what to look for when buying a guitar.
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If you are looking to buy one of your first guitars, this task can be very daunting. Your first decision will be based on what type of music you want to play. This will influence you towards either buying an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar.
If you want to play rock songs or heavy metal or even slide around the floor as you shred out some demon lead solos then your choice can only be to buy an electric guitar. When you do choose an electric guitar, you must also budget for a guitar lead and an amplifier. And possibly some ear-muffs for your house mates.
Your other choice is obviously to buy an acoustic guitar. Acoustic guitars remain very popular due to their natural sound and portability. Acoustics are great for that finger picking technique you will likely want to try at some stage.
Guitars are like most consumer products in that how much you pay will depend on quality, brand and sometimes history. Some of the classic rock guitars from the sixties may only be average in terms of technical quality but they have such a history that you will pay a premium for them. There are some wonderful quality workmanship examples available in todays guitars that are very appealing but you are also able to buy some perfectly suitable models for a comparatively inexpensive price.
As with everything in life your choice will depend on your budget and how important you feel about the choice. For the beginner guitarist, it is like buying a watch. One person may buy an expensive watch because it is a thing of beauty and impresses people. The next person buys a cheap watch because it tells the time. The same applies to guitars in your choice of a beautiful quality instrument or just one that sounds ok and lets you play.
If you’re not buying strictly according to name and known quality then your choice comes down to balance, playability, sound and look. The look is an easy one to cover off. You want a look that matches your type of music and your personal style. If you’re a big hairy guy with numerous tatoos and body piercings who thrashes out heavy metal songs then you’re not going to be happy with a lilac colored baby acoustic.
The sound and/or tone of the guitar can often be a personal preference. Some people naturally prefer the more acute harder edge to a fender as opposed to the more well rounded fuller tones of a gibson les paul. The same applies to buying acoustic guitars. You may prefer the deeper fuller tones of a large bodied guitar. If you’re just starting out this may not seem so important.
The feel of the guitar and how simple it is to play normally rate highly as you will be attached to it for a long time to come. Try the guitar out. You don’t have to play some technical masterpiece. Often just a clear strum on different chords gives you a good indication. Try your chords at different positions at higher frets to see how this feels. What is the action of the guitar like? Do the strings sit a long way above the fretboard at the higher frets or is it still relatively simple to play a clear sounding chord. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, take a friend with some experience with you when looking to buy your guitar for their views. Make sure the guitar feels comfortable to hold and play both sitting down and standing up. You should also check that the parts do not vibrate and that they feel reasonably solid.
Only you will know which guitar is right for you to buy. Regardless of your playing ability, you should buy the best guitar you can afford and be proud of it. There is no such thing as a guitar being too good for a beginner. Expensive guitars aren’t any harder to play. In fact the action is often much easier than cheap guitars and they generally have a whole new sound way above the cheapies. I have one very expensive guitar in my collection and I get as much enjoyment out of looking at it as I do from playing it. It is a beautiful thing.
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