Types

• Jimmy Page playing a Martin D28 model, another classic acoustic.
  
  Acoustic guitars generally fall into two types--nylon and steel-string--which demand different approaches. Classical and flamenco players use nylon-string guitars, whose wider spacing offers greater flexibility for the quintessential solo performance instrument. However, the strings are rounder and softer, making it difficult to get an expressive sound without greater levels of technique. Not surprisingly, then, steel-string models are the dominant voice, usually coming in six- or 12-strong models. Topflight players like Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and pop sensations like Taylor Swift have gravitated to the 12-string for its richer tonal variety and ability to project a louder sound without any plugged-in help.
  
  

Features

• A vintage 1928 Gibson L5 archtop guitar.
  
  Body types are the next critical distinction. Flattop guitars are acoustic or semi-acoustic instruments distinguished by twin F-shaped sound holes. The L5, rolled out by Gibson during the 1920s, marked the first widely popular arch top model, and soon won favor among blues and jazz players. Other notable arch tops come from D'Angelico, D'Aquisto, Epiphone, Gretsch, and Selmer Flattop guitars, as the term implies, simply refer to instruments with flat shapes--normally made of cedar, mahogany, maple, or spruce--whose thickness determines the resulting tone. Unlike their more ornate-looking cousins, flattop guitars have one large sound hole.
  
  

Effects

• The innards of a Dean Markely acoustic guitar pickup.
  
  The acoustic guitar's no frills nature makes it a natural fit for late night playing that does not disturb roommates and neighbors. Even so, however, acoustics can be amplified in several distinct ways, beginning with a microphone placed near the sound hole to pick up the vibrations coming from the strings, after a player strikes them. Another method requires sticking an electric Dean Markley pickup in the middle of the sound hole, or right inside the body, as Takamine does for its high-end models. This approach produces a brighter, rockier sound without the resulting distortion, as popularized by classic '80s groups like the Alarm.
  
  

Considerations

• A closeup view of a double cutaway.
  
  Two other issues merit attention. The action, or string height above the fingerboard, can be varied greatly to suit any individual taste. A high action results in cleaner, buzz-free playing, but demands a greater technique level--making it the logical choice for classical guitarists. Conversely, low action is easier, yet may lead to greater string buzzing whenever a more aggressive player uses it. For lead work, playing a guitar with a cutaway--in which the guitar contour scoops towards inward towards the neck--is mandatory to play comfortably beyond the 12th fret. Single- and double-cutaways allow varying degrees of access, depending on the model.
  
  

Warning

• Whether buying or playing a new guitar, it is imperative to check the soundboard for warping, which is likelier in humid climates, and that the bridge is not loose or lifting off. Tuning heads should also turn smoothly, and allow reasonable pitch control. These qualities are important, particularly on low-end instruments, or budget guitars--generally defined as costing $100 or less. While buying a high-end, high-priced signature model is not the answer for most players, budget guitars require tougher scrutiny, since numerous material and workmanship corners have been cut to trim costs. When examining these models, it pays to remember the old saying, "You get what you pay for."