When you are shopping for a new acoustic guitar, it can be beneficial to be reminded of what level of acoustic guitar playing you are at.
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Beginner Acoustic Guitar Players
The beginner acoustic guitar player is often looking for a guitar that produces a sound that they like. They may or may not know which type of wood the guitar is made from, what to look for in terms of style and size, and other important criteria. A beginner acoustic guitar player might not be able to tell the difference between brands and types of strings and other components on a great acoustic guitar.
Some beginners are able to identify changes in tone and might know that an acoustic guitar made from mahogany vs. rosewood is usually a better fundamental fundamental choice for their play level. So, they may reach out for a Martin or Taylor rather than a Gibson or Epiphone. New guitarist will also want to think about why acoustic guitars are harder to play than electrics.
Here are some options for the best beginner acoustic guitars.
Intermediate Acoustic Guitar Players
The intermediate level acoustic guitar player is often looking to improve their playing skills, either by increased proficiency or fretboard memorization. They might also be looking to up their game in terms of style and performance.
Many intermediate level acoustic guitar players are fans of certain brands with a history of build manufacturing quality. They are looking for certain acoustic guitar models with the right balance between tone, playability, tone, projection, and expressiveness. They might also be looking for a particular style of acoustic guitar tuners with smooth performance over years of use.
Here are some recommendations for the best acoustic guitar for intermediate players.
Advanced Acoustic Guitar Players
The advanced level acoustic guitar player is often looking to build a classy guitar with a rich tone, good projection, and great playability. They might be looking for a guitar that is made from a particular wood or material, which can be an easy way to justify purchasing an expensive acoustic guitar. Or they may be looking for the most beautiful of guitars, due to having been inspired by seeing or hearing another guitarist play it.
The advanced level acoustic guitar player has also heard of the word ‘tone’, but might not have known what it meant to them. They likely have an idea of how they would like the acoustic guitar to sound, but are not sure if they are over- or under-critical about certain aspects of tone.
Pro Acoustic Guitar Players
The pro acoustic guitar player is looking for a specific type of tone that gets their heart racing. They might be looking for a specific type of wood, their all-time favorite guitar, or perhaps a style of guitar that is unique to them. They also have a rich vocabulary of sound terms and know what is important to them in a tone.
Pro acoustic guitar players might be looking to obtain an instrument with great clarity and projection, provided it has deep enough bass response. They will also be looking for a particular sort of wood that they like, and how it will stand up to playing time. They might demand a certain level of playability from the guitar, or be looking for a certain level of performance out of their instrument to match their personal sound.
Who Should You Buy From?
Who should you purchase from when you are shopping for an acoustic guitar is entirely up to you. Whatever choice you make will reflect positively on your professionalism. But if you are shopping for an acoustic guitar to use as your primary instrument, I suggest you take your time to look at other options.
There are many other acoustic guitars that have been designed by other manufacturers that may be perfectly suited for your play level. If you are the kind of acoustic guitar player who wants a very specific sound, then go ahead and look for specific models by other manufacturers. But if you are someone who wants to have a broad range of selection, consider purchasing from a guitar maker located in the United States or Germany.
When you shop for an acoustic guitar, you are sure to find something that speaks to your heart. However, the most important question is whether or not you will be comfortable playing the acoustic guitar. If it does not feel right in your hands, then you should find another model.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is no surefire way to decide which acoustic guitar is right for your play level. It takes time, practice, and trial and error before you get the sound that works best for you. I suggest that you act like an advanced level guitar player this time around, taking your time to get the feel of the acoustic guitar before making a purchase decision.
Shopping for an acoustic guitar by comparing notes about other players’ acoustics is also a good idea.