Learning the guitar is one of the best things you can do in life. Not only is it a form of therapy, but also it enhances your creativity tenfold. After you’ve decided to begin playing the guitar, the first step to go through will be to buy the actual instrument.
For any beginner looking to buy a guitar, it can be a very challenging task. This is because there are many options out there with mysterious specifications and technicalities that will leave you confused.
However, things do not need to be that complicated when planning to make such a fulfilling purchase.
For this reason, here are some useful tips that will help guide you to make an informed purchase;
1. What guitar is ideal for you?
One of the daunting questions among beginners looking to buy a guitar is getting an electric or acoustic one. These two are basically the main categories to choose from when buying a guitar. However, it’s important to note that either of the choices has its pros and cons.
Electric guitar
These guitars work by converting the strings’ vibration into electrical impulses. This vibration is sent to an amplifier, where the sound strength is amplified and later sent to the loudspeaker.
Pros of an electric guitar
Cons of an electric guitar
Acoustic guitar
These guitars work by transferring the vibration energy to the strings and then produce sound. The space on acoustic guitars is responsible for amplifying the sound.
Pros of an acoustic guitar
Cons of an acoustic guitar
2. Your budget
If you do not have a restricted budget, you can spend as much as you want on any guitar. However, if you’re a beginner who wants to start playing the guitar, a reasonably priced one is the way to go. You can get one in the price range of $150-200.
It’s advisable that you don’t go lower than this price range if you’re looking for a decent guitar. Most of the guitars with a price tag of less than $150 are faulty and no good.
However, if you’re looking for a high-quality guitar, one that is durable, easier to master and with a great sound, you can consider buying one that is priced a bit higher.
3. Where do you buy the guitar?
If it’s your first time buying a guitar, you might be tempted to buy one online. However, this is not the best place to buy your first guitar. This is because you won’t have the freedom to test the guitar or even get advice from an expert.
It’s better to buy your guitar from a local dealer that is highly reviewed by those you know. This is because you can test the guitar and oink the one with the tone you like in this option.
But, if there are better online deals, you can always get to test the guitar from a local dealership and order it online.
4. A used guitar or a new one?
If you’re a beginner and do not have adequate knowledge about guitars, it’s better to get a new one. But if you have the help and advice from an expert, you can go for a used guitar.
5. The accessories you might need after buying your first guitar
If you’re buying your guitar for the first, there are other additional accessories you might need. You can find good quality guitar accessories from reputable dealers such as The Sound Junky to enjoy your music. These accessories include;
6. Ensure that you get your new guitar set up at the store
After you’ve bought the actual guitar, it’s better to have it set up at the store. The setup might cost you up to $50, but it’s worth it.
The reason to get your guitar set up at the store because its intonation might be a bit off, the fret edges sharp, or the strings could need some tightening. You want to walk out of that guitar store ready to begin your learning.
However, things do not need to be that complicated when planning to make such a fulfilling purchase.
For this reason, here are some useful tips that will help guide you to make an informed purchase;
1. What guitar is ideal for you?
One of the daunting questions among beginners looking to buy a guitar is getting an electric or acoustic one. These two are basically the main categories to choose from when buying a guitar. However, it’s important to note that either of the choices has its pros and cons.
Electric guitar
These guitars work by converting the strings’ vibration into electrical impulses. This vibration is sent to an amplifier, where the sound strength is amplified and later sent to the loudspeaker.
Pros of an electric guitar
- Holding the chords to this type of guitar is much easier since its neck’s width is much narrower.
- The strings on an electric guitar are much softer than in acoustic guitars.
- Electric guitars are fitted with an earphone port which means you can cancel the noise.
- The strings on an electric guitar are much lighter, which makes playing barre chords a lot easier.
Cons of an electric guitar
- It is much more expensive than an acoustic guitar.
- Finding the right tone on these guitars takes a lot of time to learn.
- Learning to play an electric doesn’t guarantee you can play an acoustic guitar as well.
Acoustic guitar
These guitars work by transferring the vibration energy to the strings and then produce sound. The space on acoustic guitars is responsible for amplifying the sound.
Pros of an acoustic guitar
- If you can play well on an acoustic guitar, you can transfer the skills to an electric guitar.
- The sound produced by an acoustic guitar is smoother and soothing compared to an electric guitar.
- You do not need to incur the extra cost of buying cables before you can play an acoustic guitar.
Cons of an acoustic guitar
- There is a lot more buzzing of the strings since they are harder.
- This guitar is a bit more brittle than an electric guitar.
- It has a wider fretboard which can be inconvenient for beginners.
- The strings are a lot tougher on your fingers than the electric ones.
2. Your budget
If you do not have a restricted budget, you can spend as much as you want on any guitar. However, if you’re a beginner who wants to start playing the guitar, a reasonably priced one is the way to go. You can get one in the price range of $150-200.
It’s advisable that you don’t go lower than this price range if you’re looking for a decent guitar. Most of the guitars with a price tag of less than $150 are faulty and no good.
However, if you’re looking for a high-quality guitar, one that is durable, easier to master and with a great sound, you can consider buying one that is priced a bit higher.
3. Where do you buy the guitar?
If it’s your first time buying a guitar, you might be tempted to buy one online. However, this is not the best place to buy your first guitar. This is because you won’t have the freedom to test the guitar or even get advice from an expert.
It’s better to buy your guitar from a local dealer that is highly reviewed by those you know. This is because you can test the guitar and oink the one with the tone you like in this option.
But, if there are better online deals, you can always get to test the guitar from a local dealership and order it online.
4. A used guitar or a new one?
If you’re a beginner and do not have adequate knowledge about guitars, it’s better to get a new one. But if you have the help and advice from an expert, you can go for a used guitar.
5. The accessories you might need after buying your first guitar
If you’re buying your guitar for the first, there are other additional accessories you might need. You can find good quality guitar accessories from reputable dealers such as The Sound Junky to enjoy your music. These accessories include;
- A guitar bag.
- A guitar stand.
- Capo.
- Picks.
- Electric tuner.
6. Ensure that you get your new guitar set up at the store
After you’ve bought the actual guitar, it’s better to have it set up at the store. The setup might cost you up to $50, but it’s worth it.
The reason to get your guitar set up at the store because its intonation might be a bit off, the fret edges sharp, or the strings could need some tightening. You want to walk out of that guitar store ready to begin your learning.
7. Learn to play the guitar
After you’ve found the ideal guitar, now it’s time for real action. You do not need to be in a rush when it comes to learning the guitar. Instead, ensure you take your time, learn and understand all the basic skills you’ll need.
Instead, ensure you take your time, learn and understand all the basic skills you’ll need. Taking your time to understand the basics will have you ready to navigate the roadmap to become a songwriter.
To learn to play the guitar, you can either teach yourself or get personal lessons from an expert. The best way to teach yourself is to watch YouTube tutorials. Personal lessons might set you hundreds of dollars per year, but if you’re learning from a pro, they are worth it.
Buying a guitar is a valuable investment, and you should ensure that you get everything right. Focus more on the quality of the guitar, and your learning will be smoother.
After you’ve found the ideal guitar, now it’s time for real action. You do not need to be in a rush when it comes to learning the guitar. Instead, ensure you take your time, learn and understand all the basic skills you’ll need.
Instead, ensure you take your time, learn and understand all the basic skills you’ll need. Taking your time to understand the basics will have you ready to navigate the roadmap to become a songwriter.
To learn to play the guitar, you can either teach yourself or get personal lessons from an expert. The best way to teach yourself is to watch YouTube tutorials. Personal lessons might set you hundreds of dollars per year, but if you’re learning from a pro, they are worth it.
Buying a guitar is a valuable investment, and you should ensure that you get everything right. Focus more on the quality of the guitar, and your learning will be smoother.
