Buying A Guitar - Do You Know What To Look For?

Buying a guitar is an important decision that my students have often asked me about. They want to know what they should be looking for. This is an important question because no two are ever exactly alike. There is a wide variety of types, styles, colors, makes, and models to choose from. The question is, which one is right for you? If you don't know what to look for when you're buying a guitar, you could end up spending a lot more money than you really need to. On the other hand, getting a "deal" may also get you a lemon. Following are some important questions to consider.

1. What style of music are you interested in playing?

The basic skills required when learning to play are the same regardless of the style of music you may be interested in. However, you should understand when you are thinking of buying a guitar, that some are more suited for a particular style than others. Getting started in the right direction can help you to avoid costly mistakes. Do you like Rock'n Roll, Jazz, Bluegrass, or Classical music? Considering your own personal tastes can help you to determine whether to buy an electric or an acoustic guitar for example.

2. Are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitarist?

When buying a guitar for beginners I usually recommend a nylon stringed acoustic or an electric, as they will be the easiest on the fingers. However, students with small hands may find the wider neck of a classical guitar hard to play because of the reach involved. Something to consider in this case is a 1/2 or 3/4 size. Musical style, personal preference, quality and price are the key determining factors to consider when buying a guitar for intermediate and advanced players.

3. What is the tonal quality of the instrument?

Tonal quality refers to the unique sound of each individual guitar. When you strum the strings or listen to it being played what do you hear? Does it sound deep, bright, soft, dull, tinny? The instrument should resonate (transmit the full vibrating quality of it's sound) clearly.

4. How is the action?

The action is simply how high or low the strings are set on the fretboard. This will greatly affect the playability. If the strings are set too high they will be difficult to push down and you will be working harder than necessary to play the instrument. On the other hand, if the strings are set too low they will likely interfere with the frets, which may cause a buzzing sound as you play.You should check each fret thoroughly before buying a guitar. This can be done by using the first finger of your left hand to play each string at every fret up and down the neck. Do you here any buzzes? Does the guitar sound in tune at every point? Is it easy to push the string down? If you are unsure about doing this, then try to take someone who plays guitar along with you as you shop.

5. Is the neck straight?

If the neck is straight the intonation will be consistent. This means that when a specific note or chord is played at different points along the neck it will remain in tune. If the note or chord sounds out of tune at different points, then the neck may be crooked or warped. You can check the neck by looking along it's edge. Begin from the base of the body and continue on up to the base of the head. You should see a straight line. If you don't, the neck may be bowed, twisted, or warped.

6. How does the neck feel in your hand?

Necks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you will need to determine what feels comfortable to you. Some necks are round and some have a v-shape angle to them. When you cradle the neck in your hand be aware of the fit. Thin necks tend to be easier for small hands, but are generally not as strong as heavier ones. For example, a 12-string guitar will have a heavier neck than a 6-string. Buying a guitar that is the wrong size for your hand can be a factor in developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

7. What are you willing to spend?

If you're just starting out, you really shouldn't need to spend a lot of money when buying a guitar. Knowing what your budget will allow can help to speed up the process though. If you only have $200 to spend, don't waste time looking at more expensive models. You can always upgrade later after you've had sufficient time to explore your musical interests. I personally own 9 or 10 guitars and there is always room for one more! Be realistic about your own needs and keep these questions in mind as you shop. Better yet, print them out and take them with you! Be sure to read 10 BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS on my website to find even more help in this area. Happy Hunting!

FREE Reprint Rights - You may publish this article in your e-zine or on your web site as long as you include the following information:

Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit: http://www.abclearnguitar.com

---

Effective Band Rehearsal

If your band is in rehearsals, either preparing for gigging, or practising new songs to add to your repertoire, the chances are you will have to hire a rehearsal room. The costs of... Read More

Protocol for Piping a Formal Dinner: A Ceremonial Guide for Highland Bagpipers

It is believed that the custom of dining in began in the monasteries, was adopted by the early universities, and later spread to military units when the officer's mess was established. British officers... Read More

Review: The Bled - Pass the Flask

Released in 2003, Pass the Flask turned this little quintet from Tucson, into a mainstream success overnight. Classifying this band as 'metalcore' or 'indie' or 'hardcore' is quite futile, because for every genre... Read More

Guitar Practice (Part 2) - Does Practice Make Perfect?

You've probably heard the saying "practice makes perfect" and it sounds true enough, but is t really? We all know the importance of practicing a new skill in order to become proficient at... Read More

How To Change Your Guitar Strings

Changing your guitar strings might make you feel a litte uncomfortable if you have never done it before, but it's really quite simple and should become a regular part of your guitar care... Read More

Paint Your Own Musical Landscapes!

I don't know why, but I find the idea of interpreting nature musically to be very appealing. Maybe it's because I'm attracted to nature's beauty, but the notion of communicating that beauty musically... Read More

Playing The Piano Using Chord Symbols Instead of Being Tied To The Written Sheet Music

Piano improvising and arranging is an art but definitely not a science. It is all based on chords and chord progressions. There aren't any steadfast rules for creating an arrangement, nothing to dictate... Read More

Building A Good Relationship With Your Guitar

The guitar is considered the friendliest musical instrument there is. It is because the guitar is the handiest musical instrument that could stand on its own. A group can enjoy music with just... Read More

Learn Piano the Easy Way!

There are essentially two ways to learn piano - note reading or chords. For those who want to spend years learning how to play other peoples music, note reading is the way to... Read More

Music Making as Spiritual Experience

If you've been playing piano for some time, you may come upon periods where you forget yourself and only the music remains. You might even have had a spiritual experience. A phenomenon where... Read More

Music Downloads: Free & Low Cost Ways For Musicians To Get Their Music Known All Over The World

Music downloads are highly compressed audio files transferred onto a personal computer from an Internet website or P2P (peer to peer) program. From IPOD's to MP3 players galore, music downloading is seen as... Read More

The Acoustic Guitar

The steel-stringed acoustic guitar is usually credited with being developed by C.F. Martin and Company sometime during the 1830s. Although other "gut-stringed" acoustics were around at that time, it was the Martin Company... Read More

Benatar and Geraldo - Still Rockin on a High Note

Most people look forward to the summer months because they bring warmer temperatures, vacations, outdoor gatherings, and longer days. Those are all fine and dandy, but what really gets my fires stoked for... Read More

Be An Organized Church Pianist

Playing in front of a congregation each Sunday is no easy feat. Make sure you are well prepared before giving your best for God and before others.1) Practice the piano and more preferably... Read More

A Guitar Lesson To Help You Test Your Note Knowledge

In this guitar lesson we look at a great way to test your note knowledge of the guitar fretboard. But before we look at that, why even bother learning the notes?Knowing the notes... Read More

Would Chopin Have Passed A Music Quiz?

Q. My children are very interested in playing music. Is there such a thing as a music quiz for kids?A. Sure there's such a thing as a music quiz, and you can find... Read More

Are iPods Changing the Way We Listen to Music

They're everywhere, and not only are they everywhere, they look cool too. Since its launch in 2001, 10 million have sold and 8 million of those were in 2004. So welcome to the... Read More

Rhapsody Music Downloads Part II - A pleasant experience?

Welcome back to Part II of Rhapsody Music Downloads! I hope you took an opportunity to enjoy the first week of your two-week trial. Must have been a joy to stream and download... Read More

The Didjeridu

In Northern Australia the Didjeridu is seen as a phallic symbol and therefore a male instrument. Women are prohibited from playing.Stories of the Didjeridu vary from place to place among the different language-speaking... Read More

Free, Legal Music Online

Almost everyone has heard about the massive crack down on Internet music piracy that has been occurring over the past few years. Napster was taken down (although it has now returned as a... Read More

How to Create Interesting Textures

A lot of new age piano music consists of repeating patterns, or textures in the left hand while the right hand improvises a melody. This approach is really a good one! It frees... Read More

How To Write A Song

Did you ever wish that it was your song playing on the radio? It could be. It is not that hard once you know the formula. With a little creativity, a little knowledge,... Read More

College Radio: The Most Important Radio Level for Musicians

For the self-promoting independent artist, the idea of taking on a radio promotion campaign can, in itself, become overwhelming. But, this idea is usually based on such artists attempting to obtain worldwide airplay... Read More

Music for Corporate Entertainment

For many years I have supplied music for and played in bands that provide music for corporate entertainment. Clients have included Audi, The Evening Standard, Sainsburys, P.C. World, Safeways, Large corporate clients at... Read More

Dance Musics Most Popular and Enduring Theme: The Declaration of Independence

It all started with Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" in 1979, perhaps the biggest fluke in popular music history. To follow up her hit "Never Can Say Goodbye", Gloria's label issued a song... Read More

Piano Playing Your Way: How To Have More Fun Playing The Piano Than You Ever Have Before

Piano playing doesn't have to be boring. There's no law that says you have to play a song the same way everyone else plays it. By learning some basic music theory and chord... Read More

Home Run Gigs

Are you still playing your heart out to small audiences on gigs at unappreciative dives (excuse me, I meant to say nightclubs) that feel paying you a couple of hundred dollars for a... Read More

The Record Industry Continues Battle Against Free Music Downloads

Movie and record producers alike are saying file-sharing networks that permit its users the ability to make copies from other network member's computers are infringing on the copyright laws and costing billions of... Read More

RIAA Files Second Wave of Lawsuits

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has launched a second wave of lawsuits against users of internet2 (a specialized high speed version of the internet that makes it ideal for file sharing).... Read More