Technically, any non-electric guitar sound is acoustic but the term is most often used today to refer to a steel string acoustic guitar. Crafted mostly from various hard and soft woods, the acoustic guitar, sometimes referred to as a folk guitar, is a modern descendent of the classical or Spanish guitar. Acoustic guitars can be modified with various pickup systems (electro-magnetic or piezo) and/or small internal condenser microphones that allow the guitar to be plugged into an amplifier or PA system. However, unlike electric guitars, they are primarily designed to be played acoustically and project as much acoustic energy as possible.

The steel strings give a much brighter and louder sound to the instrument. The added tension of the steel strings requires stronger bracing and heavier construction usually with a steel truss rod in the neck to keep it from bowing. It is usually played with a plectrum (flat pick) used to strum the strings. However, finger-style guitarists use a thumb pick and/or individual finger picks or simply their bare fingers and/or fingernails to pluck the strings individually, similar to classical guitar players (if you're interested in playing acoustic guitar, learn more here).

Though most acoustic guitars have six strings, one common variation is the 12-string guitar which has six pairs (courses) of strings, the lower four of which are tuned an octave apart, while the high E and B strings are tuned in unison. The popularity of the acoustic guitar is due to its affordability, portability, and its ability to function as both a rhythm and melodic instrument. The guitar has become the signature instrument of western popular music and pop culture. It is the heart and soul of popular music of the mid to late 20 th and early 21 st centuries, including folk, bluegrass, country & western, rock, jazz, alternative, and pop.

Some of the largest and most well known manufacturers of acoustic guitars are Martin, Gibson, Fender, Taylor, Ovation, Guild, and Yamaha. However, over the last 10 to 20 years there has been a growing number of independent luthiers (guitar builders), most of whom specialize in crafting high-end, hand-made instruments, making inroads into the acoustic guitar market.

Acoustic guitar is the quintessential instrument of much western popular music of the 20 th and 21 st centuries, including folk, gypsy jazz, country & western, bluegrass, rock, and pop. Primarily strummed or finger-picked, the instrument has mostly been used to accompany singers or sometimes other instrumentalists, though it was also used as a melodic instrument, especially in bluegrass and early jazz music (gypsy jazz).

Some famous acoustic guitarists who were influential in bringing acoustic guitar music to a wider audience include Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Leo Kotke (12-string players), Robert Johnson, Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang, Django Reinhardt, Doc Watson, Johnny Cash , Jerry Read, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Neil Young, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, John Renbourn, Richard Thompson, and Michael Hedges.

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