How to buy a Good Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic guitars, when well treated, have a long life and offer hours of playing fun. If you are just starting to play or buying your first acoustic guitar, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the choices and range of prices. Regardless of your price range or whether buying new or used, there are a few things to consider to ensure you choose a good instrument.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Take your guitar tuner along with you, particularly if you are looking at used acoustic guitar. Tune the strings and then play the guitar, making sure that up and down the fret board the guitar stays in tune. An older or damaged guitar with a warped neck may have problems with intonation, damage which is not easily repaired.

2. Play each guitar you consider buying and compare the sound to other acoustic guitars. Because each guitar may have a slightly different body style and be made from a different type of wood, each instrument will sound a little different. There is no such thing as good or bad sound, only the sound that you are looking for.

3. Inspect the guitar, particularly joints, tuning keys, the bridge and other areas where pieces connect. If you see open spaces, drops of glue or shoddy details, the guitar is most likely not put together well. A good acoustic guitar will have smooth, tight seams, tuning keys made from metal or pearl but not plastic and all of the details will be perfect.

4. Make sure that the size of the neck of the acoustic guitar fits well in your hand. Some guitars have wider necks than others. While this will not affect the sound quality, it can certainly affect the way you play and your comfort level.

5. Test built-in pickups with at least two different amplifiers before you buy an acoustic guitar with plug ins. Built in pickups vary greatly in sound and quality, so it becomes a serious consideration when choosing an acoustic/electric.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit multiple music stores before you make your final decision. Never let a salesman intimidate you either. The most expensive guitar is not necessarily the best choice for you.
• Take a friend shopping with you so that as you play one guitar, he can play another and you can compare the sound.
• Do not judge a guitar by its weight. Each acoustic guitar will be made with a different type of wood which will greatly change the weight of one guitar to the next. While wood can change intonation and sound, a heavy weight guitar is not necessarily a better choice.

[jonlesterwhite]

on 11/9/2009 I found a great guitar at cutawayacousticguitar.com. Check them out as well.