If you are starting on an instrument, the acoustic guitar is one of the best choices you could make.
It's not too difficult to get the hang of, and with just a handful of chords under their belt, just about anybody can play pretty much any song that's currently popular.
Picking the best option may be a challenging endeavor. It is simple to get perplexed, lose one's motivation, and finally quit when so many distinct options are available on the market.
When shopping for an acoustic guitar, you are in luck since we have developed a list of the five most important factors you should consider. After finishing this piece, you will have a deeper knowledge of acoustic guitars, and it will be much simpler to choose the best musical equipment to meet your requirements.
CONSIDER YOUR BODY SIZE, BUT PUT YOUR COMFORT FIRST!
If you don't feel comfortable playing the instrument you practice on, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to learn how to play and advance your skills.
The sound is likewise affected by the different sizes, with certain portions of the tone spectrum being more or less apparent depending on the size.
When it comes to acoustic guitars, you have a few different alternatives to choose from in terms of size, including the following:
- (Grand) Concert: The body length of these instruments measures about 13 inches. Ideal for more intimate musical ensembles.
- (Grand) The Auditorium: It is larger and provides a well-balanced sound, in addition to decent loudness.
- Jumbo: Greater in size than the Auditorium, the Jumbo is an excellent venue for country music performances.
- Dreadnought: Dreadnought Is the ideal option for bluegrass and other genres that are comparable. It has a scale length of around 20 inches.
- Travel/ Mini: Variable in size, often somewhat compact, and designed for portability. Also known as "travel" or "mini."
Your best option is to borrow a guitar from a friend and play it to check whether the instrument fits well in your hands. In such case, you may ask them for the model, or you can measure the measurements and then seek an alternative that is either less or bigger for you!
TONEWOOD CHOICE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT DETERMINES THE SOUND OF YOUR GUITAR.
Hence, the larger the guitar, the more potential for projection and loudness it has. However, it isn't the only thing that determines how an acoustic guitar sounds; it just so happens to be the most obvious.
The body of an acoustic guitar is made out of a kind of wood called tonewood. It confers unique qualities on each model, both in terms of how it feels in hand and how well it is built, and how it sounds.
Even though there are a wide variety of tonewoods available, let's take a quick look at some of the most typical tonewoods and how the sound is affected by them:
- Sapele is a very lightweight but durable wood with a high range that is quite distinct.
- Much like Sapele, Maple has a high treble content and can pierce through the mix when performed with other instruments.
- Mahogany is a kind of wood with a sound somewhere in the middle of Sapele and Maple. It has a powerful and distinct tone, with a little more emphasis on the highs.
- Cedar is one of the softer varieties of tonewood, especially when compared to the other options. Consider flamenco music in terms of its distinctive tone!
It won't make much of a difference whether you buy the "wrong" sort of tonewood for your first guitar if you're starting. But if you want to make an investment that will pay off in the long run, you should attempt to produce a rough sketch of the sound you want and then pick your instrument appropriately!
STRINGS MADE OF STEEL OR NYLON? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
While many online guidelines advise beginning guitarists to use nylon strings on their first acoustic guitar, there is no hard and fast rule to follow.
The main distinctions between these two solutions are in their sound and feel.
- Nylon strings are gentler and will not wear out your fingers as quickly. The sound is also less bright and more inviting.
- Steel strings, on the other hand, make extended practice sessions more uncomfortable while also contributing to greater volume levels and a crisper tone.
Listen to how both alternatives sound on the internet and choose the one that seems most enticing to you.
Just keep in mind that if you purchase an acoustic guitar with steel strings, you cannot use nylon strings on it, and vice versa!
WHAT ABOUT ELECTRIC-ACOUSTIC GUITARS?
Acoustic-electric guitars fall halfway between traditional acoustic and electric guitars. They feature a pickup similar to that found on electric guitars and allow you to play via an amp!
If you have a guitar like this, recording sessions and live performances are considerably simpler. So, if you intend to perform in a band or on the streets, an acoustic-electric model is a perfect choice.
Remember that this guitar style will cost you a little more!
HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD YOU SPEND?
It is thought that the more money you spend, the better you will become. But, is it worthwhile to spend the money?
As a newbie, it might be tough to tell the difference between an expensive and a low-cost item. As a result, you must create a budget. Spending more money as a novice is a bad idea.
Look for prominent manufacturers like Yamaha, Kadence, Ibanez, Epiphone, Fender, Cort, Hertz, Giuson, and others that provide a range of models at varying rates. It's better to spend a bit more than you intended on a guitar that's proven to be worth the money than to opt for an unknown but very inexpensive one.
As a result, before making a final choice, you must establish a budget. A little up and down is alright, but spending much more than your budget is not a good choice for a novice. Also, it would be best if you bought your musical equipment from a reputable dealer.
Consider the genre of music you want to listen to, the size that feels most comfortable, and the sound that appeals to you. Then, if necessary, save some money and begin playing!
We hope you found this post informative and learnt something new about acoustic guitars!