Do you dream of strumming campfire songs or writing your own melodies? The acoustic guitar is the perfect instrument for that dream. It’s portable, beautiful, and makes a wonderful sound all on its own. But stepping into a music store can feel overwhelming. So many shapes, sizes, and brands fill the walls! How do you know which one will feel right in your hands or sound best for your favorite music?
Choosing your first (or next) acoustic guitar involves tricky decisions about wood, size, and price. You want a guitar that inspires you to play, not one that feels awkward or sounds dull. Many beginners struggle with this choice, often ending up with an instrument that doesn’t match their goals.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down the essential features of acoustic guitars simply. You will learn exactly what makes one guitar different from another. By the end, you will feel confident knowing what features matter most for your playing style.
Let’s dive into the wonderful world of acoustic guitars and find the perfect match for your musical journey.
Top Guitars Acoustic Recommendations
- AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL 130 years of history is at the root of our foundation building high quality instruments. Many of the biggest names in music have played Washburn and some of the most significant trendsetting songs has been played on a Washburn
- THE GO-TO COMPANION The Washburn WA90CE dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar is a go-to companion for the living room, the campfire or the stage, with a solid balance of stability, tone and aesthetics
- BODY & FINISH The cutaway makes it easy to reach the uppermost frets. It has Okoume wood back and sides, and Transparent Black Burst color with gloss finish. The WA90CE is ideal for strumming, playing some blues or bluegrass flat picking
- Perfect beginner guitar: Specially designed for students and teens who are just getting started. This 38-inch, right-handed, acoustic guitar features all the bells and whistles. Designed with 18 smooth frets, 6 steel strings, and easy to hold neck.
- Complete starter kit: Entry-level guitar bundle includes 38-inch acoustic guitar, nylon bag, 3 picks (of assorted colors), shoulder strap, digital tuner, pitch pipe, an extra set of 6 strings, and an instructional sheet.
- Superior-grade tonewoods: Top, back, and sides are crafted from laminated basswood for versatility and warmth, with a high-gloss finish. Whether playing soft or loud, strumming or flatpicking, this guitar remains responsive and retains its tonal integrity. This guitar is built to last.
- With a combination of reliable Fender quality, player-friendly features and attractive aesthetics, the all-new California Debut is a value-packed option for today’s acoustic player.
- Designed for beginner's, featuring a durable all-laminate body crafted with premium tonewoods, and an easy-to-play “C”-shape neck with tilt-back 6-in-line headstock. With a walnut fingerboard for a smooth and comfortable playing feel.
- Further details include Dreadnought body shape, sealed-gear tuning machines for accurate tuning, a walnut bridge for optimal tone production, a smooth satin finish, and body and neck binding for added durability
- 【Well Made Craftsmanship】: Boasts a spruce top complemented by a mahogany back and sides, reinforced with X bracing for durability and sound quality; The fretboard features 20 brass frets with clear position markers on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 17th frets, designed to withstand years of practice and performance
- 【Rich Warm Clear Sound】: The combination of a spruce top and mahogany body offers a rich, warm, and clear sound with a balanced tone and full mid-frequency; This construction enhances the instrument's sustain, ensuring each note resonates fully
- 【Stays in Tune】: This beginner guitar is strung with phosphor bronze strings over a high carbon steel hex core, paired with a high hardness bridge saddle and a plastic steel nut; This setup makes the guitar easy to tune and helps it stay in tune longer, maintaining sound quality after the strings have been stretched and played in
- [IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS] Whether learning your first chords or writing songs, the FG800J is the ideal instrument for beginners.
- [QUALITY CRAFTMANSHIP] From carefully chosen woods to beautiful, hand-applied finishes and detailed quality control checks, each and every FG is created to be a lifelong partner.
- [SOUND] The FG800J’s solid spruce top and large body yields a bright, balanced tone and bold low-end projection.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Acoustic Guitars
Choosing your first acoustic guitar, or upgrading an old one, can feel tricky. This guide breaks down what matters most so you can find the perfect instrument for your music.
Key Features to Look For
Body Shape and Size
The shape of the guitar greatly affects its sound and how it feels to play. Larger bodies usually produce louder, deeper sounds. Smaller bodies feel easier for beginners or younger players to hold.
- Dreadnought: The most common shape. It offers a big, loud sound. Great for strumming chords.
- Concert/Auditorium (OM): A medium size. It balances volume and comfort. Good for fingerpicking.
- Parlor: The smallest common size. It has a quieter, focused tone. Excellent for travel or smaller hands.
Scale Length
This is the distance between the nut (near the headstock) and the bridge. A shorter scale length means the strings are slightly looser. This makes pressing down on the frets easier on your fingers.
Neck Profile
The back of the neck can be thick (chunky) or thin (slim). Beginners often prefer a thinner neck profile because it makes wrapping your hand around the neck simpler.
Important Materials: What Your Guitar Is Made Of
The wood used in an acoustic guitar defines its tone, or voice. Different woods resonate differently when you pluck a string.
Top Wood (Soundboard)
The top is the most important part for sound production. Quality is key here.
- Spruce: The most popular top wood. It offers a clear, strong, and versatile sound.
- Cedar: Often used on classical guitars. It produces a warmer, darker tone right away.
Back and Side Woods
These woods color the tone produced by the top.
- Mahogany: Gives a punchy, fundamental tone with strong mid-range sounds.
- Rosewood: Creates a rich, complex sound with deep bass and sparkling highs.
Fretboard and Bridge
These parts need to be very hard and durable. Ebony and Rosewood are the standard choices because they handle the constant friction of playing well.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all guitars sound or feel the same, even if they look similar. Construction methods matter a lot.
Solid vs. Laminate Wood
This is a major quality difference. Solid wood is one single piece of wood. Laminate wood uses thin layers glued together, like plywood.
- Solid Top: Improves sound quality significantly over time. The wood vibrates more freely.
- Laminate: Reduces cost and makes the guitar more resistant to humidity changes. However, the sound quality usually stays the same or slightly decreases over years.
Bracing
Braces are small wooden supports glued underneath the top wood. Good bracing supports the top while allowing it to vibrate freely. Poor bracing chokes the sound.
Hardware
The tuning machines (tuners) must hold their pitch reliably. Cheap tuners slip often, meaning you constantly retune your guitar.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where and how you plan to play your guitar.
Beginners
Beginners need comfort. Look for a slightly smaller body (like a Concert size) and lower “action” (the distance between the strings and the fretboard). Low action prevents painful finger soreness.
Strummers and Rhythm Players
If you play loudly with a pick, you need a guitar with a strong projection. Dreadnoughts with Spruce tops are usually the best choice here.
Fingerstyle Players
If you pick individual strings, you want clarity and balance across all strings. Guitars with Auditorium shapes or Cedar tops work very well.
Travelers
For playing on the go, consider a smaller body size or a specialized travel guitar. These are built to be durable and compact.
Acoustic Guitar Buying FAQs
Q: What is the most important feature for a beginner?
A: Comfort is most important. Look for a smaller body shape and low action so your fingers do not hurt too much while learning chords.
Q: Should I buy a guitar with electronics (a pickup)?
A: If you plan to plug your guitar into an amplifier or sound system for performances, yes. If you only plan to play unplugged at home, you do not need electronics, which keeps the cost lower.
Q: How does humidity affect my acoustic guitar?
A: Wood swells when it absorbs moisture and shrinks when it dries out. Extreme changes can cause cracks in the wood or cause the neck to warp. Keep your guitar in a stable environment.
Q: What is “action,” and why does it matter?
A: Action is the height of the strings above the frets. High action makes the guitar hard to press down; low action makes it easy. Lower action is usually better for new players.
Q: Do expensive guitars always sound better?
A: Often, yes, because they use better solid woods and superior construction techniques. However, a well-made mid-range guitar can often sound better than a poorly made expensive one.
Q: What is the difference between steel-string and nylon-string acoustics?
A: Steel strings are louder and brighter; they are used for folk, rock, and country music. Nylon strings are softer and mellower; they are used mainly for classical and flamenco music.
Q: How often should I change my strings?
A: If you play often (several times a week), change them every one to three months. Old strings sound dull and stop holding tune well.
Q: What is the standard tuning for an acoustic guitar?
A: The standard tuning, from the thickest string (lowest pitch) to the thinnest string (highest pitch), is E-A-D-G-B-E.
Q: Can I just buy the cheapest guitar available?
A: While tempting, the very cheapest guitars often have poor tuning stability and sharp fret edges. These problems frustrate beginners and make learning harder. It is better to spend a little more for a reliable starter instrument.
Q: What is a “cutaway” on a guitar body?
A: A cutaway is a scoop taken out of the upper side of the guitar body, near the neck. This shape allows easier access to the higher frets for soloing.
Hi, I’m Tom Scalisi, and welcome to The Saw Blog! I started this blog to share my hands-on experience and insights about woodworking tools—especially saws and saw blades. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of tools, and I’m here to help both professionals and hobbyists make informed decisions when it comes to selecting and using their equipment. Whether you’re looking for in-depth reviews, tips, or just advice on how to get the best performance out of your tools, you’ll find it here. I’m excited to be part of your woodworking journey!