For beginners selecting guitars, consider the following steps to ensure a wise purchase and avoid being misled (Chapter 8 -END)

For beginners selecting guitars, consider the following steps to ensure a wise purchase and avoid being misled (Chapter 8 -END)


The Soundbox: Now, let's talk about the soundbox, which is key to the guitar's sound.


Choosing a Guitar: First, check the specifications:


- What's the top made of?

    

- What about the back and sides?

    

- The fretboard, neck, strings...

    


Why are colored practice guitars or painted ones often discouraged? Because it can hide inferior wood.


Since guitars are wooden instruments, the bonding of joints determines their lifespan.


Inspect for any glue or loose joints. A soundbox that sounds harsh or short indicates poor bonding, and such a guitar won't last long.


The Top: The top is where the guitar's resonance originates. The sound primarily depends on the top and strings. The quality of the top directly affects the sound. We won't delve into the internal bracing structure.


Materials: Common woods include spruce and cedar. It's not a matter of which is better or worse; they just have different sound characteristics. Spruce offers a bright tone, while cedar is warmer. Of course, the grade of wood makes a big difference—wood dried for six months versus ten years will sound vastly different.


It might sound complex, but remember this: With brand-name guitars, you generally get what you pay for.



solid wood guitar




Back and Sides: The most common materials for the back and sides are mahogany and rosewood.


The first guitar in the image below use rosewood for the back and sides, 


solid wood
rosewood / high gloss finished




while the second has sapele (a relative of mahogany).


laminate guitar
Sapele wood  /  satin finished




Visually, they're quite distinct. Rosewood is darker, and mahogany is yellowish.


You'll notice that, generally, within the same brand, rosewood guitars tend to be a few hundred RMB more expensive than mahogany ones. Does this mean rosewood is better? Not necessarily. It's due to the cost of the wood. Mahogany is more abundant and thus cheaper, but that doesn't mean it's inferior.


Let's compare their characteristics:


- Mahogany has a strong mid-range and a warm sound.

    

- Rosewood has a full frequency range and a rich, deep sound.


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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.

    


solid wood guitar
a laminate guitar


solid wood
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.


laminate guitar
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.


solid wood guitar
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. 



solid wood
guitar bridge



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