Tips
For Choosing An Acoustic Travel Guitar Like
buying an electric guitar, the first thing to consider when buying an acoustic
guitar is deciding what you want it for. Will it be used primarily for travel,
recording, playing live or everything? Consider these things ahead of time. Having
your ducks in a row will expedite the decision process. But
first, what makes up a guitar? A
guitar is a method of suspending and altering the pitch of vibrating strings.
The strings then transfer this vibration to the body. The sound is amplified by
the vibrating guitar body, especially the top. All
of these components work together to achieve the desired sound of the instrument.
There is a range of options to choose from within these components. Options
to consider: Strings
Strings are
obviously an important part of a guitar, it wouldn't work without them. It's important
to know if the guitar was designed for steel or nylon strings (always use the
appropriate type). It's also agood idea to get an idea about what gauge (thickness)
of strings you like. Don't base your buying decision on the condition or thickness
of the current set of strings, they're the easiest thing to change. Neck Necks
are usually made from mahogany or maple; come in different widths and thickness;
and may or may not have a truss rod ( a metal rod inside the neck) installed for
support, and may be adjustable or nonadjustble. Scale
Length - This refers to the vibrating length of string or the distance between
the nut and the bridge saddles. As the scale length increases; the longer the
sustain, the further apart the frets and the tighter the strings. The most common
scale lengths are 24 3/4"-25 3/4". The 24 3/4" scale has less tension,
easier to play feel and warmer tone like most Gibson acoustic guitars. The 25.4"
plays a little stiffer, has a bell like tone like most Martin acoustic guitars. Neck
Construction Set-in
neck - This type of construction glues the neck to the body. This joint is the
most common design for acoustic guitars. Tuning
machines There
is a wide variety of tuning machines available. They are usually available in
chrome, black or gold and can come in different configurations; 6 inline, 3-3
or 4-2. The most common configuration is 3-3 (3 on top, 3 on bottom) on an acoustic
guitar. Choose a model
depending on your taste and budget, because most of the tuning machines available
will do the job. Nut
(Top Nut) This
is the ridge that extends across the width at the very top of the fretboard. Lengthwise,
it lies between the tuning machines and the bridge saddles and is where the string
pivots. It is also the point that marks the beginning of the vibrating length
of string. It can be made of a variety of materials. Traditionally, it was made
from materials such as ivory or bone. Today it is mostly crafted from synthetic
materials. Fretboard
(Fingerboard) The
fretboard is the top part of the neck where the frets are located and your fingers
touch when you push down on the strings. It is usually made from a hardwood such
as maple rosewood or ebony. It's available in different widths, various finishes
and different radiuses. Frets
At the risk of
dumbing this down too much, the frets are the metal ridges that run perpendicular
to the strings at various intervals down the fretboard. The string is held taught
between the fret and saddle on the bridge when you push the string down on the
fretboard. There are usually 20 - 24 frets with spacing dependent on the scale
length. A variety of fretwire thickness are available, depending on your preferences. Fretboard/Body
Binding This adds
a decorative touch and usually considerable price to a guitar. The fretboard binding
also seals the fret ends to the fretboard. Position
Markers/Inlays There
are many options available from simple dots, to rectangles, to dragons. Keep in
mind that the more complex the design, the deeper you will dig into your wallet. Body Unlike
the electric guitar, that is usually crafted from a solid piece if wood, an acoustic
guitar body has a cavity that is formed within the top back and side pieces of
the body. Each body
has a fundamental resonant frequency that is determined by the body cavity volume
and sound hole size The
size of the guitar effects its tone. The larger the body, the greater the bass
response and deeper the tone. The smaller the body, the brighter the tone. Top
This is the top piece
of wood on the body that has the sound hole. It is usually made of spruce or cedar.
Its probably the most important aspect determining the sound of an acoustic guitar.
Most of an acoustic guitar's sound comes from the vibration of its top.Tops can
be solid or laminated. A solid top is usually 2 pieces of wood that are joined
down the center of the guitar. A laminated top is usually made up of many thin
sheets that are glued together in layers. Solid tops offer better vibration than
laminated tops. Backs
and Sides Acoustic
guitar body sides are usually crafted from woods like rosewood, mahogany, walnut
or maple. Inlays
and Binding Inlays
are materials inlaid to the surface of the guitar and are purely decorative touches
that add to the price tag and value of the guitar. Binding is usually a plastic
trim that edges the top and/or back of a body and or fretboard. On a hollow-body
or acoustic guitar, it seals and protects the end grain of the body's top and
sides from moisture and impact damage (to a degree). For whatever reason the guitar
is bound, it usually adds considerable expense to the price tag. Pickups Piezoelectric
pickups- These pickups are transducers that are made of pressure sensitive piezo
electric material that converts the vibration to an electrical signal. This signal
does require an additional preamp and EQ circuit to achieve the proper clear piezo
sound. These contact transducers are installed under the bridge saddle or attached
to the guitar top. Magnetic
pickups- These pickups are mounted on the sound hole. Unlike the piezo electric
pickups that can work with any type strings, the magnetic pickups require steel
strings to vibrate within the magnetic field of the pickup in order to convert
the vibration to an electrical signal. These pickups have been widely used longer
than the piezo pickups and don't require a preamp circuit. The tone is not as
natural or clear as the piezo pickups. Bridge
This is the endpoint
of the vibrating string and where it transmits the vibration to the body. It comes
in a variety of styles and is where the intonation is adjusted. The bridge on
acoustic guitar can be adjustable or nonadjustable. Controls Basically
the more knobs, switches or pickups that you add to a guitar, the more sound control
and expense you add as well. Finish
There is are varieties
of finishes available for a guitar. It's best to choose one based on your unique
taste and budget requirements. Other
Things to consider: If
you are buying this guitar for travel; size, weight and portability must be considered.
Generally, you want the most compact guitar with full size functionality as possible.
It's a good idea to
play a number of guitars of friends or in music stores and pay attention to what
features that you like or dislike before you actually go to buy a guitar. The
more familiar you are with what is available and what you want, the better.
Learn how to check a guitar for proper relief (truss rod adjustment); intonation
(bridge/string length adjustment) and action (how far the strings are from the
fretboard). Check that the fret board is not bent, warped, or twisted. Learn
to notice craftsmanship and all the little details. It will help you find any
imperfections, problems or past repairs. If the guitar has binding around the
edges of the guitar body or fretboard, make sure it is flush with the wood and
there are no uneven edges. Become
acquainted with different manufacturers and what is available out there. Consider
the resale value if there's a possibility that you may not keep it forever. Suggested
Checklist For Buying An Acoustic Travel Guitar 1)
Decide on a price range and limit that you are willing to spend. 2)
Decide and prioritize the options or features that you want, like is it portable
enough? Is it loud enough? Is it too loud? Then make a list of features in order
of importance (ie. must have, would be nice, etc.) 3)
Compare prices in music stores and on line. It's a good idea to know the value
of the instrument before purchasing. 4)
Consider overall appearance. (Can you see yourself
playing this?) Are there any problems visible? 5)
Especially if the guitar has been used, check the frets for wear; especially the
first 5, as well as the finish; bridge saddles and nut. 6)
How does the guitar feel in your hands and sound to your ear? | 
