Routing guitar

Types of Routing Guitars

When talking about the guitar, it usually refers to the guitar that is used for sound rather than the physical instrument. The guitar is an important tool for music producers because it helps them create a unique feel for the different songs they make. There are different types of routing guitars, and they include the following:

• Single-Cut Routing

  This type of routing refers to a guitar with a single-cut body shape. The body of the guitar is cut in a way that there is a single cutaway in the lower bout, which makes it easy for the guitarist to access the higher frets. The guitar can take different pickup routings, such as a single humbucker and a single coil pickup. Single-cut routing is found in famous guitars like the Gibson Les Paul and the Fender Stratocaster.

• Double-Cut Routing

  This type of routing refers to a guitar with a double-cut body shape. The guitar has two cutaways that provide better access to the higher frets. The double-cut shaping can accommodate different kinds of pickups, such as two humbuckers or two single coils. The double-cut routing is found in famous guitars like the Gibson SG and the Fender Stratocaster.

• Humbucker Routing

  This type of routing is used to put pickups on the guitar. A humbucker routing refers to a cavity that is made for a humbucker pickup, which is larger than a single-coil routing. The larger size allows the pick to fit perfectly and ensures that the pickup is held in place by the surrounding wood. This type of routing is common in guitars with dual-coil pickups, such as a humbucker.

• Single-Coil Routing

  This type of routing refers to a cavity made for a single-coil pickup. The cavity is smaller than a humbucker and allows the single-coil pickup to fit perfectly. This type of routing is found on guitars with single-coil pickups, such as a Fender Stratocaster.

• Fishman Fluence Routing

  This is a type of routing made for the Fishman Fluence pickups. The routing has two cavities: one for the humbucker coil and one for the micro magnet coil. This type of routing allows the pickups to fit perfectly and ensures a secure fit. The Fishman Fluence pickups provide a wide range of tones, from single-coil to humbucker.

Scenarios of Routing Guitar

Several industries can benefit from a guitar with a routing system. Below are some of the usage scenarios:

• Custom guitar makers – Custom guitar manufacturers use guitar routing templates to craft guitars that are tailored to their customer's needs. These templates provide the standard dimensions and shapes for the grooves, making it easier to create an accurate and consistent design. The routed guitar can then be fitted with pickup accessories, which enhances its functionality and gives it a unique appeal. By using routing templates, custom guitar manufacturers can save time and reduce waste.
• Guitar repair shops – Guitar repair shops utilize guitar routing jigs to make repairs on guitars that need replacement of electronics or hardware. The jigs make it easy to cut precise grooves, which ensures that the replacement parts fit perfectly. This saves a lot of time during the repair process and also minimizes damage to the guitar. Additionally, the repaired guitars can be restored to their original condition or even upgraded.
• Guitar factories – Large-scale guitar manufacturers use guitar CNC routing machines to make accurate grooves at a high speed. This enables them to produce a large number of guitars within a short period while maintaining quality and consistency. Moreover, CNC machines reduce human labor costs and errors, thus increasing the efficiency of the manufacturing process.
• Guitar modification shops – Shops that offer guitar modifications use routing templates when adding new types of grooves or changing the existing patterns. This ensures that the modifications are done with precision and that the old and new parts of the guitar blend seamlessly. The use of templates and jigs also helps in making different modifications, such as changing the type of wood in the guitar or altering its aesthetic appeal.
• Guitar electronics – The electronics of a guitar also benefit from routing templates when there is an upgrade or change of the existing electronics. Using the templates, guitar manufacturers can make accurate grooves for fitting new types of pickups, switches, and knobs. This results in a clean and professional-looking finish on the guitar, which is desirable to customers.

How to choose a routing guitar

Before buying a guitar to sell, business owners should brush up on some important factors that affect the performance and playability of the guitar. They can use the following guidelines to choose an efficient guitar that will meet the needs of their customers.

The body size of the guitar affects its sound and playability. A smaller guitar is easy to handle and carry around, while larger ones have a deeper tone. Customers looking for a guitar that is easy to maneuver around curves and tight spaces will settle for a smaller guitar. Those with larger hands or looking for a deeper tone will go for a larger body size. To satisfy a wide range of customers, business owners can stock guitars of different body sizes.

The material used to make the guitar's body also affects its durability and cost. A guitar with high-quality material and construction will cost more, while one with less durable material will cost less. However, a more expensive guitar may offer better sound quality and longer playability. Business owners should consider their budget and the guitar's overall quality to ensure they get an instrument that offers good value for money.

A guitar's number of frets affects its range. Usually, the more frets a guitar has, the more notes and sounds it can make. However, customers with less experience will settle for a guitar with fewer frets. More experienced guitar players will look for guitars with more frets. To satisfy customers with different skill levels, business owners should get guitars with varying numbers of frets.

Many people assume that all guitars have the same type of pickups. However, this isn't true. Guitars come with different pickups—single-coil and humbucker. Single coil pickups have a brighter sound and are popular with many musicians. On the other hand, humbucker pickups have a heavier tone and less noise. Business owners should familiarize themselves with the difference between the pickups and stock guitars with different types to give their customers options.

Functions, Features, and Design of Routing Guitars

Function

Routing guitars is a way of making patterns on the guitar's body. These patterns can be in the form of sound holes or decorative inlays. The main purpose of routing on electric guitars is to make space for the pickups and controls. The routing makes it possible for the guitar to have the right sound and be functional.

Features

• Precision

  Precision is key when routing a guitar. The grooves and holes made are clean and exact. This is important because it makes sure the guitar's structure is not damaged. More importantly, the routing creates the perfect space for the pickups and electronics.

• Customization

  Another feature of routing guitars is that it allows for customization. Different guitar makers have their own styles of routing. Customization creates unique sounds and designs. For example, an artist can request special routing for decorative inlays. This adds to the visual appeal of the guitar, making it one of a kind.

• Consistency

  Consistency is a major feature of routing guitars. Using templates and jigs makes the process of routing the same every time. Guitar manufacturers can depend on the routing to be accurate, giving them the same product each time.

Design

• Templates

  The first step in routing a guitar is making a template. The template shows the exact design and dimensions of the grooves and holes that will be made. Manufacturers use different materials for the templates, such as wood or acrylic. This is because the templates need to withstand repeated use. They are cut to fit the body of the guitar perfectly. This ensures that the routing is accurate and consistent.

• Router Bits

  Router bits are tools used to make the grooves and holes on the guitar. They come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the desired outcome. Manufacturers use spiral-cut router bits for a clean finish. They also use straight bits to achieve the right depth of the groove. The width of the bit will determine the size of the groove made.

• Dust Collection

  Routing guitars creates a lot of wood shavings and dust. A dust collection system is vital to keep the workspace clean and safe. The system consists of vacuums and filters that catch the dust. This not only keeps the workspace clean but also protects the health of the person doing the routing.

Q&A

Q1: What does guitar routing entail?

A1: Guitar routing involves altering a solid-body guitar's wood to create space for electronic components such as pickups, pots, and switches. The primary goal of this process is to ensure that the guitar's body has the right dimensions and structure for the electronic parts, which are crucial for the guitar's functionality and sound. Different types of routing lead to different tonal characteristics. For instance, a guitar with more routing has more of an industrial tone, while one with less routing has a more acoustic tone.

Q2: Can one change the routing of a guitar?

A2: Yes, it is possible to change the routing of a guitar, but this requires a high level of skill and precision. Such an endeavor can also lead to the altering of the guitar's tonal quality and aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, if not done correctly, it can compromise the guitar's structural integrity. Therefore, if one intends to alter the routing, it is advisable to consult with a professional luthier.

Q3: What factors should one consider when choosing a guitar?

A3: When choosing a guitar, some of the factors one needs to consider are the playing style, the budget, the brand, and the maintenance costs. Different guitars suit different playing styles. For instance, if one is into heavy music, they should settle for a guitar with more routing, such probably an EMG active pickup guitar. Additionally, solid-body guitars are more expensive than hollow-body guitars, but the latter is more versatile.

Q4: Is it possible for a guitar to have multiple routings?

A4: Yes, a guitar can have multiple routings, such as in the case of a HSH Stratocaster routing. However, such a guitar will be more prone to compromising its structural integrity. Nevertheless, with proper maintenance, a guitar with multiple routings can still be functional and have a desirable tonal quality.