Which Guitar Is Best For Me?

It’s an overwhelming task choosing your first guitar! The choice is huge! What, exactly, should you be looking at in regards to styles, colors, models? I’m sure you have asked yourself these questions. How do you know which is right for you? And how, exactly, do you choose?

Many people end up paying a lot more money than they really needed to, just as many people shell out on what they consider to be a great deal but turns out to be a total turkey. If it’s you who are in the position of trying to buy a guitar, then take a look at the following questions before you take the plunge.

What is the type of music that I am looking to play?
Whatever kind of music you like, the basic skills that come into playing the guitar are pretty much the same. The guitars, however, are different – they are built with a particular style in mind. For those who have more of a tendency to rock and roll or jazz, then an electric guitar is probably going to be best for you. If you are looking to strum along to a more tuneful style, then you should be looking into getting an acoustic instrument.  Examine your particular tastes and which type of music you are interested in learning

What is my level of expertise?
·    For the beginner it’s a good idea to look at a classical or an electric guitar. These tend to be easier on the fingers to begin with, and thus easier to learn on.
·    For the more experienced player it really comes down to what kind of music you want to play, as well as price and style. You should consider what you are trying to achieve – for example are you looking to improve your current style or expand your repertoire?

What is ‘tonal quality’?
Each guitar is different, so strum it and listen carefully to the noise that it makes. Does that sound suit you and your style of playing? Tonal quality, is, quite simply, the unique sound of the individual guitar.

What is the ‘action’’?
The action refers to the placing of the string son the fretboard. This affects the entire playability o the guitar. When they are set too high they become difficult to press and affect the overall tempo of your playing. Setting them too low has the affect of causing interference on the frets, leading to a buzzing sound as you play. You’ll find that on some guitars they are set high, whilst on others they can be set lower.

Is the neck straight?
Really simple to check, but unfortunately a lot of people miss it – simply hold the guitar and look along the edge – you’ll soon be able to tell if the neck is straight or crooked. Even a slight bend in the neck can seriously hinder the intonation of the instrument, and you’ll find chords can sound different at certain points.

Does the neck fit in my hand?
When a guitar is crafted, the shape of the neck is varied in order to suit the variances in the hand sizes of the players. It’s always a good idea to make sure the neck fits snugly into your individual hand – if you can, find one that feels like it was built especially for your hand size. Thin necks tend to be easier for smaller hands, whereas thicker necks tend to be a bit stronger.

What is my budget?
For the absolute beginner, you really shouldn’t be thinking of spending a massive amount of money on a new guitar. Tell yourself exactly how much you have to spend, and keep to it. It’s pointless wasting time looking at models that are too expensive for your budget, and will only confuse the matter even more. It’s easier to upgrade when you’ve had some time to practice and you know which style of music you want to pursue.

Getting it right, and getting it right from the very beginning is absolutely vital. Get it right, and you have a much better chance of succeeding in your musical quest. Buying a guitar based solely on what it looks like as it hangs in the shop is a recipe for disaster – you will get it home only to find that it does not even come close to fitting your needs. Relegation to the corner of the living room or the loft will probably ensue! Buying a guitar is like making an investment – an investment into your own musical future.