How to choose an acoustic guitar

You want to start playing a guitar from now! Some people say that you should start with acoustic guitar to learn chords first. So how do you choose an acoustic guitar .... What is the difference from classical guitar and a regular acoustic guitar in the first place? This section is a buyer's guide for such acoustic guitar beginners. We hope you will find a nice guitar that fits your budget and is type you want!

What is an acoustic guitar?

Acoustic guitar (folk guitar)

Classical guitar

“Acoustic guitar” is a generic term that includes not only acoustic guitars with metal strings, such as bronze, but also classical guitars with nylon strings. It can be a bit confusing. In general, those using metal strings are called acoustic guitars , and those using nylon strings are called classical guitars. There was a time when acoustic guitars were called folk guitars, but now that term is dying.

Acoustic guitar shape

That’s it? That’s all there is to acoustic guitars? But I feel there’s something more.
That's right. There are also types of body shapes. The names of body shapes named by typical acoustic guitar brands MARTIN (Martin) and GIBSON (Gibson) are often distinguished as the standard.

The most representative acoustic shape is Martin's "Dreadnought". When speaking about acoustic guitars, most people will think of this shape. The Dreadnought was originally the name of a battleship in English. Due to the large shape of the body, even raw sounds produce loud sounds.
Gibson's "Jumbo" with an even larger body attracts louder sounds and wild looks. There are also models that are shaped like a gourd, like the "000 (triple o)" or "00 (double o)" in shapes smaller than the dreadnought .

Large bodies tend to be more wild-sounding, more stroke oriented, smaller bodies have better response and sound separation, and tend to be favored by fingerstyle players. If you get lost in choosing a shape, you can be confident if you choose a dreadnought type sold by many brands.

→ Shape of acoustic guitar (detailed page)

What is the difference between the prices?

What is the difference in prices by brand, and what is the main difference? It is in the material of the body.

First of all, is the material a sheet or plywood? A single veneer board is called "Tanban" and the more expensive a guitar is, the more veneer sheets are used. In the case of veneers, the core of the sound is clear, and it is characterized by the fact that the wood easily vibrates. Some low-cost guitars use only a single sheet on the front side (top) of the body, so I think this is a great standard when choosing a guitar.

A model with all single plates in the body parts is called "all single plates" etc., and it has become a synonym of good guitar. Plywood has a soft sound that is blurry and softer than a veneer, but there are times when it may be preferred, though it is not generally good either.

What is your other selection criteria?

To make an acoustic guitar sound like an electric guitar, you need a pickup that converts the sound of the guitar into an electrical signal. You may be able to start with an acoustic guitar (pure acoustic) without a pick-up, as it will produce a loud sound even if you're practicing at home. You can purchase and install a pickup later if you wish. Of course, if you want to play in public immediately, I would recommend an electric acoustic guitar with a pickup . There is a pick-up with the manufacturer's unique feeling in electric acoustics, so enjoyment can be found in choosing the right one for you.