Electric Guitar Anatomy

In the picture above we see the most obvious elements of electric guitar anatomy. In terms of what we see, we can divide the guitar into three main sections: body, neck, and headstock.

In terms of structure, we can divide the electric guitar into:

In spite of the fact that most of the sound we hear comes from an amp and not the guitar itself, guitar resonance is a key element. It determines our sound once we plug in. For instance, a plastic nut will never transmit vibrations as well bone does, so if your guitar has a plastic nut, it might be worth changing it.

In order to get the best possible sound on an electric guitar, it is also important to keep your instrument clean. The fretboard, as it is not varnished in most cases, is the part most vulnerable to grime. It is also the part we handle most. Body grease, sweat, and dust particles of all sorts stick together and become the black substance that clings to the sides of the frets. If allowed to stay, this substance harms both the wood and the metal frets, as well as reducing resonance.

You can clean all parts of your electric guitar using a piece of cloth drenched in Zippo fluid.

The general function of most of the parts of an electric guitar should be self-evident.

What is most interesting, and requires real experience, is learning to setup each of the elements for optimal function. There is no single way to setup, of course. But there are certain general guidelines that can serve as a starting point of your explorations. There is more to finding your own sound than buying the right equipment and learning to play:
Learning how to operate that equipment, and fully customize it your specs is just as important!

Introduction to electric guitar setup.

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