I just recently started to learn to play the acoustic guitar...?

Question:and my fingers are killing me, how long will it take to build up calysis (misspelled)????

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: and my fingers are killing me, how long will it take to build up calysis (misspelled)????

It really doesn't matter if it's an electric or acoustic guitar, or how the neck is shaped, as the calluses are built from the actual pressing of the strings. And using a pick to play doesn't help either, because the calluses are on the pressing fingers, not the plucking fingers. I have been playing the acoustic guitar for 24 years now. I can still remember the beginner's painful calluses as clearly as yesterday. My method back then was just to rest a day or 2 in between practices, just enough for the pain to decrease a bit but not long enough for the calluses to disappear. If you are playing a steel-stringed guitar, and also have access to a nylon-stringed one, then on your "rest" days, practice on the nylon one to lessen the pain.

Here are some ways you can build up the calluses FASTER:

1. Rub Isopropyl Alcohol on your finger tips 3 times a day for a week or so. This dries out the skin areas and build calluses.
2. Rock-climing equipment stores sell an item that helps build calluses. I heard it's a circular shaped thing that resembles a coin, a bit smaller than the size of your palm, with concentric ridges. Put your thumb on one side and squeeze your fingers along the ridges on the other side.
3. Use an old credit card or debit card. In your spare time, press your thumb on one side of the edges and fingers on the other side, along the other edge.

It will take a week or two of playing daily until your fingers get used to pressing the strings, so don't give up.
If you hadn't already bought an acoustic, I would have suggested you buy an electric guitar as it has a thinner neck and lower action and would be less painful.
Good luck.