Inside Acoustic Guitar Diagram
How Bracing Affects Guitar Quality
A major contributor to the tone quality and strength of an acoustic guitar is the construction. This inside acoustic guitar diagram shows the parts of a quality acoustic guitar. Below the diagram the parts are defined and explanations of how they affect the guitars performance. Beginner guitars are not usually braced this well. For information on how to pick the best acoustic guitar for your playing requirements and skill level visit the guitar buyer's guide acoustic guitar section here:
How to Make the Best Choice for an Acoustic Guitar
Guitar bracing serves two functions ... it strengthens the guitar, and the size, shape, and angles of the bracing can be used to "color" the tone.Cheap beginner guitars use pieces of scrap wood usually pine or another low quality softwood. Top quality acoustic guitars primarily use high density spruce, with the grain aligned vertically. The grain is vertical because the wood is quartersawn, which makes it much more difficult to break than weak wood with no particular grain alignment. The high strength to weight ratio means that the braces can be scalloped as shown in the inside acoustic guitar diagram. The lighter weight braces allow the soundboard to vibrate more freely, which gives the guitar a fuller, warmer, and richer tone. The braces in low quality guitars are there only for strength ...and because of their grain orientation do a poor job of it.
Purpose and Definitions of the Guitar's Bracing
X-Brace: This is the main brace which forms an X pattern just below the sound hole. The degree of the X shape contributes to the balance between treble and bass tones ... a lesser degree raises the treble, and a wider splay increases the bass.Soundhole: The sound hole's size also contributes to the tone. The larger the sound hole the more treble. Neck Block: Sometimes called the top block. This is where the neck fits into, either by tenons or screws. Tenons are usually more conducive to sound transmit-ion. Tail Block: sometimes called the bottom block. The main purpose is for strength at the bottom of the guitar, and for tail pin support. Lining: The lining's main purpose is to widen the gluing area for the attachment of the soundboard and the back to the sides. Most lining has many small saw cuts to facilitate bending and is called kerfed lining. Tone Bars: They strengthen the lower section of the guitar body(lower bout), and to balance the treble and bass tones. Treble Braces: These strengthen the top and increase the treble. Cross Strut: The cross strut strengthens the top under the fretboard. It's thick due to the high tension the neck exerts on the top in this area. Soundboard: This is the main vibrating plate of an acoustic guitar, and produces most of the sound. Top quality soundboards are quartersawn, which makes them stronger so they can be thinned more for better resonance. Bridge Plate: This strengthens the area under the bridge, and provides a hard surface so the ball ends of the strings don't wear through the relatively soft top. Cheap beginner guitars sometimes use softwood, which doesn't hold up well. Side Bracing: These are usually only found on guitars with sides tend to crack such as Brazilian Rosewood.
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