Acoustic Guitar Purchasing Guide
So you have decided to buy an acoustic guitar
Comfort is the key
You are going to spend a lot of time with the guitar, so comfort is the key. Consider the neck width first. Acoustics tend to have wide necks; some wider than others. If you have small hands, you will want a narrower neck. This will NOT affect the tone or sound, only your ability to reach the strings properly and play comfortably.
Acoustic guitars are available in several body sizes and styles. The most common is the standard dreadnought. Other sizes are the jumbo, baby jumbo, concert and classical. Each produces a different tone, yet all will sound equally as good. Some will allow the sound to ring out a little more than others and some will not. Select a size that is comfortable for you, as a player, and is conducive to your music style.
As far as strings go, acoustics can have either steel strings or nylon "gut" strings. Most guitar work done these days is done on steel string acoustics as nylon strung instruments are more suited for classical applications. Pick the type that you are more at ease with.
Tone
This is going to be dependent on the maker of the guitar, the body style, the strings and the materials used to make the instrument. As a beginner, tone is not going to be as important as it will be a little later. You want to sound good, but stay within a specific budget as well. So for now, select a guitar that sounds as good as you do and go with it.
You can always upgrade later when you are playing for other people.
Body style
Most acoustic guitars look just about alike, I know, but there are differences. The size of the body will affect the "ring" of the tone emitted from the guitar. Some acoustics have rounded backs like the ones Ovation makes and others have a flat rear side. Still another consideration is the dreadnought (standard) or the single cut-a-way (has a cut out where the neck meets the body) style. This is simply a matter of preference for you, the player.
Playability
Playability is the culmination of all these factors as you sit and play the instrument. You should be able to access all six strings easily without an uncomfortable stretch. You should also be able to hold the guitar in a stable position as you play. This is where the size of the body comes into play. Playing the instrument should be effortless.
Conclusion
In order to get all these considerations taken into account, you should go to a music store and play a few of each different size, style and type of acoustic guitar
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