How an Acoustic Guitar is Made

Christopher C. Babcock, MD, DMD, is a Louisville resident and an experienced maxillofacial and oral surgeon. He is a member of multiple dental communities, including the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Dental Association. Not only does Christopher Babcock work with teeth, but he also enjoys playing the guitar.

Before an acoustic guitar is played, it must first exist. Luthiers are what we call people who craft things from wood, and they are the people responsible for creating acoustic guitars. Making one can be a complicated process; this only briefly describes the essentials.

The first step to making one is gathering the raw materials needed (the tonewoods). The wood for the fretboard, neck, body, and bridge must be selected with care because different materials all result in different sounds.

Next is the mould. A mould is a template that the guitar body would look like. A Luthier can make a mould from scratch, and less experienced people can buy from them or order it online. The soundhole location is then selected and drilled.

The guitar’s back is then coupled with wood type, size, and depth depending on the maker’s preference. After the back and sides are made, the neck and the headstock are joined using a scarf joint.

When all these processes are complete, then each component is assembled.