Criss Cross Crafts Blog

Have you finally decided to learn how to play guitar? Well, if you have and you’ve also made a decision that those deafening electric guitars are not for you, then the next step is to determine precisely what sort of best acoustic guitar to acquire.

Purchasing an acoustic guitar, however, is not as effortless as it might appear. There are many varieties of gibson acoustic guitar available and a broad range of prices.

Be prepared to pay about $100 for a newbies guitar and do not be surprised if you see guitars costing $5,000 or more. You will pay less for an overseas, 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 degree of craftsmanship. It is crucial to understand however, that there are numerous excellent guitars constructed that are relatively inexpensive. The level of guitar production has improved considerably over the previous few decades and a lot of excellent guitars can be acquired for under $500. Although it is tempting to invest in a more costly guitar, the typical newbie does not really need a guitar of that quality and may not even be able to value it.

Here are some specifications for purchasing an acoustic guitar:

1. Decide on your budget. Before you walk into your preferred guitar shop determine exactly how much you are prepared to pay beforehand. The following chart will give you a basic concept 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 built from genuine wood. Quite a few inexpensive guitars have plywood soundboards. The better guitars have soundboards made from spruce or cedar. Spruce or cedar soundboards produce a significantly better sound as compared to plywood. There are a handful of guitar companies that manufacture affordable guitars with real wood soundboards.

3. Try out various types. Each guitar manufacturer will have several types 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 names refer normally to the shape and dimension of the guitar which will determine the sound of the guitar to a certain degree. You may also have to determine if you desire 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 a lot easier on the fingers if you are a newbie, but their necks are wider which means you have to stretch your fingers a little bit more. Steel string acoustics have a more narrow neck but the steel strings are a little bit painful if you have not yet developed calluses on your left hand.

Classical guitars are best used for fingerstyle playing and are best 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 might want to amplify your fender acoustic guitar then consider getting 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 prepared to go to your local guitar shop and try out a few guitars. In the end, the final choice on which acoustic guitar to buy should be dependent on finding a guitar that you enjoy playing and that has a sound that is satisfying to you. After you get that brand new guitar, then the only thing left to do is to learn how to play it.