Guide To Buying A Guitar
Acoustic guitars are some of the most beautiful instruments and can produce tantalizing music when learned to play properly. Most people who purchase guitars buy them with the intention to learn how to play them, but very few go on to become masters of the instrument. If you’re serious about learning how to play one, you should first learn how to buy one. Serious musicians just don’t buy their instruments from any music store - they learn what the best brands are, evaluate the sound qualities of each, and try the instruments before making an investment.
When buying a guitar, take an experienced player with you if possible. This way, your “personal guide” can evaluate the selection of guitars available and help you pick one that’s appropriate for your level of music education (you can always upgrade later as your skills improve). Without your own personal guide, you can ask for help from the store clerk. Music store clerks are hired based upon their knowledge of musical instruments. If you get help from a clerk, explain your skill level and price range.
Having a wide selection to choose from, try out different guitars by strumming them with a pick and wearing strap. If you’re not sure how to use a pick or wear a strap, the store clerk can help you do both. While you strum and pick each string of the guitar, you want to listen for a good quality sound. If you hear buzzing or any sounds coming from the guitar that you did not intend to make, look for a different one. A good guitar sound is pure and hollow. And if you have your “personal guide” with you, he or she can help you gauge the sound quality of each.
In addition to buying a guitar, browse through the selection of beginning guitar lessons books if available. Most music stores offer lesson books or even classes for those who want to learn to play their new purchases.
Tamara Williams
http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/guide-to-buying-a-guitar-10017.html
July 14th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Acoustic Guitar Buying Guide……………?
I want to purchase a Guitar and I am a beginner. So, Which type of Acoustic Guitar should I purchase…and with how many strings…may can i buy electric Acoustic Guitar….Give me a good advice plssssssssssssssss..
July 14th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Buy a Good Movie Guitar
References :
July 14th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
There are many different guitars, of course. Most people want to start out with a six string, steel strings if you’re playing rock, country, or blues, nylon if you’re thinking of classical.
I would watch out for off-brands… you can pay under $100 for a new guitar from a questionable company, but you may find you outgrow it quickly. I started with a Martin D15, and it’s still great, years later (that’s not my only guitar, but it’s still my main one). Martin’s very good; you might also look at Taylor, Ovation, Takamine, Yamaha, Ibanez, Epiphone or Fender (though the last two are better known for electrics). Handle some of these, learn to spot what’s quality and what isn’t. I wouldn’t rule out a well made unknown brand, but then again, I’ve been playing long enough to have a clue about such things.
If you have a local guitar resource (teacher, experienced friend), bring them with you if possible when you go guitar shopping. Seek advice if you think you found a good deal on eBay or Craigslist.. you can find good deals there, but also drek. At least locally, you have the option of returning it.
You can look for an acoustic-electric, sure.. you can also have an acoustic fitted with a pickup system. Take a careful look, though.. some acoustic electrics are basically just acoustics with a pickup system, others are lighter and thinner, intended primarily for amplified use. An acoustic-electric though an amp sounds like an acoustic, of course… and you ideally use a neutral amp with, not the sort with a bit of "character" you’d use to make your electric crunchier.
Don’t cheap out. You should try to play every day (I hear my Martin calling me now, in fact), and if there’s a problem with your guitar, that’s just one more thing driving you away. Well treated guitars hold value pretty well, so there’s not a huge win in the "well, what if you don’t play it" argument.. and also, this isn’t something to enter with an exit strategy. You’re going to be successful, and so buying a guitar that’s going to carry you at least past you "beginner" stage is critical to ever getting past that beginner stage.
Handle them. Try out several, see what feels better. Make sure the neck’s not too thick/wide for your hands (if you know the "D" chord, xx0323, try to wrap your thumb around to the low-E string, thus forming a D/F#… if you can’t reach, the neck is too large). Listen for a good sound.. if you’re just strating out, get someone else to play it for you (your sound on the same guitar gets better with practice, of course).
I just bought a Daisy Rock "Pixie" for my daughter’s birthday next month… probably a bit too pink for you, but at $200, that’s about as low as I’d go for a beginner’s guitar, and you can certainly pay more.. that’s new of course.
References :
Some good on-line advice:
http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/BuyingGuitars.htm
http://guitar.about.com/od/acousticguitar/tp/top5acoustics.htm