Guitar Bodies
The center of balance for the guitar is the guitar body. Proper proportions are vital for headstock and neck weight. The various finishes, wood types, and guitar styles available to guitarists offer a wide range of sounds and music creation experiences.
What is guitar body binding?Guitar body binding is an applied trim to the instrument. The binding serves as a finishing touch to seal the edges of the top, back, and side of the body. Some binding includes a decorative finish and is called a purfling. These decorative trims create a signature touch to the guitar body design.
What different types of guitar bodies are there?- Dreadnought: These guitar bodies are highly versatile. They have a balance of volume, size, and playing ease. The neck is attached at the fourteenth fret.
- Parlor: As one of the smaller guitar bodies available, parlor guitars are favored among indie and folk enthusiasts. The neck is attached at the twelveth fret on this guitar.
- Jumbo: Much as the name sounds, jumbo guitars reverberate big, bold melodies.
Choosing a guitar body can be overwhelming with so many guitar body styles available. Here are some beginning factors to consider:
- Select a size: Dreadnought, Auditorium, Parlor, Jumbo
- Select a style: Acoustic, Electric, Classical
- Select a finish: High gloss, Satin, Dull or Flat Finish
- Select a type of wood: Maple Wood, Mahogany Wood, Rosewood, Alder, and Ebony are a few choices available.
If you are revitalizing older, already painted bodies, or customizing new unfinished bodies, here are some helpful pointers about custom painting work:
- Remove old paint and finish - If your guitar already has paint on it, you will need to remove it and sand it down before applying your custom paint.
- Seal and prep surface - You will need to apply a coat of sealer and a base color before you do any custom work or designs.
- Choose paint type - Common types of paint are polyester, polyurethane, and nitrocellulose. Polyester and polyurethane paints give a durable, almost plastic finish after painting. Nitrocellulose paints are thinner and lighter. Allowing the painting to dry and reapplying three to seven coats of paint is ideal.
- Apply a clear finishing coat - To seal the newly applied paint, you must apply a clear lacquer gloss coat. This will protect the paint and provide a shiny gloss finish.