How to Choose Your First Acoustic Guitar

By Joost · Founder, Brainstamped The wrong beginner guitar is hard to play, so people quit. Here is how to pick one that makes learning easier, not harder.

More beginners quit because their guitar is hard to play than because they lack talent. High strings, an awkward body, a bad setup — these make practice hurt. Choosing well is about playability first, then size, then sound. Here is how to pick a first acoustic that helps you keep going.

An acoustic guitar resting against a chair in a warm cozy room — Playability first — a comfortable guitar is one you keep playing.

Key Takeaways

Playability beats everything — low, comfortable string action keeps beginners going.
Body size affects comfort and volume: concert/grand-auditorium suit most beginners.
A solid top sounds better and improves with age; all-laminate is fine to start.
Acoustic vs acoustic-electric: get electronics only if you'll plug in.
A cheap guitar with a good setup beats a pricey one that's set up badly.

Playability comes first

The single most important thing is how the guitar feels under your fingers. High action (the string height above the fretboard) makes chords painful and progress slow. A well set-up guitar with low, buzz-free action is worth more to a beginner than fancy wood. If you can, play it first — or buy from somewhere that sets guitars up before shipping.

Body size and shape

Dreadnought: the classic big, loud body — great sound, but bulky for small players.
Concert / grand auditorium: a comfortable middle ground most beginners love.
Parlor / travel: small and easy to hold, quieter — good for kids and couch playing.

Comfort keeps you practising. A guitar that's a pleasure to hold gets picked up daily; a bulky one gathers dust. Try before you commit if you can.

Solid top vs laminate

The top wood shapes the sound most. A solid top resonates better and actually improves as it ages — a great upgrade if the budget allows. All-laminate guitars are more affordable and more durable, and they're perfectly fine to learn on. A "solid top, laminate back and sides" guitar is the classic value sweet spot.

Do you need acoustic-electric?

Built-in electronics let you plug into an amp or PA. Only pay for them if you'll actually perform or record; otherwise put the money toward a better-playing guitar. You can always add a pickup later.

Ready to pick one?

See our tested picks for the best acoustic guitars, including the best value for beginners.

See the best acoustic guitars →

Frequently Asked Questions

Playability above all — low, comfortable string action so chords do not hurt. Then a body size that suits you and, if the budget allows, a solid top. A cheaper guitar with a good setup beats a pricey one set up badly.

A concert or grand-auditorium body is a comfortable middle ground most beginners love. Dreadnoughts are louder but bulky; parlor and travel sizes suit smaller players and couch practice.

It sounds better and improves with age, so it is a nice upgrade if you can afford it. But all-laminate guitars are affordable, durable and perfectly fine to learn on. Solid top with laminate back and sides is the value sweet spot.

Only if you plan to plug into an amp or PA to perform or record. Otherwise, put the money toward a better-playing guitar — you can always add a pickup later.