Acoustic guitars are a classic. If you want to learn how to play this instrument, chances are you'll first start practising on an acoustic one. No matter your level of skills, choosing one should be done carefully. So, if you're looking for an acoustic guitar for sale, it's important to know it construction and the type of sound it creates.
Acoustic Guitar Construction
Neck
The neck of an acoustic guitar is connected to the guitar body and ends at the headstock. The fretboard is attached to the top of the neck, and the back is contoured to fit the player's fretting hand. Most acoustic guitars have a set neck, where the neck is glued to the body. The other option is a bolt-on neck, more common in electric guitars. A heel provides extra support at the back of the neck, where it meets the body.
Inside the neck, there is a metal truss rod that prevents bending and twisting due to string tension and environmental factors. Adjusting the truss rod can fix intonation problems that affect tuning. This truss rod can be adjusted at the headstock or inside the body of the guitar, at the base of the neck.
Neck Width and Length
While it won't impact the sound, it does affect how comfortable you feel playing the instrument. If you're looking for an acoustic guitar for sale, you'll typically come across necks categorized as 12- or 14-fret necks. This refers to the number of frets above the guitar body, not the total number of frets. On a 12-fret neck, the 13th and 14th frets are located on the body, making them a bit harder to reach compared to a 14-fret neck where they extend beyond the guitar body. If you have smaller hands, it's advisable to look for an acoustic guitar with a narrower neck.
Fretboard
The fretboard, or fingerboard, on the top side of the neck, is usually a separate piece of wood glued to the neck. Fretboards are often made of rosewood or ebony.
Metal frets are embedded in the wood at half-step intervals along the 12-tone scale, marking where different notes are played. Most guitar fretboards have dots or symbols on the odd-numbered frets, starting with the third - skipping the 11th and 13th for the 12th, or the octave.
Headstock
The headstock is at the opposite end of the neck from the guitar body. It has tuning keys, also called tuners, tuning pegs, or machine heads, which adjust the tension of each string to change its pitch. The nut, a small strip where the headstock meets the neck, guides the strings onto the fretboard. Acoustic guitar nuts are usually made of plastic, but can also be bone or graphite.
Body
The acoustic guitar's body is made up of different components, including the top or soundboard, which is supported by internal bracing. The sides and back come together to create a hollow chamber. The upper body curves are known as the upper bout, while the lower body curves are called the lower bout. The area between them is called the waist.
The size and shape have an impact on both the sound and playability of the guitar. It's important to find a body shape that suits your physical and musical preferences to choose the right acoustic guitar. The sound hole, which allows the sound to project, is located at the waist, near the base of the fretboard. It is often protected by a pickguard made of plastic or other materials.
The guitar's strings are attached to the body at the bridge, and each string is secured by bridge pins. The saddle, a thin strip made of either bone or plastic, spaces out the strings on the bridge. The vibrations from the strings are transmitted through the bridge to the top of the guitar, producing the instrument's sound output, also known as projection.
Body Styles
- Concert and Grand Concert
- Auditorium and Grand Auditorium
- Dreadnought
- Jumbo
- Travel and Mini-Acoustics
Styles and Sound
Different acoustic guitars may have the same basic structure, but there are key distinctions that impact their sound and how they are played. Although all guitars share common characteristics, it's important to understand the variables that contribute to the unique feel and playability of each instrument. These variables include the body style, the type of wood used for the top, the width and length of the neck, the choice between nylon or steel strings, and the type of tonewood used.
Tonewood
- Cedar - this softwood produces a bright tone and has a quick response, making it ideal for classical or flamenco guitars. It's commonly used for the top, sides, and backs.
- Cocobolo - a tropical hardwood from Mexico, cocobolo is fast, responsive, and produces a bright sound. It's often used for the sides and backs.
- Ebony - known for its strength and smooth feel, this tonewood is a popular choice for fretboards.
- Granadillo - considered a type of rosewood, granadillo is a rare wood that's denser. It produces a clear, ringing tone.
- Koa - this Hawaiian wood has a beautiful golden colour that brings out mid-range tones. Manufacturers use it for all parts of an acoustic guitar body but is usually found on more expensive guitars due to its scarcity.
- Mahogany - with its dense nature, mahogany has a slower response rate. When used as a top wood, it produces a strong sound that emphasizes high-end tones. It's often associated with country or blues playing.
