Best Acoustic Guitar
Best Overall Acoustic Guitar
Best Acoustic Guitar for Beginners
Best Acoustic Guitar for Kids and Small Hands
Best Acoustic Guitar for Intermediate and Experienced Players
From The Beatles to Bob Dylan, most of the world’s favorite musicians use an acoustic guitar in one way or another. The acoustic guitar is one of the most versatile instruments. These guitars produce sound by their strings resounding over a noise chamber in the body of the instrument. An acoustic guitar has six strings that sometimes correspond with an additional six strings for a richer sound. The sound an acoustic guitar produces does not require an electric amplifier.
Acoustic guitars are an essential in classical, folk, jazz, and even rock or punk music. The make of an acoustic guitar greatly determines its sound.
What makes a great acoustic guitar?
While beginner musicians may not care to go too far into the specifics, there are a few characteristics that any acoustic guitar player should look for. When we chose our list of favorite acoustic guitars we looked for the following defining features:
Wood/Material
Before we go into discussing the best material for acoustic guitars, it’s important to outline the different wood types. Wood on an acoustic guitar will either be laminated or solid. Laminated wood is layers of wood stuck together with an adhesive, while solid wood is thicker. Laminated wood tends to have a more resonant sound due to its sturdiness.
Acoustic guitars’ back and sides are typically made from one or more of the following types of wood:
- Rosewood: this is the most popular tone wood that produces a clear, bright sound.
- Mahogany: this is a cheaper wood that produces a bluesy, darker tone.
- Sapele: this lighter, amber coloured wood produces a contemporary sound great for light strumming.
- Maple: commonly used on violins, the sound of this wood is ideal for live performance due to its clarity and focused tone.
- Koa: this wood has a notoriously beautiful aesthetic appearance and produces a brightness conducive to finger picking.
- Walnut: the bright tome of this wood is similar to koa, however, it has slightly boosted low to mid frequencies.
Shape
The shape of an acoustic guitar determines the frequency of its sound. Not only do you want the right sound, but the shape also determines how comfortable the guitar is to play and hold. Acoustic guitars can come in a variety of shapes but the following are some of the most common:
- Dreadnought: this is the most famous guitar shape and it strikes the most even balance between volume and size.
- Parlour: the shape of this guitar is slightly smaller making it comfortable and preferable for those new to the instrument.
- Auditorium: a combination between a dreadnought and a parlour shape, folk singers or finger pickers love this shape for the way it rests on the knee.
Sound quality
Wood and shape has a lot to do with the quality of the sound. In general, higher quality materials make for better sound quality. String and pick choice also have an impact on an acoustic guitar’s sound.
Size
Acoustic guitars come in different sizes and for good reason. Most guitars have slightly different lengths, even if they’re considered “full size.” Generally speaking, guitars run from ¼- full size. The smallest ¼ size guitar is about the size of a ukulele. If your child is looking to start playing, a smaller size guitar is the optimal choice. Children over 10 can probably start using full size guitars.
Nylon versus steel string acoustic guitars
For the most part, acoustic guitars come in two different string types. Nylon string guitars typically produce a low sound. Their strings tend to be further apart. Steel string guitars are more contemporary acoustic guitars. The neck of these guitars are narrower and, despite the steel name, the strings can be of a variety of metals.
Choosing between an acoustic and an acoustic-electric guitar
When making an informed decision between an acoustic and an acoustic-electric guitar, it really depends on what kind of music you play. The two types of acoustic guitar essentially function in the same way. The only difference is that acoustic-electric guitars have the option of amplification.
Best Overall Acoustic Guitar
This is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to acoustic guitars. It has a smooth satin finish over its spruce top which makes for its great tone. It’s well worth the value, with many reviewers even mentioning that it sounds as good as more expensive acoustic guitar options.
The classic acoustic guitar
This acoustic guitar has a classic dreadnought shape exuding a bold sound. It’s great for beginners and experts alike, with a comfortable feel, full body binding, and chrome tuners.
Best Acoustic Guitar for Beginners
If you’re a beginner, look no further than this acoustic guitar. It is fit for both teenagers and adults and has a feel that’s comfortable for long jam sessions. There is a lesser distance between the fretboard and the strings, which reduces finger fatigue.
One-stop-shop
There’s no need to invest in extra accessories when you purchase this acoustic guitar. In addition to the guitar itself, it comes with a carrying case, a strap with a pick holder, six picks, an e-tuner, and extra strings.
Best Acoustic Guitar for Kids and Small Hands
For its small size and affordable price, this acoustic guitar sounds great and has an appealing glossy finish. It is all-wood and durable so perfect for handling by children. It comes in a variety of colors, from purple to blue and brown.
Guitar lessons are calling
Children or teenagers looking to begin playing the guitar will find this to be the optimal choice. It’s both easy to tune and use. The whole package is your perfect starter kit and comes with a shoulder strap, a carrying case, spare strings, and picks. Parents shopping for kids will love this guitar.
Best Acoustic Guitar for Intermediate and Experienced Players
This is the most expensive option on our list of favorites and it’s no surprise why. This is the optimal option for a player looking to expand their sonic palette. It has pretty much everything one looks for in an acoustic guitar. It has a classic dreadnought body style, a sturdy spruce and mahogany build, and a built-in tuner. It comes in a range of finishes, from a more folky natural look to a rock n roll black finish. The sound is pure and crisp.
A highly trusted brand
Fender is one of the most popular guitar brands and the world’s largest guitar manufacturer. Everyone, from beginners to rockstars, has used one of these instruments and will continue to do so. This is considered one of the best makes for an acoustic guitar of all time so it’s worth the larger investment if you’re an avid player.
FAQs about Acoustic Guitars
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Essential information about acoustic guitars
When choosing an acoustic guitar, you should think about how you plan to use it. Are you playing in live gigs or jamming out at home? Will you travel with it in the car or on a train? All of these requirements should inform your choice in an acoustic guitar.
What kind of acoustic guitar should a beginner use?
Beginners probably don’t need to invest in a super expensive guitar. They should prioritize comfort, affordability, and quality.
How often do a guitar’s strings need replacing?
The rule is to change strings depending on how much you play. Per every 100 hours of play, swap in a fresh pair of strings.
Do acoustic guitars sound better with age?
The best quality woods mature well with age, causing the sound to become richer and in some cases louder.