| Buying the Right Guitar | | | | market today as well, and these should not be |
| | | | overlooked. Despite the slightly higher |
| By Michael Setz | | | | price, buying new is usually less risky when |
| | | | it comes to quality. But that is not to say |
| Buying the right guitar can be a lot more | | | | all new guitars are good. One advantage to |
| difficult than it seems. That's because there | | | | buying new is you will get a warranty. So |
| are a lot of them to choose from; electric, | | | | it's worth comparing the new guitars in your |
| acoustic, classical, folk, hollow body, | | | | price range to the used ones. |
| semi-hollow body, solid body, 12-string, and | | | | |
| 7 string just to name the more common ones. | | | | You can often get a decent new acoustic |
| Which one is right for you? | | | | guitar worthy of a beginner for right around |
| | | | $100 and no more than $150. I would expect to |
| First, it will be important for you to know | | | | pay about 10-20% less for a comparable used |
| the type of music you are interested in | | | | instrument. Check out some excellent guitars |
| playing. If you are only interested in | | | | at my website and you may also consider some |
| screaming solos, you could probably just | | | | of the package deals for an extra value. |
| focus on an electric guitar. If you like | | | | |
| playing folk music, a steel string acoustic | | | | Always buy a case! There are two types: |
| would be an excellent choice. What about | | | | Hard-Shell and Soft-Shell. You should opt for |
| Classical and finger picking? A Classical | | | | hard-shell. New cases can run between $50 and |
| guitar is definitely what you need. In any | | | | $75, and sometimes you can get them thrown in |
| case, know the music you want to play and | | | | the deal, it's always worth asking the |
| that will also help you choose the right | | | | salesman. If you do not buy a case you can |
| guitar. | | | | rest assured that you will get dings and |
| | | | scratches, and it is also more difficult to |
| When choosing your guitar, there are several | | | | safely move your guitar from place to place. |
| factors to consider: | | | | |
| | | | Choose a guitar that has the strings close to |
| ·Price | | | | the fretboard or playing will be difficult. |
| | | | However, if they are too close then they will |
| ·Playability | | | | produce a buzz and affect the tone produced. |
| | | | Be sure that it produces a clear sound, with |
| ·Sound | | | | no buzzes at any of the frets, and that the |
| | | | guitar is constructed of high quality wood, |
| ·Looks. | | | | so the neck doesn't "warp". |
| | | | |
| Which is the most important? They are ALL | | | | Woods to look for include hardwoods such as |
| important in their own way! | | | | Ash, Mahogany, Cherry, Maple, Rosewood, and |
| | | | Birch. These are some of the more common, and |
| Play Guitar in 7 Days Guaranteed. Go to to | | | | the key is looking for hardwoods. Not only |
| learn more! | | | | does this help to resist dings, it also |
| | | | improves tone. |
| In no particular order of merit, here are the | | | | |
| reasons: | | | | Generally, my recommendation to beginning |
| | | | guitar players is first learn on a nylon |
| 1. If you are on a budget, then obviously the | | | | string acoustic guitar. These are also called |
| price you intend to pay is important! Most of | | | | Classical Guitars. The reasons I recommend |
| us have wallets with limits! This is | | | | nylon acoustics are first, Classical guitars |
| self-explanatory. | | | | use nylon strings, and nylon strings are |
| | | | easier on the fingertips than steel strings. |
| 2. The playability of a guitar (how EASY it | | | | After you've played an hour straight you'll |
| is to play) is important. Are the strings | | | | know what I'm talking about. Imagine a thin |
| close to the fret board? Is the neck a | | | | piece of wire being pressed against your |
| comfortable fit for your hand size? Is the | | | | tender skin and then moved back and forth |
| body shape comfortable to hold? This will | | | | like a saw. Ouch! Now imagine a soft nylon |
| also make a big impact on your progress as a | | | | string and you can easily see why I recommend |
| guitar player. Anything that hinders your | | | | nylon. |
| progress can be disheartening and should be | | | | |
| eliminated. | | | | Don't get me wrong, your fingertips will hurt |
| | | | regardless, and that's ok. All guitar players |
| 3. Sound; Do the notes ring out on the guitar | | | | need calluses on the fingertips. And you will |
| and sustain (last long before dying out)? | | | | very quickly develop them if you persist in |
| Does the guitar sound fat and full, or bright | | | | your playing. But nylon strings will make a |
| and thin? What sort of tone do you want? For | | | | significant difference in how painful it can |
| example - Rock and Metal players often favor | | | | be, and it will ultimately let you practice a |
| fat, full sounding guitars. | | | | little longer before you can't take anymore. |
| | | | |
| 4. Are looks important? You bet! You want to | | | | Second, the neck is wider on classical style |
| look at your guitar and think it's cool. | | | | guitars. Although this may seem to make |
| Playing something that looks like a dog will | | | | playing more difficult initially, it actually |
| not inspire you! Also, the look of a guitar | | | | helps with finger placement and the always |
| can be important for the image associated | | | | troublesome issue of fingers touching other |
| with a certain type of music. Like we | | | | strings and muting them. This is especially |
| mentioned earlier, Telecaster shaped guitars | | | | true on electric guitars which have a much |
| are often associated with traditional blues | | | | narrower neck. By having more space between |
| and country playing - Les Paul-shaped guitars | | | | strings you have less chance of this |
| are often associated with classic rock, | | | | occurring. In addition, wider necks will help |
| Flying V guitars are usually associated with | | | | build dexterity in your fingers quicker too. |
| heavy metal. | | | | |
| | | | Finally, when you start with a nylon acoustic |
| With that said the first place to start is | | | | guitar you don't need to buy an amplifier or |
| whether to buy new or used. There are | | | | any other accessories to go with it. You can |
| advantages and disadvantages to each, but | | | | play it anywhere and hear it loud and clear, |
| generally the primary difference would be | | | | thus saving you money, allowing for more |
| your budget. Stay flexible here and be on the | | | | mobility, and producing clear sounds to hear |
| lookout for good deals. It is important to | | | | your true playing style and progress. All |
| note however, that guitars do tend to hold | | | | these add up to my recommendation that |
| their value over time as long as they are | | | | beginner guitar players start with a |
| well cared for and have no significant dings, | | | | classical style guitar. |
| dents or other damage. | | | | |
| | | | If you must buy an electric guitar first time |
| You can check out some excellent guitars at | | | | out, and you have no interest in an acoustic, |
| my website There is also a section for | | | | you will be faced with many choices of |
| auctions, so go take a look. | | | | guitars, amplifiers, and hordes of other |
| | | | pieces of equipment. While much of the |
| Nonetheless, you can usually expect to pay | | | | gadgetry is fun, the SINGLE most important |
| slightly less for a used guitar versus a new | | | | part of your setup is still the guitar |
| and comparable guitar. The downside to buying | | | | itself. |
| used is that there will undoubtedly be wear | | | | |
| on necks, frets, fingerboards, and pick | | | | Regardless of how much money you have to |
| guards, and there could also be hidden or | | | | spend, try to get the best guitar you can - |
| less noticeable damage. | | | | even if it means not being able to afford an |
| | | | amplifier to begin with! Unless you are |
| You can find multitudes of places on the | | | | playing in a band, you don't really need an |
| Internet as well as in newspapers, and | | | | amp to start off with, and the better your |
| magazines for used guitars. However, one | | | | guitar is, the easier and more enjoyable your |
| often overlooked place where great deals can | | | | learning experience will be! |
| be found is at pawnshops, flea markets, and | | | | |
| swap meets. Keep this in mind when you begin | | | | Remember how it is in most cases - you |
| your shopping. I have found some of the very | | | | generally get what you pay for! However, with |
| best deals at the local pawnshop. | | | | these few key points in mind, you can have |
| | | | confidence that the right guitar with the |
| There are many affordable new guitars on the | | | | right price and right quality can be found. |