Finishing Techniques: Glossy vs. Matte The first guitar in the image above has a glossy finish, which is shiny and reflective. The second has a matte finish, which is more subdued and has a slightly textured feel.

The Soundhole: The soundhole is the passage through which sound resonates from the guitar's soundbox. Notice the small hole inside the soundhole? You can adjust the neck's curvature with an Allen wrench through this hole.

If climate changes cause slight fret buzz, you can make adjustments:

- Turning towards the thinner strings lowers the action.

- Turning towards the thicker strings raises the action. Be cautious and adjust in 15-degree increments to avoid over-adjusting.

Identifying Solid Wood vs. Laminate: When visiting a physical store, it's crucial to know how to distinguish between solid wood (single-ply) and laminate guitars.

Laminate: Made from compressed wood chips and particles glued together. Solid Wood: Made from natural wood, categorized into three types:

- Solid Top: Only the top is made of solid wood.

- Solid Sides and Top: Both the top and sides are made of solid wood.

- Solid All-Around: The top, sides, and back are all made of solid wood.

a laminate guitar

a solid wood guitar

Laminate guitars are usually cheaper than solid wood ones, but not always. To avoid being misled by unscrupulous sellers:

1. Listen to the Sound: Laminate guitars, due to their compressed wood construction and glue, have less resonance, resulting in a duller sound with shorter sustain. Solid wood guitars have a dynamic sound with longer sustain and a pleasing tone. However, this method is challenging for beginners who can't play yet. Let's try another approach.

2. Examine the Soundhole: Natural wood has growth rings. The first image shows a laminate, and the second shows a solid wood guitar. You can clearly see the growth rings in the solid wood guitar.(see pictures above)

Myth 3: Solid Wood is Always Better than Laminate: While it's generally true that solid wood guitars are superior and more expensive, in recent years, some merchants have exploited this misconception among beginners to promote so-called high-value, low-cost solid wood guitars. These guitars might be priced similarly to, or even lower than, some good laminate guitars. As a novice, you must understand that a guitar's quality isn't solely determined by whether it's "solid wood" or "laminate." Factors like design, craftsmanship, wood grade, and overall quality all influence a guitar's quality.

Laminate guitars aren't without their merits. They are more stable and less prone to warping or cracking. For beginners who may not know how to maintain a guitar and have a limited budget, choosing a laminate is a wise decision.

On the other hand, those cheap solid wood guitars, made to cut costs, can hardly be expected to use high-quality wood. The workmanship is often questionable, and the sound is mediocre. A cheap solid wood guitar equals laminate sound quality, unstable construction, and poor craftsmanship.

If there ever comes a time when a solid wood guitar at the same price can truly outperform a laminate, I'll be the first to recommend it! But chances are, the market will naturally phase out the laminate at the same price point, as market laws dictate. So, don't try to cut corners!

Pickguard: Located below the soundhole, the pickguard serves to protect the top from scratches during play.

guitar pickguard

Not all guitars have a pickguard design; they are more common on acoustic guitars. Classical guitars typically don't have pickguards, and many modern acoustics also omit them for a cleaner look. You can buy and attach a pickguard yourself.

Below is an image of a classical guitar, with an acoustic guitar in the top right corner. They're awkwardly placed together for a comparison shot.

classical guitar VS acoustic guitar

Bridge: The bridge features a saddle (the white strip) and bridge pins (the black cones). It's another component that secures the strings, which are anchored at the headstock and the bridge. In reality, the bridge has six holes, which are not visible in the picture. The bridge pins pass through these holes to secure the strings. Also, check that the bridge is firmly glued to the top. 

guitar bridge