Foreword by C.F. Martin IV. This comprehensive guide explains how to buy and maintain the guitar that matches your needs. From its beginning in European classical music, through American innovations like blues, jazz, country, and all the way to rock, pop and folk, the acoustic guitar's versatility is remarkable. This book covers all types of models with an emphasis placed on steel-string flattops, archtops and classical guitars. Topics covered include: How to tell the difference between a good sounding and bad sounding instrument; How much of the sound is determined by the wood; How to amplify and maintain its natural sound; How much money to spend in order to get an instrument that matches your level of playing; A color section illustrates historically significant instruments.