For me, nothing quite captures the mood of total relaxation and fun like being in a circle of friends, listening to one of them play an acoustic guitar. Something about the gentle intonations, the soft creaking noses...
Yes, there is definitely a reason why the acoustic guitar has experienced a surge in popularity in the last few years. Its wide range of mellow sounds and moods it can create help to bring a greater depth of emotion to any genre, from classical to punk rock.
Whether you are a novice musician or a seasoned player, whether you are seeking your first starter guitar or hope to add another to your collection (or perhaps replace a guitar that has become too worn out), there are a few things you should keep in mind so you can find a quality instrument that will sound and look beautiful for years to come.
Every guitar tends to have a unique feel and sound, so take time to "get acquainted," so to speak. If you are seriously interested in one, feel its weight and size. Sit down to get a measure of the comfort level in that position. Even if you don't typically play standing up or sitting down, you will still want to see how it feels to play each way with that guitar.
You will also want to check to be sure the space between the fretboard (also called the fingerboard) and the strings is consistent. Some guitarists recommend that you look for "dead spots," on the fingerboard. Sometimes, there will be areas on the board that can distort a note. If you find one, you should probably move on to test a different instrument.
It is also important to note the size of the fretboard. "Heavy-handed," players will want to find a guitar that has a smaller fretboard because it helps the string and the wood to make direct contact, which keeps the notes more consistent and in tune.
Many a beginner may guess that the wood from which the guitar is constructed is exclusively for show. Admittedly, I had thought this myself. But the truth is that the type of wood used is one of the major factors in affecting how the guitar sounds.
The soundboard (the top of the guitar) is generally made from red cedar, mahogany, or spruce. Its engineering is a large determinant in the quality of sound, but the body can be made from an assortment of different kinds of wood, and that influences the type of sound. This is one of the most important things to remember--you want a guitar whose sound reflects you as a musician.
Happy guitar hunting! Remember that it is never a brand name that counts the most--it is the overall quality and personality.
Author Resource:-
If you are looking for just the right tonewood guitar that will give you both artistic expression and high quality sound, be sure to check out Alaska Specialty Woods (http://alaskawoods.com). Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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