As far as components are concerned, the electric guitar is one of the most complex stringed instruments. It’s more complicated than its acoustic counterpart. An electric guitar includes all the parts you would find on an acoustic. It also has many additional components that pick up vibrations from strings and convert them into electronic signals that can be played by an amp.
However, it is crucial to be familiar with the components that affect the sound of your axe.
This article will break down your guitar into 19 components. There are pieces such as the body, which are massive and evident to everyone, and the nut, which is barely two inches in length but vital to the sound of your instrument.
The Electric Guitar Body
The body of the guitar is the largest. Let’s start with an explanation of what parts an electric guitar can be. This sizeable curvy portion sits against your body while you play. It is located underneath the strings and is the mounting point for all electronics.
These include the bridge, pickups, and output jacks. You’ll also find the strap buttons and pickguard on the body. You can choose from solid, semi-hollow, or hollow body versions.
The Neck
The neck of an electric guitar is usually made from wood. The neck houses the nut, frets, fretboard, head, and tuners.
The truss rod, which is located within the neck, has the function of maintaining the correct curve. This is crucial for instrument sound quality.
The Guitar Head
The head of an electric guitar holds the tuners. It is located at the top end of the neck. The guitar’s brand and style often have a mark on the shape and size of its head. The guitar head’s size and shape will also affect how the neck vibrates. The instrument’s ability to sustain the notes can also be affected by its size.
The Tuners
The tuners are placed at the head. The head’s size and shape determine the arrangement and placement of the tuners. They are usually placed on either one or both sides.
The tuners are attached to the strings of your guitar and help to tighten the strings so that the notes sound true.
The String Retainer
Only certain guitars have string retainers, like the Fender Stratocaster. They are responsible for keeping the string in place and maintaining its tension.
The Truss Adjustment
The frets divide the fretboard into evenly spaced intervals. This determines the notes on the neck. This evenly spaced spacing ensures that all messages are in the same tuning and places.
The fretboard is usually made from hard material or words. Rosewood, Maple, and Ebony are the most popular options.
Inlays
You can find fret markers or inlays of different shapes. The most common is a dot.
You can use the fret markers to locate where you are on the fretboard at any given moment. After playing for a while, you will be able to recall them.
Frets
The frets are made from thin metal. They run at a regular spacing across the fretboard. The length of the neck determines the spacing. The pitch of a string increases when it is pushed down. This can be done by shortening the string.
Strings
The standard guitar arrangement includes six strings. However, finding four, eight, or twelve lines are classic. The guitar’s owner can choose the exact size. You can find a variety of diameters as they vary in thickness, starting at the neck and going up.
The strings of electric guitars are often made from magnetic solid metals such as chromium and steel.
Pickups
Electronic components are found in the guitar’s pickups. These parts convert the string’s movement into an electric signal. The signal is then transmitted down the cord to an amplifier.
There are many types of pickups, each with its sound. The sound of an electric guitar can be altered by changing the pickups. There are many models of pickups that can be found on different types of guitars.
Pickup Selector
The pickup selector is responsible for switching the pickups on or off the electric guitar. The pickup selector changes the sound of an electric guitar.
The Bridge and Saddle
The tuners attach the strings to one side of the tuners while the bridge anchors them. The bridge serves many purposes. It adjusts the saddle, which controls the tone of the guitar’s electric guitar. The harness can be moved back and forth with an adjustment screw. This is how the guitar sets its tone.
The Pickguard
Pickguards protect the guitar’s body from being scratched by the pick. They can also serve other purposes. All electronic components on a Fender Stratocaster are mounted on the pickguard.
Strap Buttons
As the name suggests, these buttons are where your guitar strap is attached. The best type of strap button to use is a locking one. This will keep your strap secure, even as you rip up and down the neck at an alarming pace.
Output Jack
The output jack is the place where electric components send their signals. These signals can be sent to an amplifier by connecting a chord to its output jack.
The Last Note
You have it. The parts of an electric guitarist! This page contains a lot of information. Bookmark it and our guitar page to answer questions you might have while learning to play.
We recommend you now know what you are looking at so you can check out our article on the best electric guitars.