When choosing or repairing a guitar, it is important to pay attention to its details. The deck is one of the most important and largest parts of its hull. Moreover, it is available on all stringed musical instruments. The sound and appearance of the guitar, violin, double bass, cello or other strings depend on it. Experienced craftsmen can make their own guitar by choosing the right tree for the deck. We'll figure out what a guitar deck is and find out where the word is still used.
What is the guitar body responsible for?
Let us turn to physical laws. It is to them that the sound of the guitar obeys. According to them, a deck is an amplifier for the sound of string vibrations. It acts simply: you touch the string, and it begins to oscillate. Its movements are transmitted to the tool body and exit back through the cavity, amplified several times.
When choosing a guitar, you need to pay attention to the connection of the parts of the body and the quality of the manufacture of decks and shells. The body of the guitar consists of an upper and lower deck, which are interconnected by a shell. The shape of the decks and the resonant hole depends on the type of guitar. It could be:
- ukulele (a Hawaiian four-stringed instrument, played by Marilyn Monroe in the movie "Only Girls in Jazz");
- classical acoustic guitar ;
- dreadnought;
- jumbo
- flattop;
- Good (emphasis on the first syllable);
- gypsy jazz;
- electro-acoustic (may not have a resonator hole).
The shape of the guitar is responsible for the features of its sound and scope. Also, guitars of different shapes can have different resonant holes.
What tree are the decks made of?
For high-quality musical instruments do not choose plywood. It is good only for amateur inexpensive models. Below we look at the differences in the sound of plywood and solid wood, but for now let's get back to choosing the right wood.
Depending on the location of the deck in the instrument, you can take a different tree for their manufacture. Most commonly used:
- spruce;
- rosewood;
- Red tree;
- cedar;
- maple.
Some manufacturers may use more exotic types of wood to create a tool, but most models use these types of wood.
Lower deck
It is a solid-looking part that does not have any additional elements. It is complicated in that the tree for that part must have different thicknesses. Sometimes in the middle and lower parts, the difference in values reaches only a few tenths of a millimeter. The best deck (its lower part) is made of mahogany. However, in recent years, some manufacturers began to use carbon fiber or other types of wood for this part. An unusual option is the Indian pink tea tree.
Please note that the shell, which helps to connect the upper and lower decks, must be made of the same material as the back of the case. The shell helps to make the body voluminous and sets its shape. It allows you to get a strong and high-quality sound.
Upper deck
The upper part of the body of a stringed musical instrument has a more complex device. After all, it contains devices for installing strings, a resonant hole and other important elements. If technology is disrupted during the manufacture of the top deck, the instrument can be thrown away - you won’t get good sound from it.
The upper deck is the main part of the guitar. It is she who receives the most attention in production. Best of all to make it from spruce. After all, it is this tree that sounds best. It is with the help of spruce that you can make a high-quality instrument that is distinguished by a clean and sonorous sound.
Resonator hole
This is one of the most important details located on the upper deck. It is also often called the voice-over - a part that gives the instrument a voice. The most common option is a round hole in the case. However, photo decks allow us to see that a round voicemail is not the only option. You can find tools that have:
- f-shaped slots;
- several small round holes of different diameters located on the side of the strings;
- unusual hole in the welcome guitar (it is best to see it in the photo);
- oval in gypsy instrument;
- small oval (located under the strings) in jazz;
- non-standard and unusual branded options.
A resonant hole is necessary for absorbing sound and transmitting it after amplification inside the case. It cannot be cut at will anywhere, it is important to correctly calculate the position of the voice, based on the shape of the guitar and the type of tree from which it is made.
Types of Outlets
One of the most insignificant parts of the instrument is its socket. This is an overlay that gives the guitar an aesthetic and unusual look. Masters perform it:
- from wood;
- mother of pearl;
- paper.
On cheap tools, the socket is glued, and on more expensive tools it crashes. The lacquer finish completes the work on finishing the upper deck. Often masters put their own brand names or specific patterns on the outlet.
A drop
This element of the upper deck came to us from classical stringed instruments, which are played with a bow. There it has a slightly different shape and is located under the chin of the musician. If we consider just the guitar (it is the most popular string instrument, that's why we are talking about it), then it has a drop at hand playing. It is a patch that is glued to the top deck. Her colors can be very diverse, amateurs use a drop as an additional way of self-expression.
It is necessary, not only to ensure a pleasant appearance of the instrument. It was originally placed on the case, so that the deck does not lose its appearance when playing the pick. It is not forbidden to use a drop on classical instruments, since with the right choice it does not significantly change the appearance of the guitar.
Stand and Nut
In addition to several aesthetic elements, the upper deck is equipped with an important functional detail - a stand for strings. It is located on the upper part of the body of any string instrument: violin, cello, double bass, balalaika, domra and others. This element is important to make correctly. After all, on it the strings should be held during the game using special buttons.
Often a stand is called a nut that holds the strings at a distance from the body and neck. Both of these elements are located on the deck, but they are responsible for different functions. It is interesting that musical instrument companies rarely play with the appearance of a soundboard (except when it is necessary to give a different shape due to the characteristics of the model), however, the shape of the stand can name the manufacturer without words. A vivid example of this is Dean, which manufactures string stands in the shape of a curved triangle.
Differences in the sound of a guitar with a deck of plywood and solid wood
The term “deck” we most often hear is in connection with the guitar. One of the most popular topics on the forums is to look for differences in the sound of a case made of plywood and solid wood. The hardest thing to find is the difference in sound to an amateur. While a professional, even without seeing a tool, can determine whether its body is made of a noble material:
- a plywood deck gives a superficial sound (it is often characterized as cheap);
- wood makes it possible to get a deep beautiful sound.
It is important to know that you can accurately determine the sound characteristics only in a room with good acoustics. Of all stringed instruments, it is easiest for an amateur to understand the differences in sound when testing the violin. Even people who can’t play can appreciate the virtues of a good mahogany violin soundboard.
Where else is the name "deck" used
The term “deck” is used not only in music (although it is more popular and known in this industry). You can find this word in many professional fields:
- Skateboarders borrowed the term “deck” from musicians. So they call the main part of the board. This term is used by athletes who ride on a longboard.
- Mathematicians and physicists use the word "deck" as a prefix. It means a tenfold increase and came from the geometric shape of the decahedron.
- Music lovers use the slang term “soundboard” as the name from the tape recorder. In this case, the origin of the word English is from tape deck.
- Military deck called the top of the bottom tanks. Sailors have the same root name "dec", used to designate the deck of military sailing ships.
This word is known to many as a proper name. So, for example, for beer lovers, Deca is one of the Russian companies producing this foamy drink. She is well known to people living in Novgorod. In addition, it is this company that produces 32% of all bottled kvass in Russia. She owns the brands:
- "Nicola."
- "Nikitich".
- "Large".
- "Stepan Timofeevich."
- "Russian gift."
Builders have heard the Deka system. This is the water equipment of one of the German brands, which is distinguished by its high quality. It is made of vinyl. Now the company has opened several of its own production facilities in Russia and produces not only gutters from vinyl, but also has a wide selection of siding in different colors and flexible tiles.
Owners of private houses that have a water supply system, sooner or later think about installing a modern septic tank. One of the common models is the Deca-5. Its capacity is enough to work in a house with permanent residence. The domestic manufacturer DEKA has developed this option taking into account volley discharge of water up to 344 liters, that is, you can simultaneously turn on the dishwasher and washing machine, wash and use other plumbing. The system can withstand even severe loads.
"Dec Tracker" - what is it?
Another meaning of the terms “deck” or “deck” has been spread with the help of computer game lovers. In Hearthstone, a deck is a slang designation for cards or a deck. It is from this game world that the term "Dec Tracker" came from. This is the name of the program that can track cards that have left the game and remain in the deck.
The legitimacy of using such programs is still in question. On the one hand, the developers of Hearthstone argue that this third-party application can be used (because it does not affect the game, but only does what the player can independently fix with a pen and paper). However, the latest news speaks of a change in the attitude of the owners of the game to the "Dec Trackers". Now their use may lead to the blocking of the game account.