Shopping for your first acoustic, you quickly learn that “acoustic guitar” isn’t one thing. A booming dreadnought, a tiny parlor, and a 12-string are all acoustics, yet they barely feel related in your hands.
Body shape, string count, and size all change how a guitar sounds and who it fits. The wrong match can make a fine instrument feel awkward.
We walk through 11 common styles and who each one suits, so you can find your fit. First, let’s name them all.
What Are the Different Types of Acoustic Guitars?
1. Standard Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic guitars are the most popular guitars in the world today. They’re also the easiest to find, with almost every music shop you step into offering them on its shelves.
The most basic type is an acoustic guitar that comes with steel strings. An acoustic with nylon strings will sound more like a classical guitar than the traditional twangy sound an acoustic is expected to produce.
Steel-string acoustics are versatile workhorses that suit everything from strumming to fingerpicking.
Some are fairly budget friendly, but there are other high end acoustic guitars that can get quite expensive. A good example is the Gibson Montana Hummingbird acoustic guitar.
2. Acoustic-Electric Guitar
An acoustic-electric guitar is called such because it combines the acoustic sound of an acoustic guitar with the amplified sound of an electric guitar. This type can be used in live performances, but it’s also good for recording.
The sound of an acoustic-electric will be a mixture of an acoustic guitar and a regular electric guitar, giving it a richer sound overall. These are really good guitars to buy if you want one that gives off a more natural feel rather than a sharp sound with a heavier feel on the strings.
Look here for more info on the differences between acoustic vs acoustic electric guitars.
3. Cutaway Acoustic
A cutaway acoustic guitar is one that cuts away part of the body where the neck meets the soundbox. This is done to make the guitar easier to play and to make it easier to reach the upper frets.
Cutaway acoustics were made popular by blues musicians, who needed both comfort while playing and more room for their fingers to run up and down the frets. Many acoustic-electric guitars also feature a cutaway body for this reason.
4. 3/4 Acoustic Guitar
A 3/4 acoustic guitar is close to a full-size acoustic but smaller in body and scale length. These guitars are popular with players who have a smaller frame.
They’re also great for children, because they aren’t as heavy as full-size acoustics. The smaller size helps young players develop their hands and reach before moving up to a full-size instrument.
They make excellent beginner guitars, but they don’t sound as rich or full as a larger acoustic. These also work well as a good acoustic guitar for kids or one of the best acoustic guitar for small hands options.
5. 12-String Acoustic
A 12 string acoustic guitar has the look of a standard acoustic, but with 12 strings arranged in six paired courses. These are excellent guitars if you’re looking for a single instrument with a big, layered sound.
These guitars have a rich, shimmering tone when played, with a deeper and fuller character than a standard six-string. The doubled strings add a natural chorus effect that sounds great on chords and arpeggios.
They take a little more effort to fret and tune than a six-string, but the lush sound is well worth it in the long run.
6. Travel Acoustic Guitar
A travel acoustic guitar is one that’s lightweight and portable. These guitars are excellent for players who are on the go and want to bring their acoustic along wherever they travel.
The smaller size makes it easier to travel with the guitar without worrying about it getting damaged. If you want to do some playing while you’re away from home, you won’t have any problem bringing this type of guitar with you.
The sound will be good for its size, even though the smaller body means a little less volume and low-end than a full-size acoustic.
7. Classical Guitar
A classical guitar is the same type of guitar made famous by the artist Andres Segovia. Classical guitars are widely used by players interested in classical, flamenco, and romantic styles.
These guitars use nylon strings, which produce a mellower, softer tone than steel strings. The neck and body are different from a steel-string acoustic, with a wider, flatter fretboard that gives more space for players with wider fingers or for intricate fingerstyle work.
Classical guitars are lightweight and comfortable, which makes them a good choice if you want a smaller-feeling instrument with a warm, gentle sound. For more on how they differ from steel-string models, see our breakdown of classical vs acoustic guitars.
8. Parlor Acoustic Guitar
A parlor acoustic guitar has a smaller body than most acoustic guitars. This makes it comfortable for players who want a compact instrument, and parlors are great for making music in small spaces.
These guitars are great if you need to play with others without an overly loud or boomy sound competing with everyone else.
They’re also very comfortable to play, with the smaller body making them easy to hold for long stretches. The compact size is an advantage if you like to play in small rooms or on the couch at home.
You’ll be surprised how easily a parlor guitar sits on your lap while you play. Despite the small size, a good parlor still delivers a sweet, focused tone, with strong midrange that suits blues and fingerstyle especially well.
9. Left-Handed Acoustic Guitar
A left-handed acoustic guitar is built as a mirror image of a standard model so it can be played comfortably by left-handed players. These guitars are great for lefties who want to learn properly without restringing or flipping a right-handed guitar.
Left-handed acoustics are popular among players who find the standard, right-handed layout unnatural. Starting on an instrument built for your dominant hand makes it easier to learn correct technique from the beginning.
10. 7-String Acoustic Guitar
A 7-string acoustic guitar has seven strings rather than the standard six. These aren’t really made for beginners.
They’re designed for players who already know how to play and want to add an extra low (or high) string to expand their range.
This type of guitar is favored by players who want to experiment with the extra string to see whether it earns a place in their regular setup. The added string opens up new chord voicings and bass notes.
11. Thin-Body Acoustic
A thin-body acoustic has a shallower body depth than a standard acoustic guitar. This makes it more comfortable to hold, especially for smaller players or anyone who finds a deep-bodied dreadnought awkward.
Thin-body acoustics are very comfortable to play, with the slimmer profile making them an excellent choice for players who struggle with larger guitars. Many are acoustic-electric, since the thinner body trades a little acoustic volume for easier handling and amplification.
The slim shape also makes the guitar easy to carry around. If you want to play some tunes at home or take a guitar with you, a thin-body acoustic is easy to live with day to day.
How to Choose the Right Type for You
With so many options, the best acoustic guitar is the one that fits your body, your playing style, and your budget. Start with body size: smaller players, children, and travelers are often happiest with a 3/4, parlor, travel, or thin-body guitar, while a standard or dreadnought delivers the biggest, fullest sound.
Next, think about tone and string type. Steel strings give the bright, twangy sound most people picture, while a nylon-string classical is warmer and gentler.
A 12-string adds a shimmering, layered character, and a 7-string extends your range. If you ever plan to play live or record plugged in, an acoustic-electric (often with a cutaway) saves you from adding a pickup later.
Finally, factor in price and how seriously you want to commit. Budget-friendly models are great for getting started, while high end acoustic guitars reward more experienced players with better tonewoods and craftsmanship.
Whenever possible, play a few different shapes in person before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most common type of acoustic guitar?
The standard steel-string acoustic is by far the most common type. It’s the guitar most people picture when they think of an acoustic, and it’s the easiest to find in any music shop.
Steel-string acoustics are versatile enough for strumming, fingerpicking, and most popular music styles, which is a big part of why they’re so widely sold.
What type of acoustic guitar is best for beginners?
For most beginners, an affordable full-size steel-string acoustic is a great starting point. Younger or smaller players often do better with a 3/4 or parlor model, which is lighter and easier to reach around.
If your hands are small, one of the best acoustic guitar for small hands options or a thin-body guitar can make learning a lot more comfortable.
What’s the difference between a classical and an acoustic guitar?
A classical guitar uses nylon strings and has a wider, flatter neck, which gives it a softer, mellower tone and more spacing between strings. A standard acoustic uses steel strings and a narrower neck for a brighter, twangier sound.
Classical guitars suit fingerstyle and classical music, while steel-string acoustics are better for strumming and most modern styles. Our classical vs acoustic guide covers the differences in more detail.
Do I need an acoustic-electric guitar?
You need an acoustic-electric guitar if you plan to play through an amp or PA, whether for live performances or recording. The built-in pickup lets you plug in without adding hardware later.
If you only play at home for fun, a standard acoustic is perfectly fine. See our comparison of acoustic vs acoustic electric guitars to decide which makes sense for you.
Final Thoughts
There are many different types of acoustic guitars to pick from, and each one is popular for a good reason. From full-size steel-strings and 12-strings to compact parlor, travel, and 3/4 models, the right choice comes down to how and where you play.
The best type of acoustic guitar is the one that feels comfortable in your hands and produces a sound you’re proud of. Pay attention to body size, string type, and whether you need to plug in, since those three factors shape your experience the most.
Before you make your final decision, check the size and price range of any guitar you’re considering, and play a few in person if you can. The perfect match is out there once you know which type fits the way you want to play.
