Different Acoustic Body Sizes
From the compact Parlor to the booming Jumbo, acoustic guitars come in various sizes. Each body style produces different tonal characteristics and suits different playing styles:
- Parlor: Intimate, focused sound, perfect for fingerpicking
- Concert: Balanced tone, comfortable for smaller players
- Dreadnought: Full, powerful sound, great for strumming
- Jumbo: Bold, room-filling projection
Understanding Tonewoods
The choice of wood significantly impacts your guitar's sound:
- Spruce: Bright, dynamic sound with excellent projection
- Cedar: Warm, rich tone ideal for fingerstyle
- Mahogany: Strong midrange, great for blues and folk
- Rosewood: Complex, full-spectrum sound
Electronics and Pickups
For performers, having quality electronics is crucial. Common pickup systems include:
- Undersaddle piezo pickups
- Soundhole magnetic pickups
- Microphone/piezo hybrid systems
Price Range Breakdown
Understanding what you get at different price points:
- Entry-level ($200-500): Good for beginners, basic materials
- Mid-range ($500-1000): Better tonewoods, improved hardware
- High-end ($1000+): Premium materials, superior craftsmanship