Tips For Selecting the Right Beginner Acoustic Guitar

Once you have decided that you want to learn the guitar, one of the most important decisions will be which beginner acoustic guitar you want to learn with.  To help decide, first you need to think about the style of music you want to play. For instance, nylon-string classical guitars are best suited to playing Latin, softer pop/folk and classical tunes.  On the other hand, you will need to look for a steel string if you want to play country or rock songs.  If you are not sure, go to a guitar store and try a few different types to see which ones feel right for you.  You don't even need to know how to play at this stage – just a gentle strum should be enough for you to know if you like the type of sound a particular guitar makes.

If you are taking lessons, your tutor may suggest that you buy a nylon-stringed beginner acoustic guitar.  This is because the nylon strings are generally easier on the fingers. Of course, if you’re learning to play guitar because you want to play like a rock star, nylon strings, or indeed the tone of  a classical guitar is never going to sound right to you.  If you already know you want to end up playing steel-string music, then you are better off starting with a steel string guitar.  Your fingers will get sore at first, but the calluses will develop after about a month or two of regular practice.  This advice works both ways. If you want to play classical guitar music, try not to let someone else talk you into learning with a steel-string. 

If you want to buy a steel-string beginner acoustic guitar, the most popular type is the six-string dreadnought.  Dreadnought guitars produce a sound that many beginners are comfortable with and they come in fairly uniform size ranges.

The type of wood your beginner acoustic guitar is made from will also make a difference to the tone of the instrument.   Most beginner acoustic guitars have a spruce top.  Be sure to choose one with a solid spruce top rather than a plywood or two-piece top.  The solid top will be more durable and will mean that it will more likely last the duration of your learning period.  As for the back and sides, your choices will probably be mahogany, rosewood and spruce.  If you’re looking for a lighter tone, try guitars with a mahogany back and sides.  Guitars with a rosewood back and sides will produce a heavier tone.

One thing you should look for in a beginner level guitar is that it has a relatively low action.  The action is the space between the strings and the neck.  If the action is too high, it can become a distraction and get in the way of your learning.  Make sure you also get a good electronic tuner when you buy your beginner acoustic guitar.  As you are likely to be just starting out, your ear will note developed yet.  Tuning your guitar without having to fuss with it too much will increase the time that you will be able to spend practicing and playing.