Whether you’re finding a guitar for yourself or buying it for somebody else, choosing the right guitar can be very confusing! With so many sizes and styles, it’s easy to get lost in all the information and opinions.  Learning guitar, however, is one of the most rewarding hobbies – and it’s very easy to steepen your learning curve at the beginning, provided you pick the right instrument.

Though there are thousands of variations, we break it down for you into just 3 main types:

1. Classical Guitar (or Nylon String)
2. Acoustic Guitar (Steel String)
3. Electric Guitar

Classical Guitar

Classical guitars are essentially acoustic guitars, just a little smaller in body size and generally have a wider neck.  They are strung with nylon strings which gives them a distinctive sound – not as bright as your standard steel-string guitar.  Nylon string guitars are great for beginners because the nylon strings are thicker and therefore easier on your fingertips than steel-string guitars.  The neck is also wider which makes the finger work a little easier if you have large hands.

Classical guitars are great for beginners, particularly younger players, because they’re comparatively inexpensive and easy to play.  They’re good for fingerpicking rather than strumming chords.  The downside is that they’re not as bright or loud when compared to a steel-string guitar. 

Acoustic Guitar

Steel-string guitars are similar to classical guitars in that they are acoustic, however, they are strung with steel strings.  This extra tension makes for a much stronger guitar and the steel strings give a much brighter, louder sound.  These are much better for strumming chords compared to a classical guitar, so are very popular for beginners over a certain age.  

We don’t recommend steel-stringed guitars for younger players because the sharper strings may be a deterrent to practicing, as steel strings can be sharp on untrained fingers. Until the finger pads have built up some callus and strength, players may be better off with a classical guitar.

Electric Guitar

It’s very hard to generalise electric guitars because the size, shape and electronics all make small differences to the sound that can be produced. Electric guitars differ from classical and acoustic ones because they don’t make any sound without external amplification.  

With the exception of some jazz electric guitars, most electric guitars don’t have a cavity – they are solid wood.  They produce sound by transferring magnetic energy from the vibrating strings into electrical energy (only a very, very small voltage!).  This electrical signal passes from the guitar down a cable into an amplifier where the signal is boosted.  The signal can be tweaked, shaped and transformed to produce a huge variety of sounds.  So while you technically can play an electric guitar without an amp, you won’t have nearly as much fun and satisfaction out of your instrument without one!

Electric guitars are a little smaller than acoustic and classical guitars, and so are good for most ages and heights. They’re also great for creativity and rocking out.

Now…  How to choose?

Step 1.  What do you want to play?

This is a very important question.  It’s like trying to choose the right utensil to cook with before you know what you want to cook. It’s important to pick the right tool for the job!  Think about what kind of music you like to listen to and what kind of music you would like to play.  Many types of guitar are suited to different styles of music. Have a browse through your music collection and pick a few of your favourite songs.  

Step 2.  Pick your Size!

Guitars are not one-size-fits-all! Picking the correct size is most important – if you are uncomfortable playing something because it’s too large for you, you will have less motivation to pick it up to practice.  Electric guitars are much smaller than steel-string acoustic guitars and nylon string classical guitars, and although they can be used by most people, you do need to consider the extra weight. An electric guitar can weigh 5-6 kg which can be difficult for children to handle. We would normally recommend children be at least 13 years before they try an electric guitar, however, some children (sometimes as young as 10) have been ok. Every child is different, and some children may be capable at a younger age, so if you consider your child to be quite strong for their age, then, by all means, go for an electric. The correct size is most accurately determined by the player’s height and age.

Here’s an easy size guide. 

Electric Guitar:

• Smaller in size than acoustic or classical
• Good for rock, metal, pop and country music
• Has steel strings which can be hard on young fingers
• Can be heavy, depending on the model.
• Recommended for:

Acoustic Guitar:

• Good for folk, pop, country, slow rock music
• Has steel strings which can be hard on young fingers
• Sounds bright and loud, great for strumming chords 
• Light weight but bulky
• Recommended for:

Classical Guitar (Nylon String Guitar):

• Good for classical, flamenco, Spanish music.
• Available in the smallest size – 1/4 size.
• Gentle on fingertips – perfect for young children
• Sounds mellow and soft – not as loud as acoustic
• Recommended for:

We are a good choice for a beginner’s guitar purchase. We have qualified retail staff that are happy to show you what we offer. Pop in today