression strut, which relieves the hollow body of forces produced by tension of the strings. The actual size, shape, type of wood, coating, and general build of the body also affects how the guitar will sound, whether it is a rich and warm sound, or a thin and ˜twangy" sound. Having a solid top instrument will provide a more even, tonally accurate and sustaining vibration throughout the instrument's body.

Neck joints, whether fixed or bolt on, have to be well fitted and solid, using accurately machined joints. Necks tend to warp and twist if not looked after, or if the guitar is left propped against a heat source. The strings should be slightly higher halfway down the neck. In addition, a well-constructed guitar should have the entire body, neck and fret board made of wood, not of laminate or plastic materials. The strings are usually fed through the bridge first before they cross the hole and travel up the neck to the tuning heads.

Strings sets come in different ˜weights", or sizes. Strings that are light, or extra light, are very thin and usually have a brighter sound to them, but are also quieter sounding than heavy strings. Nylon strings are usually only found on classical guitars and student guitars, because they are easier on the fingertips. Light strings are easier to press than heavy strings but also sound quite different.

The most important element of an electric guitar's electronics is its pickup or pickups. The position and quality of the pickup in the guitar will have a large impact on the guitar's sound. Acoustic guitars can also be fitted with electric pickups, and there are some models available today that already have the pickup built into the body. Pickups placed near the bridge produce a sharp "twangy" tone, while those placed near the fret board produce a deeper more melodic tone.