Choosing the Right Acoustic Beginner Guitar

There are several things to remember when your out searching for your first acoustic beginner guitar. First of all, you want the very best guitar your money can buy. The value of an easier-to-play, high quality instrument will be clearly seen in both its tone and its responsiveness to the touch.

If you're looking for a high-end acoustic beginner guitar, an excellent choice is the Seagull S6, costing about $400-$500. It may be more expensive than what most beginners are prepared to pay, but it is an exceptional guitar for the price. Even professionals often keep their Seagull S6 after they've purchased many other guitars. Another good high-end acoustic beginner guitar is the Washburn D10S. Acoustic Guitar magazine voted it #1 for guitars under $500. Most people looking in this price range will end up choosing the Washburn or the Seagull.

Excellent choices if you want to spend a bit less include Yamahas F310, Takamines G-240 and Fenders DG7. For a rock-bottom price in an acoustic beginner guitar, you will want to look at Epiphones DR-100. You'll have to switch to a more advanced instrument down the road, since its only meant for rookies, but you'll get a really good buy for somewhere between $120 and $150.

When you are looking for your first guitar, avoid the very cheap ones. These are actually harder to play and can be hard for even an experienced player. A cheaper made acoustic beginner guitar is just not made well and usually have really high action, meaning there is more space between the strings and the fingerboard than the more expensive guitars. This can make a beginner just give up.

If you were planning on spending around $100 or less, a second hand acoustic beginner guitar is a good option. One of the benefits would be the guitar having some character. Take for example, two second hand Yamaha F310's. Try them both out as they will likely have distinctly different sounds. These sounds may even give you some insight on the personality of who owned the guitar before.

You should always avoid buying a guitar from someone who doesn't know beans about caring for one. A guitar has to be handled like a lover (or at least a friend!). When it hasn't been properly treated, its just never going to make great music. If an acoustic beginner guitar your trying feels a bit off for any reason, go on to the next one.

As a beginner, until you get some practice in with your own equipment it will be difficult to play your acoustic beginner guitar properly, even just to hear how it sounds in the store before you buy it. Take a moment and ask the salesperson to demonstrate so you can get a better feel for the sound it makes. Most times they will only be happy to help out. Who knows, they may be helping a future music star start their career.