From beginners to professionals, it is important when looking for a new guitar to know what brands will offer the best in quality, range and sound production. Buyers should be aware of what body shape will best suit their needs, which materials provide the best quality, and which guitars offer good sound in a visually appealing guitar.

When purchasing a new guitar, ask yourself what you are going to be using it for. Solo performers tend to go for a steel-stringed dreadnought acoustic guitar, which provides a big, bass sound that tends to be better than the small nylon string classic guitar.

Smaller instruments, such as the nylon-stringed classic acoustic and the steel-stringed artist body shape are ideal for beginners. They offer a good sound whilst being easier to hold. They are also used by artists who perform with a band, as they produce a more treble sound that carries better over the noise of other instruments, and causes less feedback.

The Alvarez acoustic guitar is world-renowned for being an excellent quality instrument that demonstrates attention to tradition and detail and produces a pleasing tone. Alvarez is based in St Louis, Missouri. Mostly their guitars are made in China. However, Kazou Yairi of Gifu, Japan, hand-crafts a number of higher-end instruments himself.

The Regent series is amongst the most popular in the Alvarez range. Unlike other brands, Alvarez ensures that these entry level instruments are maintain the highest possible quality, providing tuning stability and optimum tone. They are highly recommended for beginners.

At the other end of the scale is the Masterworks series, which offers the best in performance and visual appeal. Though they are more expensive, they are an excellent choice for the discerning artist who is looking for the best in tone and quality.

Another highly distinguished manufacturer of guitars is Takamine. They first began making guitars in 1962, with a focus on innovation and designs to suit the progression of musical styles and techniques. They were the first to produce acoustic/electric guitars, and they have not ceased in their pursuit to create a wide variety of instruments for all different musical tastes. Originally a small family business, the quality of their instruments has ensured international success and Takamine is now amongst the biggest names in acoustic guitars. The Takamine acoustic guitar often resembles Martin guitars, but are marketed at a much lower price.

Takamine and Alvarez offer similar levels of quality, but whilst Alvarez guitars tend to produce a more mellow tone, Takamine instruments have a brighter sound that some guitarists don’t like as much. Try out different instruments and brands and get a feel for your own personal taste. Every artist is different and there is no one acoustic guitar to suit everyone.