Many experts will advise beginners to begin learning on an acoustic guitar before moving onto electric ones, which may be true; however, purchasing a guitar should involve more than that alone. Check out where to buy acoustic guitar.
When purchasing online guitars, you must ask plenty of questions of both sellers and private sellers, particularly if the latter are private individuals.
1. Look for a guitar with a good sound
The tone of an acoustic guitar depends heavily on the materials used for construction. Different wood species produce brighter sounds, while others have more subdued tones; buyers must look for one with excellent tonal characteristics when buying their instrument.
Solid tonewood guitars tend to produce superior sounds compared to laminate wood guitars due to the dense piece of wood making up most of it, while laminate is comprised of several thin sheets of cheaper woods glued together, providing cost savings measures while potentially dulling or flattening its sound quality.
Other elements, including body shape and neck size, can also affect an acoustic guitar's sound. While body shapes impact overall volume and tone control, neck size helps in finger placement and chord formation. String type/action considerations must also be made since nylon strings produce more mellow sounds than steel ones.
Finding a guitar with a great tone should ultimately come down to listening and selecting one you find pleasing - physically or visualising its ideal tone in your mind's ear - to help guide your decision-making process.
2. Look for a guitar with a good action
Acoustic guitars come in all sizes, from compact travel models to full-sized concert instruments. Finding one that feels comfortable to you - sitting or standing - is vital; experiment with different guitars until one fits your playing style and preferences well. If in doubt, seek advice from friends or a music teacher.
The wood used in the body and neck of an acoustic guitar is also an integral factor. Each tonewood creates its sound and feel; for instance, spruce guitars produce bright, clear tones, while cedar produces warm tones with more of an intimate, laidback tone.
Acoustic guitar necks may be made of either solid or laminated wood. While solid-wood necks tend to be more costly, they often offer superior quality and playability.
Acoustic guitar necks can be adjusted to match each player's hand size and playing style for optimal playing comfort. The more comfortable the neck feels to hold and play on, the easier fretting notes and chords will become. Nut width also plays an integral part in fretting notes and chords accurately; some acoustic guitars employ special nut shapes or materials to facilitate string changes, while others use standard dimensions.
3. Look for a guitar with a good neck
A comfortable neck can make all the difference when playing an acoustic guitar. Numerous neck shapes, depths and fretboard radii are available to meet different hand sizes and preferences; flatter necks tend to be easier for fingerstyle playing, while curved ones work best with chording. Ultimately, each guitarist must find what feels most natural in their hands.
The thickness of a neck can enormously affect how an instrument feels overall. A thinner neck tends to be easier for beginners and players with smaller hands to handle, as well as being more responsive and allowing quicker playing speeds.
4. Look for a guitar with a good set-up
The guitar is an exquisite instrument, capable of lighting up a room and uniting people. Additionally, its versatility enables it to be played across many genres and styles - when buying an acoustic guitar, make sure your budget and music genre requirements are considered to find the ideal instrument.
Once you have decided on an acoustic guitar to buy, finding one with an optimal setup is crucial. It includes items like the nut and saddle, which hold strings to the guitar body; these parts substantially impact its sound. Plastic parts may dampen this sound, making the instrument less responsive, while wood gives better resonance to give an optimal guitar tone. Check out where to buy acoustic guitar.