How to Select the Right Acoustic Guitar

Whether you are selecting your first or fifth acoustic guitar, the decision can be a tough one. Here's how to find a good acoustic guitar whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player.

Beginners - A lot of times people who are just starting out select the cheapest guitar they can find and just start playing. There is some validity to this approach because in the beginning practice is the most important thing. However, learning guitar for a lot of people has a quick learning curve, so it might be within a few months to a year that you realize the guitar you have is no good.

My suggestion would be to get a guitar that has a nice full sound and feels good on the neck. You may not be able to tell this in the beginning, though, so one of the ways to tell is the price of the guitar. With guitars, it's often true that you get what you pay for, though there are some hidden gems out there. You should probably go for a guitar in the $300 - $600 range. I would recommend a Taylor Big Baby. The guitar is a bit smaller than a normal guitar, but this makes it a little easier to play. It also has a great sound for the price. Another brand that is nice is Seagull. Basically, you want to get a guitar that's a little bit better than your playing level, so you can build up to it.

Intermediate - By now, you should be able to discern what kind of sound you want from your guitar. You may find the guitar you have gives a flat sound, so you want something deeper or more full. You probably want to get a guitar that is in the $600 - $2,000 range. These guitars will give you a wide variety of sounds, so you should be able to find one that suits you. I recommend the Seagulls, though some of the lower end Taylors or Martins are good as well. There's a few Ibanez guitars that might be good as well.

Advanced - If you're in this level, you're probably looking to buy a guitar that will be with you for at least the next 5 years, if not the rest of your life. A lot of people go with Taylors or Martins, as most professionals use these. Taylors give a brighter, more tingy sound, while Martins are deeper, and more full. It is really up to your preference. Make sure to play before you buy. Hear it, feel it, connect with it. Don't just think that a $2000+ guitar is going to sound great. I have a friend who has a guitar worth that much that sounds like crap. The key is to find one that really connects with you personally.