Tone

The general term for the character of a guitar's sound, covering everything from the string and the instrument through to the amplifier and the player's hands.

Because it is used so broadly, it is worth separating what is physical from what is electronic: the wood, construction and string gauge set the starting material, the pickups and wiring filter it, and the amplifier and speaker shape it into what is heard. The player's attack sits outside all of it and often matters more than any component. Arguments about tone usually dissolve once it is clear which part of that chain is being discussed.

Example: two players using identical rigs and settings still sound different, which is the clearest demonstration of how much of tone is in the hands.

Tone

See also