Acoustic Guitar Buyer’s Guide – Which is Right for you?

Our Acoustic Guitar Buyer’s Guide is a comprehensive resource that will help you make an educated decision when purchasing your instrument. We want to ensure you get the quality and sound you want. These lovely instruments are now available in various sizes and shapes. But picking one is easy with the help of our guide.

How do they Work?

It produces sound through strings being strummed or plucked and vibration from the guitar’s hollow body amplifying that sound. When played correctly, the strings vibrate against steel or brass frets, which create notes and chords.

The size of an acoustic guitar’s body affects its volume output and tone, with larger bodies producing louder sounds than smaller ones.

Now that you know how each style functions, let’s quickly review the various acoustic options.

Different Acoustic Types

Acoustics is a fascinating field of study, and various types of acoustic environments can be studied. Acoustic style refers to how sound behaves in different spaces, affecting how we experience sound. This article will explore some of the most common acoustic types and their unique characteristics.

Nylon String

Nylon strings are a popular choice for acoustic guitarists. Nylon strings are known for their soft, mellow sound and versatile range, which can add a unique and distinct tone to any player’s performance. Whether you’re into classical or flamenco styles of playing or just looking to add some variety to your style, nylon strings have something special in store for every musician.

It is slightly different from steel-string guitars in a few ways. The neck is broader and more curved than steel-stringed instruments, which creates a deeper bass sound when strummed. Nylon strings also produce richer tones with more excellent sustain than steel strings due to their ability to vibrate freely on the bridge and fretboard. Finally, they require less pressure during play, making them perfect for beginners learning to form chords. The acoustic guitar buyer’s guide explains nylon strings in great detail.

Steel-String

Steel-string acoustic guitars have been around for centuries and remain the most popular type of guitar today. From the beginning stages of learning how to play to the professional level, these instruments are essential for any guitarist. It offers a unique sound that stands out from other guitars.

The steel strings provide a beautiful, whole tone that is both vibrant and resonant. They tend to be louder than other guitar types. Furthermore, players can easily transition from playing rhythm sections to lead solos due to the wide range of tones available. Steel strings also have a longer lifespan than nylon strings which need more frequent replacement when used regularly.

Resonator

A resonator guitar, popularly known as a Resonator or Dobro, is an acoustic guitar constructed with metal components. The main feature of this type of guitar is its distinctive sound and unique playing technique. The body of the Resonator is made out of metal such as steel, brass, or aluminium, which gives it a bright sound compared to traditional guitars. 

The Resonator offers a unique tone by amplifying the string’s vibration through cone-shaped metal resonators. The player’s picking hand and fingerstyle techniques create an amplified resonance that makes the notes ring out longer than they would on other instruments. This characteristic allows for more intricate melodies and complex accompaniments.

Electro-Acoustic

The electro-acoustic guitar is one of modern music’s most recognizable and iconic instruments. This type of guitar combines the classic sound and feel of an acoustic instrument with electronic sound technology, allowing players to explore a range of musical styles from blues, folk, country, and rock genres.

An electro-acoustic guitar has several unique features that make it stand out from other guitars. The most significant difference is its ability to produce amplified sound without an amplifier or speaker cabinet. This allows players to perform live or in recording sessions with a broader range of dynamic sounds than traditional acoustic guitars can produce. 

It can also fit this type of guitar with pickups that allow musicians, even more, control over their tone and volume settings by enabling them to mix different frequencies.

Hybrid Acoustic

The hybrid acoustic guitar combines aspects of an electric guitar with those of a traditional acoustic instrument. The body is made from wood like a conventional acoustic, but it has many other features that give it an edge over standard models.

For example, the soundhole is often enlarged for more resonance and sustain. These guitars typically come equipped with pickups or piezo-electric transducers, which can make them louder or add distortion when plugged into an amp or PA system.

Acoustic Body Shapes

The acoustic guitar comes in various sizes and styles and has different body shapes available to the guitarist. Each type has a unique sound and feels, so choosing the one that best suits your playing style, and musical needs is essential.

Parlour

Parlour Acoustic guitar’s distinct sound and character are instantly recognizable, making it a popular choice among guitarists worldwide. This body type goes hand in hand with travel, providing a lightweight and cost-effective way for guitarists to embark on their journeys. Whether you’re looking for a gentle, warm tone to accompany your vocal melodies or need bright and strident accompaniment for your rock songs, this style will never disappoint you. 

It tends to be shallower than dreadnoughts but significantly more extensive than concert guitars; their bodies are usually between 12-14 inches wide with shorter scale lengths ranging from 25-27 inches. This size makes them incredibly comfortable to play – perfect for fingerstyle players who want greater control over each string and those who prefer strumming rhythm parts on the open lines.

0 (Parlour)

This guitar is known for its small body size and mellow sound, making it an excellent choice for everything from fingerpicking to blues rhythms. The 0 (PARLOUR) was first produced during the 1930s but has been updated to keep up with modern trends. This guitar’s classic design has broad appeal, fitting snugly between folk and classical styles.

The smaller body size of a 0 (PARLOUR) makes it perfect for small spaces or traveling guitarists who want to avoid carrying a bulky instrument. Its neck profile is also suitable for all hand sizes, so even those with smaller hands can play this guitar without difficulty.

00 (Grand Concert)

The 00 Grand Concert is ideal for professional and amateur acoustic guitar players. It has a solid spruce top, mahogany body, and rosewood fingerboard — making it one of the most desirable guitars on the market. This model offers the superior sound quality, and its range of features makes it an attractive option for those looking to buy their first instrument or upgrade their existing setup. 

000 (Orchestra Model)

000 (ORCHESTRA MODEL) is the latest innovation in musical performance. It offers a unique way for musicians to play together while ensuring they sound their best. This innovative approach allows multiple instruments to be played simultaneously, with each musician playing their part perfectly in sync with the others.

The Orchestra Model is designed to allow musicians of all skill levels to come together and create beautiful music. Leveraging advanced technology ensures that everyone will sound fantastic as a collective unit, no matter how inexperienced or skilled a player may be. With this model, each individual’s talent can shine through without getting lost or having one instrument overpower the others.

As a bonus, Orchestra Model also reduces setup time and makes it easier for bands and orchestras to practice together before shows or gigs.

Dreadnought

The dreadnought acoustic guitar is a classic instrument that has been popular in many genres of music, from bluegrass and folk to classic rock and blues. Its distinct shape sets it apart from other types of acoustic guitars. C.F. Martin & Co. first produced this timeless design in the early 1900s. Since then, its popularity has increased as more musicians discover its unique sound capabilities. 

The battleship’s large body produces a strong, full-bodied, warm, and bright sound, with plenty of volume for small venues or open mic nights. The larger size also allows for excellent resonance and sustain.

Grand Auditorium

The Grand Auditorium acoustic guitar is a classic model. Deal with various musical styles, this type of guitar is known for its versatility and rich sound.

The Grand Auditorium offers plenty of resonance and projection to capture the sound of each note entirely played. The shape allows more mid-range frequencies to be heard when playing in a quiet space or live performance setting.

It also has an increased dynamic range, meaning it can quickly produce both soft and loud sounds. Players can access all registers on the fretboard soon, allowing them to play intricate melodies or chord progressions easily. 

Whether looking for a great-sounding instrument for recording, performing live, or just jamming around the house, the Grand Auditorium guitar will give you a fantastic sound at any volume level.

Jumbo

It features a larger body than its standard counterpart, allowing it to produce a more extensive, richer tone. Thanks to this larger size, the JUMBO acoustic guitar is well suited for playing louder styles of music such as folk, rock, and blues.

It’s great for those who want to experiment with different techniques and sounds. Its deep low end allows experimentation with alternate tunings and fingerpicking styles. The warm mid-range helps to create an inviting atmosphere when performing live or in the studio. The bright highs sparkle enough to produce melodies and solos in solo performances or recordings.

Cutaways

A cutaway guitar looks almost identical to a standard acoustic guitar. Still, it has a curved indentation or “cutaway” near the neck, allowing players more accessible access to higher notes up the fretboard. This makes it particularly popular among musicians who play complex fingerstyle pieces or solos. 

The most common type of cutaway guitar is a dreadnought body style with a single cutaway, although some models may feature double cutaways. Cutaways also come in smaller sizes, such as parlor and concert models, allowing players with smaller hands to reach those higher notes more easily. Some guitars can even install electric pickups to be played through an amplifier.

Electronics

The electric acoustic guitar combines the sound of an acoustic guitar with the versatility and convenience of modern electronics. Whether you’re a gigging musician, recording artist, or casual player, an electric acoustic guitar can be a great addition to your setup. 

An electric acoustic guitar typically consists of a natural wood body combined with electrified components such as pickups and preamps to amplify the sound.

With this combination, players can get that classic acoustic tone while still having access to effects pedals and other electronic capabilities like looping and sampling. Many also feature built-in tuners so you can keep your strings in tune easily, no matter where you play. No matter what style of music you play, having an electric acoustic guitar can open up new sonic possibilities for your sound.

Piezo

Combining sonic and physical properties, the piezo acoustic guitar adds dimension to traditional soundscapes. With a unique design and construction, this instrument provides a truly unique experience for players. 

Piezo guitars have two primary components – an aluminium-based neck and bridge assembly and Piezo transducers housed in the bridge saddles. The Piezos convert string vibrations into electronic signals, which can be amplified or processed through effects.

This creates an exciting range of tonal possibilities that aren’t available with traditional guitars. Players can customize their sound by adjusting the parameters of their pickups, EQs, and other controls to get the sound they want.

Soundhole Pickup

This popular instrument is ideal for any acoustic player with its convenience, portability, and superior sound quality. The soundhole pickup acoustic guitar features a built-in microphone inside the soundhole that captures every nuance of your playing.

The microphone is connected to an onboard preamp, which amplifies your signal and gives you complete control over your tone. This type of guitar also comes with various effects such as reverb, chorus, and delay to customize your sound further. This makes it easy to achieve studio.

The soundhole pickup is worth checking out for players looking for proper plug-and-play convenience.

Internal Microphone

An internal microphone is an essential piece of equipment for any acoustic guitar player. It can help you capture your instrument’s natural sound without worrying about interference from external sounds and other devices. An internal microphone ensures your acoustic guitar is heard clearly and accurately in recordings or live performances. 

The selection process for choosing one can be daunting; there are various factors to consider, such as size, sensitivity, frequency response, and more. When selecting the right mic for your needs, it’s essential to research each option before making a decision.

Conclusion

An acoustic guitar buyer’s guide can provide a beginner or experienced guitarist with the information needed to make an informed purchase. It is essential to consider various factors like budget, size of the body, type of wood used, and most importantly, your skill level.

With all these considerations, you can find a guitar that fits your needs best. Remember that practice and dedication are essential elements to becoming a great musician.

FAQ’s

Read Also: IS A HEAVIER OR LIGHTER ELECTRIC GUITAR BETTER?