What Are Some Tips For Someone Looking to Buy a Guitar

What Are Some Tips For Someone Looking to Buy a Guitar

Often people get inspired to learn to play the guitar and jump straight to buying one that may not suit their preference at all. Guitars are mysterious instruments with technical specifications, so it can be daunting to purchase one if people don’t know about guitars’ basics.

To make things simpler, below are some tips for someone buying the best-fit guitar. What are some tips for someone looking to buy a guitar?

1. Determine the Type of Guitar

At this point, one should already know what type of guitar he/she wants. Go into that guitar store with a purpose, because if people have a goal and have done the research, they already know more than most of the service personnel. If someone goes into the store unprepared, they may go home with a guitar that doesn’t satisfy their preference.

There are two types of guitar – there is the acoustic and the electric guitar. Acoustic guitars make use of the vibrational energy of its strings to produce a sound. The vibration is passed on into the guitar’s body, and the hollow space inside the guitar amplifies the sound creating an acoustic sound released through the soundhole. Moreover, there are two subtypes – the steel-stringed acoustic guitar and nylon-stringed classical guitars – that produce a different tone.

On the other hand, electric guitars make use of a pickup to transform the vibrations of its strings into electrical impulses. The sound signal is sent to an amplifier, increasing the signal strength, and then sending it to the speaker.

There are thousands of acoustic and electric guitars choices, so researching before going to the music store is essential. People should know what they are looking for to get the best guitar they ever wanted.

2. Know the Right Size of the Guitar

A lot of people buy their guitars without knowing what the recommended size is. For instance, electric guitars are generally smaller when compared to nylon-string classical guitars and steel-string acoustic guitars. Most people can use these guitars, but one must consider the extra weight that comes with it.

An electric guitar usually weighs 5-6kg, which can be challenging for children to handle. Most stores would recommend electric guitar to children at least 13 years of age, but this might be a generalization and may not apply to some. Everyone is different, and some children may handle an electric guitar at a younger age. The correct size of the guitar is generally determined by the person’s age, height, and in some cases, gender. Most stores would be able to recommend a particular guitar type if given these three crucial details.

3. Know the Guitar’s Neck

Different types of guitars come with various kinds of the neck. Most guitars have the C-shape, which is the more rounded neck. Other neck-types are the more pointed V-shape and the more squared U-shaped. Moreover, it is also crucial to check the type of wood for the fingerboard. Some woods allow one to play faster while others create a thicker sound. Fret size and count are also things to consider when buying a guitar. Guitars usually range from 22-24 frets. For people with larger hands, jumbo frets would be recommended.

4. Determine the Price Range

The budget for buying the guitar could be a “make or break” point. Branded guitars are expected to be more expensive, but they offer more durability and better tone. There are also cheap guitars under $100 available, but the instrument’s quality could be a long-term problem. So, people must save enough money to purchase the guitar of their choice that fits into their budget range.

5. Research Where to Buy It

One may be tempted to buy a guitar online since prices might be lower at online stores. However, the problem with online buying is that people won’t be able to test the guitar, and they can’t discuss its features with an expert. Buying from a local guitar shop is still recommended, especially when setting expectations for a new guitar.

6. Buy a Used Guitar

If budget is a problem, then someone may also opt to buy a secondhand guitar. However, this is not recommended for beginners as one should have a lot of experience and knowledge to determine if the used guitar is still in good quality. Ask a friend who is knowledgeable about guitars to help with the purchase and secure a good deal.

7. Invest in Support Materials

When people buy their first guitar, they get a little confused about what needs to be done. Most guitars don’t have a manual explaining how to use them, so purchasing a guitar can be confusing at first. Unfortunately, during this critical time, many people, especially beginners, are discouraged and may even quit playing altogether. Investing in guitar learning materials is an essential guide in anyone’s journey to learning the guitar.

The first six months of learning to play the guitar are crucial. Statistics show that if someone plays the guitar for six months, they are more likely to play the instrument for life.

8. Consult the Guitar Salesperson

When getting a little bit lost on what type and which model to buy, ask help from the salesperson who knows better about these instruments. Telling the salesperson one’s preferences and asking him the recommended guitars is advisable. If any guitar catches the buyer’s attention, ask the salesman for a closer look at the item. It’s crucial to pick an aesthetically pleasing guitar. People will be more encouraged to play the guitar at home if they fall in love with it even at the beginning.

9. Have It Set Up at the Store

Once the guitar of choice has been chosen, ask the salesman to set up the instrument. Most guitars at a music instrument store have someone who does the guitar setups or luthier, which costs an additional $25-50.

The guitar must be set up at the store. Generally, guitars shipped from the factory are not set up optimally. The action may be too high, the edges may be sharp, and the intonation may be slightly off. When someone else sets it up, things can be checked and fixed right away.

10. Play with the Guitar Before Buying It

Lastly, try playing the guitar before exiting the music instrument store. Sit down and put the guitar into a playing position and try it. People must check how holding and playing it feels. Some people purchase guitars online but hate how they feel in their hands once when playing. It’s a terrible feeling to spend a significant sum of money on a guitar that depreciates as right after purchase. Feeling the goosebumps when playing it means that the guitar is the perfect fit.

Buying a guitar is all about taste and the tone someone gets out of the musical instrument. Always set a goal when learning to play the guitar and before purchasing one. Get some music lessons and learn to play the device properly. Make the purchase worth it by teaching one’s self on how to use it.