Guitar Lessons For Beginners: Choosing The Right Acoustic Guitar
Philadelphia guitar teacher, David Joel, explains how to select the right acoustic guitar.
Choosing your first acoustic guitar can be both an exciting and formidable task. With so many makes, models, and styles to choose from, it is difficult for a beginner to know which guitar is right for them. David Joel, has been providing guitar lessons to students from Northeast Philadelphia, of all levels for over 17 years, and offers specific insight on how to choose the right acoustic guitar.
Primarily, aspiring musicians should be cautious of guitars under priced $150. A student who is serious about learning how to play the guitar should aim to spend approximately $200-$300 for a quality instrument. In that price range, students can easily find a solid Spruce top guitar with durable laminated sides. Buyers should always look for quality binding where the fretboard meets the neck and other adjoining wood areas. Another important facet to look for would be quality tuners on the headstock.
Great beginner guitars include:
- Alvarez Artist Series AD60: Alvarez guitars have a stunning sound in a wide variety of colors and shapes. This model is crafted out of solid grade ‘A’ Sitka spruce tops, making it consistently vibrant and equally as affordable.
- Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk Guitar: Light and durable, this guitar is perfect for beginners. The top, back and sides are made from Mahogany, who’s characteristic tone is warm and somewhat soft, but well balanced with good grind and bite. This guitar has a slightly smaller body than a dreadnought, which is a full-sized guitar.
- Yamaha FG700S Acoustic: (pictured above) This six-string entry level guitar features die-cast tuners, solid Sitka spruce top, and a rosewood fingerboard. With a tortoise pick guard, high gloss finish, and lifetime warranty, this is a perfect guitar for any budding musician.
After purchasing your instrument, be sure to have your guitar set-up at a quality guitar shop before playing. A set-up is a routine maintenance service that includes having the neck, bridge, and saddle of your guitar properly adjusted. No matter what model or make, a guitar will only play as well as it is set-up.
Keep these tips in mind and find the one that’s right for you. After you’ve selected and set-up your new acoustic guitar, head over to David Joel Guitar Studio to learn how to play! With systematic guitar lesson plans, students will incrementally learn the basics of how to read, play, improvise and compose music.