Tips on Buying a Guitar

You've finally decided that this year is the year; you are finally
going to accomplish that New Year's goal of learning to play the
guitar. But, now you're faced with the tricky part-purchasing your
first guitar. Just as proper and safe equipment is crucial to the avid
athlete, finding a guitar that is sturdy, comfortable and produces
beautiful sounds within your price range should be important to you.
The following are some guidelines that can help direct you toward
finding your match, a guitar that will last through many years of
practice and performance.Type
Before choosing your guitar, determine
what style of music you most likely will want to learn to play-- this
will facilitate your decision concerning what type of guitar to
purchase. The electric guitar is connected to an amplifier, which can
magnify and distort the sounds your guitar produces. If you envision
yourself as a member of the next up and coming garage band, an
electric guitar may be a good pick for you. Acoustic guitars produce a
clear, distinct sound. The acoustic guitar is the most versatile of
the guitar types in that you can strum chords to rock and pop songs,
or play picking patterns for jazz, folk and blues music. Classical
guitars produce more mellow sounds and are used more frequently in
music that requires picking patterns in addition to strumming such as
folk music.Strings
Beginners will quickly discover that the tips of
their fingers are tender after practicing the guitar. Many beginning
guitarists choose to use nylon strings because they are easier on the
fingertips. Eventually calluses will develop on your finger tips,
which will help you to produce clearer sounds with less effort as you
press on the strings. Medium-light gauge Monel light strings are
recommended for beginners on an acoustic guitar. Keep in mind that the
type of strings you use will vary depending on the type of guitar you
play, the type of music you play, and most importantly, user
preference.Neck
The width of the neck is an important factor when
choosing a guitar. The classical guitar has a thick neck and may be
challenging for the beginner with smaller hands, whereas the neck of
an acoustic guitar is more narrow, making it easier to grip and to
play the chords. The "action," or the height of the strings above the
metal frets on the neck, is also important to preview. The farther the
strings are from the neck of the guitar, the more difficult it is to
press the strings down and produce a clean sound.
Measure the height
of the strings where the neck and body of the guitar meet; a height of
1/8" to 3/16" is ideal for beginners.Price
When purchasing your
guitar, consider your purchase an investment. Embark with a budget in
mind, but be willing to be flexible with the price you are willing to
pay as you test and play different types of guitars. Spending too
little on a guitar may give you a poor quality guitar that is
challenging and frustrating to play. Purchasing a used instrument is
also an option, but be sure that you play the instrument and examine
it for any damage, cracks, warping or other defects that may affect
the sound of the guitar. Purchasing a used guitar directly from
another musician will also save you money as opposed to purchasing a
used guitar through a music store.Size of the Guitar
If you are
purchasing a beginner guitar for a child, the size and fit of the
guitar will play a huge factor in the child's comfort and confidence
in playing. Modern instrument stores now offer guitars that are
designed and shaped specifically for children. Suggestions for
height-guitar size ratios include: 30" size guitar for children up to
3'9" tall; 34" size guitar for children 3'10" to 4'5" tall; 36" guitar
for children 4'6"-4'11" tall; and 7/8 to a full-sized guitar for
children 5' or taller. Your best option is to take your child to a
music store and allow him to play a variety of guitars to see what
type of guitar will be the best fit for him.The Case
The guitar case
will make transporting your guitar much easier and should be able to
provide protection to your guitar when in storage or being moved from
place to place. There are essentially two types of cases- hard covers
and soft covers. A soft cover is made of a layer of padding covered by
fabric, and opens and closes with a zipper. It is much lighter and
usually cheaper than a hard case but does not provide exceptional
protection to the guitar. A hard cover is heavier, but will secure
your guitar in place and protect your guitar from outside forces. If
you intend on traveling frequently with your guitar for lessons or
performances, consider purchasing a hard cover.Additional
Accessories
Other accessories to keep in mind when purchasing your
guitar include the strap, extra strings, and guitar picks. If you are
purchasing an electric guitar, you will also need to consider the type
of amplifier and cord that you would like to purchase.