What are the different types of acoustic guitars?

What Are the Different Types of Acoustic Guitars? The Guide

When it comes to choosing an acoustic guitar, the sheer variety of body shapes, tonewoods, and designs can feel overwhelming for any musician—from a complete beginner to an experienced professional. At KASPAR, with over a decade of experience in custom guitar production and global sales, we are no strangers to the intricate details and unique qualities that define each type of acoustic guitar. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the main types of acoustic guitars, their construction, notable features, and which styles of music each are best suited for. Whether you’re searching for your first instrument or considering a bespoke KASPAR guitar, understanding these foundational differences will help you find your perfect sound.

The Power of Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

The dreadnought acoustic guitar is arguably the most recognized and widely used body shape among acoustic guitars. Originally designed by C.F. Martin & Company in 1916, its broad shoulders and deep body create volume and projection that suit a diverse range of musical genres.

Why Choose a Dreadnought?

- Versatile Sound: Offers a booming, resonant tone with strong bass response, perfect for both strumming and flatpicking.

- Ideal For: Folk, rock, country, bluegrass, and even pop music.

- KASPAR Advantage: KASPAR’s dreadnought models are renowned for their rich, melodically balanced, and penetrating tone, crafted with High Quality British-inspired craftsmanship and high-quality tonewoods.

Grand Auditorium Acoustic Guitars: A Perfect Blend

The grand auditorium acoustic guitar bridges the gap between the full-bodied dreadnought and the more focused concert guitar. With a slightly narrower waist and a medium-sized body, it offers exceptional balance between lows, mids, and highs.

Main Features and Benefits

- Balanced Tone: Delivers articulate mids and crisp highs while retaining ample bass.

- Comfortable Playability: Its ergonomic design makes it suitable for both fingerpicking and light strumming.

- Recommended For: Singer-songwriters, solo artists, and those seeking a multi-purpose acoustic guitar.

Parlour Guitars: The Vintage Choice

Parlour guitars are distinguished by their smaller bodies and vintage aesthetics. Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they are seeing a resurgence among fingerstyle players and blues musicians today.

Why Opt for a Parlour Guitar?

- Intimate Sound: Provides a bright, clear tone with pronounced midrange, ideal for fingerstyle technique.

- Portable Design: The compact size makes it ideal for travel and casual jam sessions.

- Best For: Blues, folk, indie, and singer-songwriter performances.

Jumbo Acoustic Guitars: Booming Presence

If you crave a guitar with huge volume and booming bass, the jumbo acoustic guitar is your go-to option. These guitars are instantly recognizable for their large, rounded bodies and superior projection power.

Standout Qualities

- Robust Sound: Emphasizes deep lows and ringing highs with impressive sustain.

- Strong Projection: Suitable for unamplified ensemble performances or anyone needing to fill up a large room.

- Genres: Country, rock, worship, and ballads.

Concert and Grand Concert Guitars: Focused and Expressive

Concert guitars, along with their bigger sibling the grand concert, are characterized by their slightly smaller bodies and more pronounced waist. These acoustic guitars offer precise sound, perfect for intricate picking and expressive playing.

Features You’ll Love

- Clear Projection: Tight, focused sound with clarity in each note.

- Player Friendly: Suits smaller framed guitarists and advanced players with nuanced playing styles.

- Styles: Classical, jazz, fingerstyle, and light pop.

Classical Acoustic Guitars: Nylon-String Elegance

Classical guitars are a distinct category of acoustic guitar, known for their nylon strings, wider fingerboards, and traditional design. While the sound is softer and warmer compared to steel-string acoustic guitars, their clarity and response are unmatched for specific genres.

The Classical Guitar Identity

- Soft, Mellow Sound: Nylon strings produce gentle tones perfect for classical, flamenco, and Latin music.

- Ease of Play: The lower string tension and wider neck benefit beginners and fingerstyle specialists.

- KASPAR Customization: At KASPAR, we offer classical models with European spruce or cedar tops and luxurious fittings.

Travel and Mini Acoustic Guitars: Take Your Music Anywhere

For musicians on the go, travel and mini acoustic guitars provide portability without compromising quality. Engineered for compactness and lightweight design, they are perfect practice companions or songwriting tools.

Key Advantages

- Small Yet Mighty: Despite their size, these guitars maintain quality sound thanks to thoughtful bracing and quality materials.

- Great for Kids: Their short scale length also makes them a top choice for younger players.

- KASPAR Solution: We craft mini guitars that retain the elegance and tonal clarity of our full-sized models.

12-String Acoustic Guitars: Richness and Resonance

Looking for something unique? The 12-string acoustic guitar doubles each string, creating a chorus-like sound with exceptional resonance and shimmer.

Unique Features

- Lush Harmony: Each note is richer, producing ringing overtones ideal for studio recording and stage performance.

- Textured Sound: Great for folk, rock, and country.

- KASPAR Excellence: We offer 12-string options that balance tuning stability and brilliant harmonics.

Specialty Acoustic Guitars: Baritone, Resonator, and More

Apart from the standard types, several specialty acoustic guitars cater to unique needs and genres.

Baritone Guitars

- Deep Register: Longer scale and lower tuning for a richer, deeper sound.

- Use Cases: Alternative rock, film scores, and experimental music.

Resonator Guitars

- Distinctive Tone: A metal cone amplifies the sound, producing a metallic, bluesy twang.

- Best For: Slide playing, blues, and roots music.

Acoustic-Electric Guitars: The Best of Both Worlds

Acoustic-electric guitars come fitted with onboard pickups and preamps to seamlessly amplify your performance for stage and studio. Most KASPAR models offer high-fidelity electronics for uncompromised live play.

Why Go Acoustic-Electric?

- Performance Ready: Connect directly to amps or PA systems without losing the acoustic character.

- Versatility: Excellent for gigging musicians who need flexibility.

- KASPAR Promise: Flawless integration and negligible loss in acoustic richness.

How to Choose the Right Type of Acoustic Guitar

Selecting from the many types of acoustic guitars involves considering:

- Musical Genre: Match your preferred styles with the guitar’s tonal qualities.

- Playability: Look for body size, neck width, and scale length that suit your physique and technique.

- Tonewoods and Construction: High Quality woods enhance resonance, projection, and sustain. At KASPAR, we use carefully selected woods, honoring the British tradition of luxury guitars.

- Customization Options: Take advantage of KASPAR’s OEM customization to design a guitar that aligns with your artistic vision.

Why Choose KASPAR for Your Acoustic Guitars?

With over 10 years of unmatched expertise, KASPAR is committed to producing acoustic guitars that blend exquisite British craftsmanship, the finest woods, and innovative design. Whether you need a standard dreadnought or a fully customized solution, our global reach ensures every musician can access the pinnacle of acoustic guitar artistry.

Our guitars’ clear, melodically balanced, and booming tones meet the demands of enthusiasts and professionals across genres. From classical elegance to electrified versatility, KASPAR stands as your trusted partner in musical craftsmanship.

FAQ

What are the main types of acoustic guitars?

The main types include dreadnought, grand auditorium, parlour, jumbo, concert, grand concert, classical, 12-string, baritone, resonator, and travel guitars.

Which type of acoustic guitar is best for beginners?

Dreadnought and concert guitars are often chosen by beginners for their versatile sound and comfortable playability.

What wood is best for acoustic guitars?

High Quality woods such as spruce, cedar, mahogany, rosewood, and maple are commonly used. KASPAR uses carefully selected British-inspired woods for optimal tone and beauty.

Can I get a custom acoustic guitar made?

Absolutely. KASPAR specializes in OEM customization, offering tailored solutions for all types of acoustic guitars.

What is the difference between acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars?

Acoustic-electric guitars include pickups and preamps for amplification, making them ideal for live performances.

How do I maintain my acoustic guitar?

Regular cleaning, proper humidification, and storing in a hard case helps protect your guitar. Change strings as needed and keep hardware in check.

Which KASPAR acoustic guitar is right for me?

Contact our experts to discuss your musical needs, preferred styles, and custom requirements—we will help you find or design the ideal guitar.

At KASPAR, our passion for high-quality acoustic guitars ensures every instrument is a work of art, offering reliability, playability, and a sound that resonates with musicians everywhere. Explore our range or design the guitar of your dreams with KASPAR’s team of experts today.