Have you at last made a decision to learn how to play guitar? Well, if you have and you’ve also decided that those boisterous electric guitars are not for you, then the next step is to decide what sort of best acoustic guitar to acquire.
Buying an acoustic guitar, however, is not as easy as it may appear. There are many types of gibson acoustic guitar available and a vast range of prices.
Be ready to pay about $100 for a newbies guitar and do not be shocked if you discover instruments costing $5,000 or more. You may pay less for an foreign, factory-made guitar than for a North American hand-made guitar.
This extreme price range is due to the quality of the materials used and the level of craftsmanship. It is important to understand however, that there are several outstanding guitars constructed that are generally relatively inexpensive. The level of guitar production has improved significantly over the previous few years and many outstanding guitars can be had for under $500. Though it is tempting to buy a more costly guitar, the average newbie does not really need a guitar of that grade and may not even be able to value it.
Here are some guidelines with regard to buying an acoustic guitar:
1. Make a decision on your budget. Before you walk into your favorite guitar retailer determine exactly how much you are ready to pay in advance. The following chart will give you a basic idea of what to expect:
Up to $500 – good beginners guitar
$500 – $1,000 – intermediate range
$1,000 – $2,000 – serious student
$2,000 – $5,000 – semi-professional or professional
$5,000+ – professional guitarist or you just love fine guitars and can afford it.
2. Decide if you want a soundboard created from genuine wood. Quite a few low-priced guitars have plywood soundboards. The better guitars have soundboards built from spruce or cedar. Spruce or cedar soundboards generate a much better sound than plywood. There are a handful of guitar companies that manufacture low-priced guitars with real wood soundboards.
3. Try out various styles. Each guitar manufacturer will have many styles of guitar, many in the same model category. Different styles may include dreadnaught, jumbo, grand concert, etc. These styles are somewhat generic but vary a bit between manufacturers. These titles refer normally to the shape and size of the guitar which will determine the sound of the guitar to a certain extent. You may also have to determine if you want a cutaway design or a more traditional non-cutaway style.
4. Do you want to get a nylon string classical guitar or a steel string? Nylon string guitars are easier on the fingers if you are a newbie, but their necks are wider which means you have to stretch your fingers a bit more. Steel string acoustics possess a more narrow neck but the steel strings are a bit painful if you have not yet developed calluses on your left hand.
Classical guitars are best used for fingerstyle playing and are suited to classical, jazz and latin styles while a steel string acoustic is better suited to strumming chords and using a pick.
5. Do you want to amplify your guitar? If you think that you may want to amplify your fender acoustic guitar then think about obtaining an acoustic guitar with a built in pickup and preamp. This will permit you to plug your guitar into an amplifier without the need for a microphone.
You are now ready to visit your local guitar retailer and try out a few guitars. In the long run, the final decision on which acoustic guitar to purchase should be dependent on getting a guitar that you appreciate playing and that has a sound that is pleasing to you. After you get that new guitar, then the only thing left to do is to learn how to play it.
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