7 Things You Should Know Before Buying Your Perfect Guitar!
Are you about to buy your first guitar?
Are you looking for a guitar that will not only sound good but become a good friend that you can always count on?
Well make sure you've got this info locked in so you can make that first all important purchase the correct one.
Buying a Guitar Tip 1:
Ask yourself, "what type of music do I want to play and where do I want to play it?"
Do you want to hook it up to an amplifier and drive the neighbours crazy, do you want to be able to play it by the fire at the beach, or do you want the ability to do both?
The four standard guitars are:
Acoustiic Guitar – This is the guitar which can be played anywhere and does not need amplification. The strings on the acoustic guitar can be wound steel, or nylon.
Classical Guitar – This is an acoustic guitar which has been around for a long time. The guitar is made with a wider neck and is more likely to come in different numbers of string combinations.
Electric Guitar – This guitar is one you see being played by top current rock and pop bands and requires amplification for anyone to hear the sound. The strings are metal, you can practice without an amplifyer plugged in but you'll only hear a faint sound that doesn't represent the output from an amplifier.
Acoustic/Electric Guitar – These are a great alternative which can be played with or without amplification. There are many different types that can have very different sound ranges from guitar to guitar - Which brings us nicely to our next tip...
Buying a Guitar Tip 2:
Many a musician have pretty strange relationships with their favourite intruments, BB-king for instance names his guitars Lucille to remind him not to get too attached!
Click play below to hear the Blues Guitar Legend himself tell the story..
Bear this in mind when you pick up your first guitar in the shop!
Love at first sight may exist - but for most of us, it's better that we look around a little before jumping right in. So shop around until you're happy with your choice. There are a bunch of bundle deals which give you essential accessories free when you purchase your guitar, these bundle deals are normally cheaper and give you a great starter pack.
Once you know the model of guitar you want make sure you browse other local guitar shops as well as on the internet. You may be able to find the guitar you're looking for that comes with a bundle which give you a bag, guitar tuner, strap, picks, strings and also guitar lessons on DVD. Perfect as a starter pack.
Buying a Guitar Tip 3:
Make sure the guitar you buy is the best suited in size, you can purchase ¾ or ½ sized guitars which are ideal for children. Any nylon-stringed guitars are the perfect choice for less damage to your fingers.
Buying a Guitar Tip 4:
Beware the bargain! There may be some really cheap guitars which you find on the internet or your local guitar shop which you may think would be the best option. But unless it's a well known brand you could be buying a lemon. Stay with the more well known manufacturers. This will ensure you get a quality product and also great service.
Brands with great reputations include:
Alvarez, Ibanez, Seagull, Fender, Washburn, Ovation, Ephiphone, Rogue, Gretsch, Yamaha, Gibson, Fender, B.C. Rich, Epiphone, ESP, and Charvel Kramer.
But please bare in mind that these are by no means a definitive list!
Buying a Guitar Tip 5:
We've mentioned it above already - but we think it deserves it's own point! It's great to visit your local store(s) in your area. Most of the salesmen in the guitar shops are..
...you guessed it guitar nuts! There are few people on earth as passionate about guitars than the salesmen, so give yourself some time, tell them you're just starting out and let 'em rip! Get them to play a variety for you and ask a bunch of questions, cause these guys or gals are verging on guitar nerds and they're worth their weight in gold, God bless everyone of them!
Your local store may well have a second hand shop where people will bring back their old guitars. You could easily pick up a great bargain on your first guitar but once again try to stick with a well established brand. You can then get into the exotic brands when you are a little more knowledgeable. The Second hand option also works well for those that are just "giving the guitar a go" it can be an inexpensive way to ensure you love playing the guitar first and then later on, you can purchase your first brand new pride and joy.
Buying a Guitar Tip 6:
While you are visiting your local store(s) also check if there are any promotional sales currently on or coming up very soon. These sales could be where you get your guitar as well as a number of free accessories or even with a percentage off. Make sure they take your details down, so they can give you a call or even email you any specials. If you think that the sale person is hesitant and is pressuring you to buy on the spot, just say that you haven't got the money yet and are interested in any sales coming up - this way they'll be keen to use the upcoming sale to draw you back in.
Buying a Guitar Tip 7:
Once you've been to the local store(s). Check out the free ads which you can find both online and offline. Which of your local papers have a classified ads section? This can be a great way to pick up a cheap second hand guitar. Also, do a google search for second hand guitars for sale, check out classified sites such as Craiglist.com and Usfreeads and never forget eBay. These are great places for some bargains and ideal for your first guitar.
But a word of warning, make sure you have heard of the company or read all relevant policies before buying your guitar through any company online.
Follow these proven tips and you will be able to purchase the guitar which you are best suited to for a great price. Good luck, we wish you both a long and fruitful relationship!
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