Shopping For an Acoustic Guitar

Selecting an acoustic guitar can be a verysitka spruce, which will impart a louder, in your
personal experience. There are obviously a greatface type of tone. Alder or Mahogany may be
number of things to look at, consider, andmore popular in an auditorium setting based on
evaluate. Some of these items include the skillthe frequency response they are strongest in,
level of the person who will be using theand maple is probably a good pick for acoustic
instrument, the type or genre of music that willguitars that will be plugged into a PA system or
be played, and last but not least - and perhapsthat have built in electronics as Maple will give a
most important in some cases - the price. Whileflat sound, but is better for amplified situations.
these are typically the big three items folksLast, but not least, price will probably be one of
consider, there are other important details you willyour top decision factors in making an acoustic
need to review as well. The size of the guitar,guitar purchase. As noted earlier, some
whether or not there are on-board electronics,inexpensive laminates can be found from under a
and what types of wood or materials are used inhundred dollars to around $500 dollars. After this
the construction of the guitar - as this can have arange, you'll typically see a lot of competition in
material influence on the sound and tonalthe $500 - $3000 range and this is also where
characteristics of the instrument.you'll also start to see your spruce tops,
So let's talk about skill. A beginner can get by withmahogany sides, and other woods being factored
a decent dreadnought or standard style acousticinto the equation. You can even find solid
guitar that is constructed primarily of laminatemahogany acoustic guitars in this range - if that
materials. These types of guitars can range fromtype of tone and feel is right for you. You can
less than $100 up to about $500, give or take.get an amazing instrument for a thousand dollars,
Laminate top acoustic guitars tend to sound a littlebut if you've got the dough, they have a guitar
bright and tinny, but they have a decent lifefor you at any price point.
expectancy and usually will outlive the player untilSome recommended brands include Fender,
the next guitar is desired. More accomplishedYamaha, Martin, Taylor, Ibanez, Dean, Alvarez,
players may seek a spruce top, or perhaps evenand Epiphone. While there are many other brands,
maple or mahogany construction as thesethese are some of the most popular. If you are
different woods have strengths and weaknessesserious about purchasing a guitar, though, be sure
that may resonate with individual guitar players.to do your homework. We would recommend
The type of music, or more specifically, thethat you spend some time in music stores in your
typical venue may have an impact on the type oflocal area trying some different models that have
guitar selected. While most different guitars cansome of the different characteristics we've
be used across genres and in any musical stylediscussed here. Then, go online and read guitar
desired, you need to consider whether you'rereviews about some of the models that you liked,
going to be playing mostly around campfires, on afurther narrowing your choices. Finally, work in
stool with a microphone in an auditorium, oryour budget to get a sense for what the best
plugged into a PA system. Those playing aroundpossible guitar is that you can afford then go
campfires can get by with a classic oronline to a reputable musical instrument retailer to
dreadnought guitar constructed of laminate orget the best possible price.