An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only acoustic methods to project the sound produced by its strings, as opposed to one that requires an amplifier.
13
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3answers
555 views
Acoustic guitar - how to wind strings on the tuning posts
While writing an answer to this question, I did a little web searching and found that the way I was taught 29 years ago to wind the strings isn't necessarily the best.
On an acoustic guitar, I tend ...
12
votes
5answers
2k views
Why does the D string in a guitar breaks so often?
Well... that's about it. D strings (on acoustic nylon guitars at least) break way more often than the others.
I guess there's a physical explanation but I wasn't able to found anything on the ...
12
votes
2answers
827 views
Acoustic Guitar Body Types - Main Differences (Suggested Genres)
I would like you input on the differences between each body type of acoustic guitars and what genre each type is ideal for.
11
votes
2answers
1k views
How do Pre War Martin Guitars Differ From Modern Ones?
Pre-war Martin guitars are revered because of their sound. What differences are there between the construction of pre-war Martin guitars, and Martin guitars made now.
And are there any companies ...
10
votes
3answers
660 views
What's the difference between the “smooth” strings and the “rough” strings?
On my acoustic, the first 4 strings are "rough" - that is they are covered in a type of metal corkscrew. The last 2 strings though are completely smooth, and don't have a corkscrew finish.
Why are ...
10
votes
6answers
705 views
Acoustic/Electric Guitars
So I was going to get a new acoustic. I really want to start getting into acoustics but I don't want to lose the ability to jam with friends who are on drums/bass, and have their own electrics plugged ...
10
votes
5answers
390 views
Skills needed for classical guitar
I've been playing steel-string acoustic for 25+ years, and I'm becoming more interested in classical guitar playing. While I'm fairly good at fingerstyle, I'm aware that making the leap to ...
9
votes
6answers
1k views
Memorizing notes on guitar fretboard
I have 2 questions, which are somehow interrelated.
Learning which-note-corresponds-to-which-fret-position was told to me as an extremely important task for any guitarist who want to get better at ...
8
votes
2answers
371 views
Manufacturer claims guitar's sound will improve the more I play it. Is that true?
I own a Simon & Patrick Woodland Cedar acoustic guitar, and the manufacturer claims that it will sound better the more I play it. I suppose it will sound better since the more I play it the more ...
8
votes
2answers
729 views
Restringing a 12-string guitar with heavier strings - is it possible?
I'm considering using a 12-string guitar I don't play all that much as a testbed: Is it possible to restring an acoustic guitar as a baritone guitar, or even just string it so I can tune it down a few ...
7
votes
6answers
3k views
Is it good/bad to play guitar with low tension string?
When I started playing my acoustic(at an early age) I tuned the guitar just by matching notes. Like, matching the note of 5th fret of 6th string to open fret of 5th string and so on.
I didn't used ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Acoustic guitar: How to stop right index finger nail from wearing away?
My nails tend to chip and crack when playing steel-string acoustic guitar. Cracking and ripping can be kept partially in-check by keeping my nails well-trimmed. However, a far worse problem is that ...
7
votes
2answers
294 views
Right way of resting a guitar
While not using or after using, what is the right way of resting a guitar. If I lean it towards a wall, is it right to lean it with the strings facing the walls or otherwise? Is it fine to hang the ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
12-string acoustic guitar - how do nut and saddle materials affect tone?
I'm doing some work on a 12-string acoustic guitar, and am planning to replace the nut and saddle. I need to raise the action a little bit for the E and B strings, and also want to change to a ...
6
votes
3answers
3k views
guitar cabinet: why not just use a PA speaker cabinet?
I've been thinking about building myself a rackmount rig to replace an old 12" combo amp, and was wondering if it really makes any difference to use a something that's marketed as a "guitar" speaker ...
6
votes
2answers
304 views
Some acoustic guitars are easy to play but some aren't. What affects playability?
I was comparing a fender and an epiphone acoustic guitar and noticed that fender was easier for my left hand. Both guitars have the same dimensions and seemed to have same string gauge.
I thought ...
6
votes
5answers
129 views
Bending a Harmonic
At about 2:11 of this video, Kotaro Oshio plays three harmonics - the fifth, fourth, and third fret. On the third-fret harmonic, he does, uh... something to make the pitch bend.
How is this ...
6
votes
2answers
931 views
How do I stop a sensitive microphone picking up breathing when recording acoustic guitar?
I am using a budget condenser microphone to record acoustic guitar. The microphone has a Cardoid pattern, and is pointing toward the end of the fingerboard (between the sound hole and where the neck ...
6
votes
5answers
9k views
How to start learning FingerStyle guitar?
How do I start learning fingerstyle guitar? I am lookin for a good book with CD, or any video series that will help me to get started. Basically, I want have some direction about how to play like ...
6
votes
2answers
119 views
How do I know what size guitar strings I need?
I'm about to buy strings and begin playing my acoustic guitar, but I don't know if there are different sizes of strings.
6
votes
4answers
4k views
Does anyone make nylon strings for a standard acoustic guitar (non-classical)?
This may seem crazy, but I really love the sound of nylon strings, and I DO NOT want to buy a classical guitar though.
I was wondering if any manufacturer makes nylon strings for a "normal" acoustic ...
6
votes
3answers
853 views
Most important musical concepts for writing songs on acoustic guitar
I want to be able to write catchy/"cool sounding" guitar parts for songs. I am currently studying music theory extensively. I am just wondering, are there any guitar-specific musical concepts that I ...
5
votes
2answers
298 views
Is there a name for the screeching sound made when changing chords on a guitar?
When listing to the song "The Only Exception" by Paramore (see YouTube), there's a screeching sound when changing chords, which I find quite unpleasant.
Question: Is there a name for the ...
5
votes
3answers
312 views
12 String Guitars - Some Information?
So I've been playing the guitar for a while, and I'm comfortable with different styles of music (classical, blues, a bit of jazz, folk etc.) and I have a few different guitars (an acoustic steel ...
5
votes
4answers
549 views
Do acoustic or classical guitars need to be set up?
Obviously acoustic and classical guitars don't have external pickups that need to be setup, but are there any other adjustments that need to be done on a regular basis? There doesn't seem to be a ...
5
votes
2answers
578 views
Does the size or shape of the resonance hole affect the tone?
If I were to change the size or shape of the resonance hole of a guitar, how would it affect the sound of it? Would it be totally ruined or is it only a matter of retuning it?
5
votes
3answers
455 views
What defines the loudness of an acoustic guitar?
I would like a loud sound without any amplification (purely acoustic sound), which types (or brands) of guitar are like that?
I assume that guitars with heavier strings and bigger body are usually ...
4
votes
5answers
709 views
Learning Guitar by hearing
I am a little worried/tired of learning guitar by, note-by-note, scale-by-scale learning process.
I have the basic figured out. Now, I was wondering if there is a way/process/resource to learn ...
4
votes
4answers
5k views
Which steel strings are more suitable for fingerpicking on acoustic guitar?
I want to ask acoustic guitar experts, what strings can be suitable for fingerstyle playing on steel string acoustic if I play with my fingers - no nails or fingerpicks. Currently I'm using GHS ...
4
votes
1answer
79 views
Can I use strings for bridge pins on a non-bridge pin guitar?
Very new to the guitar. I borrowed an Oscar Schmidt OC11 without an E-6th string and I bought a heap load of different weighted strings so I could try different types. However, the strings I bought ...
4
votes
4answers
378 views
Mute other side of String When Tapping (2-hand tapping style)
I couldn't seem to find this existing question, although it may be somewhere boiled into a two-hand tapping question somewhere else.
I come from electric bass and the Victor Wooten style of two-hand ...
4
votes
4answers
417 views
Which one has more impact on the sound, the string or the body?
Which exactly affects more on the sound of the guitar? is it the guitar body? or the string?
How much the sound improves if I use good string on an old guitar?
I know it really depends on the ...
4
votes
4answers
146 views
How to know whether my guitar is the problem or I am the problem
I've recently bought an acoustic guitar (nylon string). However, the guitar doesn't produce a clean sound. It gives some kind of noise when I play it. In addition, I face little difficulty when trying ...
4
votes
3answers
131 views
Is it possible for the unwound strings wear faster than the wound strings on a Guitar?
I have had my guitar for about 7 months or so now (this is my first) and i just learned a few weeks ago that you are supposed to change the strings every so often. well a couple of weeks before that i ...
4
votes
3answers
972 views
Acoustic Guitar Intonation Adjustments
Simply put, how does one adjust it. I have a low-end acoustic where the intonation seems to be out by quite a bit and I'd like to adjust it.
It comes down to adjusting string size or length, so I ...
4
votes
2answers
311 views
Acoustic guitar, chip in rosette wood, how to avoid in future?
I was performing this afternoon when I felt a sharp pain in my right thumb. I looked down, and there was a big hunk of wood (about half an inch long) sticking out from my right thumbnail. There was a ...
4
votes
2answers
941 views
Reinforcing an acoustic guitar's bridge
Background:
I recently found a guitar in a dumpster, a steel-string acoustic. It's not the best guitar--an Galveston WJ-750, probably discarded by someone who gave up on guitar lessons--but it has a ...
3
votes
3answers
376 views
How to keep guitar strings from breaking so quickly?
I have a takamine g350 acoustic-electric guitar (not that it really matters for this quesiton), and my strings tend to break every two or three weeks. I do like to experiment with different tunings, ...
3
votes
3answers
105 views
How to play chords on full fingerboard without looking?
Are there any secrets behind learning to play chords on full fingerboard without looking at fretting hand (except that practice is the key)? Maybe some exercises?
3
votes
1answer
566 views
After re-stringing acoustic guitar my action feels way off.
I recently bought an acoustic guitar, and it had this beautiful action on it. I've restrung it recently (same gauge strings) and now there's a very noticeable difference in playability. Is this ...
3
votes
1answer
366 views
Acoustic guitar damaged by impact. How to repair?
Introduction
My acoustic guitar has suffered damage at four locations. It still sounds very good, and it is more than twenty years old.
The damage done
The different damage locations are pictured ...
3
votes
1answer
78 views
Tuning new strings on an acoustic guitar
Okay, so a while back I broke one of my guitar strings, so I bought a new set. The problem is with my new strings my guitar sounds awful. Like it doesn't sound new awful it sounds like its completely ...
3
votes
3answers
523 views
Acoustic Guitar | How to adjust the gap between the strings and the fret board
I have a 2 year old acoustic guitar . Over the period of time there's a huge gap that has appeared between the higher frets and the strings.
What has caused this gap? and How do i fix this.
3
votes
4answers
118 views
How to keep ANY progress and have fun again
Actually I'm not even sure where to start.
I play (mostly acoustic) guitar for about 4 year now and at the beginning (lets say 2 first years of playing) I was really inspired but now I kinda lost it.
...
3
votes
2answers
192 views
Should I choose strings differently depending of type of guitar?
I own both a dreadnought and a parlor acoustic guitar. On the dreadnought I use extra light elixirs. On the parlor I still have the original phosphor bronze light that came with it.
Is there ...
3
votes
3answers
256 views
Using white spot(markings) on fret board while memorizing notes
I am learning different scales and notes on the fret board using the white dots(marker) that's placed on 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th and so on, on my guitar.
Now when exercising I am locating a note ...
3
votes
2answers
668 views
I bought a guitar transducer (external pickups). How do I mount it for the best sound?
I have a classical guitar, a very good one. But I want to use it with an amplifier, so I bought a guitar transducer.
Belcat EGT-202 (A good picture: ...
2
votes
3answers
771 views
How should I professionally record an acoustic guitar?
I'm not experienced with recording. I know that, first of all, I can choose to record from a pluggable acoustic guitar of attach some external device to a non-pluggable guitar.
So my first question ...
2
votes
4answers
940 views
Strings too stiff on a recently purchased acoustic guitar | Cort AD880CE
I have been playing acoustic guitar for almost 5 years and I wanted to upgrade to a better guitar. After some research and hands-on testing I purchased a Cort AD880CE.
But after 2-3 days practice I ...
2
votes
1answer
131 views
Transcribing Piano Chords for Guitar
I've recently started playing rhythm guitar in my church's worship service. The more contemporary songs I don't really have a problem with. It's the traditional songs that are giving me some pain ...
