How To Make The Right Choice With Acoustic Guitar

When it comes to guitars in general, acoustic guitars are probably the more popular type. Sure, we hear a lot about various electrics, and almost every mainstream band is based around this instrument. However, acoustic guitars are the choice of the regular Joe who just wants to have an instrument to play from time to time, and who is not really interested in advanced technique or music theory.

Most people prefer the acoustic guitar simply because it fits any occasion. You can play it without an amp, anywhere at any time. This gives it a very important advantage over electric guitars, which naturally need a few additional elements in order to offer their best performance.

So, you are looking to get yourself an acoustic guitar? Great, but before you commit to a particular model, there are some things you should know. What we are going to talk about today are several aspects of acoustic guitars you need to pay attention to. As you're about to find out, acoustic guitars come in all kinds of flavors so it's easy to go for something that is eventually going to turn out to be a bad choice for your specific needs. With that said, let's begin.

Classical Or Steel Acoustic?

One of the main ways acoustic guitars are categorized is by differentiating classical from steel acoustic guitars. Both share the same core elements, but the former uses nylon strings and has a much wider neck, while the latter uses steel strings and has the neck that is similar to the one on an electric guitar.

With that said, the most significant difference is the sound. Steel acoustic guitars have a sharp, sometimes metallic sound and they are the most popular type at the moment. Classical guitars have a much softer tone that is delicate. Classical guitars are also mostly played fingerstyle. There are a lot of people who got duped into getting a classical guitar when they really wanted a steel one. Don't make this mistake.

Choosing The Right Size

Unlike electric guitars, which come in few very similar forms, acoustic guitars are known for their variety of both shapes and sizes. The difference between these has an impact both on the sound of the guitar, but the level of playing comfort as well. Some types such as Jumbo, which would be the largest type of acoustic guitar, are simply not suitable for everyone. They can be too big and too bulky for some guitar players, causing the whole experience to be more of a pain than enjoyment.

Playing comfort is the most important thing you want to get right when shopping for an acoustic guitar. If a guitar is too uncomfortable to play, it defeats the whole point. That means that first thing you need to figure out is the size of the guitar that fits you the best. A good place to start would be a Dreadnought or Orchestra. These two guitar sizes are a decent middle of the road solution that will tell you exactly which direction you need to go, granted that neither of these work for you. In reality, chances are a Dreadnought will be a great match.

Solid Top Or Laminate?

Acoustic guitars rely on the material they are made of to deliver the sound. That is the case with almost any acoustic instrument out there. Traditionally, acoustic guitars are made of solid wood pieces all around.

This means that the manufacturer takes a section of the wood and molds it in various ways until it fits the shape they need. However, there is another solution. Laminate construction is widespread these days, mainly because it is cheaper to produce. Unlike solid top guitars, laminate style acoustic guitars are made of multiple plies of wood pressed together.

From a sonic point of view, a solid top will always have a better sound and will deliver much better performance overall. So which one should you get? If your budget allows for it, always take the solid top acoustic over a laminate.

On the other hand, if you are working with a very limited amount of money, a laminate acoustic guitar will get you a decent portion of the sound at a much lower price. For some great examples of both, check out our rundown of great acoustic guitars.

Final Thoughts

Acoustic guitars are just amazing. It's the type of instrument you can pick up and play without having to deal with any other piece of equipment. They sound awesome and are the staple of social gatherings. Making the right decisions when buying your first acoustic guitar can help you a lot down the road.

The point of this article was to arm you with some essential information that will allow you to get a guitar that best fits your needs. Hopefully, we've answered some of the questions you were wondering about, but make sure to check out our list of things to avoid when shopping for an acoustic guitar “Things to Avoid When Shopping for Acoustic Guitar”. There's some pretty important info in there.