buying your first guitar.

by Terry Booth

There are countless types and models of guitar on the market so when it comes to buying your first guitar, the novice guitar player can find themselves completely bamboozled. Although it seems like your local guitar shop has so many to choose from, there are many thousands more available to you online. So for a structured approach to buying guitars, you first need to choose between an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar.

If you like your heavier rock’n'roll music or particularly like lead guitar then your choice will likely be to buy an electric guitar. And don’t worry. There is no rule that says beginners can’t start with an electric guitar. Just remember to listen to how it sounds on the type of amp you will buy.

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.

Your choice here is a trade-off between various priorities which will depend on what type of person you are. It is no different to buying a car. Some people buy cars for the prestige and high end performance while others buy a car that gets them from A to B. It is common for guitar addicts to dream about buying a guitar that makes their friends and even strangers go wow as soon as they hear what type of guitar it is. This won’t interest some other people who will be happy with a guitar that sounds “ok”.

When you buy a good brand you typically have less to worry about in terms of the guitar quality. If on the other hand you are buying a guitar at a bargain basement price then you need to conduct your own investigation into its quality. You will need to look at the guitar’s tone, it’s playing action and last buy not least whether it suits you. There are small pink acoustic guitars and there are big heavy razor-blade shaped electric guitars and everything inbetween. Pick the one that suits you.

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 balance and playability of the guitar is important because of the hours you will spend playing it. Balance and weight are factors and it is a good idea to make sure you are comfortable playing in both a standing up and seated position. The weight and shape of the guitar will influence how it feels for you. Also check the action of the guitar. In other words how hard is it to press the strings down to the fretboard as you move up to the higher frets. The action can be altered but you would hopefully buy a guitar that felt good out of the box. Many people spend hours looking down the neck of the guitar to ensure it is straight but the truth is that it should have a slight forward bend, known as neck relief. This ensures that the strings don’t buzz when pressed.

The main thing is buy a guitar that seems right to you. Not your friend or the shop salesman. I recommend buying a guitar at the top end of your budget as later on you will appreciate the better quality and tone. Then you will end up with a much more enjoyable experience.

About the Author:

About the writer: Terrence Booth is another keen guitar fanatic interested in anything relating to buying guitars. He has brought together all the resources needed to buy guitar into the one place.