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Acoustic guitars are very near and dear to me. I have sold a number of them, build more of them than I can remember, and play at least one or two of them every day. Tone and volume coloration modifications can be made by means of tonewood materials the guitar is built from, and the volume as governed by the length, width, and depth of the guitar body.
Acoustic Guitar Roots
Known by many names such as an steel string, flattop, or bluegrass guitar, it is one of the most popular stringed instruments of all time. Historically, factory production of acoustic guitars has been led by such notable builders as C.F. Martin, Gibson, Gretsch and Epiphone to name a few. These companies have been around for a long time. So if you are looking to purchase a outstanding guitar, do not overlook these notable companies.
More recently, while the big US companies were still around and creating a number of guitars, in the 1960's the Japanese makers of guitars started taking over the low end spectrum of the guitar market. These were basically considered 'starter' guitars and I sold my share of them to my guitar students during this period as well. They were a low-priced option for the entry level guitar player, rather durable, and the tone was okay.
Japanese Guitars
Those first Japanese guitars not only had plywood backs and sides, the tops were plywood as well. Producing the guitars from plywood rather than solid wood gave these instruments quite a bit of durability. Often they came delivered with a very high string action, and they had to have adjustments before they were in a playable condition. Alvarez guitars were rather common and I sold a number of Yamaha and Takamine guitars back then too.
It's amazing to see how much the Japanese guitar market has progressed since those early guitars. They started using solid wood, enhanced their construction strategies, and have appropriate setup now. Nowadays these builders have guitars that easily qualify as intermediate level and even advanced level guitars, and they are very fine instruments.
The 60's and 70's American Guitar Market
The competition for the lower end guitar market from the Japanese manufacturers, forced the American guitar builders to lower the standards they had to compete with these low-priced guitars. As a outcome, their instruments were often overlooked for a much less expensive Japanese option, and their quality went downhill.
The American Guitar Market Resurgence
Gibson and C.F. Martin, to name a few American builders, thankfully regained their focus to produce fine instruments once again. The instruments that they produced in the 1980's and 1990's again had the same quality standards as they did before the influx of foreign instruments. They have even introduced models that reflect the same construction strategies and materials of their pre-war instruments that made them famous.
Acoustic Guitars - The Options
Today's modern acoustic guitars give you a wide range of variations such as:
Cutaway: This variation allows the guitarist to more easily place their fingers up the neck without the body of the guitar obstruction.
Length of the Guitar Neck: You have the alternative of a 14 fret or 12 fret neck on many guitar models. This is in reference to the fret number the guitar neck joins the body of the guitar.
Variations in Body Size: Guitar body size variations are many, and to name a few you can choose from the smaller 0, 00, and 000 or parlor guitars, all the way to the big Jumbos and Grand Auditorium Models.
Bracing Pattern Options: Some manufacturers offer bracing options on their guitars ranging from the standard "X" bracing to custom scalloped braces.
On-Board Electronics: While this is an option for many guitar models, many additionally come standard issue with a fantastic acoustic pickup and pre-amp setup.
Wood Selections: These options include High Pressure Laminates for lower priced guitars to an amazing array of exotic and domestic hardwoods for the higher priced instruments.
Acoustic Guitars offer many different options for the guitar player as you can see. Depending on your playing style, level of capability and the depth of your pocket book there is a guitar that is perfect for you.
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