The beginner guitarist will generally tend to start learning on an acoustic guitar. The reasons for this are mainly that, unlike electric guitars, acoustic guitars require no setting up or ‘plugging in’ but are always ready to play; acoustic guitars are more likely to stay in tune longer than electric guitars (tuning being a particularly exasperating task for the beginner, even with the help of electronic tuners nowadays); and acoustic guitars tend to be more discreet in the sounds they produce and will therefore provide less audible evidence of a beginner’s poor playing ability.

A further advantage of acoustic guitars is that the beginner is able to choose between nylon string and steel string versions. Nylon string guitars, usually used by classical guitar players to produce a mellow, warm sound, are easier on the beginner’s fretting fingers whereas pressing down on steel strings can be a more painful experience. You can certainly identify a well-practised guitar player by the feel of the skin of their fretting fingers.

It is often said that an additional advantage of acoustic guitars is that they are cheaper than electric models. This is only partially true nowadays and depends on the particular electric and acoustic models being considered. There are some good cheap acoustic guitars available nowadays, but electric guitars are no longer the property of the richer person about town now either.

It is also a mistake to choose an acoustic guitar solely on the criterion of price. Some very cheap acoustic guitars have problems which can interfere with a beginner’s progress, such as a pronounced elevation of the strings above the fretboard (or ‘high action’), making it more difficult for the fretting hand to push down on the strings.
At Fret Music we can help find value for money, quality yet cheap acoustic guitars that are most suitable for a beginner.