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History of Guitars

The Guitar comes from the classical instrument called the lyre used in classical antiquity, invented by the Hittites around 1500 BC. The Greek poets used it to accompany their verses with this instrument. On some occasions, they used picks to play it, the same way with guitars.

Around 3,400 years ago, the first signs of a guitar-like instrument appeared in Asia Minor and the Middle East. Later, in the year 1000 a. C in Syria, the kettarah was born, a stringed musical instrument made up of a wooden box with an oval shape, but it did not have a neck.

In India, this instrument was called sitar, and it originated the term guitar. Around the 13th century, the first version of the guitar appeared, which had three pairs of strings and an additional one responsible for providing a little more acute sounds.

By the 14th century, medieval musicians of French origin, such as Eustache Deschamps and Guillaume de Machaut, did musical works using the term Guiterna, which when translated was the guitar.

In the 16th century, especially in Spain, many compositions for guitar started to show up. In addition, this instrument became popular and widely used by musicians as an accompaniment to other musical instruments.

Around this time in history, the Arabs added the neck to it and called it Laúd, which means “wood,” and then the Spanish turned it into a lute. Next, they developed the guitar strumming technique, straightened the neck to give way to the vihuela.

The guitar did not participate in classical music concerts because it was unsuitable for that musical genre, unlike the vihuela, played throughout the Spanish empire, in chapels, taverns, and royal courts.

At the beginning of the 18th century, Jacob Otto made a critical modification to the guitar model that existed, adding one more string. For this reason, this instrument has six strings; in addition, there is a change in the modern tuning and in the way of playing it, as well as changes in the structure that made it the classical guitar.

In 1850, Antonio Torres Jurado created the first Spanish guitar; Torres Jurado based its design on the mandolin's modification made by Gaetano Vinaccia in 1779. The instrument created by Jurado served as building blocks of the modern guitar as it is known today.

In the 19th century, the guitar was adapted for the plucking and strumming technique, becoming a concert instrument. It also arrived in the United States, introducing changes to its structure and the flamenco guitar emerged.

At the turn of the 20th century, it became one of the most important and most used instruments globally because it adapts to any environment and is very easy to use.

Thanks to technological advances, in this part of history, the American Leo Fender created the first electric guitar, becoming the protagonist of jazz, rock & roll, blues, funk, punk, pop, and metal.

Through the years, the guitar has suffered variations in its shape and the number of strings. It has been adapted to the needs of the interpreter until it reaches its current form.

The instrument has been made almost entirely of wood. Different types of wood are used today, including mahogany, Indian rosewood, spruce, Canadian cedar, cypress, ebony, and pine.

Source: guitarrasgarridopozuelo.com

Guitar Manufacture Process

There are many different types of guitars all having their own quirks in the manufacturing process. For simplicity this is how an acoustic guitar is made. Most steps and processes are carried across to different types of guitars so knowing how one is made helps understand most.

Today, acoustic guitars are manufactured carefully in a step-by-step process. Perhaps the most important step in the construction of a guitar is in the selection of the woods used to make the instrument. The back and sides of the guitar are usually made using East Indian or Brazilian rosewood, or in less expensive instruments, maple, ash or alder or mahogany.

The neck of the instrument is usually made from maple or mahogany. The type of wood used in making the instrument does have an effect on the sound, so finicky musicians will select their instruments carefully, based on wood choice, as well as the reputation of the manufacturer.

Once the woods are selected, the shape of the top and back of the guitar are cut in its distinguishable figure-eight design. Sound holes are then cut on the top of the instrument. The sides are steamed to enable them to bend, and then the wood is dried in shape. Once dried, the top, bottom and sides are glued together.

The neck of a guitar may be hand carved or manufactured using a cutter. After the neck is carved, the fingerboard is added and attached to the instrument. Frets are then attached to the fingerboard and then the tuners are placed on the guitar.

Once all the components of the guitar are in place, the instrument goes through a finishing process. Nitrocellulose polyurethane is applied in layers on the guitar. The finish protects the instrument from damager but is also used for sound quality.

After finishing, the neck of the guitar is added and bolted or glued into place. Finally, strings are attached and the guitar is ready to be played.

Source: www.shinemusic.com.au