The history of the Electric guitar
Adaptation through Social and Technical factors.
What makes a guitar?
Origin of the Guitar
The history of the guitar is moderately hazy as many different sources site differing dates and locations for the origin of the guitar. Some sources cite its origins rooted in the 12th century while some say it was the 15th century. There are also many different civilizations that are said to have invented the guitar; or at least a guitar like instrument. These include the Greeks and the Egyptians. From collaborating the sources it would be understandable to claim that the guitar originated in Spain sometime between the 13 and 14th century. While many other strung instruments were around at the time already but they did not show the traits of being a ‘Guitar’; this being stated as having ‘long, fretted neck, flat wooden soundboard, ribs, and a flat back, most often with in curved sides’ as discussed by a professor researching the history of guitars.
The first guitar was designed in a style not dissimilar to other guitar-like instruments at the time. It was small and had a body made from shell or other similar items. Its neck was strung with strings not dissimilar to bowstrings. Despite these strange items it still produced a sound that was pleasing. Pleasing enough to warrant its use, even today.
The electric counterpart was created around the 1930’s with the intention of being more defining and more notable in a musical ensemble.
The use of a guitar in an ensemble is mostly for accompaniment and is usually the third or forth member of an ensemble, although they are more likely to appear higher in the hierarchy in jazz, pop and rock groups.
The Parts of a Guitar
The electric guitar is comprised of many parts, sharing some with its acoustic and classical cousins. The similarity it has includes the head and tuning pegs.
These are usually used to adjust how tort the stings of a guitar are. The different tort of string produces the different tones of the strings. While this is greatly important for an acoustic guitar it is less important, in terms of tone, for an electric guitar. In this case its more just ensuring the stability of the strings.
The nut is also present on both and acts as the border between the head and neck of the instrument. In this case, the nut is used to affix the strings in their required horizontal position while allowing it to be sorted in the correct locations to allow for proper tuning. Upon the long neck of the electric guitar is the fret board, containing frets. These frets and fret board play a vital role in playing the instrument. By compressing strings on the fret and strumming it is possible to create a different sound and is the primary way of producing chords on the guitar.
Further down is the scratch plate where the pick of the musician and possibly strings may reach. It is wise to have this as it helps to protect the main body of the guitar from sustaining damage. The different knobs and adjustments located near the base of the electric guitar control the sound outputted from the guitar.
Pickups
Guitar pickups are apparently a small box containing a magnetised coil of copper wire.
This wire generates a magnetic field around the location of the string. The Pickup follows the vibration and current of the strings being played and causes the charge of the string to be changed as the string passes over the Pickup. This allows the tone of the string to be changed at a specific location meaning that multiple tones can be achieved through moving the playing field. These boxes can be set on top of the bar or are actually fitted into the guitars body. The signal is then transmitted through the system to the tone and volume circuits. Once this signal has been adjusted it then gets outputted before entering the amplifier.
Bridge and Tailpiece
The Bridge occurs at the bottom of the guitar, past the sound hole or scratch plate. While it’s obvious job is to support and strengthen the strings to actually allow for the instrument to be played, it has another, crucial job. The bridge absorbs the vibrations of the strings and transmits them to other parts of the instrument.
This is what makes the guitar actually sound like an instrument and not merely the sound of vibrating metal or nylon. The tailpiece also assist in the job of the bridge, acting as the actual strings anchor, meaning it needs to take the combined and repetitive stress of the guitarist.
Vibrato Arm
Electric Guitar example
Neck
The guitar’s neck is a long appendage that protrudes from the main body of the guitar. Located on the neck is the fret board, the locations of the pitch changing frets. The length of wood from nut to bridge always decides the neck. The longer the neck, the further away the frets. The shorter the neck the frets are closer together.
The neck has to take the main strain of the strings and is also marked with markings to how the locations of frets and octaves. It is also important that the neck of the guitar is rigid as this helps to regulate the pitch and tone of the strings during the playing and tuning of the guitar.
Acoustic Guitar Example
The Materials of a Guitar
The main material to make a guitar is wood. Many types of wood too. The woods are mostly hard woods, as they tend to keep their strength and durability without affecting the sound. Apart from this, there are less hard woods that guitars can be made of. These woods work as well as the more flexible movement allows it to be easily moulded and is more comfortable for the guitarist. Common woods include Mahogany, Ash, Maple, Basswood, Alder, Poplar, Walnut, and Spruce. However, any wood from around the world can be used to create guitars.
On the String side there are different types of string that can be employed. In the original generations of guitars it would be actual strings, however nowadays strings can be made using of nylon or steel. Nylon is much more flexible and can gain a much longer held note with this. The downside is the sound it produced being quite similar to the sound of chord as well as the fine balance between the strings tightness.
The common electric guitar choice and some acoustic and bass choices are steel or nylon plated steel. These comprise of the metal being coiled into tight loops to allow for it be flexible yet have its loops ridged. These strings are much more earthy in their sound and are much more adaptable to the guitar. It is important to consider the materials used to make the guitar as it affects the sound of the actual guitar.
The different types of strings have different retention rates they work best at as well as how they vibrate, and for how long. The benefits of the wood have already been briefly mentioned however there is also the sound quality to consider. The different woods will affect the vibrations that are sent through the body as well as released through the sound hole.
Examples of Guitars
Frying Pan
Log
The log was born from Les Paul’s idea to create an inbuilt amplifier using a custom made microphone and a records needle. This original test did not prove very successful as it created significant feedback when used. He tried many ways to try and perfect his design, including plaster of Paris, metal and giving the main body ‘Wings’; this was done to try and reduce the feedback, make it accessible to play and to stay within the design that music fans had come to recognise. His design did not have initial success until he met with Ted Macarty who accepted the idea and helped Les to produce the design in the late 1930 to 1940 time. The makeup of the guitar consisted of the amplifier being set on pine wood blocks with aesthetic sections on the sides. When this was completed the guitar style was applied. In actuality only the central section has significant musical use.