What is an acoustic guitar?

An acoustic guitar is a fretted instrument that is constructed out of a hollow wooden box-like body. It has a long solid wooden neck strung with six or more steel or nylon strings, depending on the style of guitar. Acoustic guitars come in different sizes. These different sizes affect the resulting tone and volume of the notes as they sound. The types of wood used to make the guitar also influence this. Other factors such as the inner construction of the body (known as bracing) also play a large part in the resulting tone of the instrument. Acoustic guitars can be fitted with or bought with pre-fitted pickup systems. These allow them to be plugged into amplifiers and other devices. This allows acoustic guitars to be used in public performances where much more volume is required. We refer to these guitars as electro acoustics. There are many different types of pickup systems available. Guitarists all have their own preferences, just as they do with make of guitar, shape and type of wood used in construction. Acoustic guitars come in all price ranges from under £100 to well over £5000. They are made all over the world and can be factory made or hand made.

What features should I be looking for in a good, affordable electro acoustic guitar to gig with?

With such a wide range of guitars available, it can be difficult to narrow down your options! We recommend playing lots of different models from many manufacturers. Every brand makes guitars differently! For a good gigging guitar, it would make sense to pay attention to dreadnought and similarly sized guitars. These are very versatile. A solid top is well worth investing in since the guitar's tone will 'mature' and improve the more you play it. An all-solid guitar would be even better if you can stretch to it. Depending on what styles you play, you may like to have a cutaway in the body to reach notes higher up on the fingerboard. In terms of woods, Spruce is the most commonly used material for an acoustic guitar's top. This makes Spruce topped guitars a good starting point. Try Mahogany and Cedar topped guitars as well. They each have their own tonal benefits! When it comes to electronics, most pickup systems are very good these days. It is helpful to have an on-board tuner. Apart from that, it's all about personal preference and budget! Part of the fun is browsing and thinking through options! Remember, we are always here online and in our stores if you need help and advice.

What is the difference between an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar?

Acoustic guitars are primarily designed to be used in an unplugged situation. The guitar amplifies itself due to its hollow design. The aim of an acoustic guitar is to sound as pure and natural as possible. An electric guitar is designed to be plugged into an external amplifier. Electric guitars are generally either solid or semi-hollow. They work with the amplifier to create a sound that is different to that of an acoustic guitar. Electric guitars can be 'overdriven' by the amplifier or an external device known as an effects pedal. This creates a rock guitar sound, otherwise known as a 'distorted' guitar sound. These effects are generally not what acoustic guitarists are looking for. There is some crossover. For example, electro-acoustics are acoustic guitars with pickups fitted into them. These instruments can be plugged into amplifiers. Effects pedals can be used with them as they are on electric guitars. Effects pedals come in a wide variety of flavours and colours. All of these change the sound of the guitar in a specific way.

Why do acoustic guitars have lots of different body sizes?

Acoustic guitars have a wide variety of body shapes partly due to history and partly due to demand. The smallest guitars are travel guitars which must be small and portable. Parlour guitars are small Blues instruments. They are great for plucking away at whilst sitting on front porches. The most popular size is the dreadnought. Its bigger and deeper body projects more and is much louder than smaller models. A Grand Auditorium shape is a similar size to a dreadnought but has a different, more scooped sound. The shape plays a big part in the timbre of the sound. You often find that the 'hips' of the guitar shape is a good indication of the midrange response. Jumbo acoustics are the largest size generally available. They meet the needs of singer songwriters who like to strum big loud chordal rhythms to go with their singing. It is definitely worth trying out a good selection of different body shapes to find what you like best. Your body size plays a part too, as does your reach.

What is a 'solid top'?

The term 'solid top' refers to the construction method used to produce a guitar. Less expensive guitars are made entirely from laminated wood. This does a fine job and is sturdy but will not resonate as freely as a solid piece of timber. The most expensive guitars are made from solid pieces of wood because this sounds better by far. A good compromise found in many affordable and mid range guitars is to have a top (or soundboard) made from solid wood and the rest from laminates. The top is the most significant factor in the production of tone. This method therefore provides a 'best of both worlds'. A good example of this is the Sigma 000M-15+. This guitar uses solid Mahogany for the top and laminated Mahogany for the back and sides.

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Martin Custom 000 Premium Sitka Spruce VTS/Wild Grain East Indian Rosewood

Martin Custom Dreadnought Premium Sitka Spruce VTS/Wild Grain East Indian Rosewood

Martin Custom 000 Adirondack Spruce/ Sinker Mahogany

Martin Custom Dreadnought Adirondack Spruce/ Sinker Mahogany LH #2363432

Martin Custom Dreadnought Adirondack Spruce/ Sinker Mahogany LH #2363431

Martin Custom 000 Adirondack Spruce/Sinker Mahogany LH

Martin Custom Dreadnought Sinker Mahogany

Martin Custom 000 Sinker Mahogany LH

Taylor 324e (Pre-Owned)

Martin 000-15SM (Pre-Owned)

Taylor K65ce (Pre-Owned)

Gretsch G9520E Gin w/ Deltoluxe Pickup Smokestack Black

Gretsch Limited Edition G9500 Jim Dandy Oxblood

Martin Custom Special 0-15M

Collings WL-14X Aged

Taylor K24ce Builder's Edition All-Koa Kona Burst #1205140008

Taylor American Dream AD17 Blacktop LH

Taylor American Dream AD27e Natural LH

Taylor American Dream AD17e Natural LH

Taylor American Dream AD27 Natural LH

Taylor American Dream AD17 Natural LH

Taylor American Dream AD17e Blacktop LH

Taylor American Dream AD17 Blacktop

Taylor 514CE (Pre-Owned) #970729109

Godin Multiac Nylon Duet Ambience Natural (Pre-Owned) #18405112

Alvarez Artist Series AF66SHB Folk Shadowburst (Pre-Owned)

Alvarez Artist Series AD30CE Dreadnought Cutaway (Ex-Demo) #E1907010

Taylor American Dream AD27e Natural

Taylor American Dream AD27 Natural

Taylor American Dream AD17e Blacktop

Taylor American Dream AD17e Natural

Taylor American Dream AD17 Natural

Cordoba Luthier Select Esteso CD Cedar

PRS SE T60E Tonare Natural Ziricote

PRS SE T55E Tonare Abaco Green

PRS SE T50E Tonare Vintage Sunburst

PRS SE TX20E Mahogany Back and Sides Natural

Martin 00028EC Eric Clapton (Pre-Owned) #21803

Gibson Doves In Flight AC #11699050

Gibson Hummingbird Studio Walnut Antique Natural

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