 | Beginner's Model for Children: $50-$200 |
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 | Beginner's Model: $100-$400+ |
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 | High: $500-$3,000+ |
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| From fast-fingered classical phrases to sing-along chords and more, an acoustic guitar is a versatile instrument that appeals to all ages and is used in a wide variety of musical styles. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Half-size acoustic guitars for younger players start around $50 -$200 for a basic beginner model -- but have it checked by a teacher or other expert to be sure it's a playable musical instrument and not simply a toy.
- The modern classical ("Spanish") acoustic guitar uses nylon strings and has a fairly wide neck and an hourglass-shaped body with a flat back. A beginner's nylon-string guitar starts around $100 -$400; better quality models run $500 -$3,000, and can cost $3,000 -$5,000 or more.
- A steel-string acoustic guitar is shaped the same as a classical model, but can have a narrow or wide neck and a flat or rounded back. Used for primarily for country, folk or blues, these guitars run $100 -$500 for basic beginner models; better quality versions range from $600 -$1,200 and high-quality acoustic ones cost $2,000 -$3,000 and up.
- An acoustic-electric guitar is a hybrid; it's a hollow-bodied instrument with pickups installed to amplify the vibrations of the guitar top and body. Acoustic-electrics start around $80 -$250 for beginning models, run $250 -$900 for better quality and can run $1,000 -$5,000 or more.
- A twelve-string acoustic guitar has pairs of strings that are strung close together and played as a single string. A basic twelve-string guitar starts around $100 -$300; better-quality models are $500 -$1,500 and can run $2,000 -$4,000 or more.
What should be included: | |
Additional costs: | - A case helps protect your guitar from excessive humidity, dryness or temperature changes, and prevents scratches when transporting the instrument. Softshell (cardboard) cases are about $20 -$80; hardshell cases are $60 -$300 or more.
- If you want to perform before an audience with an acoustic guitar and need a louder sound, you can add an electric pickup for $50 -$300.
- Guitar picks average $2 -$4 for a pack of 12; they're easy to lose, so buy a lot. A guitar strap averages $10 -$30 but can be more if you want something fancy, and a guitar tuner runs about $15 -$100. Extra strings (they break at inopportune moments) are $2 -$20 or more for a set of six.
Shopping for an acoustic guitar: | |
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Article updated August 2008 |
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