Fig.6a is an example of a chord of C major.

The number above each

6. PLAYING THE GUITAR string indicates which finger should be used, 'O' means that the
string should be played 'open' (not pressed down). Where an ‘X’
Once your guitar has been tuned you are ready to try a few
simple chords, (a chord is two or more notes played together and
appears, the string should not be played. Where a dot appears in a
chord diagram, that is where the finger should hold down the
EVERY SUCCESS WITH YOUR NEW GUITAR...
they are used as an accompaniment to a melody). Guitar chords string. Always remember to hold the string down as close as you can We wish you every success with your new guitar. This leaflet is intended as a simple guide
charts are normally drawn like Fig.6a. behind the fret otherwise the guitar string may ‘buzz’. to understanding, tuning and taking care of your instrument and playing your first basic chords.
Fig.6a Once you have mastered the first steps we recommend the use of a good tutor book.
2 Ask your local music store about the JHS Guitar Tutor.
1 3
0 3 2 0 1 0
1. TYPES OF GUITAR AND NAMES OF PARTS Fig.1a HEADSTOCK
4
CLASSIC (OR SPANISH) Fig.1a MACHINEHEAD BUTTONS MACHINEHEADS

Top nut CLASSIC (or Spanish) guitars are acoustic instruments and strung with nylon strings. TOP NUT
They are played fingerstyle. The top three strings (i.e. 1st, 2nd and 3rd) are plain nylon.
The three bass strings (4th, 5th and 6th) are also nylon, but bound with fine plated
wire. The nylon strings help to give the delicate and sweet tone associated with these STRINGS
NECK & FINGERBOARD
1st instruments. Also available are 3/4, 1/2 and even smaller sized instruments.
Left
Frets Hand WESTERN Fig.1b FRETS

The WESTERN guitar (also referred to as 'Dreadnought', 'Flat Top', 'Jumbo' or 'Country
2nd
and Western') has a larger acoustic body. This gives a powerful tone and rich
resonance suited to the type of music the instrument is used for. It is steel strung and SOUND HOLE
(as a result of the increased tension from the steel strings) the Western guitar is of a SOUND HOLE
BODY
3rd more robust construction than the Classic guitar. The 1st and 2nd strings are plain steel, ROSETTE
and the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th strings are steel, wire wound. Similar to the Western
6 5 4 3 2 1 guitar, but with a smaller body, is the FOLK guitar, and there are also smaller steel BRIDGE

Strings strung guitars. Acoustic 'Round Back' guitars also fall into this general category of BRIDGE SADDLE

'Western' guitars. These instruments have bowl backs manufactured from Man Made
Materials (not wood).
Here are a few chords for you to try. Try these simple tunes.
Fig.1b HEADSTOCK
D7 / G / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Guitars in the 'Western' category are also manufactured in 'Electro-Acoustic' styling. This
MACHINEHEADS
means pickups and electronic controls are added - during production - to the body of MACHINEHEAD BUTTONS
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes.
C A min F G G7 the instrument. For information on the use of Electro-Acoustic guitars read the section TOP NUT
0 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 3 1 0 X0 3 2 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 3 3 2 0 0 0 1
/ / G / / / / / / / D7 / / / / / below on Electric (solid).
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes.
STRINGS
All instruments mentioned in this section are played with a plectrum. NECK & FINGERBOARD
/ / G/ / / G7 / / / C / / / A min / / /
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain, comin’ round the mountain. Some instruments are delivered with plastic film attached to the scratch plates for FRETS

protection purposes, please remove this before use. POSITION MARKERS

/ / G / E min / D7 / / / G / / / / /
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes.
ELECTRIC (SOLID) Fig.1c AND ELECTRIC BASS GUITARS BODY

The ELECTRIC guitar is made for use with an amplifier. The guitar itself is NOT connected SOUND HOLE
E E min A D D7 to the electric mains supply but the AMPLIFIER IS CONNECTED to the supply. The SCRATCHPLATE
0 2 3 1 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 X0 0 1 3 2 X0 0 2 1 3 C F / / / / / Bb / / F / / F / / / / / C / SOUND HOLE
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. guitar is then linked to the amplifier with the lead provided - and all the sound is ROSETTE
reproduced through the loudspeaker/amplifier system. The strings fitted are those made BRIDGE BRIDGE SADDLE
/ F / / / / / Bb / / F / / / / / C / / Bb / / F / / of metal and recommended by various makers for use with electric guitars. BRIDGE PINS
I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now can see.
Electric guitars are played with a plectrum.

Dm/ / / / / Am / / Dm / / Some instruments are delivered with plastic film attached to the scratch plates and
Are you going to Scarborough Fair. sometimes to the pickups for protection purposes, please remove before use. Fig.1c
HEADSTOCK
D min Bb E7 A7 B7 Am / / Dm / / / G / Am / The Electric guitar has become very popular not only because the volume of sound can MACHINEHEAD BUTTONS STRING RETAINER
X0 0 2 3 1 XX 2 3 4 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 X2 1 3 0 4
Parsley, sage, rose - mary and thyme. be increased over that produced by acoustic instruments, but because electronically the MACHINEHEADS
TOP NUT
/ Dm / / / / / / / / / / /
sounds themselves can be varied. By using the various controls and switches
different effects are obtainable without even a change in the method of playing. Nearly STRINGS
Remember me to one who lives there.
all Electric guitars made these days are 'solid' body models for use only with
/ / / G / F C G C Dm / / amplification. There are however a number of semi-acoustic electric models which can NECK & FINGERBOARD
She once was a true love of mine. be played to a limited degree, without amplification. FRETS

GUITAR STRAP BUTTON

Steel strung Western and Folk guitars can be converted to 'Electric' instruments by use POSITION MARKERS
ER
L M CHA
CA N
Trade Distributors for U.K. & Eire of detachable pickups. Many types of pickups are available.
SI

DI
• MU

BODY
SE

©2004 John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd.

JOHN HORNBY SKEWES & CO. LTD.
•
WO

ON

No part of this brochure may be reproduced Fig.1d

TI

In order to hear the sounds produced by an Electric guitar it

RL

Salem House, Parkinson Approach, Garforth, Leeds LS25 2HR, U.K. www.jhs.co.uk
U

W
D

B
IDE
DIST
RI
without the prior written consent of the publisher. PICKUPS SCRATCHPLATE
SINCE 1965

is necessary to connect the guitar to an amplification system. TREMOLO ARM

There are many different types of amplification systems
IF YOU NEED ADVICE ON YOUR GUITAR CALL OUR HELPLINE designed for different types of performance conditions.
For practicing at home or playing in a small venue we would
BRIDGE/TAILPIECE
PICKUP SELECTOR
SWITCH
TONE & VOLUME
SECTION

0113 2320082 recommend an amplifier such as that illustrated. Fig.1d

(Bass guitars should be used through a BASS amplifier). GUITAR STRAP BUTTON
CONTROLS
INPUT
 If you have a piano, organ, an electronic guitar tuner or a set of
2. CARE OF YOUR GUITAR 3. TUNING YOUR GUITAR pitch pipes available to you it is a simple matter to tune each string
Your guitar is the result of generations of skill and craftsmanship by to the corresponding note by turning the appropriate machine
guitar-makers, so please give it the care and treatment it deserves. SIX STRING GUITAR head button.
The standard tuning for a six string guitar is as follows: 4 3 2 6 1 5 4 3 2 1
E A D E G A D G B E
It is a delicate instrument and when not in use, should be kept in a One of the quickest and simplest methods of tuning however,
6th string – 'E' 1 2 3 4 = Bass 1 2 3 4 5 6 = Guitar MIDDLE ‘C’
safe dry place. We would recommend that you keep it in a guitar especially where a reference note (from a keyboard or pitch pipe)
carrying bag, or better still in a hard guitar case. Do not leave it 5th string – 'A' is not available, is as follows; IMPORTANT
lying around on a chair or leaning against a wall. Do not store it 4th string – 'D' 1.Tune the 1st string (the thinnest) to approximately the correct Never overtighten guitar strings. Serious damage can occur to the bridge
close to a heated radiator. 3rd string – 'G' pitch i.e. as near as possible to 'E' above middle 'C' on a piano. and sound board of the instrument. Strings under excessive and incorrect
2nd string – 'B' 2. Place your finger on the 2nd string behind the 5th fret and play tension may also cause the bridge to be wrenched from the top of the
When you pick it up, hold it at the neck, and when playing allow 1st string – 'E' the 1st and 2nd strings together. Tune the 2nd string so that it guitar, possibly resulting in physical hurt to the player. It is very important
yourself plenty of room. This way you will be able to put the plays the same note as the open 1st string. that you tune a guitar sensibly and with care.
instrument down safely when you stop playing. 3. Place your finger on the 3rd string behind the 4th fret and play
6th string 'E' is the thickest string and two octaves below 1st string If you have a piano or electronic keyboard follow the instructions opposite.
the 2nd and 3rd strings together. Tune the 3rd string so that it
Having finished playing, clean your guitar carefully using a soft 'E', the thinnest string. However, for easy tuning we suggest you purchase a set of guitar tuning
plays the same note as the open 2nd string. pitch pipes or an electronic guitar tuner.
cloth, and clean the strings with a cloth (top and underneath). The 4. Place your finger on the 4th string behind the 5th fret and play
degree of acidity in perspiration varies with different people, and FOUR STRING BASS GUITAR the 3rd and 4th strings together. Tune the 4th string so it plays the After tuning you will find the strings continue to stretch for a few days and it
this can reduce the effective life of strings, so by cleaning after use The standard tuning for a four string electric bass guitar is as same note as the open 3rd string. is necessary to retune the instrument each time you play it.
you will prolong the efficiency of the strings. You are advised to follows: 5. Place your finger on the 5th string behind the 5th fret and play
change your strings regularly. the 4th and 5th string together. Tune the 5th string so that it plays Guitar strings will break in the normal course of events and they will need
4th string – 'E' the same note as the open 4th string. replacing.
Always keep a spare set if strings. An extra first, second and third 3rd string – 'A' 6. Place your finger on the 6th string behind the 5th fret and play Should you require individual replacement guitar strings, they can be
2nd string – 'D' purchased at any musical instrument shop.Remember which string you
are particularly useful. These are likely to need replacing rather the 5th and 6th strings together. Tune the 6th string so that it
need to ask for.
more often than the other strings. Many players prefer to change a 1st string – 'G' plays the same note as the open 5th string. Example: ‘E’ first (thinnest), ‘A’ fifth (second thickest) etc.etc.
whole set of strings when any string change becomes necessary. 7. The open 6th string and open 1st string should now play the You may decide to replace the whole set, rather than individual strings as
same note ('E') but two octaves apart. this will ensure the guitar maintains a balanced tone.

4. STRING REPLACEMENT Fig.4a Bridge Pin Fig.4b Fig.4c 5. PLAYING POSITIONS

The guitar is held upright in the playing position (not flat). It may
All guitar strings will break from time to time. String seem more difficult to see the fingerboard but you will certainly
Bridge
find it much easier and more comfortable to finger the frets
Never fit steel strings to a nylon strung guitar, nor nylon strings to Saddle
with the left hand. Frets are the metal divisions across the guitars
a steel strung guitar.
fingerboard to enable each note on each string to be located. On
Ball End
Never overtighten guitar strings otherwise you could cause serious
Body some guitars, position markers are also shown either on the side of
damage, not covered by the guarantee, to the bridge and top of the neck or between selected frets. Sit comfortably on a chair
the guitar. without arms, or on a stool of approximately the same height.
Cross your right leg over your left and rest the guitar on your right
Strings under excessive and incorrect tension may also cause the thigh. If you wish to raise your leg without crossing use a guitarists
bridge to be wrenched from the top of the guitar, possibly Gently remove bridge pin, foot stool. Fig.5a.
resulting in physical hurt to the player. Pass string over saddle and through pass string through bridge Pass string through back plate
bridge and loop as shown above and refit pin as illustrated and over bridge saddle If you wish to play in a standing position (Fig.5b) then it is
Remove the broken strings. advisable to fit a guitar strap to your instrument. Accessories of this
type are available from your local music shop. Since you will use
When changing strings do so one at a time. This maintains the Fig.4d Fig.4e Fig.4f your left hand on the fingerboard the nails of this hand should be
tension on the guitar neck. Pass string through kept short. For Classical guitar playing the nails on the right hand
back plate and over Pass string should be allowed to grow slightly longer than normal.
bridge saddle through
First fit the replacement string into the tailpiece section. back plate
on rear of
guitar.
Nylon strings pass through and over the bridge and are looped.
Examine how the other strings are attached to the bridge of your
Fig.5b
guitar and follow suit. See Fig.4a.

Steel strings are attached to the tailpiece. There are many different
types of tailpiece. Fit the strings as shown in the illustrations
Fig.4b,c,d,e,f and g depending on the type of guitar you own. Pass string through back plate
Pull string through and
pass over bridge saddle and over bridge saddle.
Having attached the replacement string to the tailpiece the string
can now be wound onto the machine head via the small hole on
the roller. Fig.4g Fig.4h Fig.4i Fig.4j

The illustrations Fig.4h,i and j show you the correct way to wind on Pass string through
strings. A useful aid is a Machinehead Winder of the type as shown back plate and over
bridge saddle
in Fig.4h,i and j.

Hold some slack string in your hand and feed the string into the
roller gradually turning the machinehead button until the string
has passed around the roller at least 2-3 times and the slack has
been taken up.
Thread
string
Nylon strings tend to stretch much more than steel strings. through
the hole, Wind
The excess string above the machinehead can be clipped off. loop & Machineheads
Your guitar is now ready to tune. See 'tuning instructions' above. wind Anti-clockwise Fig.5a