Choosing the Right Acoustic Guitar


When looking for an acoustic guitar, whether as a novice or more experienced guitarist, many options are available to a musician. While different things will appeal to different guitarists, there are several important factors to consider before purchasing an acoustic guitar. By considering some of these recommendations, it may be possible to choose the appropriate acoustic guitar for your wants and needs.

The first factor in choosing an acoustic guitar is the size of the guitar. Acoustic guitars come in three standard sizes, usually defined as parlor, standard, and jumbo. A parlor guitar is the smallest of the three, and a jumbo the largest. While the size of a guitarist may partially dictate which of these sizes is most appropriate, the tones that each of these sizes produces is also significant. The smaller the guitar, the brighter the sound it will produce; conversely, the larger the guitar, the more bass will be present in the sound. Most guitarists will simply want a standard sized acoustic guitar, but if you are looking for a specific sound, you may want to consider the other available sizes of acoustic guitars.

Secondly, you will want to consider the materials from which an acoustic is crafted. Acoustic guitars will be made primarily of wood or wood-based materials. Plywood is a common wood-based material which is used for less expensive models of acoustic guitars, while the better quality (and higher priced) acoustic guitars will be made of solid woods. As the construction of an acoustic guitar greatly affects its resonance, it is important to find a guitar that has, at minimum, a solid wood top plate. For a better sounding acoustic guitar, look for a model that uses more solid wood for its construction. Keep in mind, also, that in the long run, a solid wood construction will be able to take more abuse than a guitar constructed of plywood or its equivalent.

Third, consider your plans for the use of this acoustic guitar. If you plan to play primarily for fun or casually, you will want to find an acoustic guitar with good enough tone to make you actually want to play it. If your instrument doesn't sound good, the likelihood is that you will neglect it and never really play. If you plan to record with your acoustic guitar, you will need a guitar with even better tone. A smaller guitar, which sounds bright, will record much better than a large guitar with a heavy bass sound. Finally, if your acoustic guitar is for use on stage, you may want to consider an electric acoustic guitar, so that the sound can be amplified more easily. If you may end up doing a combination of these three things, you will want to find a more adaptable acoustic guitar--something that can be improved upon later without sacrificing the original quality of the instrument.

Finally, the deciding factor for many musicians looking to purchase an acoustic guitar is price. Prices for acoustic guitars range widely, and those on a limited budget many not be able to get the exact guitar that they want. At this point, it is best to consider which of the above factors are most important to you, and then determine how you can get what you want at a price you can afford. Luckily for an acoustic guitar player, the additional gear necessary is considerably less than that required for an electric guitar, so you may be able to spend a greater proportion of your available funds on the guitar itself. Just be sure to save a little extra money for the essential gear, and pick up the less essential items later on down the road.

Of course, the above factors are not the only things to consider when purchasing an acoustic guitar, they just summarize some of the more important things that all guitarists should consider. Individual guitarists will have other factors that they want to consider, such as the exact sound for which they are looking, or the exact details of the durability of their guitar. Some guitarists may also be concerned about the appearance of their acoustic guitar, whether that entails coloration or detail work. For a novice player, the most important thing about choosing the right acoustic guitar is to find an instrument with which they are comfortable. Dedication is necessary for learning to play a guitar, and acoustic guitars can prove to be more demanding of their guitarists. Having an instrument with which you are comfortable makes it more likely that you will be willing to invest the time and energy into learning to play your acoustic guitar.

Regardless of the brand, size, or color of your acoustic guitar, and no matter how many guitars this purchase will make your collection number, each individual guitarist will have preferences for their instrument. By considering at least some of the above factors, you can make a more informed choice about the right acoustic guitar for your needs.