Changes

== Body ==

The <u>Body</u> contains the <u>[[#Tailpiece or Bridge|Tailpiece or Bridge]]</u>, <u>[[#Pickups|Pickups]]</u>, <u>[[#Pickup-Selector Switch|Toggle Switch]]</u>, <u>[[#Knobs/Controls|Knobs]]</u>, <u>[[#Cutaways and Horns|Cutaways and Horns]]</u>, <u>[[#Neck Heel/Joint|Neck Heel]]</u>, and <u>[[#Strap Pins|Strap Pins]]</u>.

=== Tailpiece or Bridge ===

'''The <u>tailpiece/bridge</u> is the part that connects the strings to the body.''' It is responsible for the guitar's action, intonation, sustain, and tone.

=== Pickups ===

<u>Pickups</u> are typically bar-like objects that reside between the bridge and the neck, spanning across all the strings; however, they technically refer to anything that '''converts the string resonance into electricity'''. Typical pickups are magnetic transducers - either ''single-coil'' or ''humbuckers''. Humbuckers are usually wider than single-coils because they use two coils. One is reverse wound, which makes any interference being picked up cancel out. Humbuckers are also typically wired in serial, which gives them greater output but also greater impedance, which makes them a bit more nasal-sounding. Single coils are associated with shimmering clean tones while humbuckers are a staple of heavily distorted tones.

=== Pickup-Selector Switch ===

The <u>Toggle Switch</u> or <u>Pickup-Selector Switch</u> is usually the only switch on the front of an electric guitar. '''This is used to select which pickups are active.'''

=== Knobs/Controls ===

'''A guitar does not require, but often has <u>Knobs</u> or other electronic <u>Controls</u> to alter the electric signal produced by the pickups.''' There are usually 2-4 knobs on the front of a guitar, and they function as either ''Volume'' or ''Tone'' knobs.

=== Electronics Cavity ===

There is typically a large hollowed-out section of the body between the pickups and the output jack called the <u>Electronics Cavity</u> that houses electronics, such as the potentiometers for the knobs, the pickup selector switch, connecting wires, and if necessary a battery. Sometimes it also encompasses the pickups and output jack. The cavity may be accessible from the face of the guitar if it has a large pickguard that covers it, like a '''Fender''' '''''Stratocaster'''''. Otherwise, it is accessible from the rear and covered by a piece of plastic screwed into the body.

=== Cutaways and Horns ===

<u>Cutaways</u> are the areas on each side of the neck where the neck meets the body. On an acoustic guitar, there are typically no cutaways, making it difficult to access the highest frets on the fretboard. On electric, this part of the body is typically "cut away", allowing the player's hand to more easily access those frets.

=== Neck Heel/Joint ===

The <u>Neck Heel</u> or <u>Neck Joint</u> is simply the "pocket" cut into the body designed for the neck to fit into, where it is then usually bolted on. Some guitars are made mostly from a single piece of wood, where the neck runs through the body (''neck-through'' design). In this case, there is technically no neck heel, although it may still be used to refer to the place where the neck and body meet. A few different types of neck joints exist, designed differently to allow more comfort when reaching the highest frets.

=== Strap Pins ===

The <u>Strap Pins</u> are metal studs screwed into the body that allow a strap to be attached to the guitar. One is typically located on ("bottom") side of the guitar, in line with the strings/neck. The other is usually on the tip of the top horn, pointing towards the headstock. On some body shapes, there is no front horn, and the pin is either where the horn would be, or it is on the back of the body by the neck heel.

== Neck ==

The ''neck'' has the <u>[[#Headstock|headstock]]</u>, <u>[[#Tuners|tuners]]</u>, <u>[[#Nut|nut]]</u>, [[#Fretboard, Frets, and Fret Markets|<u>fretboard</u> and <u>fret markers</u>]].

=== Headstock ===

The <u>Headstock</u> is the part of the neck beyond the nut where the strings attach to the tuners. Some are angled, seeking to have the strings make sturdy contact against the nut. Many use string trees to attain the same effect. Manufacturers often have a signature shape/design for their headstock for aesthetic purposes.

=== Tuners ===

''Tuners'' are the metal pieces in the headstock that secure the string ends and are used to tighten or loosen each string's tension, changing its pitch. Most modern guitars use ''machine heads'': the tuner consists of two parts linked together with gears. The part that holds the string is called a ''peg'' or ''post'' (formally it's called a ''capstan''). The part you turn is called the ''knob''.

=== Nut ===

The ''nut'' is the 0th fret - the last part of the fretboard before the headstock. It is basically a fret that is always active, giving the strings a consistent pitch and means to resonate. Unlike frets, it is usually made of hard plastic or bone; however, locking nuts typically use metal. The nut has grooves carved into it for routing each string. Between these and the bridge saddles, the string cannot slide as it resonates, giving it a consistent pitch.

=== Fretboard, Frets, and Fret Markers ===

The ''fretboard'' is the piece of wood on the front part of the neck that contains the shiny metal bars called ''frets''. The ''frets'' run perpendicular to the strings are used to sound specific pitches within the chromatic scale by shortening the length of string that is allowed to vibrate. They also make performing pitch bends and vibrato (which require sliding the string up and down while retaining pressure against the fret) easier.

=== Strings ===

''Strings'' are the tense wires or cords that extend from the bridge to the headstock. Their resonance is the source of the guitar's sound. They are numbered 1-6 (on a six-string guitar), with 1 being the thinnest and 6 being the thickest. Sometimes they are called by their open pitch in standard tuning (covered in [[Tuning and Harmonics]]). Ex. the 2nd string is also called the B string. Since there are two open E strings in standard tuning, they are called "high E string" or "low E string". High/Low refers to pitch, so "high E" is 1st string; "low E" is 6th string.

== Non-guitar Parts ==

This covers common parts that, while not absolutely essential to learning or playing guitar, are used very often.

=== Pick or Plectrum ===

The ''pick'' or ''plectrum'' is a small, flat, usually triangular piece of plastic (or other materials) used to excite the strings. They generally have a ''tip'' used to make contact with the strings. There are a large variety of picks; I recommend you follow the instructions in the [[Choosing a Pick]] section to determine what you are most comfortable with.

=== Tuner ===

Unlike the ''tuners'' attached to the guitar and used to change each string's pitch, a ''tuner'' is a device that detects and displays pitch. It is used to tune all the strings to the desired pitch.

=== Cables ===

Professional audio typically makes use of analog cables with 1/4" diameter jacks. Cables are generally described by how many lines they hold or how much power they can carry, which generally describes what they are used for. The jacks on each end of a cable have to be compatible with the cable, but can have much wider variety.

=== Amplifier ===

In essence, an ''amplifier'' simply amplifies a signal. A ''guitar amplifier'' typically does much more, however. In addition to bringing the signal up to a level capable of driving a speaker, it will filter or EQ the signal, distort, and/or compress it. How this is done is usually controllable using provided Bass, Mids, Treble, Presence, and Gain/Drive controls. Most amplifiers have their own distinct tone/response, particularly in regards to distortion. They may have additional features such as a noise gate, reverb, and an effects loop. Also, most modern amps feature multiple channels, often with their own indepedent controls, used to switch sounds instantaneously using a foot controller.

=== Speaker Cabinet ===

A ''speaker cabinet'' (or simply ''cabinet'') refers to a speaker enclosure designed specifically for use with guitar amplifiers. Amplifiers with the speaker cabinet built-in are called ''combo amplifiers''. The term cabinet typically applies to only those that are physically separate from the amplifier. Common cabinets are 1x12's, 2x12's, and 4x12's, which contain 1, 2, or 4 speakers respectively. The "12" refers to the size of each speaker, with 12" being the most popular choice. Occasionally, a 2x15 will be seen paired with a 4x12. Also, some cabinets may feature 10" speakers.

=== Pedals/Effects ===

A wide variety of digital and analog devices exist to process a guitar signal in some way. These typically appear in either a ''rack'' or ''pedal'' form factor. ''Pedals'' typically have one function and are engaged or disengaged by stepping on them (which led them to be called ''stomp boxes''). ''Rack'' effects are generally more complex, tackling multiple types of effects simultaneously, and are controlled by [[MIDI]].

===Capo===

A ''capo'' is a device that uses a spring or screw to clamp the strings against the fretboard at any particular fret desired, effectively acting like the nut. This simply raises the pitch of the strings when played without being fretted. It's useful to play in different keys, using the open position chord fingerings but with the root notes that fit the desired key. For example, if you know a song in C and want to play it in D, you would either have to learn how to play it using different chord fingerings or voicings, tune each guitar string up a whole step which takes time and may make the strings too tense to play, or simply put the capo on the 2nd fret.

== Advanced Parts ==

Let's quickly discuss more advanced stuff. This will help you identify these parts, but we save adjusting them for a more advanced lesson.

=== Truss Rod===

The neck has a ''truss rod'' under the fretboard or embedded through the length of the neck, connected to the headstock and end of the neck by the neck heel. It is a metal bar, with adjustible tension used to straighten or allow it to bend. This is used to put tension on the neck to counter the tension of the strings, preventing the neck from becoming concave. The ideal neck is somewhere between perfectly flat and slightly concave, which allows each fret to sound with minimal as well as near-equal fret buzz across the entire fretboard.

=== String Tree ===

Some headstocks have one or more ''string trees'', which reside between the nut and tuners. These route the strings at a sharper downward angle on the nut, for cleaner tone and better sustain on open notes.

=== Tremelo System - Whammy Bar and Bear Claws ===

Some bridges incorporate a ''tremelo system'', which encompasses a number of additional guitar parts. It allows the pitch of the guitar to be altered, usually by a ''whammy bar'' - pushing on the bar moves/pivots the bridge closer to the nut, causing the strings to slack and lowers their pitch. Some bridges allow the bar to be pulled as well to raise the strings' pitch.

=== Bridge Saddles ===

All bridges have ''bridge saddles'' where there strings first touch the bridge - kind of like the nut. Most of the time these saddles are adjustable in some way. They can be raised or lowered to change the "action" of the guitar (which makes it more or less difficult to play at the expense of less or greater fret buzz). They can also be moved forward/backward to shorten/lengthen the string, which allows the instrument to be intonated (meaning it is in-tune across the entire fretboard). The tension/distance/mass relationship's effect on pitch is not as perfect as a simplistic model may assume - it is common for the thickest strings to require greater length than thinner strings, which is why it is favorable for the instrument to have a bridge with individual adjustable saddles.

== Miscellaneous ==

===Polepieces===

''Polepieces'' are the visible metal cylinders inside the pickups. Some pickups have covers that hide these, while others don't have individual pole pieces for each string but a single "rail" that spans all the strings. Some pickups feature adjustable height on the polepieces, or come preset with various heighths. I haven't found adjusting them has much effect on the tone, other than getting them close enough to acheive "pole pull" which is undesirable.