Guitar Buying 101

How To Buy A Guitar

It's time for you to buy a guitar and you want to learn, so there are several tips we can give to you, and we've also provided a handy Guitar-Buying Checklist.

What Kind of Music?

The first thing to ask yourself is what kind of music do you wish to play? This will narrow your choices between buying an acoustic or an electric guitar.

Different guitars are right for different types of sounds.

Click here for a chart summarizing the different types of guitars and guitar sounds.

Talk to other guitar players and ask for their opinions on your planed guitar purchase. Describe the type of music you intend to play: your favorite genre and style, unplugged or electric, for recording or performing, etc., and whose style do you want to emulate?

What guitar does your favorite player use? If you can't afford that model, consider a less-expensive but comparable model in the same line. Do some research.

If you like Eric Clapton's "Unplugged" album and that's what you want to sound like, then you might want to buy a Martin 000-28 guitar, good for acoustic blues.

If you dig Tom Morello in Rage Against the Machine or Audioslave, then you might want to consider buying a Fender Telecaster, a Fender Stratocaster, a Gibson Les Paul, or an Ibanez Roadstar.

If John Mayer's pop and blues is your style, you might consider buying a Fender Stratocaster.

If you like Jimmy Page and Stairway to Heaven, he played a Fender Telecaster, or a Gibson EDS-1275.

BB King's ability to make his guitar sound so emotional is legendary and his guitar named "Lucille" would be similar to a Gibson ES-355. However, according to Wikipedia, on most of his recordings he played a Fender Telecaster.

If you enjoy the sound of Country, Americana, and Southern Rock, Brad Paisley plays a Fender Telecaster.

My First Guitar

My first guitar was a nylon string classical guitar - a Yamaha. While other guitarists quit because of sore fingers, I kept playing because of the easiness of the nylon strings. I would say that nylon string is an excellent guitar to start with as a beginner.

If you choose to play electric guitar, it can also be really easy on the fingers, if set up correctly. That means that the string "action" is not too high or too low, but just right for your touch.

If you find that your strings are too high, you may have to have some basic modifications done by a local music store professional, to adjust them. This person can also change the strings for you after the set-up.

When you get serious about playing, don't buy a toy. There are good quality guitars out there for a beginner that are in the $100 - $200 range. But there are also guitars out there within that same price range that are basically firewood with strings attached - they have poor quality workmanship and tone.

A good quality guitar may be worth quite a lot more in the future. My first electric guitar was a Fender Telecaster, which I bought used for $200. Today it is worth more than $2000.

You'd Better Shop Around

Local music stores are worth a visit, especially if you need to make payments on the guitar. I would generally avoid pawnshops because usually it will be more expensive then the guitar is actually worth.

A good place to browse online, which I have used with much success is Musician's Friend.

You should always take a look at this site for a guitar you may have seen in a local music store, to compare prices.

There are also deals on eBay, but the drawback is you can't try it before you but it; and don't exactly know if the guitar showing up at your doorstep is everything that it was described as being. However, I've purchased a few guitars on eBay, and most eBay sellers have a return policy that is fair and worth checking into. I've never had to return one myself.

Beginning Electric Guitar?

For a beginning electric guitar, I think that the following types are the best guitars out there within the $100 - $200 price range:

Fender

Epiphone

Dean

Beginning Acoustic Guitar?

For a beginning acoustic guitar within that same price range, I think that these are the best bets:

Yamaha

Takamine

Alvarez

It is always a good policy to read reviews about the guitar. "Musician's Friend" usually has many, and you will gain some insight on the quality and sound of the guitar.

You may also need a tuner, a strap, picks, a cord, and even possibly an amplifier, if you wish to purchase an electric guitar. There are 'bundled' kits for you to consider which indlude all those items.

The Epiphone Les Paul II Special has had some very good reviews, for a beginner's guitar. It also can be bought as a kit with those needs.

Buying a Guitar from Craigslist or a Newspaper Ad

If you're looking at a guitar from Craigslist or a local newspaper ad, always take a look at the wood. If it is plywood, steer clear.

Also take a look at how high the strings are above the neck. If they are too high, there is a good chance that there may be problems with the neck being bowed.

If you know a couple chords, play them on the guitar.

Is there buzzing?

Is it a reputable brand or type of guitar?

More Guitar-Buying Tips

Don't buy compulsively - do your research and make sure you get what you need. Read reviews on the models that you are considering.

If you're going to be on a stage with amplifiers, you will want a guitar that does not produce too much feedback in that scenario. Test your potential guitar with several different amps.

Find the best guitar for the best price. Shop prices in the stores and online.

Take notes and focus on finding a guitar that's easy and fun for YOU to play.

Play guitars in person and write down what you like and dislike about each model that you try. Refer to your notes as you try out each different guitar.

Guitar-Buying Checklist

• Decide what kind of guitar you want to play. Choose your style and talk to other guitar players for their opinions.


• How much money can you afford to spend? Include case, extra strings, picks, strap, capo, amp and guitar cable (if electric), guitar tuner, metronome, effects pedal if desired, instruction book or DVD of choice.


• Have you read reviews about this guitar?


• Demo/Try at least 10 different guitars before you buy. Take your time.


• Play a note on each fret and check for buzzing. Are the strings the right distances from the neck so that the guitar is easy enough to play, but not too low to create buzzing and slipping?


• Play some simple chords on the guitar. Is the "action" good for your touch?


• (Electric) Play the guitar using each pickup - check for unwanted pickup noise.


• Make sure that the guitar "feels" good in your hands. Be comfortable with the weight and size.


• Is there a money-back guarantee, so that you can try it for a week or two and if not happy, bring it back?


• Have you compared prices both online and in stores?


• Have you negotiated for at least 10% off, with maybe some freebies thrown in, such as extra strings or a winder?

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