Best Fingerstyle Guitars 2023

1. Acoustic vs. Electric: Acoustic guitars are what most people think of when imagining a guitar. They are used by musicians such as John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and are a good choice for beginners.

The sound is rich and full, and the back and sides of the guitar help amplify the sound, making them great for playing in small spaces.

Acoustic guitars are generally less expensive than electric guitars.

Electric guitars come in two basic varieties: solid body and hollow body. Solid body guitars are heavier and produce a brighter sound.

They are often used by rock and metal musicians. Hollow body guitars are often used by jazz and blues musicians.

They produce a mellower sound and are more expensive than solid body guitars.

2. Body Shape: Guitars come in many different body shapes. Here are a few of the most common:

Jazz Standard: This is one of the most popular acoustic guitar shapes. The body is deep and narrow, and is good for fingerpicking or strumming.

It is often used by folk and country musicians.

Travel Guitars: These are smaller in size, making them easier to transport.

They are a good choice for guitarists who need to play in different locations, such as street musicians.

Double Cutaway: These guitars are good for rock and metal, as well as slide playing.

3. Materials: Guitars can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and carbon fiber. Here are some of the most common:

Wood: Most acoustic and electric guitars are made from wood. Solid wood is often preferred by musicians, as they feel it gives the instrument a richer sound.

Wood can be made from a variety of species, including maple, mahogany, ash, and rosewood.

Wood can be expensive, however, and often requires special care.

Hollow Body Electric: These guitars are made of wood, but the backs and sides are removed. This makes them lighter and cheaper than fully wooded guitars.

They are more popular in jazz and blues, but they are also a good choice for beginners.

Solid Body Electric: These guitars are made of a solid block of wood, or sometimes a composite material, with sound holes cut into the body.

They are used by rock and metal musicians, and are popular for their rich, cutting sound.

Acoustic Electric: Also known as bridge guitars, these are acoustic guitars with the addition of a pickup.

They are good for those who want to play both acoustic and electric guitar, as well as for those looking for a good travel guitar.

Acoustic electric guitars are often used by country and folk musicians.

Semi-Hollow Body: These guitars have a hollow body, but the top is made of wood. They are often used by rock and blues musicians.

Solid Top Acoustic: This is a standard acoustic guitar but with a solid top instead of a sound hole.

The sound is often brighter, and these are good for those who want the standard acoustic sound but want to dampen the sound a bit.

4. Electronics: Most electric guitars come with some sort of built-in electronics to boost the sound. The two most common types are single coil pickups and humbucker pickups.

Single coil pickups are brighter sounding, and are often used by country and rock musicians.

Humbucker pickups are darker sounding, and are often used in jazz and blues.