what exactly is an acousitic guitar?

Answer 1

In general, an acoustic instrument is one that makes sounds without any electronic parts. Piano, violin, viola, cello and guitar are example of acoustic instruments. People only say "acoustic guitar" to diferentiate it from it's electric counterpart. There are also electric piano, violin, viola, cello.

An acoustic guitar amplified by use of a microphone, or an electronic pickup added to the instrument to enhance the design, is still considered an acoustic guitar. Manufacturers now make acoustic/electrics, which have electronic pickups added at the factory.

This is what an acoustic guitar looks like:
http://www.guitarz-for-ever.com/images/Guitar_Anatomy%202.jpg

Contrast that with an electric guitar:
http://www.build-a-recording-studio.com/image-files/electric-guitar.jpg

Answer 2

An acoustic guitar is a guitar which produces sounds loud enough to hear without the aid of an electric amplifier. Acoustic guitars are generally hollow and make of wood, and their strings are made of metal (in the form of wire) or are made of nylon or something like nylon.

Answer 3

An acoustic guitar is a guitar that provides its own amplification via its big, hollow body that amplifies the sounds made by the player. Popular in country music and folk music.

Answer 4

a guitar that does not need electronic amplification. An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only acoustic methods to project the sound produced by its strings. It is a retronym, coined after the advent of electric guitars, which depend on electronic amplification to make their sound audible.