In the market for a new electric guitar? If so were you aware that the majority of electric guitars available today are comprised of multi-piece bodies, often 2-3 pieces, but in some cases 5 pieces or even more?
Should that be something you take into account when buying a new guitar?
Does this have any influence on the sound of your guitar? Or does having a guitar body constructed from multiple pieces of wood make no discernible difference?
In the following article, we’re going to delve into the world of multi-piece guitar bodies, exploring how this construction technique not only has an influence on the aesthetic appeal of these instruments but also additional aspects such as sound production, durability, cost, and environmental sustainability.
Understanding Multi-Piece Guitar Bodies
I can still remember my first electric guitar, a Squier Super Strat, which I picked up for a couple of hundred dollars. The guitar actually played and sounded decent for the money. But there was a problem, it was hot pink. Being left-handed I wasn’t exactly spoilt for choice when it came to the color, but being a highly impressionable 14-year-old boy that color was never going to sit well with me for long.
In what became my first attempt at working on an electric guitar I decided to remove all the components, strip the paint, and refinish the guitar. However, to my initial shock, once I removed the garish pink finish I discovered the guitar was made up of about 5 individual pieces of wood. Essentially once stripped the body looked cheaply made.
While my first impression was to think that this was a sign of an inferior guitar, I remember asking around about multi-piece guitar bodies and soon discovered that in the context of electric guitar construction, multi-piece bodies were very common, and even offered some advantages.
Advantages of Multi-Piece Guitar Bodies
Improved Stability and Durability
One of the most significant advantages of multi-piece guitar bodies lies in their improved stability and durability, particularly regarding resistance to warping.
Warping in guitar bodies, often caused by changes in humidity and temperature, can affect both the playability and the longevity of the instrument. In single-piece guitar bodies, this issue is more pronounced due to the uniform direction of the wood grain, making them more susceptible.
In contrast, multi-piece bodies are often designed by strategically combining wood pieces with varying grain patterns. This approach is akin to an architectural reinforcement strategy, where the differing grain directions in the joined wood pieces counterbalance each other’s natural tendencies to expand or contract. As a result, the overall structure becomes more resistant to the forces that cause warping.
Cost-Effectiveness
The cost-effectiveness of multi-piece guitar bodies is also a significant advantage, especially in a market where both quality and affordability are key considerations for consumers. This construction method allows for the creation of high-quality guitars at a more budget-friendly price point, making superior instruments accessible to a wider range of guitarists.
The primary factor contributing to the cost-effectiveness of multi-piece bodies is the efficient use of materials. In traditional single-piece guitar bodies, large and often expensive slabs of premium tonewood are required. These pieces not only need to be sizeable but also free of imperfections, which naturally drives up the cost.
Multi-piece construction, however, allows manufacturers to take advantage of smaller, less expensive pieces of wood, including those that might be discarded in the production of single-piece bodies. The cost savings realized in the production process can be passed on to the consumer, making higher-quality guitars more affordable.
Environmental Sustainability
As some preferred tonewoods become scarcer and more expensive due to over-harvesting and environmental regulations, multi-piece construction emerges as a more ecologically responsible approach to guitar making.
One of the key advantages of multi-piece bodies is their ability to utilize smaller pieces of wood, which might otherwise be considered waste in the production of single-piece bodies. By repurposing smaller offcuts and combining them, guitar makers can minimize waste and make the most out of their available resources. This approach aligns with broader environmental goals, such as reducing deforestation and preserving biodiversity.
Additionally, multi-piece construction opens up the possibility of incorporating reclaimed or non-traditional materials into guitar bodies. Reclaimed wood, which can come from old furniture, buildings, or other wooden structures, offers an environmentally friendly alternative to cutting down new trees.
The inclusion of less traditional woods in multi-piece guitar bodies is another sustainable practice. As the guitar-making industry expands its horizons beyond the classic tonewoods, it reduces pressure on these species, many of which are facing sustainability issues. Exploring a broader range of wood types not only diversifies the tonal palette available to musicians but also supports more sustainable forestry practices.
Disadvantages of Multi-Piece Guitar Bodies
While multi-piece guitar bodies offer several advantages, there are also some potential disadvantages that need to be considered, especially in terms of aesthetics, perceived tonal differences, and perceived value.
Aesthetics
Challenges with Transparent Finishes
- Inconsistencies in Wood Grain and Color: One of the aesthetic challenges with multi-piece guitar bodies, especially when finished with transparent finishes, lies in the potential inconsistencies in wood grain and color. Unlike single-piece bodies where the grain flows uniformly across the guitar body, multi-piece bodies can exhibit noticeable variations where different wood pieces meet. This can lead to a less cohesive look, which might not be appealing to some guitarists who prefer the natural, uninterrupted beauty of a single wood grain pattern.
- Joint Visibility: Transparent finishes, which are often used to highlight the natural beauty of the wood, can also draw attention to the joints between different wood pieces. While some may appreciate the distinctiveness this brings, others may view it as a detraction from the guitar’s aesthetic appeal. The visibility of joints can interrupt the smooth visual flow of the wood, potentially making the guitar look segmented or pieced together, rather than a single, cohesive instrument. This can sometimes be observed on fully opaque guitars also.
Tone Quality and Sustain
The debate over the impact of multi-piece guitar bodies on tone and sustain is a hotly debated one within the guitar community. The core of this discussion revolves around the physics of sound transmission within the guitar body. In a single-piece body, for example, the wood’s natural grain allows for a uniform and uninterrupted transmission of vibrations, potentially leading to a purer tone and longer sustain.
However, in multi-piece bodies, the joints between different wood sections can introduce points of resistance. This resistance can slightly alter the way vibrations travel through the guitar, potentially affecting the instrument’s tonal quality and sustain. While some argue that this can lead to a reduction in sustain, others contend that the effect is unnoticeable, especially when taking into account all the contributing factors of an electric guitar’s sound.
The Subjective Nature of Tone Perception: The perception of tonal quality is highly subjective and varies from one musician to another. While some guitarists may sense a difference in the tonal characteristics of multi-piece bodies, others may find the variations either negligible or even preferable, depending on their personal taste and the style of music they play. This subjective experience means that what is observed visually, and considered a disadvantage by some might be seen as a distinctive tonal feature by others.
Perceived Value and Authenticity
Traditional Views on Guitar Authenticity
In the world of electric guitars, single-piece guitar bodies are held in high esteem by some, often associating them with a certain level of authenticity and value.
This perception is deeply rooted in the history of electric guitar manufacturing, where the early and iconic models typically featured single-piece bodies. These instruments set a benchmark for quality and tone, which many purists and traditionalists still adhere to. As such, single-piece bodies are often seen as the gold standard, embodying the ‘true’ essence of what an electric guitar should be.
Authenticity Concerns
The introduction of multi-piece guitar bodies has, at times, also raised questions about the authenticity and craftsmanship of these instruments. The deviation from the traditional single-piece construction is sometimes viewed as a compromise, with concerns that multi-piece bodies might not live up to the standards set by their single-piece counterparts. This skepticism can be particularly pronounced among collectors and enthusiasts who value historical accuracy and traditional craftsmanship in their instruments.
Perceived Purity in Construction
For some, the allure of a single-piece guitar body lies in its perceived purity. The uninterrupted grain pattern and the absence of joints are often equated with a more ‘organic’ and ‘unaltered’ state of the instrument.
In contrast, multi-piece bodies, with their visible seams and combination of different woods, can sometimes be seen as less pure or authentic in the eyes of these purists. This viewpoint, really only concerns guitars with a transparent finish as multi-piece bodies can’t be seen on fully opaque guitars.
Final Thoughts
Should You Be Concerned about Multi-piece Guitar Construction?
In a word, not really.
While there are numerous factors to consider, the structural advantages of multi-piece bodies, such as improved stability, durability, and cost-effectiveness, are compelling reasons to embrace this construction method. While there are some (perceived) potential tonal differences when compared to single-piece bodies, these may even be advantageous, depending on personal preferences and playing styles.
Aesthetically, the main consideration with multi-piece bodies arises when a transparent finish is used. In these instances, the visible joints and variations in wood grain can be more apparent, which might not align with everyone’s visual preferences. However, this is largely a matter of personal taste, and many find the distinctive look of multi-piece bodies to be a positive attribute, adding character and uniqueness to the instrument.
