Buying An Acoustic Guitar

Buying and acoustic guitar is simpler in some ways than buying an electric guitar. There’s no electrical gadgetry to worry about and no knobs to fall off. However, the craftmanship needs more consideration. A decent acoustic guitar for a beginner should cost a little more than a starter electric guitar. It will be much lighter to hold but be aware that some people find then harder to play well. You really do need to develop the callouses on your fretting fingers if you buy a steel string guitar! Avoid a nylon string instrument unless you want to play classical guitar.

String gauge is quite important. Acoustic guitars use no amplification so they must produce a rich sound and volume straight from the strings. I recommend medium weight string sets with a number 1 top E string of 009 or 010. Lighter than that will be easier to play. Heavier gauge strings will give a better sound but will be harder to play.

There are some quite nicely made budget acoustic guitars for not too much pocket money but buy from a guitar dealer, not any old shop. As with electric instruments, look along the fret board from the headstock end to ensure that there is no more than the slightest concave bow in it and no twisting. Also ensure that the tuning pegs on the headstock are good and tight.

Also, check the intonation. Electric guitars will put up with a lot of adjustment but the intonation of your acoustic guitar needs to be spot on when you buy it. Use a tuner to tune the bottom string – that is the thickest nearest to your face as you play. It should be tuned to E. Then fret the same string at the twelfth fret. It should be spot on E again but an octave higher. Repeat this for the remaining strings in sequence – A D G B E. If your guitar is not properly set, return it to the dealer.

Even more than the electric, I would suggest that you get your new acoustic set up by a professional.

When you have advanced somewhat and can tell a good sounding acoustic guitar from a mediocre one, you will know whether you now want to trade up to a more expensive model.

Enjoy your playing!

Martin Acoustic Guitar