How to Choose the Right Guitar for Yourself
Ready to buy a guitar but don’t know where to start? The worst thing you can do is buy the wrong tool and stop loving it before you have a chance to dive into it. This is where we come in. Here’s exactly how to find the right 6-string instrument for you.
Decide if you want an acoustic or electric guitar
If you are not an instrumentalist and have decided to start playing guitar, you may want to consider taking up acoustics. They don’t need much – essentially, you can just grab one and start playing. Electric guitars, of course, require amplification and other bells and whistles (cables, pedals, etc.), which, depending on what style of music you think you want to use, can get complicated and expensive. Since electric guitars are more sophisticated, they allow for more experimentation with the sound, which can be intriguing to the non-beginner.
If you’ve opted for an acoustic guitar, choose between nylon and steel strings.
Steel strings are the standard, but they are heavier on the hands than nylon. On the other hand, steel strengthens your fingers and builds up calluses for further grinding. Classical nylon string guitars are easier to handle and play when you first start out, but are often typical of classical music. They are also smaller, hollow-body guitars and do not produce the loud, deep and full sound of a traditional steel-string acoustic guitar. Only you can decide what is right for you.
Get the size you want
If you are starting out as a child, you (or more accurately, your guardian) should look out for small-body guitars. Most major manufacturers offer miniature (quarter to three-fourths smaller than standard) guitars for smaller musicians, and some companies are especially targeting younger audiences . These companies also often offer affordable starter kits that have everything your child or young adult needs to get started playing guitar without breaking the bank. Remember, if your or your child’s first instrument when – or, make sure that you invest only as much as you feel comfortable to invest. And if you’re still not sure about the size, ask the seller at your local music store or use the table below:
Make a budget
This seems like a simple enough idea, but you should only buy the best guitar you can afford. Guitars can range from 100 to tens of thousands (and up, for novelty reasons), and spending more money doesn’t necessarily mean getting the best guitar for you. Plus, there’s nothing more frustrating than spending a ton of money on a tool that’s not right for you. For a beginner guitar, it is best to spend at least $ 300.
If possible, determine which styles of music you are most interested in.
Sound is subjective, of course, but certain styles and genres of music tend to work best with certain types of guitars. This is something that will require a little more research on your part. Let’s say you really like shoegaze : Fender Jaguar can tickle your imagination because the guitar is so deeply associated with the indie rock subgenre. Country music, on the other hand, is much more open-minded and can be played on many different guitars. Factor – most likely they have been playing for decades, and their wants and needs are very different from yours.
If there is a specific guitar that interests you, search
A familiar or popular brand does not necessarily guarantee a higher quality product, and that certainly does not mean that if you like a certain style of guitar, it is right for you. Look at the make, model, and even the year (in some cases) and read reviews. Go to your local music store and ask questions.
Don’t buy just for aesthetics, but don’t buy a guitar that you think is ugly.
It seems obvious, but sometimes aspiring guitarists get so addicted to the look and toughness of a guitar that they end up buying something for its coloration rather than its musical quality. An important note here is that you can always put a custom sticker on your guitar, any guitar, but if you’re not happy with the way it sounds, it’s quite expensive (if at all possible) to fix it. First, make sure that you are comfortable with the instrument and its capabilities, and then move on to all the extra-musical elements.
Don’t forget about used tools
Let’s say there is a guitar that interests you: you have done all the research and you are sure that it is for you, but it is a couple of dollars higher than your price point, and guitars of similar quality at a lower price are simply not needed. don’t cut it for you. Do not worry! Used guitars exist for a reason. Everything from your local pawnshop to eBay are great resources, but there are tons of other stores that musicians use to pick up discounted devices like Sweetwater online or Guitar Center in person.
Save on accessories
Electric guitars only require accessories for sound reproduction, as previously stated, and acoustic / classical guitars are no exception: there are always cases, straps, and whatever to consider. Make sure you take this into account when purchasing.
If in doubt, consult a specialist.
If you’ve followed all the steps above and are still not sure what you want to buy, go to your local music store and ask someone who works there. Otherwise, ask a musician friend. After all, music is a living art, and making a decision as important as buying a guitar – your first or twentieth one – should be something you take your time with.