Acoustic Guitars 101
A) Entry level acoustic guitars are presented as having a 'laminated top' which is a nice way of saying it's a plywood guitar. If you consider how plywood is made, multiple layers of wood with alternating grain, it's obvious that the wood is inert. Which is to say if will not vibrate to any significant degree. Plywood guitars are stable and can last many years but the tone leaves much to be desired. Best for beginners and those who are not sure how long they might play. These guitars sell between $100 & $299.
B) The next level is described as 'solid top'. Normally with spruce, occasionally cedar tops, these guitars regularly have die-cast, machine head tuners which have higher gear ratios allowing more accurate, stable, tuning and the solid top does produce a higher quality, louder, tone. Even for beginners these guitars are preferred as the player won't outgrow them so quickly. These guitars sell between $250-699 and many have built in electronics, on board tuners, etc. Cases are normally extra.
C) Solid top/solid back guitars provide an intermediate step. As you would expect they provide more sound of a richer quality and also improve with age. Manufacturers use special drying ovens to prepare the wood but it's well known that guitars age/mellow over the years and conventional wisdom says that process takes around 5 years. These guitars sell for $599-899 depending on whether they have electronics, fancy inlay, etc. Cases are normally extra
D) The best guitars are those made of solid wood for top, back, and sides. These guitars produce the best tone, most sustain, and richest overtones. They also have the best fret work, finish, and attention to detail. The factory set-up normally features a very low action and extremely accurate intonation. This can represent a savings of up to $85 depending on how much work is required to make the lower priced guitar acceptable to the player. Entry level guitars are built to very strict standards but an experienced player will notice things which they may want set-up to their particular specifications (this is something learned through experience and won't affect a beginner). These guitars typically come with a quality case to protect the instrument. As you would expect there is a wide range of exotic woods, high end electronics, artistic inlay, and a variety of body styles. These guitars normally start at $679.
We recommend the beginner purchase from either category A or B while those have been playing a year or more and are established will benefit from the superior tone and playability of the guitars in group C & D. If you've been playing 3 or more years we suggest you buy the best instrument that makes sense for your situation. A high quality instrument which you enjoy for many years is much less expensive than one you grow tired of in a few months or years and the instrument you enjoy will be played more as well.
Many manufacturers build instruments in more than one of these classes. Below is an example of guitars we have in stock.
A) Fender, Ovation, Takamine, Alvarez,
B) Fender, Ovation Takamine, Alvarez, Martin LX-1, & Taylor 'Baby/Big Baby'
C) Alvarez
D) Fender, Alvarez, Guild, Takamine, Martin, & Taylor
Most importantly we recommend that you PLAY the guitar you're considering purchasing. No two guitars are the same no matter what price point you're considering. Lower priced guitars tend to have more variation in set-up and action while the better guitars have variations in tone that become significant over time. No two trees are the same, neither are any two guitars no matter how stringent the manufactures quality control measures.
Happy shopping and we hope you choose
DaCapo Music for all your music needs
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