Tuning Keys

If you are wondering why some guitars sound fantastic, some sound bad, tuning keys are the answer. Tuning keys or also called tuning machines, pegheads or machine heads. They play an important role in bringing life to your guitar’s sound. These little contraptions are usually painted a golden – like or silver – like layer. They protrude out and hold the strings to the headstock.

You could easily manipulate a certain string’s sound just by loosening or tightening your guitar’ tuning keys. This process is called tuning. For new guitar learners, tuning a guitar is considered to be the hardest part. Remember not to tighten the tuning keys too hard. As the harder you tighten them, the higher risk your string will break.

When I’ve just started learning guitar, I usually went online and looked for proper methods to adjust the tuning keys. At that time, my knowledge and experience are all limited. And tuning requires you to have an excellent ear. So I failed to correct the tuning keys. Therefore, if you don’t have much experience in tuning, you could ask professional guitarists to help.

In short, tuning keys is an important part of your guitar. In case they are used inaccurately or damaged, your guitar’s sound will suffer significantly.

The Strings

This is considered the heart of your guitar. The strings will make your chords, songs, and melodies come to life. They are typically used in 2 places: on the fretboard and over the sound hole. The first one is where your fingers push down strings to alter the sound and pitch. The second one is where your strings could be plucked, fingerpicked and strummed.

Notably, when you tune the strings accurately, it will deliver ear-catching sound as you wish. The strings are one of the most critical parts of a guitar, so remember to maintain them well.

Currently, there are 2 sorts of strings: steel and nylon. Nylon strings are generally used for classical guitars. Steel strings are found mainly on acoustic ones. Because of being made from different materials, they deliver extinct sound.

In detail, Nylon strings offer a breezier and softer sound. Steel ones provide a more laborious and crisper sound. All types are breakable, so take care of them.

The Nut

The nut is located below the headstock. It plays a crucial part in your strings’ placement. Each nut has perpendicular grooves on its surface. The ones are in the role of keeping the strings in the right place.

Apart from being attached to the pegheads, strings are also held in play to make sure they could vibrate in a well – controlled and tight manner. When the strings are put mistakenly, they could effortlessly move as you wish. It leads to undesired sounds.

In fact, the nut isn’t a well – known part of the guitar. People tend to miss it out as it is just a subtle and slim replacement. Getting heard of this small piece of the guitar is interesting, isn’t it?

The Fretboard

About the fretboard, there is a fun fact behind it. Numerous learners misunderstand between the neck of the guitar and the fretboard. Interestingly, I used to be one of them.

The fretboard is a long wooden part holding your frets and strings. In fact, it isn’t an actual neck; it is positioned on the neck.

The Neck

It is a long section holding your headstock, strings, and fretboard. It is situated at the bottom of the guitar and plays a role as a connector.

The Frets

They are silver bars which run across the fretboard. They leave a strong impact on your songs’ main sound. The fretboard comprises several frets. When running down towards your guitar’s body, the space between each fret gets smaller. Frets are in charge of shortening your string’s vibrating length from the dot your finger press down to the bridge. They control your string’s sound and pitch.

If you want to create a new sound, press down different frets and play that string. Notably, each space between the fret possesses its unique musical note. And learning these notes is hugely tricky and challenging. It took me more than 1 year to understand each note and use it correctly. Keep trying as nothing good comes easy.

For beginners, you need to know that the frets control the string’s pitch. They will generate distinct sound based on the space between each fret you press down.

The Position Markers

They are little dots positioned between each fret on the fretboard. They play a part as a convenient reference to which fret you’re playing. Guitarists also call them as inlays. Thanks to them, you could effortlessly know what frets you’re playing.

The Body

This part creates the own attraction of each guitar. It is a squashed hourglass-shaped wooden piece holding other essential parts. In the current market, there are numerous acoustic’ body styles. They are ¾ size 5, concert standard 0, concert 0, grand concert standard, grand concert 00, auditorium 000/OM, dreadnought D, dreadnought standard D and classic N. Personally; I’m a big fan of grand concert standard type. I found it super sexy and attractive.

Nowadays, the acoustic body comes in different styles and sizes. Guitarists have more choices than ever. Opting for a size fitting your demand and taste is as important as knowing how to play guitar. Just kidding, but I want to stress the importance of choosing an exact size.

The Pickguard

It is a super protective slab resting next to the soundhole. This layer is responsible for keeping your beloved guitar away from scratches. Making use of a pick necessitates strumming. Hence, this could cause undesired scratches when the pick is clashing with the wood. The pickguard is added in the purpose of preventing those scratches and keeping your buddy looking good all day.

The Sound Hole

This is one of the most important parts of an acoustic guitar body. It is considered as a speaker of the guitar. It is truly a trademark trait of each guitar. Electric guitars don’t have soundholes. This part looks simple, but it takes a great responsibility: provides acoustics. The sound resonates into the soundhole, then intensify that specific notes. Remember to always play over the soundhole to get the maximum and clean sound.

The Saddle

Its responsibility is the same as the nut. It is accountable for holding the string in proper place at the bottom of the guitar. It supports the string and keeps the string tight to make sure your guitar deliver a crisp and strong sound.

The Bridge

It is generally a black material located at the final destination of the strings. It is equipped to hold the saddle and pegs in place. To be honest, there is no problem related to function when letting the saddle and pegs on the wood surface. However, it looks disgusting and horrible. Thanks to the bridge, your guitar looks more stylish and fashionable.

The String Pegs

The String Pegs (so-called bridge pins) are similar to the tuning keys. They are accountable for keeping the strings into the bridge and tight over the saddle. Substituting new string pegs is pretty easy. However, don’t let your string lose as it could affect your guitar’s sound negatively. When you replace new ones, remember to hold the rest string tight to protect these strings against falling out.

Guitar String Cutter and String Winders

For the sake of convenience, guitarists usually buy a string cutter to cut the strings quickly. When you purchase a new guitar, the guitar builders will equip quite long strings. In fact, it is much longer than it should be. If you don’t cut the redundant part, it will take a lot of time to adjust the tuning pegs.

With the support of the string winders, winding your strings is easy as a pie. The price of string winders is ranging from $2 to $5. The price of string cutters is around $10 – $15. Just with $25, you could save up lots of time and effort.

Currently, numerous tools are combining both a string winder and a string cutter. But, in my view, I would love to opt for two separate parts. At the moment, I make use of Dunlop string winder and CruzTools string cutter.

For the sake of convenience, guitarists usually buy a string cutter to cut the strings quickly. When you purchase a new guitar, the guitar builders will equip quite long strings. In fact, it is much longer than it should be. If you don’t cut the redundant part, it will take a lot of time to adjust the tuning pegs.

With the support of the string winders, winding your strings is easy as a pie. The price of string winders is ranging from $2 to $5. The price of string cutters is around $10 – $15. Just with $25, you could save up lots of time and effort.

Currently, numerous tools are combining both a string winder and a string cutter. But, in my view, I would love to opt for two separate parts. At the moment, I make use of Dunlop string winder and CruzTools string cutter.

Capo

It is something you can’t live without when playing guitar. For those who don’t know, the capo is equipment placed on a specific fret. It helps you effortlessly transpose a song.

For new guitar players, you may only know some basic chords like C, Em, D, and G. But several complex songs require other chords like E, F#m, A, D. With the support of a capo, you could play as many songs as you want while still applying simple chord shapes.

Capo is a necessary item which requires high quality. Instead of buying cheap capo ($3-4), you should go for a high – end one ($12-$15). You’ll get what you pay for; I guess you know it.

Guitar Stand

For guitar performers, guitar stand is their buddy. The guitar stand helps you hold the guitar in place with easy access. Plus, it also protects guitar against falling over and being damaged.

It is highly beneficial for those who are lubber as me. There are loads of time I unintentionally drop my guitar. After each time, it left undesired scrunches on the guitar surface which makes me feel annoyed. So I decided to invest in a guitar stand. Since purchased it, my guitar has been protected completely.