 An
acoustic guitar
is a modern form of guitar descended
from the Classical
guitar, but generally strung with
steel strings for a brighter, louder
sound. Much heavier construction is
required to withstand the added tension.
Sometimes the term steel-stringed guitar
or folk guitar is used to differentiate
from the classical guitar. The term
"acoustic guitar" is a retronym,
since before the invention of the electric
instrument, "guitar" meant
only the non-amplified variety.
 The
acoustic guitar is often played with
one or more plectra, or guitar
picks, small plates of hard plastic
or other material used to strike and
strum the strings. Most players use
a flat pick held between the thumb and
index finger. Some players use fingerpicks,
picks worn on the thumb and three fingers.
Fingerstyle
acoustic
guitar players use fingerpicks
or use their bare fingers and fingernails
to strum and strike individual notes.
There are many different variations
on the construction of and materials
used in acoustic
guitars. More expensive guitars
feature solid wood tops (usually Sitka
spruce), sides and backs (often Indian
rosewood, maple, or mahogany). Lower-priced
guitars can combine solid tops with
laminated backs and/or sides. Entry-level
guitars are usually made entirely of
laminated wood. Necks and fingerboards
are usually made of denser, stiffer
woods such as mahogany, rosewood, cedar
and ebony. The various combinations
of the different woods and their quality
is the primary factor in the timbre
or "tone" of the guitar. Due
to decreasing availability and raising
prices of the premium-quality woods,
many manufacturers have begun experimenting
with alternate species of woods or more
commonly available variations on the
standard species. Some have also begun
using non-wood materials, such as plastic
or graphite. Most luthiers and experienced
players agree that a solid top is the
most important factor in the tone of
the guitar, and that solid backs and
sides can also contribute to a pleasant
sound, although laminated sides and
backs are acceptable alternatives. Some
jazz players prefer laminated backs
and sides.
Another style of acoustic
guitar is the archtop
guitar. This is most commonly used
by jazz players, and often incorporates
electronics in the form of a pickup.
There are several prominent American
makers of acoustic guitars. Martin,
Guild,
Taylor,
and Gibson
are known for both the quality and price
of their instruments. The Selmer-Maccaferri
Guitar is an unusual looking guitar
played by Django
Reinhardt style musicians, distinctive
by its "D" hole or longitudional
oval soundhole.
The standard tuning for an acoustic
guitar is EADGBE (low to high), although
many players, particularly fingerpickers,
use alternate tunings, such as "Open
G" (DGDGBD), "Open D"
(DADF#AD), or "Drop D" (DADGBE).
One variation on the standard acoustic
guitar is the 12
string guitar, which sports an additional
doubling string for each of the traditional
six strings. This guitar was made famous
by artists such as Huddie
Leadbetter (a.k.a. Leadbelly), Pete
Seeger, and Leo
Kottke.
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