Guitar Buyers Guide
Buying a guitar isn’t as complex a task as say buying a home, but there are a few things to take into consideration. Armed with a little bit of knowledge, you’ll be able to make a wise choice on your first guitar and get your playing days off to a good start.
What fits your heart
As much they are about the sound, guitars are all about looks and personality, and your guitar should reflect who you are.
If you consider yourself a sensitive singer-songwriter, you probably shouldn’t be looking at the angular, metal-shredding models put out by BC Rich no matter how good the guy at the guitar shop says they are. Take your time and check out all the styles and looks available and pick the one that appeals to your eye.
What fits your body
Guitars come in all shapes and sizes, so you need to make sure you can be comfortable playing the one you choose. Once you’ve narrowed the field according to looks, Take a few guitars off the rack and make sure they feel right.
Is the neck too wide or narrow? You should be able to get your fingers all the way around the neck comfortably, but you also want to feel like you have something to hold onto if you have bigger hands. Is the neck to long or too short? A short-scale guitar is best for younger players or people with shorter arms so you don’t have to strain t reach the first few frets. But too short of a neck might be uncomfortable for others. Is the body too big? If you plan on carrying your guitar around, or playing while standing, you don’t want one that is going to feel too heavy.
What fits your budget
Finding the perfect guitar isn’t going to help much if you can’t afford to buy it. Some guitars can get very expensive, so know the limitations of your checkbook or credit card. At the same time, don’t be a penny pincher. Too many people make the mistake of buying a guitar solely based on price and they end up disappointed. As with anything else, you get what you pay for, so there’s a good chance that $50 blue-light special will have trouble staying in tune. It’s important to find the right balance of price and value, so be ready to splurge a little to get a better quality guitar. You’ll be happier in the long run.
These are just a few tips to guide your guitar buying experience, but the most important thing to keep in mind is have fun. You’re not buying a furnace or an appliance here, it’s a guitar. Plug a few of models into an amp (yes, they’ll let you) and find our what they sound like. You might be just a beginner, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up that $2,500 Les Paul with the gorgeous sunburst just for fun. (Just don’t scratch it.)
For more information on specific kinds of guitars, check out the sections of this site devoted to Fender, Gibson, and more.
