How to Buy an Acoustic Guitar
Have you finally resolved to learn how to play guitar? Well, if you have and you’ve also made a decision that those boisterous electric guitars are not for you, then the next step is to choose precisely what sort of best acoustic guitar to buy.
Buying an acoustic guitar, however, is not as effortless as it may appear. There are several types of gibson acoustic guitar on the market and a wide range of prices.
Be ready to pay about $100 for a newbies guitar and do not be astonished if you discover instruments costing $5,000 or more. You may 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 many outstanding guitars built that are generally comparatively inexpensive. The level of guitar production has improved substantially over the last few years and many outstanding guitars can be had for under $500. Though it is tempting to purchase a more costly guitar, the typical newbie does not necessarily require a guitar of that caliber and may not even be able to value it.
Here are some specifications with regard to buying an acoustic guitar:
1. Make a decision on your price range. Before you wander into your preferred guitar retailer decide 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. Determine if you want a soundboard created from real wood. Quite a few low-priced guitars have plywood soundboards. The better guitars have soundboards built from spruce or cedar. Spruce or cedar soundboards produce a much better sound than plywood. There are a couple of guitar companies that produce low-priced guitars with real wood soundboards.
3. Try out different types. Each guitar maker 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 generally to the shape and dimension of the guitar which will determine the sound of the guitar to a certain extent. You may also have to decide 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 little bit more. Steel string acoustics possess a more narrow neck but the steel strings are a little bit painful if you have not yet created calluses on your left hand.
Classical guitars are best used for fingerstyle playing and are suited to classical, jazz and latin styles whereas 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 consider obtaining an acoustic guitar with a built in pickup and preamp. This will allow you to plug your guitar into an amplifier without the need for a microphone.
You are now prepared to go to your local guitar retailer and try out a few guitars. In the end, the final choice on which acoustic guitar to buy ought to be based on finding a guitar that you appreciate playing and that has a sound that is pleasing to you. After you get that brand new guitar, then the only thing left to do is to learn how to play it.