For someone who is just beginning their musical journey, the acoustic guitar is an excellent place to start. With no extra equipment needed and thousands of resources online, it's no wonder it's one of the most played musical instruments.
The instrument is still used for the experienced guitarist when performing and composing due to its versatility and raw sound.
For beginners and experienced players alike, we've compiled eight exciting facts about the acoustic guitar. So, let's dive in!
1. The ancient acoustic guitar
The oldest acoustic guitar is more than 3,500 years old and is believed to have originated from Egypt, the modern guitar's oldest ancestor.
The guitar was found in the court of Queen Hatshepsut. A performer named Har-Mose used to play this instrument to entertain the queen.
That acoustic guitar was made of cedar, and it had three strings. A plectrum was used to play the instrument.
You can still find this guitar at the Archaeological Museum, Cairo, Egypt.
2. Self-sufficiency
Acoustic guitars sound great without the amplifier and are perfect for practising and learning the basics.
As the name suggests, it creates sound acoustically, meaning the sound is produced by transferring the string vibrations. This is facilitated through the saddle, which then moves sound through the bridge and the guitar's top wood.
This self-sufficiency makes acoustic guitars an ideal start for many beginners before investing in an electric guitar and amp. It's also great for performing in more remote situations like picnics and around campfires.
Many musicians will use both acoustic and electric guitars based on the feel and the space in which they perform.
3. The Materials
Acoustic guitars are either made from laminate or solid wood, with each material having their benefits.
Different types of solid woods are used to make acoustic guitars, with the wood's density directly affecting the sound. For example, the Australian Maton guitars use indigenous woods from Australia, for its durability and unique tone.
Many believe that solid wood produces a fair better tone and echo than laminate guitar.
However, laminate guitars are both cheaper - meaning ideal for beginners and more durable when travelling and changing in climate.
4. There are many types of acoustic guitars
You may not know that there are many different types of acoustic guitars, and that their size and shape play a big role in the instrument's sound, volume, and playability. Let's take a look at some of the most common acoustic guitar body shapes you'll come across:
- Dreadnought: The mighty dreadnought is the most popular acoustic guitar shape out there. With its large body and robust sound, the dreadnought delivers ample volume and strong bass response, making it a go-to choice for strummers and flatpickers alike
- Jumbo: Even bigger than a dreadnought, jumbo guitars boast a powerful, rich tone with excellent projection. They're perfect for players who need to fill a room with sound, like in a band or ensemble setting.
- Concert: Featuring a smaller body than a dreadnought, concert guitars have a balanced, articulate tone. Their comfortable size makes them a great pick for fingerstyle players or those with smaller frames.
- Parlor: Compact and lightweight, parlor guitars have an intimate, focused sound. They're ideal for playing in smaller spaces or for anyone who prefers a vintage-inspired tone.
- Classical: Based on traditional Spanish guitar designs, classical guitars have a distinct shape with a wide neck and use nylon strings. They produce a warm, mellow tone perfect for classical and fingerstyle playing.
So which size and shape is right for which style of playing? Larger guitars like dreadnoughts and jumbos will generally have more volume and bass, while smaller concert and parlor guitars will have a more balanced, nuanced sound.
5. Acoustic guitar as the lead instrument
The acoustic guitar is one of the most widely recognised acoustic instrument and has only grown in popularity with musicians performing and releasing acoustic versions of popular songs. YouTube and other social media sites have also spotlight covers, favouring those who perform using the acoustic guitar.
6. Care process
While manufacturers look to create durable guitars, maintenance is still maintained to keep an acoustic guitar sounding its best. This includes changing the strings regularly and ensuring it has a case that prevents any damage during transport.
To keep the acoustic guitar's quality of sound intact, proper care of this instrument is imperative. You will find plenty of tutorials around the web about it.
By taking proper care of your acoustic guitar, you can maintain sound quality for a long time.
7. Innovation is still underway
The types of acoustic guitars we see now are quite distinct from its earliest version. There have been many evolutions to the design and manufacturing resulting in the modern acoustic guitar we use today.
Even today there are innovations, such as sound side holes directed towards the player's position allowing a better sound experience for practice and composing. Other modifications look to improve the guitars' typical design with bridge-less construction and vista bridges aiming to produce better or different sounds.
8. Demand
The acoustic guitar has massive demand around the globe. According to Statista, acoustic guitars sold more than their electric counterpart with 18% more sales in the US until 2021. However, by 2023, electric guitars took over selling more units than acoustics.
The acoustic guitar market is expected to reach US$ 411.45 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR OF 5.5% per year. Experts contribute this rise to the innovation and accessibility of the acoustic guitar over the years. Such as the benefit of the acoustic-electric guitar. While others attribute aesthetics such as stand out colors and finishes to its success.
9+1. Best acoustic guitar brands
Out of thousands of brands, there are a select few that are considered the top of the line in both popularity, and quality. Two that we would consider are the Martin and Taylor acoustics.
These two brands have been around forever, and have gained expertise over the years, making quality high-end instruments. They are also favoured by many popular artists including Taylor Swift, Jason Mraz for the Taylor and John Mayer and Ed Sheeran for the Martin.
Due to their longevity and use by popular artists, these guitars will continue their good reputation for a significant time.
There are many small boutique brands that also make terrific acoustic guitars.
Wrapping Up
The acoustic guitar is still going strong with many manufacturers reporting positive sales trends.
While we only listed a few facts about the instrument, there's so much more to research and decide when purchasing a brand new guitar.
From materials to colours, to styles and innovations, it's a whole world to explore and experience.