Components of a guitar. Electric guitar and design features

The structure of an electric guitar using the example of a Fender Stratocaster

Electric guitar neck(1) is practically no different from acoustics and consists of two parts: the neck itself and the fingerboard, held together with glue. Let us remind you that the fretboard is the upper part of the fretboard on which the frets are located. On headstock(3) are also pegs(6), and inside the neck there is anchor, whose task is still the same - to prevent the strings from bending the neck. The neck can be glued to the soundboard, or it can be attached with screws (this is one of the differences from acoustics).

Like an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar has a neck, body, strings, pegs... But the body of an electric guitar is not at all the same as an acoustic one, but flat.

Electric guitar body(2) Can be made entirely of wood, or hollow.

Hollow body guitars have a warm, rich sound and are commonly used in jazz, blues and country. The disadvantages of these guitars are the rapid decay of sound and the appearance of a creaking sound when played at high volumes.

The body of solid body guitars is made of either one or several pieces of wood, usually of the same type, that are glued together. The more places where the body is glued, the worse the sound will be due to the loss of wood resonance in these places. The exception is some guitar models, the body of which is deliberately made of different types of wood to improve the sound. Such guitars have a sharper and more aggressive sound, which is most suitable for playing heavy music.

Now about what fundamentally distinguishes an acoustic guitar from an electric guitar.

Bridge or machine(7) is the device by which the strings are attached to the soundboard. There are two types of bridges: with and without tremolo (in the picture there is a bridge with tremolo). Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Bridges with tremolo system is a movable stand that is driven by a lever (10), which allows you to change the tension of all strings and create a vibrato effect even with open strings. Typically, such machines are installed on Stratocasters and similar instruments. Such machines allow you to change the pitch of the sound by one and a half to two tones, which greatly diversifies the sound.

Bridges without tremolo Suitable for telecaster and semi-acoustic guitars. Their design is even simpler, the number of parts is reduced to a minimum, due to which guitars equipped with such bridges hold tuning better, sound more melodious, and have fewer problems when you need to quickly change strings.

For beginners, it is better to choose guitars equipped with a machine with a simple tremolo (when the machine only works to lower the sound) or without it at all.

Under the strings on the body of the electric guitar there are sensors - pickups that convert the vibrations of the string into an electrical signal. The pickup is a very important part of the guitar; the sound produced by the guitar depends on their type and quality.

Pickups There are two types: singles (9) and humbuckers (8). Singles have a clean and transparent sound. These pickups are used when playing blues and country styles. The disadvantage associated with the design of such pickups is a lot of extraneous noise and a strong background when playing with distortion. Although now they are releasing split singles, which have significantly reduced noise.

Humbuckers suppress extraneous noise and are more suitable for playing through guitar effects. These sensors have a more powerful and rich sound. Due to these qualities, humbuckers are more suitable for heavy types of music.

Manufacturers combine both types of pickups in different sequences and thus achieve a variety of instrument sounds. In the description of an electric guitar, you can see something like S-S-H or H-S-H - thus indicating the sequence in which the pickups S - single, H - humbucker are installed on the guitar.

Pickups can be passive or active. Active sensors have a wider frequency range and a weaker output signal. To enhance it, a preamplifier powered by the crown is built into the guitar. Active pickups, like passive ones, come in both single-coil and humbucker pickups.

To switch between pickups, a switch (11) is installed on the guitar, making one or two of the pickups installed on the guitar active. By switching between pickups, you can change the sound your guitar produces. Switches are often installed that turn on two adjacent pickups and thus create new sounds.

Also on the body of the electric guitar, as a rule, there are volume (13) and tone (12) controls.

The electric guitar first appeared in the 20th century and immediately gained popularity due to its unusual sound. Using a pickup and electrical amplification, a variety of melodies are created.

What is the structure of an electric guitar? It has three components: body, neck and head. On the body there are: a tailpiece (bridge or machine), various pickups and a switch, a pickguard, tone and volume controls, a lever (tremolo), a socket for connecting a cord, and a belt fastening.

The neck consists of two parts: the neck itself and the overlay, on which the frets, marks, and nuts are located. An important detail is the anchor rod. Its purpose is to regulate the deflection of the bar.

The tuning mechanism is located on the head. The tension of the peg determines the tension of the strings. With their help, the electric guitar is tuned. In some cases, special plates are installed on the top nut that block the adjustment of the strings (top-lock). Then a mini tuning mechanism is installed in the bridge for microtuning.

Housing types

• Whole. Made from one piece of wood, The one-piece body is considered the most expensive and high-quality. Characterized by producing clear, bright sound. Glued together from several pieces of wood of the same species, the body loses the resonance of the wood, and the sound quality deteriorates. The exception is a body consisting of different types of wood. This trick ensures the production of a sharp, hard sound characteristic of heavy music.
• Hollow. The sound produced is warm, rich, soft, but quickly fades and creaks if played at high volumes.

When studying the structure of an electric guitar, it is important to pay attention to the material from which the body is made. The duration of vibration of the strings and the trajectory of movement directly depend on the type of wood. The vibration of pickups is also determined by the body material and pickguards: maple, alder, rosewood, walnut, ash.

A solo part with high frequencies will sound great on a guitar made of ash, alder, poplar, or linden. The rhythm will be clearly expressed on guitars made of mahogany, linden, and ash. A powerful rhythm part will be amazing on a guitar made of walnut, rosewood, wenge, or mahogany.

Vulture

There are several types of attachment of the neck to the body:

• Bolts. In this case, it is quite easy to change the neck if necessary, but the duration of the notes is reduced.
• Pasted. It transmits vibrations better and is used most often.
• Through. The deck consists of two halves that are attached to the neck. The sound is long and warm.
• Heelless. The advantage is easier access to high positions.

The width and thickness of the neck determine the sound style. Those who prefer fast hard music (legato, tapping) choose thin but wide necks. Adherents of the classics opt for rounded necks. Manufacturers found a compromise and offered a neck with a variable fingerboard radius. Near the soundboard it is flat, and closer to the head it is round.

The material of the neck and fingerboard is also important. It is the pad that reflects or transmits the vibrations received, therefore, ebony, maple or rosewood are used for its production. Maple provides bright sound, ebony provides density and depth, and rosewood provides warmth and softness. The neck is made of mahogany, maple or composite material. solid, beautiful tree not only looks impressive, but also gives rigidity to hold the strings.

Anchor and scale

The anchor is installed in two ways: under the pickguard or on the back of the neck, closer to the tuning mechanism. The second option is preferable and more reliable. A special key is used for adjustment.

The scale is the distance from the tailpiece to the nut of the neck if the string is open. The scale determines the placement of frets. A distance equal to ½ scale length is between the 12th and 13th frets. And ¼ of the length is between the 5th and 6th frets. Depending on the length, a different sound is produced: melodious, warm, soft or hard, sharp, aggressive.

Pickups

The role of pickups is to convert string vibrations into an electrical signal. The sound quality directly depends on the quality of the pickup. They are produced in two types: electromagnetic and piezoelectric. Electromagnetic are classified into passive and active, as well as Single and Hambacker. Passive pickups do not require additional power, while active ones are powered by a battery. Therefore, the sound of the latter is much better.

Single coils (have one coil) have a clear and bright sound, but can produce noise. Therefore, manufacturers found a solution: single-coils with a humbker effect. They provide clear sound without extraneous noise and are used in jazz and blues. Humbuckers (have two coils) produce a powerful, but dim sound, devoid of low frequencies, and when overloaded they sound clear and aggressive.

Piezoelectric pickups come in the form of a small disk or narrow strip that fits under the bridge. You can install it under each string, achieving unusual effects. And to eliminate noise, it is advisable to use a preamplifier buffer.

Bridges and Switches

Bridges are available with or without a tremolo system. The machine (tremolo system) allows you to lower and raise the pitch of notes directly on the guitar using a special lever, but “eats up” the sustain. In this case, a system of micro-adjustment of pegs is used. Bridges without a tremolo have a smoother sound and are less likely to go out of tune.

If the pickup is located closer to the tailpiece, it is called a bridge pickup. Closer to the neck is the neck. A special switch allows you to use the bridge pickup for soloing, and the neck pickup for playing chords.

A three or five position switch is used. The positions activate different combinations of pickups: bridge, middle, and near the neck.

Now, knowing the structure of an electric guitar, it is much easier to start learning and enjoy high-quality music.

Electric guitars differ from each other and appearance, and internal structure, but still they contain a number of basic elements, without which musical instrument cannot be called a guitar, be it a Yamaha, Fender or any other guitar. Let's take a closer look at these components:

1. The neck is a long block of wood on which there is a flat fingerboard, and metal saddles are applied to it. It may vary in length and shape in each electric guitar depending on the model.
2. An anchor rod is used to prevent the bar from breaking, since it is subjected to extreme pressure.
3. Pegs - used to regulate the tension of the strings (tighten them or relax them). They are located on the headstock and can be single, paired, closed or open.
4. The zero fret is located between the fingerboard itself and its head, made of high-strength plastic.
5. Frets are made of steel and differ in wear resistance and color. If the strings in a guitar deteriorate faster than anything else, then the frets take second place in terms of wear. Therefore, when choosing an electric guitar, you should pay special attention to the quality of the frets.
6. Markers are intended for the convenience of the musician’s orientation on the fretboard. They can be applied to it either with dots or with other unique symbols.
7. Pickups are devices that help modify the vibrations of metal strings into electrical signals.
8. Pickup switch - designed to switch from one pickup to another (as if combining sounds), thereby creating a unique new sound of an electric guitar.
9. Controls – used to adjust the volume and timbre of the sound.
10. Bridge or tailpiece - designed to attach strings directly to the body of an electric guitar. Helps change the pitch of the sound and create a tremolo sound.
11. A socket for connecting an electric cable is required on any electric guitar.
12. Guitar body. Most often it is solid, but in rare cases it can be glued together from several parts. Of course, a solid body is considered to be of higher quality, since it produces a better sound, but it all also depends on what kind of music you are going to play on your electric guitar. For example, if the body consists of several components, the sound will be sharp and aggressive, which is why such instruments are often used to create heavier music. It differs from the body of an acoustic guitar in that it can be either hollow or solid inside. A trim is attached to the body itself to hide the guitar's electrical components and for a more attractive appearance.
13. Each guitar also comes with strap holders. They are located on the back of the case. They will be especially useful for musicians when performing on stage.

An important part of any electric guitar is the electrical component. As a rule, it is hidden from prying eyes inside its body.

These components of the guitar are quite enough to make it comfortable to play. But do not forget that for each style of music it is necessary to purchase additional equipment that will make the sound more pleasant for both the performer and the listeners. Therefore, choose a guitar based on the main parts, but at the same time pay attention to additional components.

In the art of guitar, performers often use not only musical terms, but also designations of parts of the instrument. In order to understand many points, you need to know the structure of the guitar at least in general terms. And if it comes to changing strings, adjusting individual components or repairs, then you should delve into this topic further and further. When explaining most performing technical aspects, guitar terminology is constantly used. Without its knowledge, as they say, it’s like without hands, you can play, but in the process you will have to make up a lot. Therefore, every regularly practicing guitarist should master the initial terms and notations.

Guitar structure diagram

The proposed figure shows the structure of the guitar and indicates its main elements. It’s good if you have a tool at hand and you can find them by your own example. Information in parts is better absorbed if you know what each part is intended for. Let's take a closer look.

Frame

The body is the main part of any guitar. It consists of many elements, which will be discussed below. The power and timbre of sound depends on the structure and material of the body. The mobility and strength of the tool also depends on the assembly.

Bottom deck

The back is the back side of the guitar. Most often, the fullness of sound depends on the wood from which it is made. One of the load-bearing parts. If we consider the structure of a classical guitar, then for concert performance the “back” is made of mahogany, since it provides best characteristics sound.

Top deck

The most important element. It is this that is the connecting link between the extraction of sound from the string and the transmission of its vibrations into the air. The best quality is to make “Top” from a single piece of wood. The classics use cedar and alpine spruce. On cheaper instruments (including acoustic ones) plywood is used. The timbre and sound quality largely depends on the Top.

Cutaway (cutaway)

An element that is mainly found on pop guitars. It is necessary primarily for those who like to perform solos on the extreme frets (further than 12) and allow them to reach the necessary upper notes.

Stand (bridge)

Most often it is a wooden plate, which gives rigidity to the structure of the entire body and allows it to provide resistance to the tensioned string.

Edges

They are located along the edges of the upper deck and provide it with protection from external factors. Creates a little extra strength for the body. They also give an aesthetic effect due to their design.

Straplock

A plastic or metal “button” that is installed specifically to secure a belt. Maybe one or two.

Shell

This is the part that connects the top and bottom deck. It is a resonator conductor from the leading upper deck to the lower one and ensures the formation of sound volume. Approximately 10 cm wide. Made from the same material as the lower deck.

Foot sill

It is also called a “bone” (made from plastic or bone). A plate that has pads underneath for adjusting the strings. Has little effect on sound properties.

Socket

Sound hole

An important element for the appearance of sound. Thanks to the voice box, the guitar resonates and releases sound vibrations from deep within the body. If you close it, you get a dull and very quiet sound, similar to a mumble.

Pegs for fastening strings

Also called pins. White oblong pieces of plastic that have grooves in their cross-section for attaching strings there. The pin, together with the string, is lowered into the hole in the stand and securely “sealed”.

Overlay (golpeador)

A plastic shaped overlay that is installed on the top deck just below the socket. Used in flamenco and pop guitars - the main purpose is to protect the soundboard from accidental blows with a pick and from percussion strikes with the fingers and palm.

Vulture

- the second main part, on which the strings are tensioned, the tuning is adjusted and, in fact, playing with the left hand.

Fingerboard

– a wooden covering that occupies the “working” part of the neck.

Frets

Metal plates that separate one fret from another. They show the length that needs to be clamped to get a particular pitch.

Vulture head

The part that contains the mechanism for winding and tuning the strings. Also often used to place a company logo.

Headstock Fingerboard

Made from the same material as the body. A thick piece of wood that covers the head of the neck. It strengthens it and covers the junction of the head and “neck”.

head crest

The “Heads” element, which is used only as a design solution for aesthetic purposes. Various small details create differences in tools from different manufacturers.

Tuning mechanics

It consists of interconnected gears, which are secured with metal plates on both sides of the neck. The strings are threaded into oblong rollers and wound using handles. Classical guitars are open, while acoustic guitars are closed.

Pegs of tuning mechanics on a classical guitar

Unlike acoustic mechanisms, they are open “outward”.

Heel

The part that connects the neck and body. Can be glued or screwed. Most often located on the border of the 12th and 14th frets.

Heel pad

A wooden covering that creates an additional connection between the heel of the neck and the shell.

Strings

Metal or nylon - form the main element for creating sound.

Upper sill

Also called “zero”. A plastic or bone plate used to install strings and fix them in one position. Easily removed and sharpened if necessary.

Fret markers

Points that serve for quick orientation along the main frets - 5,7, 12, etc. Markers located on the plane of the fingerboard itself are used more to decorate the instrument. Most often, inserts made of mother-of-pearl or hard plastic are made in these places.

Interior

Electrical elements are used in certain types of guitars and can be installed separately if desired.

Spring system

Occupies an important part in the structure of the guitar. Its strength and the location of the resonators depend on their quality. The vibrating string transfers its energy into the structure itself. Sound waves travel through nodal points from the sill. The spring has an important task - to distribute vibrations so that the output produces the desired timbre and correct intonation. In addition, a fan spring system supports the entire structure and ensures its strength.

Anchor rod

Located inside the neck. Consists of steel. Protects the neck from sagging due to string tension. is made when it is necessary to change the angle of the neck position (in case of out of tune, or ringing ). Classical instruments do not have it.

Anchor adjustment nut

In electric guitars it is located mainly in the area of ​​the first fret, right behind the zero threshold. For acoustics it is located either, like for electric ones, or inside the voice box, approximately in the region of the 20th fret.

Preamplifier

Available on electric-acoustic guitars. The task is to process the signal that comes from the pickup. Powered by batteries. Has an equalizer to adjust the tone. Often has a built-in tuner.

Pickup

The so-called “under saddle” pickup is Under Saddle Transducer. This is a small wiring that ensures sound quality. Processes deck vibrations, converting them into an electrical signal, and transmits them to the preamp (see above).

Jack type connector

A socket built into the body of the guitar for connecting it to external speakers or an amplifier. Jack connectors are generally used with a diameter of 6.3 mm.

These are not general recommendations that any "classical" guitarist can make, but rather an overview of the design features of various electric guitars. If when choosing a classical (Spanish) guitar you should pay attention to the technical condition and type of wood, then when choosing an electric guitar, everything is more complicated. Over its relatively short history, the electric guitar has developed many varieties, often fundamentally different from each other. But everything is in order.

Let's start with the material from which electric guitars are made. As a rule, this is tree, with rare exceptions. It is the tree that has the greatest influence on sound. Of course, mechanical vibrations of the strings produce an induction current in the pickups, but the nature of the vibrations depends on the type of wood from which the instrument is made. For electric guitars, mahogany (mahogany), alder, linden, ash, maple, rosewood, ebony are most often used, less often walnut and African varieties - bubinga and ovangkol. Each tree has its own characteristic timbre. Mahogany, for example, is loved for its “warm” sound - well-developed low and mid frequencies, few highs, good sustain. Gibson has a strong preference for mahogany. Alder, maple and rosewood, on the contrary, have a well-developed high-frequency spectrum and a sharp attack of sound, often characterized as a “broken glass timbre.” Stratocasters, in particular, are made from such varieties. Ebony is mainly used as a fingerboard. Basswood (it is argued that basswood must certainly be American) has a “cutting top”, which is not always liked by guitarists, however, Steve Vai managed to make this sound “signature”. Sometimes different types of wood are combined to give a certain color to the sound. Often the bodies of solid body guitars are made of transparent plastic. This does not degrade the sound quality, and it looks impressive. There are also guitars whose body is made of aluminum, and the vulture is from carbon fiber. These guitars have one big advantage - they are not afraid of temperature changes and high humidity. You can throw it into water; nothing will be damaged except the electronics (I don’t recommend trying it).

Steve Vai with his signature guitarIbanezJEM with transparent plastic housing.

Dimamirror – guitarItalian companyThreeGuitars withaluminum body and carbon fiber neck

Well, if you read the article “,” then you already know that electric guitars come in hollow (resonating) and solid bodies. Guitars with a resonant body have a softer sound, so such guitars are most often used in classical jazz, swing, and sometimes in other directions where a soft sound is required. Hence the frequently used name in everyday life – jazz model. Solid body guitars have a sharper sound and longer sustain.

Unlike classical guitars, most electric guitars have a metal rod built into the neck that runs along the entire neck - anchor. The anchor first began to be used with the transition to metal strings. It does not allow the neck to bend under significantly higher string tension, and it also allows you to adjust the deflection of the neck by rotating the bolt at one end of the truss rod. It is not advisable to bring the neck to a perfectly flat state - a slight deflection is usually recommended. If you hold the string at the 1st and 12th fret, then in the area of ​​the seventh fret the distance between the string and the nut should not exceed 1-2 mm. Generally neck deflection– this is an individual matter; each manufacturer recommends its own parameters, which in turn are not always the absolute truth.

Bolt for adjusting the deflection of the neck. Sometimes the adjustment bolt is on the body side of the guitar.

The next design feature that you need to pay attention to when choosing an electric guitar is type of connection between body and neck. The design should be as rigid as possible, eliminating the damping of mechanical vibrations. As is the case with classical guitars, many electric guitars the neck is glued to the body(set neck). These are mainly jazz models and some solid body models. The most common set-neck guitars come from Gibson, Paul Reed Smith and Rickenbacker. The most common are solid-body screw-neck guitars(bolt on neck). The best design is considered to be an electric guitar made from a single piece of wood, in which the neck is a continuation of the body - neck-through(neck through). Theoretically, such guitars dampen the mechanical vibrations of the strings less than others, and therefore often have better sustain, but it is believed that their attack (accentuated sound at the moment of picking) is not always well developed compared to guitars with a screwed neck. In practice, I would not focus on this. Based on my own experience, I can say that I really like the attack of ESP Horison neck-through guitars, and the Ibanez RG 1570 Prestige with a screw-on neck was just as good as the ESP Horison in sustain. Therefore, I evaluate each guitar based on the total result (sound + ease of play).

Electric guitar designs with screwed, glued and through necks

Now let's look separately stand and bridge on an electric guitar. Due to the fact that many English terms are included in the everyday life of guitarists, you can quite often come across the word bridge (stand). There are two main options for attaching strings - a rigid bridge fit and a vibrato system. Let's talk about each one separately.

As on an acoustic guitar, the stand is used to fasten the strings, but on electric guitars, using the stand, you can adjust the height of the strings above the neck, as well as the scale length of the guitar. To do this, there are tabs under each string, usually moved by turning the bolts. Ideally, each string can be adjusted separately; on some older Telecasters, one tab was designed for two strings, and on some jazz models there is a non-adjustable nut. The latter may be a minor feature, but I personally appreciate the large amount of adjustment options.

Using the screws on the edges of the stand, you can adjust the height of the strings; using the tabs, you can adjust the scale of each string individually.

We will pay special attention vibrato system. Even on the very first electric guitars, instead of a stand, a simple mechanical device was sometimes installed, consisting of a lever and a spring, which made it possible to lower the tension of the strings and then return to their original position in order to perform vibrato. More advanced models, developed by mechanic (and motorcycle designer) Paul Adelburt Bigsby, began to be used in the 40s. The story goes that Bigsby met country musician Merle Travis, who complained about the poor quality of the vibrato on his guitar. Realizing the problem, Bigsby designed his own version, which is still used on many guitars today.

Bigsby vibrato on Chet Atkins' signature Gretsch guitar.

The disadvantage of early vibrato models was their inability to keep the guitar in tune. This was explained by the friction of the strings against the lower sill. That is, the nut divides the string into two parts, the tension in which is the same (or proportional). When working with a lever, first of all, the tension becomes weaker in the area that is closer to the lever mechanism. The second part of the string after the nut “reacts” with a delay due to friction against the nut. The same thing happens exactly the opposite when the lever returns to its original position. After working with a lever, the tension of the string on the “working area” - the scale - is not always the same as it was before. Modern guitars use graphite lubricant, which reduces friction, or roller bridges, the inlays on which are replaced with rollers.

While developing the Stratocaster, Leo Fender decided to create his own vibrato system for it, eliminating the shortcomings of the systems (in particular, tuning instability) that existed in those years (according to one version, he did not want to install a Bigsby due to the large size of the mechanism, since the guitar with a solid body was narrow). He decided not to separate the vibrato mechanism and the bridge. He called the resulting product a “synchronized tremolo.” Synchronized was supposed to indicate that it was in tune well, and the tremolo... well, Leo was not a musician and did not understand the terminology. But after the appearance of Stratocasters on the market, this mechanism began to be commonly called a tremolo. Unlike the Bigsby, on the Fender model the springs that return the mechanism to its original position were not located at the front of the body, but at the back, covered with a plastic panel. Friction problems have now arisen on the upper sill, but they can be solved in the same way - lubrication and roller sills. In addition, to reduce friction, Leo Fender placed the tuners on the headstock in such a way that there was as little bending of the string before and after the nut as possible.

Modern vibrato system on a Stratocaster, front view.

Springs on the back of the Stratocaster. Usually covered with a plastic panel, but many guitarists remove this to gain access to adjustment bolts that allow them to change spring tension

Less bending means less friction

The next step was the development of locking tremolos, eliminating friction completely. After tuning the guitar, the strings on the top nut are pressed against metal plates using bolts. Fine adjustments are made on the vibrato mechanism itself, similar to the tuning of many bowed instruments. From a mechanical point of view, this is perhaps the most ideal option. Although the disadvantages include the heavy weight of the mechanism, which reacts to the position of the instrument in space. It is enough to tilt the guitar so that the body is parallel to the floor, and its tuning will change. The second disadvantage is that changing strings and tuning takes a lot of time. This system was developed by Floyd Rose and has been used on guitars since the mid-seventies. It is especially popular in hard rock.

Other vibrato systems are based to varying degrees on one of three main types. Each of the options for attaching strings has its own characteristics, its pros and cons, so it is impossible to say unequivocally which option is better. A rigid landing dampens vibrations less, resulting in higher sustain. Although I will not limit myself to the concept of sustain.

I once had a guitar with a loose neck. The chord struck fell into several separate sounds, which somehow harmonized weakly with each other. Each note sounded separately from the other; there was no “density” of sound that you would expect when playing a chord. This is how you can roughly describe the sound of a guitar with a rigid fit - it is somewhat denser compared to guitars that have a vibrato system (although, as with a neck-through design, it is better to consider each instrument individually). The advantages of this design also include the ability to quickly change strings, unlike the Floyd Rose system. A guitar with a rigid bridge can be recommended for musicians who do not include artistic elements obtained through vibrato, such as rhythm guitarists.

The process of tuning a guitar with vibrato is a little more complicated than on guitars with a rigid bridge position. The tension forces of the strings are counteracted by the tension force of the springs. Let's assume that the first string is tuned lower than expected. Let's try to tighten it up. The string will tighten the entire tremolo mechanism, while weakening the tension of the remaining strings. We tighten the rest - the first string weakens. The tuning process can be started all over again until the balance of all forces is found. It is recommended that the working surface of the vibrato be parallel to the body of the guitar (meaning a system whose springs are located on the back side of the guitar, if in the initial position it does not lie tightly on the body). This can be achieved by tensioning or loosening the springs. Although it is enough to adjust the spring tension once and for the rest of your life, the main thing is to change the strings to ones of equal thickness.

I can't make any recommendations regarding vibrato systems. You need to get used to each system; each has its own advantages, disadvantages and features of use. There are many guitarists who have successfully used completely different systems, many of whom have created their own unique sound. Ideally, it is better to try all possible options and decide what is closer to you as a musician.

The principle of vibrato is the balance of tension forces.

Now let's talk about electronics. There are two main types of magnetic pickups - single coils and humbuckers. Singles- these are pickups that represent one single coil(hence the name) have two outputs - signal and ground (Hot and Ground). They handle high frequencies well and have a weak output signal compared to humbuckers. They are good to use on a clean sound or on a weak overload; on a strong overload, the sound has a too sharp top... although everything is possible in music, no one can prohibit anything. Yngwie Malmsteen works very successfully with this sound.

The disadvantage of single-coils is their tendency to pick up electromagnetic interference, which is unwanted noise (once, using a guitar, I managed to catch a radio broadcast, albeit in poor quality). Of course, pickup manufacturers try to deal with excess noise as best they can, but it is not always possible to eliminate it, although it can be reduced to a slight minimum.

Even at the dawn of the development of electric guitars, they began to use dual pickups, consisting of two separate coils, the windings of which have opposite directions relative to each other, in addition, the poles of the magnets are directed in different directions relative to the adjacent coil. Electromagnetic interference operates in antiphase and cancels each other out; the useful signal, on the contrary, is summed up. This type of pickups is called humbucker(humbucker - noise canceling). It usually has a more powerful output signal compared to a single-coil, well-developed mids and lows, and a cut-off top. The sound of a humbucker is often referred to in everyday life as fat and warm. It performs well on overdriven sound because it is easier to bring the overdrive effects to a buzzing level with a powerful signal, and a strongly roaring overdriven sound with a well-developed midrange seems more pleasant than a high-frequency sound, which some people (especially older generations) may perceive as the sound of foam rubbing against glass . Sometimes humbuckers are available in single-coil format. This is great for Stratocaster enthusiasts who don't want to mess up a classic design with a milling machine to fit a more powerful, bulkier pickup. Most humbuckers have 4 terminals, two for each coil. By installing additional switches, the humbucker can be equipped with additional capabilities, for example, turning off one of the coils to get a single-coil sound, connecting the coils in parallel, and the sound will be higher frequency with a smaller output signal and with less interference. For single-coil sound lovers who want to get rid of noise, DiMarzio has released the Virtual vintage series. These pickups operate similar to humbuckers, but have a very small signal and high frequency spectrum. Many guitarists experiment with changing pickups to find their tone.

Pickups are also divided into active and passive. Passive ones convert the vibrations of the strings into a signal that can immediately be applied to the input of the amplifier. Active pickups have a built-in pre-amplifier, which in turn requires additional power, most often from a Krona battery, which is installed on the guitar. The advantages of active electronics include a powerful output signal and a low signal-to-noise ratio. Disadvantages - high cost, additional source nutrition. Many guitarists report a lower dynamic range, less transparent sound. Basically, active pickups are in demand among metalheads because they perform very well on heavily overloaded sound. On the contrary, lovers of pure sound most often prefer passive electronics. In fact, there are many varieties of pickups that have the above principles of operation, but differ from each other in output signal, impedance, and frequency characteristics, so the choice of electronics is practically unlimited.

The character of the sound is affected by the position of the pickup. At the bridge (bridge position) the timbre is sharper, at the neck (neck position) it is softer. Often guitars come with more than one pickup. It is recommended to place a pickup with a more powerful output at the stand than at the neck, since the vibration amplitude of the strings at the neck is much higher.

JacksonSL1TSoloist with three pickups

(to be continued)

prepared the material Leonid Reingardt