Guitar Guitar Equipment & Gear

Question 1

What is the primary function of a guitar's truss rod?

Accepted Answer

To control the relief (bow) of the guitar neck

Answer

The truss rod runs through the neck and is adjusted to counteract string tension, controlling the amount of forward or back bow (relief) in the neck.

Question 2

What does string gauge refer to when purchasing guitar strings?

Accepted Answer

The thickness/diameter of the strings measured in thousandths of an inch

Answer

String gauge refers to the diameter of the strings, typically measured in thousandths of an inch — for example, a light set might have a .010 first string.

Question 3

What is the nut on an acoustic or electric guitar?

Accepted Answer

A small piece at the headstock end of the fretboard that spaces and guides the strings

Answer

The nut is a small piece (often made of bone, plastic, or synthetic material) located at the top of the fretboard that spaces the strings evenly and sets their height before they reach the tuning pegs.

Question 4

What is the purpose of a capo?

Accepted Answer

To clamp across all strings at a given fret, raising the pitch of all open strings

Answer

A capo clamps across all strings at a specific fret, shortening the vibrating string length and raising the pitch of all strings simultaneously — useful for playing open chord shapes in higher keys.

Question 5

What does guitar 'action' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The height of the strings above the fretboard

Answer

Action refers to the height of the strings above the frets — low action is easier to play but risks fret buzz, while high action requires more finger pressure but typically buzzes less.

Guitar Practice Test

Guitar Practice Test

Guitar Guitar Equipment & Gear