Cheap acoustic guitar buying guide

July 8, 2008
by Dom Varga

The cost of material used is one reason for the cost of the instrument. Part of the final cost is wood, though not all guitars are made from wood. Some are graphite or plastic. However, the reason an acoustic guitar sounds the way it does is because of the wood it is crafted from. The sound of a guitar that is not made out of wood may cause you to give up learning because of the poor sound quality. A plastic guitar that you probably won’t like isn’t a wise investment. A better option would be to buy a cheap acoustic guitar made out of wood.

While not a cheap acoustic guitar, the Seagull S6 is actually an exceptional value for the price. To leave out this particular guitar in a discussion of beginner guitars would be remiss. This guitar has a beautiful solid cedar top with mahogany wood on the back and sides and is capable of producing a beautiful sound. Even professionals will keep this guitar for years, despite owning a collection of even more expensive guitars. Priced at $400-$500, it may be more than you were budgeting for; but, if you are serious about taking up guitar playing, you should give some real consideration into purchasing this guitar. Furthermore, an online search may help you find a deal on this guitar as it is a readily available model.

A solid, dependable choice for a cheap acoustic guitar is the Yamaha F310. It features a top of solid spruce along with a back and sides made from mahogany. The price might fit better for your budget, coming in at $150-$200 and it is a universal choice for the serious novice.

The Epiphone DR-100, at $120 to $150, is another pricing step down in an excellent cheap acoustic guitar. Its top is manufactured of select-grade spruce, while its back and sides are crafted from mahogany. Its meant for beginners and would require a trade-up down the road. However, if youre still not certain whether youll stick with the guitar or not, this is a fine, decent quality instrument to enjoy in the meantime.

If you are looking for a cheap acoustic guitar for under $100 there is really nothing worth recommending. A lot of them really cant be played. Cheaply made guitars are why many younger students abandon learning how to play guitar. They are poorly constructed. If you are thinking of purchasing a cheap acoustic guitar, remember you get what your pay for so stay away from these cheaper models and avoid losing the thrill of a well-made guitar.

If you can’t pony up for a better quality acoustic guitar, try to buy one second hand instead. If you buy a used guitar, it will have already developed a full and rich tone that you will not find in a brand new one. Many stores have a special section for used cheap acoustic guitars and you can play each one until you find the one that suits your needs.

Even if you can only go with a cheap acoustic guitar, look for one with a top that is solid as opposed to one with a top made of plywood. The solid wood acoustic guitar will provide a rich and full tone. If it is in your budget, stick with ones that have solid wood on the backs and sides as well.

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