Discover the parts of an electric guitar
Do you know what are the parts of an electric guitar? It is divided into three main parts or zones, which are made up of different components with different functionalities and appearance.
We have already told you which is better electric or acoustic guitar, and today we are going to show you the parts of an electric guitar so that you can easily identify them. Do you need to buy one? Then visit us to buy an electric guitar at guitarrasfuentes.com and enjoy playing music with a custom luthier electric guitar, quality assured!
Parts of an electric guitar: what are they?
It is mainly divided into:
- Headstock
- Neck
- Body
The headstock, one of the parts of an electric guitar
It is the top end of the electric guitar, the “smallest” part, to put it simply, but for sure you will identify it better if we tell you which parts of an electric guitar can be found in the headstock.
- Tunning pegs / tunners: usually metallic. You roll and tighten the strings with them.
- Truss adjustment: the metallic bar that adjusts the curve of the neck.
- String retainers: frequent in Strato guitars, but not every electric guitar has it. It controls the tension of the two first strings.
- Nut: it’s at the union of the headstock and the neck. Its function is to separate the strings from the wood, so they do not brush against the fretboard. Generally, they are made of bone, but can also be made of plastic or other materials.
Neck, the central part of an electric guitar
It is the long part of the guitar, between the headstock and the body. In here we can find the strings and the frets, and even if it is not visible since it is in the inside, the soul of the guitar goes through it.
- Fretboard: also known as fingerboard. It is the long and narrow piece that covers the handle. It is the part where you press the strings to play the electric guitar, executing the chords and melodies.
- Frets: the metallic bars that divide the fretboard in rectangles, but also the spaces created by the bars. They are usually marked by circles, dots or other shapes that make it easier to figure out in which fret you are playing.
- Strings: long rolls with different thickness. In electric guitars, the strings are usually metallic. They produce vibrations that are processed by the pickups.
- Neck joint: just like its name indicates, it is the point where the neck joins with the body. It can be bolt-on, set-in or neck-thru.
Body, the biggest part of the electric guitar
If we are talking measurements, the body is the biggest part of a guitar. This is where the pickups or microphones are placed, which collect and transform string vibrations so that they go through the wire, to the output jack and finally the amplifier.
When we talk about the different guitar shapes, we refer to the shapes of the body of the guitar. It is the more visually distinctive element.
In this part of the electric guitar, you can find different elements:
- The strap button: small cone-shaped metallic piece. Placed in the upper side and back of the body. Its function is to hang the strap without any risk of the guitar falling.
- Pickups: They can be active or passive and there are many different types
- Pickup selector: it is a switch whose function is to make one or several pickups sound at the same time, muting the rest when there are several.
- Pickguard: the piece that avoids the scratching of the wood when using the pick. It is not present in every guitar, but it is relatively common.
- The tremolo bar (whammy Bar) or vibrato bar: easy to identify since they are button-shaped. They elevate or lower the volume and tone.
- The output jack: the hole from which the signals gathered by the pickups leave for the amplifier.
- The bridge: generally metallic. Here, the strings are attached to carved in blocks.
As you can see, the three parts of an electric guitar are divided into other elements just as important to enjoy a unique sound. And remember, if you need to get a new guitar, no matter the type, don’t hesitate to visit us!