How is a guitar made and what is it made from? How has the passage of time affected the guitar?. Making a guitar is part art and part science. Wood has always been king of the guitar but composite materials have also now come into play. The metal parts of the guitar also have progressed to a very sophisticated level. The making of a guitar has not changed very much over many centuries. The entire world contributes to the guitars we have today in the woods that come from these countries.
The neck of the guitar is most often made from maple, a very hard wood. The truss rod is now used to resist the twisting force applied to the neck.
Hard woods such as ebony and rosewood are often used for the fret board of the guitar. In addition to being very dense these materials are also hard wearing and will last a lifetime. Fret boards may last a very long time if taken care of properly.
For many years the tuning pegs of a guitar were exactly that, a wooden peg with the string wrapped around it. Now more precise adjustments are possible with machined tuning heads. Also part of the improvement in tuning is the adjustable bridge. With machine heads and adjustable bridges it is now possible to get in tune and stay in tune.The guitar tuner is also a large contributing factor that allows guitar players everywhere to be in tune all the time.
The electrical pick was a major landmark in the history of the guitar. The pickup has evolved from crude to sophisticated. From the simple beginnings of the pickup came the electric solid body guitar of today. Now the pickup allowed the guitar to be heard with a drummer or a band. A small pickup changed the history of the guitar for all time.
The guitar has changed in technology and material, but not in spirit.
Guitar Making
