The acoustic guitar (which includes classical, flamenco and steel string acoustic guitars among others) needs no electrical amplification. The sound is initiated when a string is plucked, or excited. The strings, body and the air within the body vibrate when excited, causing the surrounding air molecules to be periodically pushed together (compression), and moved apart (rarefaction). This movement forms a longitudinal wave that is interpreted as a sound.
The vibration of the strings dominates that of the other parts, making them vibrate at the natural (resonance) …

The acoustic guitar’s construction and materials have a major influence on the sound, and the various woods used in guitar manufacture are carefully chosen for their functional properties.
There are conservation issues associated with the use of wood, and research has tried to identify cheaper, more acoustically consistent synthetic alternatives, although with limited success so far.
 
The component parts of a classical guitar are shown below:

Photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_guitar_parts.png

 
The parts are as follows:
1. Headstock – wood, secures the strings at the top of the neck.
2. Nut – usually plastic …