Have you finally made a decision to learn how to play guitar? Well, if you have and you've also decided that those noisy electric guitars are not for you, then the next step is to determine precisely what sort of best acoustic guitar to acquire.

Purchasing an acoustic guitar, however, is not as uncomplicated as it may seem. There are quite a few varieties of gibson acoustic guitar available and a broad range of prices.

Be prepared to pay about $100 for a beginners guitar and do not be surprised if you see instruments costing $5,000 or more. You might pay less for an foreign, factory-made guitar than for a North American hand-made guitar.

This extreme price range is due to the quality of the materials used and the degree of craftsmanship. It is important to understand however, that there are several great guitars built that are generally relatively inexpensive. The level of guitar manufacturing has improved substantially over the previous few years and many great guitars can be had for under $500. Even though it is tempting to buy a more expensive guitar, the typical newbie does not require a guitar of that quality and may not even be able to value it.

Here are some specifications with regard to purchasing an acoustic guitar:

1. Decide on your budget. Before you wander into your preferred guitar shop determine how much you are prepared to pay in advance. The following chart will give you a basic idea of precisely what to expect:

Up to $500 - good beginners guitar

$500 - $1,000 - intermediate range

$1,000 - $2,000 - serious student

$2,000 - $5,000 - semi-professional or professional

$5,000+ - professional guitarist or you just love fine guitars and can afford it.

2. Determine if you want a soundboard built from real wood. Many inexpensive guitars have plywood soundboards. The better guitars have soundboards produced from spruce or cedar. Spruce or cedar soundboards generate a much better sound than plywood. There are a handful of guitar companies that manufacture low-cost guitars with real wood soundboards.

3. Try out various types. Each guitar manufacturer will have many types of guitar, many in the same model category. Different styles may include dreadnaught, jumbo, grand concert, etc. These styles are somewhat generic but vary a bit between manufacturers. These names refer normally to the shape and size of the guitar which will determine the sound of the guitar to a certain extent. You may also have to determine if you would like a cutaway design or a more traditional non-cutaway style.

4. Do you want to get a nylon string classical guitar or a steel string? Nylon string guitars are easier on the fingers if you are a newbie, but their necks are wider which means you have to stretch your fingers a little bit more. Steel string acoustics have a more narrow neck but the steel strings are a little bit painful if you have not yet developed calluses on your left hand.

Classical guitars are best used for fingerstyle playing and are best suited to classical, jazz and latin styles while a steel string acoustic is better suited to strumming chords and using a pick.

5. Do you want to amplify your guitar? If you believe that you may want to amplify your fender acoustic guitar then consider obtaining an acoustic guitar with a built in pickup and preamp. This will permit you to plug your guitar into an amplifier without the need for a microphone.

You are now prepared to go to your neighborhood guitar shop and try out some guitars. In the end, the final choice on which acoustic guitar to buy ought to be dependent on getting a guitar that you take pleasure in playing and that has a sound that is pleasing to you. After you get that new guitar, then the only thing left to do is to learn how to play it.