The Guitar

Which Guitar Is Best For Me?

Probably the first obstacle you will have to face when you decide to learn to play the guitar is buying one to start with. If you have no friends who can play to ask for advice, or, like I was, you are not all that clued up about the genre, then it can be a difficult task.

Many people, me included, make the mistake of buying a nice economical purchase to start learning on, and find that it does not even come close to meeting their needs. Also, a lot of people take the advice of the shop assistant, which can often turn out to be a little misguided and driven by his desire to make a sale rather than getting the best deal for yourself.

Before you part ways with your hard-earned cash, take a look at the list we have compiled for you. If you are currently seriously looking into buying a guitar in order to learn to play, then you should know that there are a few things you need to be aware of.

1. What style of music do you want to play?

You will know what you want to play, and what you want to learn. Make sure you keep this in mind so that you don’t get pressured into buying something that will not be suitable for your needs. It may sound quite obvious to say that an electric guitar is more suited to rock music whereas an acoustic guitar is better for strumming and singing along. However, many people make this mistake.

2. What sort of budget do you have?

Realistically, to begin with, you should be looking at paying somewhere in the region of $250-$300 (US) for a decent electric guitar, and around $150 (US) for an acoustic. If you have never played guitar before, then spending thousands of dollars on a top quality instrument is probably not the way to go. What you are doing when you buy your first guitar is investing – you are investing in yourself and your own musical development. This should be considered as you set about finalizing exactly how much you want to spend.

Now that you have decided on the style of music and how much you want to pay, then you need to take a look at the guitars available and ask yourself which one you want!! Remember that this is an investment into your musical future – the time taken is worth it! This is a tricky bit, and to get it right will take a little time. Bear in mind the points below.

· Try before you buy. Buying your first guitar is a little like buying a new car – you wouldn’t just take the first one you see, right? Try as many guitars as you want! There’s also no reason why, at this stage, you shouldn’t be looking at guitars that might be outside of your budget – by doing this you will be getting a good idea of the range available to you, and the big differences that exist from one guitar to another.

· Pay special attention to the playability of the frets. Look at the condition of the frets – are they worn out? Do they show signs of excessive usage? Take a look at each fret, and play a note on each. If you listen to the sound that this produces, you may find that there is a small buzzing sound – if this is the case, then it means that the action of the guitar is not set properly. It could even point to a case of poor workmanship on the instrument.

· A quick and easy way to purchase your first guitar can be online. Online guitars can often be a lot cheaper than the store on the high street, with the added advantage that it will often arrive straight to your door. If you do decide to go down this route, then make sure you check out as many user reviews as you can in order to find out whether this particular guitar is right for your needs.

· Make sure you select a guitar that you like and that you feel comfortable with. Try and find one that fits like a glove and plays a sound that you personally find pleasing! Do this and there is a much higher chance of you staying with that guitar for a longer time.

Playing the guitar can be a wonderful pastime, full of reward and great fun. Don’t get pressured into spending more than you can afford, as this will only produce resentment on your part, and you are therefore much less likely to continue. If you are a beginner, and are trying to learn to play a guitar for the first time, then you should seriously consider all of the above before you even start.

About the Author

Liam Gibson of ReviewsMetro.com/LearnGuitar, specializes in helping aspiring guitarists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Liam, a stage guitarist himself, leads his team of guitar experts to constantly review new courses and products in the market and make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out his honest and unbiased independent reviews of the best guitar courses and products at ReviewsMetro.com/LearnGuitar. You can also get his free guitar lessons online there too.

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