The Acoustic Revolution

Here are Todays Amazing Parlor Acoustic Deals!

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Washburn Lyon Healy Parlor guitar Vintage made in 1913 $299.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 19m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE STELLA ACCOUSTIC PARLOR GUITAR GREAT GUITAR $102.50 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 4m Bid now | Add to watch list

Takamine G406S New Yorker Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar Rosewood Maple New $499.00 Time Remaining: 9d 5h 9m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Art Lutherie Ami parlor acoustic guitar and case $127.50 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 13h 31m Bid now | Add to watch list

Epiphone EL 00 Acoustic Guitar Vintage Sunburst 886830323034 $191.36 Time Remaining: 28d 9h 54m Buy It Now for only: $191.36 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Clean Art Lutherie AMI Blue Burst Acoustic Guitar w Soft Case $42.00 (20 Bids) Time Remaining: 7h 13m Bid now | Add to watch list

La Patrie Motif Classical Acoustic Guitar B $189.88 Time Remaining: 6d 7h 44m Buy It Now for only: $189.88 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

New Handmade Arch Top Parlor Guitar MOP Inlay GTT 041 $127.50 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 59m Bid now | Add to watch list

Breedlove Bedell OH12G All Solid Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar NEW $699.00 Time Remaining: 18d 11h 14m Buy It Now for only: $699.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage HARMONY USA MADE SILVERTONE ACOUSTIC GUITAR PARLOR SIZE $49.99 Time Remaining: 4d 10h 58m Bid now | Add to watch list

New Washburn R315KK Parlor Acoustic Guitar Demo Version w Case $349.99 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 30m Buy It Now for only: $349.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Nice Clean Vint Harmony Stella Guitar Parlor Size W Case $125.00 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 38m Buy It Now for only: $145.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Gibson Maestro 6 String Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar $49.95 Time Remaining: 8d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $49.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE MAYBELL SLINGERLAND GUITAR PINACLE OF PERFECTION 1920S RARE TLC NEEDED $505.75 Time Remaining: 10d 1h 14m Buy It Now for only: $505.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Parlor Guitar Project Robert Johnson 20s or 30s $26.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 18h 16m Bid now | Add to watch list

2012 028VS Martin USA O28VS Acoustic Parlor Guitar Used 1Hr Great Sound Perfect $3,197.33 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 2m Buy It Now for only: $3,197.33 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

FRAMUS 5 1 Vintage Acoustic Parlor Guitar Near Mint w Original Case Paperwork $71.55 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 12h 40m Bid now | Add to watch list

NEW BLUERIDGE BR 341 MAHOGANY PARLOUR SIZE GUITAR $698.06 Time Remaining: 28d 4h 42m Buy It Now for only: $698.06 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Custom made Acoustic Parlor Guitar Martin 1 18 specd $494.90 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 40m Bid now | Add to watch list

Pre War Vintage Antique Gorgeous Parlor Guitar Slot Head Martin Slingerland $399.00 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 48m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Seagull Coastline Grand Q1 parlor guitar with TRIC case $222.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 5h 48m Bid now | Add to watch list

Washburn R314KK Parlor Acoustic Guitar Vintage Natural $347.13 Time Remaining: 6d 11h 4m Buy It Now for only: $347.13 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Guitar Parlor $20.00 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 53m Bid now | Add to watch list

Epiphone EL 00 Acoustic Guitar Vintage Sunburst Chrome Hardware 886830304880 $239.20 Time Remaining: 23d 7h 38m Buy It Now for only: $239.20 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

NOS Revival RG 27 Solid Spruce and Solid Mahogany dreadnought acoustic guitar $399.99 Time Remaining: 2h 41m Bid now | Add to watch list

2012 Epiphone EL 00 Acoustic Guitar Sunburst Excellent 4399 $265.95 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 46m Buy It Now for only: $265.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Larrivee P 10 Parlor Brazilian Rosewood Acoustic Guitar RARE SAVE BIG $3,399.99 Time Remaining: 17d 12h 42m Buy It Now for only: $3,399.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Fullerton Blackwood Parlor with Nice Case Solid Woods great guitar $1.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5d 12h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list

Simon Patrick Woodland Pro Parlor Spruce HG with Hardshell Case SN 0239 $649.00 Time Remaining: 10d 8h 25m Buy It Now for only: $649.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Supertone Vintage Palor Guitar Acoustic $10.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 10h 29m Bid now | Add to watch list

Delta Blues Folk Republic Americana Cigar Box Guitar CD Slide resonator $12.00 Time Remaining: 7d 5h 52m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Parlor Size Steel Resonator Guitar national shipping $399.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 31m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

New Cort L100P NAT Acoustic Parlor Guitar Solid Spruce Top Lifetime Warranty $229.00 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 29m Buy It Now for only: $229.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE STELLA ACCOUSTIC PARLOR GUITAR $30.00 Time Remaining: 4d 8h 48m Bid now | Add to watch list

Washburn R314KK Parlor Acoustic Guitar Vintage Natural $399.00 Time Remaining: 19h 12m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Gibson Maestro 6 String Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar w ALL Accessories $21.51 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 15h 14m Bid now | Add to watch list

Delta Blues Cigar Box Guitar Music Fat Dobro Resonator $14.50 Time Remaining: 4d 4h Buy It Now for only: $14.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Recording King ROS 627 12 fret parlor guitar $255.99 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 6d 14h 43m Bid now | Add to watch list

TYLER MOUNTAIN TM260 SOLID TOP PARLOR GUITAR W HSC $299.99 Time Remaining: 4d 5h 47m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

2011 Epiphone EL 00 Acoustic Guitar Excellent4400 $256.45 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 40m Buy It Now for only: $256.45 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

2011 DBZ M 2NS SOLID TOP PARLOR GUITAR BY DEAN ZELINSKY $299.99 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 9m Bid now | Add to watch list

Very Cool Vintage Lindell Japan Acoustic Parlor Guitar New Soft Case NoRes6 $95.00 Time Remaining: 24d 14h 55m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Gibson Maestro 6 String Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar w ALL Accessories $34.45 Time Remaining: 14h 10m Bid now | Add to watch list

Washburn Parlour Guitar R319 SWKK Aged ALL SOLID $549.00 Time Remaining: 21d 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $549.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Gibson Maestro 6 String Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar w ALL Accessories $34.75 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 54m Bid now | Add to watch list

2008 Kevin Ryan Abbey Grand Parlor Rosewood Spruce Acoustic Guitar NEAR MINT $4,995.00 Time Remaining: 9d 13h Buy It Now for only: $4,995.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Gibson LG2 3 4 Arlo Guthrie Acoustic Guitar Parlor $1,799.00 Time Remaining: 13h 55m Buy It Now for only: $1,985.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Recording King RP1 626 O Style with Hardshell Case $1,089.00 Time Remaining: 22d 5h 42m Buy It Now for only: $1,089.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

2008 Martin 028 VS Acoustic Guitar with Original Case $2,750.00 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 1m Buy It Now for only: $3,100.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Relive the Delta Blues harmony slide parlor guitar CD $12.00 Time Remaining: 11d 3h 54m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Washburn R318SDWK Vintage Parlor Acoustic Guitar with Case $545.00 Time Remaining: 19d 14h 1m Buy It Now for only: $545.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Parts Repair Harmony Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar A1AK740010 Made in China $0.99 Time Remaining: 3d 10h 6m Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Acoustic Parlor Guitar 1940s $279.00 Time Remaining: 11d 10h 10m Buy It Now for only: $279.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

NEW First Act Acoustic Guitar Parlor Size Spruce MG 311 $49.99 Time Remaining: 16h 14m Buy It Now for only: $68.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Washburn R320 SWRK Parlour Guitar Aged Solid SpruceTopSolid Rosewood Side Back $599.00 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 5m Buy It Now for only: $599.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Des Laurieres Acoustic Guitar $75.00 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 50m Buy It Now for only: $200.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Epiphone EL 00 Acoustic Guitar Vintage Sunburst $240.00 Time Remaining: 3d 5h 19m Buy It Now for only: $240.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

2000 Gretsch G3440 Hawaiian Deluxe Acoustic Guitar w Hardshell Case $999.00 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 29m Buy It Now for only: $1,295.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Tanglewood TW73 Sundance Series Acoustic Guitar New $533.69 Time Remaining: 21d 5h 49m Buy It Now for only: $533.69 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Custom made Acoustic Parlor Guitar Martin 1 18 specd $544.39 Time Remaining: 4d 21h 59m Buy It Now for only: $742.35 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Art Lutherie Ami Cedar Antique Burst Acoustic Guitar FREE Shipping USA $329.00 Time Remaining: 16d 12h 1m Buy It Now for only: $329.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Maestro by Gibson Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar with All Accessories $34.99 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 53m Bid now | Add to watch list

Larrivee P 09 Parlor Brazilian Rosewood Acoustic Guitar RARE SAVE BIG $2,999.99 Time Remaining: 17d 12h 36m Buy It Now for only: $2,999.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Great Divide Summit Series Parlor SGHO28G Acoustic Guitar $429.99 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 59m Buy It Now for only: $429.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

HOHNER ESSENATIAL ROOTS $150.00 Time Remaining: 13h 22m Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Parlor Bridge Tailpiece for Project Repair Harmony Kay Regal B $19.99 Time Remaining: 13d 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

EZ PLAY MODIFIED LARRIVEE P09 PARLOR ACOUSTIC GUITARGREAT SOUND PLAYABILITY $556.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 8d 7h 43m Bid now | Add to watch list

GREAT NEW LUNA GYPSY PARLOR GUITAR W BUILT IN TUNER + GIG BAG FREE US SHIPPING $149.00 Time Remaining: 21d 8h 7m Buy It Now for only: $149.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Maestro by Gibson Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar w All Accessories see details $0.99 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 54m Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Parlor Bridge Tailpiece for Project Repair Harmony Kay Regal C $19.99 Time Remaining: 22d 10h 3m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Gibson Maestro Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar Pack $29.99 Time Remaining: 4d 9h 20m Bid now | Add to watch list

NEW Washburn R319SWKK vintage style Parlor Acoustic $549.95 Time Remaining: 13d 10h 7m Buy It Now for only: $549.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

EZ PLAY MODIFIED SIMON PATRICK PARLOR SUNBURST ACOUSTIC GUITARGREAT ACTION $218.00 Time Remaining: 8d 7h 43m Bid now | Add to watch list

James Goodall Parlor Acoustic Guitar model RPC14 $3,995.00 Time Remaining: 6h 51m Buy It Now for only: $3,995.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE CHILDS PARLOR GUITAR BY HARMONY $10.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5d 12h 30m Bid now | Add to watch list

Seagull SEAGULL 35618 ENTOURAGE GRAND PARLOR CEDAR TOP CHY BS RUSTIC BRST Rusti $329.00 Time Remaining: 6d 17h 42m Buy It Now for only: $329.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

CORT L900P PARLOR SIZE SOLID WOOD TOP ACOUSTIC GUITAR WITH GIG BAG AND MORE $499.99 Time Remaining: 15d 5h 4m Buy It Now for only: $499.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

EZ PLAY MODIFIED MARTIN 0021 PARLOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR BEST PLAYABILITY $453.00 Time Remaining: 8d 7h 43m Bid now | Add to watch list

New Republic Resolian Resonator Guitar W Case $679.00 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 58m Buy It Now for only: $679.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Epiphone EL 00 VS Acoustic Guitar Vintage Sunburst Chrome Hardware LIST 499 $217.60 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 9m Buy It Now for only: $239.95 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Epiphone EL 100 Acoustic Guitar $279.99 Time Remaining: 25d 5h 1m Buy It Now for only: $279.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Maestro by Gibson Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar with All Accessories $29.99 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 55m Bid now | Add to watch list

New Larrivee Custom Shop P 05M Parlor Acoustic Quilted Mahogany $1,579.60 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 10m Buy It Now for only: $1,579.60 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Taylor Taylor Swift Fearless Solid Spruce Top Baby Taylor 3 4 Parlour size $249.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6d 10h 38m Bid now | Add to watch list

Peavey Composer Parlor Guitar in Box with Gig Bag $150.00 Time Remaining: 14d 3h 16m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Luna Flora Passionflower 3 4s acoustic guitar $250.00 Time Remaining: 4d 12h 30m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Recording King ROS 626 FE1 Parlor Acou Elec Guitar BLEM $798.88 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 16m Buy It Now for only: $798.88 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

ROSETTI SERENADER EARLY 60s PARLOUR GUITAR VGC WITH CASE $78.97 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 1m Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage full size USA 1971 Harmony Stella H940 Acoustic Guitar Exc Condition $225.00 Time Remaining: 29d 4h 22m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Peavey Composer Acoustic Guitar Natural NEW IN BOX Peavey Acoustic Guitars $179.99 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 24m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

StephenStevensGuitars 2010 Texas Mesquite Body Lutz Spruce top Martin Scale $800.00 Time Remaining: 8d 3h 5m Buy It Now for only: $1,000.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

HARMONY ART DECO GUITAR PARLOR GUITAR H1114 1939 45 $594.15 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 20m Buy It Now for only: $594.15 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Recording King 0 body guitar new NICE $100.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 9d 7h 34m Buy It Now for only: $445.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Larrivee LV 05e Florentine Rare Fishman Prefix Pro Blend Martin 0 000 Nick Lucas $2,300.00 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 34m Buy It Now for only: $2,300.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Daisy Rock Debutante Serenade Parlor Acoustic Guitar Glorious PINK Girl $49.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 38m Buy It Now for only: $110.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

Washburn R314KK Parlor Acoustic Guitar Vintage Natural $399.00 Time Remaining: 19d 3h 22m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

1969 Martin 016NY Acoustic Guitar Parlor Style Amazing Condition NO RESERVE $1,275.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 35m Bid now | Add to watch list

Larrivee P 03MT Limited Run All Mahogany Parlor with Hardshell Case $950.00 Time Remaining: 3d 11h 40m Buy It Now for only: $950.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

FLORAL INLAY SOLIDWOOD MAHOGANY 6 STRINGS PARLOR GUITAR 816 $90.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 36m Bid now | Add to watch list

New Washburn R320SWRK Parlor Acoustic Guitar Solid Spruce Top w Case $599.99 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 46m Buy It Now for only: $599.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

More Great Information on Parlor Acoustic:

Which guitar should i choose since i am just a beginnner?

so i was thinking about starting to Play Guitar but i am not sure what to get.
i just want something not to expensive for now.
i have found 2 that i wouldn't mind getting but i guess i am not sure which one to get.
since i am not to sure about to many guitar terms i am not sure what a half size is for the first link below. is that just a smaller size gutiar??

Unless you're a small child the first one is inappropriate. The second choice is not worth buying but at least it's the right size.

Were you aware of the fact that the first one is a Classical Guitar and the second one is a steel string guitar? You should first decide what kind of guitar you want before you decide which to buy.

Buy from a music store and nowhere else. Not from the internet and not from a big box store like Wal*Mart. A salesperson at a good music store will help you make a good decision. Spend at least $200.

Good luck.

Key Factors that Determine the Sound of an Acoustic Guitar by Matt Griffith

Many think that the world of acoustic guitars is fairly cut and dry and that there aren’t many differences in how the instruments are configured. There are so many things to consider, especially when looking to purchase. With an acoustic guitar, what you get is what you get. If you decide later that you don’t like the sound of the guitar, you can’t simply change the pickups like you can in an Electric Guitar. There are countless things that affect the sound of an acoustic guitar, some more important than others. The most important being the body style and the woods used to make the guitar. Smaller things like bracing and sound hole placement also have an effect on tonal characteristics.

1. Body Style and Size
The body style of an acoustic guitar has a larger effect on how it will sound than anything else. One doesn’t necessarily sound better than another, but they do have very different characteristics. Body styles are commonly measured by the system Martin and Gibson pioneered in early acoustic guitar production.

Single Ought †0
The smallest of the bodies is called a â€single ought†which is written as a 0. They are more commonly referred to as a parlor guitar. The first Martin guitars built in the early 1800’s were this body style and were considered a large body at the time. They are ideal for fingerstyle playing and have stunning bell-like clarity especially in the higher registers. When it comes to volume, these won’t knock you out of your chair but are still very responsive to touch. They are almost always 12 fret which means the neck of the guitar meets the body at the twelfth fret. In most guitars, the neck meets the body at the fourteenth fret.

Double Ought †00
The next size up, written as 00 is called the â€double ought.†It is the same body style as the smaller single ought but is larger. These are also usually twelve fret guitars but there are a few fourteen fret models out there. These guitars also have an outstanding clarity and are capable of producing more volume than the smaller single ought. This body style is also ideal for fingerpicking but also can handle some moderately aggressive strumming. They are more bass responsive than a single ought as well.

Triple Ought †000
The next size, the 000 or â€triple ought,†is also the same body style as the smaller 0 and 00 but larger still. They are very responsive and usually have rich bass and mid ranges. This body style is still very conducive to finger style but can also handle very aggressive strumming and flat-picking. There are many models of both twelve and fourteen fret bodies available from different brands.

OM and OMC
The OM and OMC, which stands for â€Orchestra Model†or â€Orchestra Model Cutaway†are nearly identical to the 000, but have a longer scale length which is the distance between the nut and saddle. The two have almost identical tonal characteristics but some players prefer a longer or shorter scale length.

M
The final and largest of the 0’s is the â€M†which is 0000. The M usually has a 16†lower bout which is the area of the body below the bridge. The lower bout is where most of the sound is produced and rings from. The M is a very well rounded instrument that really does well with all styles of playing. It is still very clear and responsive for finger style playing and can withstand the most aggressive strumming. This body style was the choice of superstar Eric Clapton when he played an M-36 to record his unplugged album. This body style is very well balanced throughout the registers and if made with the right materials is one of the loudest body styles.

Dreadnought
The most popular body style is the Dreadnought. A flatpickers dream, the most popular of all production acoustics is the D-28. The dreadnought is very different from any of the 0’s. It is not choked down as much at the sound hole. Though not as well balanced as the 000 or M, the dreadnought is very bass responsive because the body is thicker. They are very punchy and cut through a mix well, especially for single note flat-picking. The dreadnought was not developed until the early 20th century and wasn’t mass produced by Martin until the early 30’s. Now, a pre-war D-45 (a Martin D-45 built before the end of WWII †1945) in good shape can be valued at more than a hundred thousand dollars.

Jumbo
The last body size I will talk about is the Jumbo body size. This body style is exactly as the name suggests. The jumbo is most often used for twelve string guitars but is also used frequently for six strings. Guitar manufactures, Gibson, and Guild are the most common users of the Jumbo body style. They have very rich bass and mids and can produce that â€knock you of your chair†volume that some are looking for. They are ideal for all types of strumming but are as good for fingerpicking. The jumbo body style provides great volume but lacks in the crystal clear clarity that you get from the 0 style bodies. They are much clearer when used as a twelve string because the highs are far more present with the octave strings.

2. Type and Quality of Wood (Tonewoods)
The next very important thing to consider is the tonewoods used to make the guitar. There are endless possibilities of combinations and each produce unique tonal characteristics. Every piece of wood from the back sides and top, to the neck and fingerboard effect how an instrument will sound. Not only does the type of wood matter, but also the quality of the wood. The use of rare and exotic tonewoods significantly increases the cost of the instrument even if the woods are poor in quality.

The back and sides of the guitar are usually made from a hardwood, the two most common being Rosewood and Mahogany. The top is usually a less dense wood like spruce or cedar though sometimes makers experiment using a harder wood for the top. The fingerboard is also usually a hardwood like Ebony or Rosewood but in some cases is a synthetic material.

Rosewood
There are several different types of Rosewood used for making guitars; the most common is East Indian Rosewood. East Indian gives a very warm clear sound if paired with a Spruce Top, and provides rich bass response and volume. Honduran Rosewood is used less frequently and has similar properties to East Indian Rosewood. The most sought after Rosewood is Brazilian Rosewood. Thought of as the â€holy grail†of tonewoods, it was heavily used before WWII on vintage instruments and is almost always paired with Adirondack spruce. It is becoming increasingly difficult to get a new guitar with Brazilian Rosewood because the tree is endangered and the U.S. has an embargo on its import.

A quality piece of old growth Brazilian Rosewood has stunning bass response and outstanding clarity if paired with a quality Adirondack Top. If you can find a guitar with Brazilian Rosewood, you can expect to pay north of ten thousand dollars. There are a few alternatives to Brazilian that have similar characteristics and don’t come with quite as high a price tag. Cocobolo is a type of Rosewood that even looks similar to Brazilian with brilliant reds and oranges. It also provides wonderful clarity. Ziricote is another type of Rosewood that is also very similar to Brazilian. It has a similar grain pattern but has more yellows and grays than reds and oranges.

Mahogany
Mahogany is the next most common wood used for back and sides. It provides a brighter sounding guitar than Rosewood and is often described as being very woody and natural sounding. It doesn’t have the punch that Rosewood does and doesn’t give quite as much volume. Hawaiian Koa is another type of Mahogany that grows only in Hawaii. Its tonal properties are in between Rosewood and traditional Mahogany. It is often used for Ukuleles. When paired with an Engelmann spruce top it makes for a sweet sounding fingerstyle guitar. It is often used as a top by Taylor which provides for a much darker sounding instrument but is stunning to look at. Korina is another type of Mahogany that is used on rare occasions but is more commonly used for electric guitar bodies.

Maple, Walnut, and Ebony
Some less commonly used woods are Maple, Walnut, and Ebony. Maple makes for a very bright sounding guitar with less bass response, and is often used for Jumbo guitars to help the clarity lost by the body style. Ebony is a dense wood similar to Rosewood but is almost black in color. Walnut is a good all purpose wood that has good qualities from both Rosewood and Mahogany but is not used very often.

Spruce
The top of a guitar is called the soundboard and is usually always a type of spruce. The top needs to be less dense to allow the sound to come through it. The most common type of spruce used is Sitka Spruce. The grain of Sitka is very dark and usually very straight. Sitka is a good top for those who like to strum aggressively because it is the densest of the spruce family. Engelmann spruce is a much lighter grained spruce that is often paired with Koa or Maple. It is clearer and responds better than Sitka. It is a good top for fingerstlye players. Adirondack spruce, also known as red spruce is the top of choice for premier guitars. Many say it doesn’t get any better than Brazilian rosewood matched with Adirondack spruce. It is considered a premium tonewood and quality pieces are becoming more and more scarce. It provides a clearer and punchier tone than Sitka, which makes for a great flat-picking top, but is also very responsive to a lighter touch for fingerstyle or classical.

Some less commonly used tops are; Western red cedar, German spruce, Carpathian Spruce, and Redwood.

3. Materials that Make Up the Rest of the Guitar

The last thing to consider is the materials that make up the rest of the guitar. Little things can very subtly change the sound of the guitar.

The Fingerboard
If the fingerboard is made from a hardwood like Rosewood or ebony, the guitar will have better sustain than if made from a synthetic material or Micarta. The nut and saddle are also important. The standard for premium guitars is bone. Many are also a type of tusk. If the nut and saddle are made from plastic it will effect sustain.

Bracing
Last but not least, the bracing of the guitar has an effect on the sound as well. Most of bracing falls into to two categories. Straight bracing, and scalloped bracing. Scalloped bracing gives superior resonance because the braces are shaved down. The soundboard has to be braced to provide the strength needed to support the tension of the strings. This means extra wood which can dampen the sound. With scalloped bracing, there is less wood without sacrificing any strength. Scalloped bracing was used in prewar Martins and is still used in higher end instruments.

All these things play a major role in the tonal characteristics of the guitar. Everything from type and quality of tonewoods down to the way the top is braced, no matter how subtly, effects how the guitar will sound. Everyone has different tastes as to what sounds great, and the only way to find out is to try as many different combinations as you can get your hands on.

Happy strumming.

Matt Griffith, born and raised in Western Colorado, made the leap to move to Nashville 5 months ago to pursue a career in music along with the thousands of other hopefuls that call Music City home. Matt is an acoustic guitar singer / songwriter at heart but is currently playing lead guitar for the band Brookline. He writes acoustic guitar reviews for Music Gear Review.

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/Key-Factors-that-Determine-the-Sound-of-an-Acoustic-Guitar/715507