Joedy Zapara

Who Makes The Best Acoustic Guitar

Who makes the best acoustic guitar? At times, pondering or debating this question elicits the type of responses you’d only expect to find when asking about the secret to life, love and happiness. At times, when asked, I‘ve felt like there was a predetermined answer that the asker was expecting to get from me, and that if I didn’t “test well,” I would have shattered what for some can be a fragile wall of surety around the decision they have already made, or are about to make regarding the purchase of a fine acoustic guitar. Considering what I’ve just described, I ask myself - can this conversation end positively?

There is a startling reality that I truly believe each guitar player is eventually faced with. The reality is finding out that there are hundreds of great guitar builders, that range from the small boutique shops, to the factory line built and assembled brands. This can be annoying for many because we tend to idealize our first, second, or even third guitar. There are emotions attached to these instruments, and those emotions combined with positive memories of playing, learning, and loving to make music on said guitar can elevate its status to one of folklore in our own minds.

The evidence may suggest that the “best” guitar is the one that provides us with the most enjoyment and causes us to tap into a creative space that without it, we would not go. As an example, I have enjoyed the music of a Sacramento, CA based band called Cake. Since I am from Sac, I have seen Cake in concert a few times, and have heard their music on the radio. The first time I saw them play live, I was disturbed by what I felt was one of the shoddiest acoustic guitar rhythm tones on the Sacramento music scene. Here was a relatively popular band that could have afforded to buy, or at least borrow a acoustic guitar with a good pickup system that sounded full, rich, and resonant. Instead, their sound was thin, poor, and washy. I actually walked away from the concert talking smack about how bad the show was, which in hindsight I realize had allot to do with my negative judgement of that nasty guitar tone. Fast forward a year or so and Cake blows up with headlining shows, major radio play, and more records. By that time, I had to confront the prior judgment and admit to myself that although their guitar tone was outside the norm, it was perfect as the creative force behind Cake’s music. It helped the song writing, not hindered it.

When you want to either evaluate your current guitar rig, or begin thinking about what you want to move to, I think there are a few fundamental questions that need to be answered.

#1 - Are you a strummer or a picker primarily
#2 - When you pick, is it with a pick or do you use your finger tips and nails
#3 - Do you play acoustically or do you have sound reinforcement
#4 - Do you like a warm sound or a bright sound
#5 - Is sheer acoustic volume important (playing without sound reinforcement)
#6 - Will you be using the guitar for solo performance, or will it be fitting into a band

These a just a few of the variables that must be weighed while deciding on a guitar. I will let you in on my preference. I use my guitar equally in an un-plugged and plugged environment. My ear has tended to go for the brighter sound, combined with a tight flat picking response. I will even sacrifice low action for a setup that allows me to lay into my lead notes with confidence. When considering new guitar prices, I tend to find more of the sounds I like in guitars that are $2,500 and above. I currently play a Santa Cruz Guitar Company model D with koa back and sides, which gives me that bright, tight tone I love. It really cuts through the may-lay in a full band setting.

Certain guitars are boomy, others are dark, some are weak. The bottom line is easy, if you know what sound you want, then finding the right guitar for your taste will be much easier. Now I don’t want you to get the idea that you can find your perfect guitar at any price from a music store new. There is no doubt that many of the qualities that a majority of acoustic guitar player desire are more often found in high end, high dollar guitars. Once you have decided on the type of guitar you want, then play a bunch from a bunch of companies. You may find a cool guitar from a company that you would least expect to impress you. Have fun, and let me know what you get.