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