Parts of a Custom Archtop Guitar

Even if you are a seasoned musician, you might not know all of the technical terms when it comes to a custom archtop guitar. Here is a quick rundown of the most commonly used terms.

Action – the height between the strings and the fretboard.

Archtop – this is a type of acoustic guitar that has an arched soundboard and is usually favored by jazz guitarists.

Bridge – the portion of the guitar’s body where the strings are attached and the saddle is held.

Fret – a strip of metal that is placed on the fretboard to indicate the location of notes for the guitar strings.

Intonation – an instrument’s ability to play and hold the correct note.

Luthier – a craftsman who builds guitars.

Neck – the long piece that extends from the body of the guitar; it contains the frets and fret markers, which identify where to press a string to produce a specific note.

Nut – a slotted bar that is rigid and used to separate and raise the guitar’s strings. It is located at the top of the fretboard. At the other end is the part known as the saddle. Together, they both keep the strings elevated off of the fretboard, which allows them to vibrate and create sustained notes.

Pick guard – this is a usually colorful overlay that protects the body finish from damage that can be caused by a pick or fingernail. They are usually made out of plastic.

Saddle – this is a rigid bar at the other end of the strings from the nut. It is located near the base of the guitar, which is embedded in the bridge. 

Tuning – when you adjust the guitar’s tuning keys until a specific string vibrates at the correct frequency and sounds the proper note or notes.

For more information on purchasing a custom archtop guitar, call Fine Archtops at 612-366-7120 or Contact Us.

Considerations When Buying a Custom Archtop Guitar

When you are in the market to buy a custom archtop guitar, you have to consider a few things before deciding on a final product. Custom archtop guitar luthiers are a great resource for answering questions about these types of guitars.

Custom archtop guitar luthiers understand these instruments and know them through and through. The luthiers will know what size, what type of pick up and what finish will suit your guitar-playing needs the best. 

Size

Custom archtop guitar luthiers will be able to help you choose what size guitar to purchase. They will ask you questions about your playing style to help them determine what size will be the best for you.

Pickup

There are two types of guitar pickups: floating and mounted. The type of pickup your guitar ends up with depends on the type of guitar and the type of acoustics you are trying to achieve.

Scale Length

Yet another thing to think about and discuss with custom archtop guitar luthiers, this is definitely up to each individual musician. For example, if you have small hands, you might want a shorter scale length.

Finish

What you are using your guitar for, how it will be stored and how it will be handled are all things to consider and will factor into your final decision. Again, custom archtop guitar luthiers can help you decided what type of finish is best for your guitar.

Use

What will you be using this guitar for? Will you just be playing it at home, or do you plan to entertain an audience? And, if so, what size audience? Custom archtop guitar luthiers might want to know this information because it will determine what your finished product will look like when all is said and done.

For more information on custom archtop guitar luthiers, call Fine Archtops at 612-366-7120 or Contact Us.