Starting your musical journey with the acoustic guitar is an exciting endeavor. However, the initial stages can be challenging if you’re struggling with an instrument that’s difficult to play. Finding the Easiest Acoustic Guitar To Play is crucial for beginners, ensuring a smoother learning curve and keeping motivation high. If you’re wondering which guitar will be the most forgiving on your fingers and easiest to handle, you’ve come to the right place.
When we talk about the “easiest acoustic guitar to play”, what exactly are we looking for? For beginners, certain features can make a world of difference. Here’s what defines an easy-to-play acoustic guitar:
Key Criteria for Easy Acoustic Guitar Playability
- Comfortable Size: A guitar that isn’t too bulky or large is easier to manage, especially for smaller players or beginners still getting used to the instrument.
- Finger-Friendly Action: The “action” refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. Lower action means less pressure is needed to press down strings, reducing finger pain and making chords easier to form.
- Stable Tuning: A guitar that stays in tune helps avoid frustration, allowing you to focus on learning instead of constantly retuning.
- Pleasing Sound: A good sounding guitar is inspiring and makes practice more enjoyable. You don’t need a professional-grade sound, but it should be clear and resonant.
- Reasonable Price: Starting out shouldn’t break the bank. An affordable guitar allows you to explore your interest without a huge financial commitment.
Based on these criteria, one acoustic guitar stands out as a top recommendation for ease of play: the Big Baby Taylor.
Top Recommendation: Big Baby Taylor
The Big Baby Taylor is frequently cited as an excellent choice for beginners, and for good reason. It excels in all the areas that contribute to easy playability.
Easy to Handle
The Big Baby Taylor features a 15/16 scale dreadnought body. This slightly smaller size is a stroke of genius. It’s noticeably more comfortable to hold and maneuver, especially for those who find full-sized dreadnoughts cumbersome. Despite its smaller dimensions, it doesn’t feel like a toy; it retains a comfortable and playable feel.
Easy on the Fingers
This is where the Big Baby Taylor truly shines. Many budget acoustic guitars suffer from high action, making pressing down strings a real struggle and a common cause of finger pain for new players. Taylor guitars, in general, are known for their excellent playability, and the Big Baby is no exception. It typically boasts a comfortable, lower action right out of the box, minimizing finger strain and allowing you to practice longer and more comfortably. If the action isn’t perfectly to your liking, a professional setup at your local guitar shop is always a worthwhile investment for any guitar.
Easy to Keep in Tune
While all guitars should stay in tune, cheaper beginner guitars often struggle in this area due to low-quality tuning machines and materials. The Big Baby Taylor, however, benefits from Taylor’s reputation for quality. You can expect reliable tuning stability, especially compared to very inexpensive instruments. This is a crucial factor for beginners, as constant retuning can be discouraging.
Sounds Great
Sound quality is often a concern with smaller-bodied guitars, but the Big Baby Taylor delivers a surprisingly full and rich tone. It produces a respectable bass response that belies its size. While it might not have the booming volume of a full-sized dreadnought, the sound is balanced, clear, and enjoyable for practice and performance.
Affordable Quality
“Affordable” is relative, but in the world of guitars, the Big Baby Taylor hits a sweet spot. It’s an investment in a quality instrument without reaching the higher price points of professional-grade guitars. Priced under $500 at the time of writing, it offers exceptional value for its playability and sound. While you can certainly find more expensive guitars, the Big Baby Taylor provides an ideal balance of quality and affordability for beginners.
Budget-Conscious Alternative: Fender CD-60
Fender CD-60 Easy to Play Acoustic Guitar for Beginners
If the Big Baby Taylor is slightly beyond your current budget, the Fender CD-60 is a highly recommended, more affordable alternative. It’s a popular entry-level acoustic guitar known for its decent quality at a lower price point.
Easy to Handle (Considerations)
The Fender CD-60 is a full-sized dreadnought guitar. This means it will feel larger than the Big Baby Taylor and might be less comfortable for smaller individuals. However, it’s a standard size, and many beginners start on full-sized guitars.
Decent Playability (with Potential Setup)
The action on the Fender CD-60 is generally acceptable for a beginner guitar. However, to maximize its playability and make it truly “easy on the fingers”, consider investing in a professional setup. A setup involves adjustments to the guitar, including the action, and can significantly improve how easy it is to play. While it adds to the overall cost, the improvement in playability is well worth it, transforming the guitar into a much more comfortable instrument.
Stays in Tune
Like the Big Baby Taylor, the Fender CD-60 generally holds its tuning well, especially compared to ultra-cheap guitars in the sub-$100 range. Avoiding extremely cheap guitars is generally advisable, as tuning instability is a common issue.
Good Sound for the Price
The Fender CD-60 delivers a respectable sound for its price range. While it won’t match the tonal richness and depth of higher-end guitars like the Big Baby Taylor, it provides a clear and pleasant sound suitable for learning and practice. Compared to even cheaper options, the sound quality is noticeably superior.
Very Affordable
The Fender CD-60 is significantly more affordable than the Big Baby Taylor. This makes it a great option for beginners who are budget-conscious or unsure about their long-term commitment to playing. However, factor in the potential cost of a setup, which can bring the total closer to the Big Baby Taylor’s price range.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Easy-to-Play Acoustic Guitar
Ultimately, the “easiest acoustic guitar to play” is subjective and depends on individual preferences and budget. However, the Big Baby Taylor consistently ranks as a top choice due to its comfortable size, finger-friendly action, reliable tuning, and pleasing sound. It’s a worthwhile investment that can make the learning process significantly smoother and more enjoyable.
If budget is a primary concern, the Fender CD-60 is a strong contender, especially if you factor in a professional setup to optimize its playability.
The best advice is to try out guitars yourself if possible. Visit a local guitar store, handle different models within your budget, and see how they feel and sound. Don’t get too caught up in brand names; focus on what feels comfortable and inspires you to play. Or, simplify your decision and confidently choose the Big Baby Taylor as a fantastic starting point on your guitar journey.
