My Ten Guitar Buying Tips For Beginners

My Top ten guitar buyers tips will help you make a smarter decision, save time and effort, avoid frustration and save a lot of money while you seek out the right instrument to meet your needs.


What should you spend? It doesn't need to cost you an arm and a leg! If you do your research and plan carefully you should be able to uncover an instrument between $100-$300. As a newbie that will be enough to get you on the road. Bear in mind, the better the instrument, the higher the cost.


BUYING TIP #1:

Understand what type of guitar you're looking for. The four basic types of guitar being used:

Acoustic – This type of guitar doesn’t require amplification to be heard. Acoustic guitars can be strung with a variety of strings either nylon or wound steel strings.


Classic – As one of the oldest kinds of acoustic guitar it has been designed with a wider neck to facilitate finger-picking techniques.


Electric – The electric guitar needs an amp to be heard more than a few feet away from the player.


Acoustic/Electric - As the name implies, these instruments can be played with or without an amp and still be heard.

BUYING TIP #2:

You want to know what music styles you desire to play then buy a guitar that is best suited for the kind of music you want to play. Here are a few suggestions, keep in mind that these are only recommendations as buying a guitar is a very personal decision, so think outside the box!


Styles and the Guitars for that style:

Alternative: any of the 4 basic types are suitable – any type any kind its up to you on this one


Blues: any of the 4 basic types are suitable


Bluegrass: acoustic steel string, acoustic/electric


Classical: acoustic nylon string classic guitar


Country: acoustic steel string, acoustic/electric, or electric


Fingerstyle: acoustic, acoustic/electric, classic


Folk: acoustic, or acoustic/electric


Folk/Rock: any of the 4 basic types are suitable


Jazz: any of the 4 basic types are suitable but you see a lot of hollow body electrics used


Ragtime: acoustic, acoustic/electric


Rock: usually played on an electric


Metal: electric


BUYING TIP #3:

As a newbie take advantage of package deals. These give you the opportunity to get started inexpensively. Package deals usually offer a guitar and extras (such as a strap, pics, case, tuner, amp etc.) at an affordable price.


BUYING TIP #4:

Students with smaller hands (like children or smaller adults), should think about purchasing a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar or even an electric guitar or nylon-stringed acoustic guitar as they are usually easier to play.


BUYING TIP #5:

Stick with vendors that have a solid reputation for quality and service. Some of the better known name-brands are Ibanez, Yamaha, Fender, Gibson, Martin, Washburn, Ovation and Taylor. I can recommend Yamaha or Fender guitars for beginners because these guitars are well made and have a wide selection of models and price ranges to choose from. Do not rush finding the correct guitar for your skill set and price range. Get one that will be easy for you to play, keep in tune and sound good to you as well. Once you have decided that you are enjoying learning to play your guitar and starting to get better you can always upgrade.


BUYING TIP #6:

Investigate consignment stores like Daddy’s Junky Music Store and other stores that take trade ins. Musicians will often put their unwanted guitars for sale on consignment. Be sure to ask your local merchants about this when you're looking around.


BUYING TIP #7:

Ask instrument vendors in your area if any sales or promotions are coming up soon. They will probably ask you for your name and email address so you can be placed on their promotions list. This is a good way to stay in tune with any special offers or discounts they might have in the future.


BUYING TIP #8:

Read the classified ads like Craigslist, check college campus newspapers and bulletin boards and the student unions. It is easy to find wonderful bargains on a "like new" guitar this way. Students are often in need of extra spending money to pay for tuition, books etc. and will often be willing to sell their musical instrument often at a fire sale price.


BUYING TIP #9:

Online shopping for a guitar is another great way to save money and to compare prices across a wide variety of vendors. Make sure the company has a money back guarantee and what their return policies are. Look for competitive prices, and read reviews by other customers about the company and its integrity.

Online auctions (on sites like eBay) are also viable places to look but keep in mind..."you get what you pay for..."


BUYING TIP #10:

Entering online contests or in guitar publications when you find them is a great way to obtain free gear. Sellers will sometimes request that you provide a valid email address so that they can contact the winner and send updates of there products and promotions.

Good Luck and Good Hunting.

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