To get the most out of any guitar, it is crucial that the guitars tuning be correct. There are several factors that can make a guitar go out of tune. Things like weather conditions, especially humidity, disuse and handling can affect the sound of any guitar.
One of the first things the beginning musician learns is how properly tune the guitar strings. Even the most skilled player cannot make up for a guitar that is out of tune; it will sound terrible. Tuning an electric guitar is simple because there are several kinds of electronic tuners to choose from that make it easy to dial in the sound. Tuning acoustic guitars takes a little more time and skill.
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It will help to have a piano or other tuned instrument standing by. Most people are not born with perfect pitch and will not be able to tune the first note without a little help. Choose a key on the piano and use that as your starting point. It is not necessary to be absolutely perfect but get it as close as possible for the best sound.
Once the first string is in tune, it is a simple matter to dial in an identical sound on the second string with a finger pressed against the fifth fret. Repeat this process for every string except the last one. On this string, hold down the fourth fret. Having an ear that can recognize identical pitch is important for this process. The closer you can get the pitch, the better the guitar will sound.
Not everybody has the skills necessary to master the art of tuning a guitar by ear. Most musicians, however, should be able to get it in the neighborhood without too much effort. Using an electronic tuner may not always be a reasonable option, so it is helpful to develop this skill if possible. It only takes one string out of tune to ruin the sound of a good guitar.