March 5, 2010
Comparing Two Leading Brands Of Acoustic Guitar
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, it is important to know what brands you can rely on when shopping for a new guitar. Get to know what you are after in terms of body shapes that are available, quality of materials used, the sound produced by the instrument, and its visual appeal.
Deciding on a body shape will depend on what you are using the guitar for. A steel-stringed dreadnought acoustic guitar is great for stand alone performances by artists with a little experience. It has a bigger, more bass sound than the smaller classic body guitar, and a tone that many artists prefer.
On the other hand, those playing together with a band are likely to go for a smaller instrument like a classic or artist acoustic guitar. The smaller body shape produces a treble sound that will carry over the sounds of the other instruments while minimizing feedback. They also make a good instrument size for beginners as they are easier to hold.
The Alvarez acoustic guitar is world-renowned for being an excellent quality instrument that demonstrates attention to tradition and detail and produces a pleasing tone. Alvarez is based in St Louis, Missouri. Mostly their guitars are made in China. However, Kazou Yairi of Gifu, Japan, hand-crafts a number of higher-end instruments himself.
An especially popular series in the Alvarez range is the Regent series. Beginners gravitate towards these less expensive entry level instruments for the smaller price tags and assurance of quality. Compared to other brands, Alvarez offers a superior product at this level. They ensure optimum tone and excellent tuning stability in all their guitars.
At the other end of the scale is the Masterworks series, which offers the best in performance and visual appeal. Though they are more expensive, they are an excellent choice for the discerning artist who is looking for the best in tone and quality.
Takamine is another highly distinguished guitar manufacturer. Since they began operation in the early 1960's, they have maintained a high level of innovation, including being the first to manufacture acoustic/electric guitars. What started as a small family business has grown into one of the world's biggest producers of quality guitars. The Takamine acoustic guitar is usually modelled to resemble Martin guitars, though without the accompanying price tag.
In comparing these two brands, it is important to keep in mind that there is no one acoustic guitar that will suit all players. Different players will prefer different tones and body shapes. Takamine produces a very wide range of guitars for all budgets and skill levels, but many dislike the bright, clean tone that these instruments produce. The Alvarez is popular for its rich, mellow tone.
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