There are a number of reasons to choose an acoustic guitar over electric. Acoustic guitars are easier to play for beginners and can be played almost anywhere. Electric guitars are obviously limited to areas with an electrical outlet to plug in the amplifier. Also, acoustic guitars are generally less expensive than their electric counterparts. Even if the guitar itself is the same price, you will save money by not having to purchase an amplifier.

The first thing to do is decide on the size of acoustic guitar that is best for you.

Of course, your physical size determines how large or small a guitar you can comfortable play. Within those limits, there are several sizes that will probably fit you, so the decision then becomes what type of sound you want from your acoustic guitar. Look at the size of the nut as this also indicates the width of the neck. If you have smaller hands, you may need a narrower neck to be able to reach all of the notes. Remember that the width of the neck goes up as you move upward, so be sure to test out the fit of our hands in all places along the neck.

The type of wood used in the construction of the acoustic guitar can affect the tone it produces.

The most common woods are maple, mahogany, or rosewood. Spruce gives the most balanced tone, which is why it is used on most of the popular steel-stringed models. Maple is the next most balanced tone, a little bit mellower than that produced by a spruce acoustic guitar. Rosewood instruments have a heavier, darker, tone, almost like a bass guitar. Classical guitars are generally made out of cedar and give a somewhat brighter tone. Another popular choice for guitar construction is koa wood, which produces a heavy tone that is still a bit lighter than that of a rosewood guitar.

Decide on the thickness of strings for your acoustic guitar.

Different models may come with different gauges of string, so you may want to ask if the strings can be switched out without affecting the guitar's tone. The standard string gauges are heavy, medium, light, and extra light. Along with affecting the sound, the string thickness may also need to be switched according to the size and strength of your hands. Thinner strings are easier to press down on the neck, but also do not give the full sound of thicker strings.

After you have picked out your new acoustic guitar, you will probably need a few accessories before you can get started. It is a good idea to purchase a guitar case to protect your investment. This is especially important for hollow-bodied acoustic guitars as they are much more vulnerable than a solid electric guitar would be. Another popular guitar accessory is a strap to hold the instrument while you play. This is almost mandatory if you will be playing your guitar standing up. Also, remember to get a selection of guitar picks before leaving the store. Picks come in different sizes, thicknesses, and materials, depending on the strings you have and the type of music you will be playing.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-12-08 05:21:42. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Related Posts

• Buying Acoustic Guitars If you are in the market to buy a brand new acoustic guitar, the one of the biggest factors that you should take into consideration during the decision making process is the tonewood. The individuals that make guitars believe that the wood that is chosen for the top of the......
• Guitar Buying Advice Walk into any music store and you are bound to find an entire wall covered in guitars; including electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars and plenty of other specialty guitars as well. Purchasing your first guitar is not nearly as easy as choosing the most attractively designed instrument that you......
• Acoustic Bass Guitar There are a number of different types of guitars, which produce a variety of different sounds, and offer a myriad of different features. One of the most demanding types of guitars out there is the acoustic bass guitar. This is a bass instrument that offers a hollow wooden body which......
• Acoustic Guitar Basics The first thing you think of when you think about acoustic instruments is likely the acoustic guitar. What most people do not know is that “acoustic guitar” is a retronym. Until electric guitars were invented, they were simply called guitars. The differentiation was necessary upon the invention and adoption of......
• Manufacturers: Gibson Orville Gibson started the Gibson Guitar Corporation by making specialized mandolins in 1894. From the beginning, Gibson established himself as a quality instrument builder who added his own innovations. His mandolins were modified in such a way that they had a richer sound. Eventually, Gibson mandolins became the instrument of......

Related Websites

• mindhack: gratitude rock Another nice little mindhack from The Secret: I took a small rock I found in a box of childhood junk and I carry it in my pocket. Whenever I stick my hand in my pocket and touch it, I think of something I'm grateful for. That's it. Yet at......
• Are you a pig if you eat more than 3 meals a day? Or smart? I apologize if the title for this post is a bit crass, but the question I think is a valid one.  How many times should you eat every day if you're trying to lose weight? photo credit: jessicafm One thing I've done since embarking on my weight loss journey is......
• Review of Bass Guitars In regards to instruments, the bass guitar is the new kid on the block as it hasn't even celebrated its 100 year mark yet. An interesting fact is that although it is called a bass guitar it is not even derived from the guitar. Acoustic guitars brought forth the electric......
• Musical Instruments Bass When some people hear the word bass, they immediately think about the bass guitar, a popular instrument in many types of music today. However, there is actually a large number of different instruments that fall under the base category, and the bass guitar is only one of them. Bass instruments......

Online Stores

• Acoustic Electric Guitar Musical Instruments
• Dean Acoustic Electric Guitar Musical Instruments
• Ibanez Acoustic Electric Guitar Musical Instruments
• Ovation Acoustic Electric Guitar Musical Instruments
• Takamine Acoustic Electric Guitar Musical Instruments

If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.



Categories:

Acoustic Musical Instruments, Buyer's Guide, Guitars

Tags:

acoustic guitar, amplifier, bass guitar, classical guitars, electric acoustic guitars, electric counterparts, electric guitars, electrical outlet, guitar construction, little bit, mahogany, mellower, models, money, rosewood guitar