Buying guide for best acoustic guitars

As many folk singers, troubadours, and campfire song leaders have discovered, the simple beauty of an acoustic guitar just can’t be beat. If you don’t already own an acoustic guitar, there are plenty of compelling reasons to buy one, but two of the strongest reasons are user-friendliness and price.

Some musical instruments are prohibitively expensive for beginners, and they’re difficult to learn, too. Not the acoustic guitar. They are easy to learn, easy to carry, and easy on the ears. Plus, you can buy an acoustic guitar for an affordable price. The most difficult challenge in purchasing an acoustic guitar is finding the ideal fit for you. In this shopping guide, we discuss some important elements to consider when browsing the acoustic guitar market.

Finding the perfect acoustic guitar can be a lifelong quest for some musicians, but it doesn’t have to be that way for parents of a budding guitar prodigy or the next folk rock star. A satisfying new or used acoustic guitar may just be a phone call or click away.

Selecting your tonewood

When shopping for a new acoustic guitar, it helps to have an idea of what types of tonewoods you prefer. If you’re not sure what you prefer, however, that’s okay.

Here’s a look at the different types of tonewoods you may find on a guitar.

• Ash is a popular tonewood known for its pleasing resonance.

• Basswood is an inexpensive tonewood often found on lower-priced acoustic guitars.

• Cedar is a good tonewood for the top of a guitar.

• Rosewood is one of the most popular tonewood choices. It is most often seen on the fretboard.

• Spruce, like cedar, is a fairly inexpensive tonewood for the top of an acoustic guitar. It typically gets good results.

• Mahogany and maple are two of the best tonewoods, especially when paired together.
   

Other tonewoods and combinations of tonewoods can also sound good. When shopping for a new acoustic guitar, it’s helpful if you can hear a recording of the guitar first – or even test it out yourself.

Some acoustic guitars come pre-strung, while others must be strung after purchase. When researching guitars, we consider how user-friendly a guitar is right out of the box and the best options for all audiences, from beginners to experts.

The neck of an acoustic guitar should be strong and securely connected to the body with no signs of cracking or warping. In our research, we note the integrity of this connection, as it affects overall sound quality.

We consider the positioning of the fretboard in relation to the strings, as this impacts the sound of a guitar.

We look at whether an acoustic guitar has steel or nylon strings. Steel strings are usually used for blues and rock techniques, but they place a lot of pressure on the fingers. Nylon strings are softer on the fingers and a great all-around option.

We consider how easy a guitar is to tune as well as how often you’ll need to tune it.

Some guitars come with additional features such as strings, a guitar bag, a tuner, or a strap. When extras are offered, we inspect them to see if they add value to the purchase.

A quality acoustic guitar can cost less than $100 or greater than $15,000. We research options at different price points to find quality guitars for all budgets.

Acoustic guitars are made from a variety of tonewoods. We note the type of tonewood a guitar uses as well as the sound quality it produces.

We assess the shape of an acoustic guitar’s body as well as the shape of its sound hole. Both aspects impact sound quality.

In our research and product buying guides, we note which acoustic guitars are best for beginners.

Some notes on strings

Many acoustic guitar manufacturers will pre-string their products before selling them, largely because a newly created instrument needs to be under tension while it’s settling into shape. The original set of strings on an acoustic guitar is often a medium gauge, which can be hard on a beginner’s fingers.

Immediately changing out the strings is always a temptation, but students should seek guidance from an experienced teacher before making such a drastic adjustment. Some playing styles, like rhythmic chord strumming, are actually easier with heavier-gauge strings.

Here are some other things to keep in mind about acoustic guitar strings.

Expensive strings will not improve a bad guitar’s performance

Yes, the strings play an important role in an acoustic guitar’s overall tonality and resonance, but they are not miracle workers.

Excessive buzzing is a symptom of low action, meaning the strings are too closely positioned to the fretboard. The most expensive strings on the market will not fix this problem.

Similarly, if the action is too high, the lightest-gauge strings will not improve the tone.

Steel strings and nylon strings are not always interchangeable

Some players may decide to switch from nylon strings to heavier steel strings in order to play slides or other blues/rock techniques.

This can be a tragically bad idea since steel strings place a lot more tension on the guitar’s head and neck than nylon strings.

Many guitars will accommodate softer nylon strings, but classical and flamenco guitars cannot handle the additional stress of metal strings.

Nylon strings are gentler on the fingers

As a beginner, you may experience less finger pain when using nylon strings. However, you will still definitely form calluses if you play your nylon strings enough. Nylon strings provide a mellower tone for finger-picking styles.

If you want your fingers to feel more comfortable but don’t want to switch to nylon strings, consider changing to a lighter-gauge metal string and lowering the action. Some experts posit that this could be just as beneficial as switching to nylon strings for the sake of comfort.

Modern string sets go beyond steel or nylon

Guitar string technology is constantly evolving, so it pays to do some research or talk to a professional luthier about all the available options.

Some string sets now use a polymer coating to reduce friction and corrosion. Others wrap silk, nylon, or copper around the lower steel wires to produce a more delicate tone.

Bronze alloys containing phosphor or aluminum also help extend the life of the strings.

Questions to ask before buying an acoustic guitar

Whether you’re shopping for an entry-level acoustic guitar or a high-end vintage custom model, there are some questions you should ask before you settle on a purchase. After all, the overall quality of an acoustic guitar can vary widely from piece to piece, not just from model to model or brand to brand.

Are you satisfied with the sound quality of the acoustic guitar?

Tonality is an important consideration for many musical instruments, and that’s especially true when it comes to acoustic guitars. The strings, fretboard, sound holes, and body of a guitar all play a role in how the guitar will sound to an audience. The distance between the strings and the fretboard (called the “action”) can also affect sound quality.

What is the nature of the neck/body connection in the acoustic guitar?

Some manufacturers reinforce this connection mechanically using special metal truss rods or screws. Others rely on industrial adhesives and/or carpentry joints (dovetails) to keep the neck and body together under tension.

The overall fit should be strong with no signs of cracking or warping.

The choice of tonewoods for the various components and the type of finish used can also make a difference in quality.

Is the acoustic guitar you’re considering part of a starter kit?

Some sellers offer complete acoustic guitar “starter kits.”

A kit might include an additional set of strings, a tuner, and/or cleaning supplies.

If you don’t want to have to worry about buying these things separately, you may wish to buy a starter kit.

Does the guitar you’re considering come with a case or gig bag?

All guitars need a protective case, sleeve, or bag for safe storage.

You might buy a guitar that comes with a case, or you might wish to select your own case separately.

How much does an acoustic guitar cost?

The price of acoustic guitars varies widely, from less than $100 for a basic student model to over $15,000 for a rare vintage collectible.

• Sometimes, the difference between a $300 acoustic guitar and a $3,000 acoustic guitar is mostly cosmetic. For example, a high-end acoustic guitar may feature pricier tonewood or a more intricate inlay on the body.

• Other times, there is a true difference in overall quality between a $300 acoustic guitar and a $3,000 acoustic guitar. This difference lies in the manufacturer’s craftsmanship and choice of materials.
   

Beginning students will not necessarily benefit from an $800 brand name acoustic guitar, but advanced musicians may want to scrutinize tone quality, craftsmanship, and material choices before investing in a new acoustic guitar.

Keep in mind that some acoustic guitar sellers will offer a warranty or repair plan to buyers, but quite often, a used instrument will be sold “as is.”

FAQ

Q. My son wants to learn to play guitar, but I don’t know what kind to buy him. Are there smaller guitars made for younger players?

A. Yes, a number of guitar manufacturers produce student-size guitars, and parents can trade up for larger sizes as their child grows and progresses. Some older children may be able to use a traditional acoustic guitar if the body style is a good fit. There are also special rehearsal guitar “sticks” that simulate a fretboard but produce very little sound.

Q. I recently bought my first acoustic guitar, and I’ve been teaching myself how to play it. Why doesn’t my guitar have the same sound as the ones I hear at professional concerts?

A. Many professional musicians invest thousands of dollars in high-end guitars made from expensive and rare tonewoods. A $100 student guitar made from spruce is not going to produce that level of tonality regardless of the player’s skill level. As a beginner, your main focus should be on skills such as chord formation, fretting techniques, and basic scales. Improving tonality and performance are long-term goals.

Q. I recently retired, and now I want to learn how to play the acoustic guitar. Am I starting too late? Don’t I have to develop calluses on my fingertips?

A. It is never too late to learn how to play a musical instrument. An acoustic guitar does present some unique challenges for beginners, including the formation of calluses over time. Some working professional guitarists actually develop deep grooves on their fingertips after years of performing. But this is not a requirement in order to become an accomplished amateur guitarist. Practically every musical instrument places some physical demands on players, but developing skills like muscle memory and improvisation are tangible benefits of that extra effort.

Q. I saw an acoustic guitar at my local pawn shop. Is it a good idea to buy a guitar from this type of store?

A. Musical instruments, especially acoustic and electric guitars, are routinely pawned for short-term loans. Buyers prepared to pay cash can sometimes find high-quality acoustic guitars at pawn shops, but there are no guarantees on condition. Furthermore, the seller may or may not be able to provide any technical information or additional accessories.