What To Look For When Buying A Guitar: A Beginners Guide

In this lesson, we are going to learn what to look for when buying a guitar: A beginner’s guide.  New or used.

 

That way you can make a more informed buying decision, and the experience will become a lot more fun and pleasant. 

 

Finding the right guitar for you can be a very fun or frustrating journey.  Depending on if you know what to look for.  Guitars come in all different sizes, styles, colors, and shapes.  Especially electric guitars.

 

Acoustics may not be so much, but there is still a variety to choose from.  So here are 5 things to look for when buying a guitar new or used.

 

Tip #1)  Acoustic or Electric

 

Style of Music

Depending on the type of music you plan on playing is going to determine this.  Although many styles of music incorporate both, it is best to decide which one you want to play.

 

Even though they are very similar, they are also quite different.  Nylon stringed acoustics (classical) are easier to push down on the strings but have a much wider fretboard for forming chords.

Regular acoustics (the type you commonly see) have a thinner fretboard but have steel strings that are harder to hold down when playing chords.

 

Electrics have an easier fretboard to work with but can be heavier and not quite suited for playing certain styles of music.  However, if they are, then you want to find one that fits your personality.

 

That’s what I love about guitar over other instruments, they are all different and you can find one that’s unique to you and your playing style.

 

Tip#2)  Strings are not too high off the fretboard

Since guitars are all made a bit different, this can make a difference.  Make sure when you look at the guitar, the strings are not too high, or too low from the fretboard.

 

If they are too high, they will be harder to push down on when forming chords and will cause muscle strain.  If they are too low, they will cause fret buzz.  This will make the guitar sound off and not pleasant to the ear.

 

Both are very important to look into.

 

Tip#3)  Fretboard buzz

This is very important to look for because it can’t be seen with the naked eye.  You have to play the guitar if you expect to find it. Especially if you are buying your guitar.

 

Now you don’t have to know chords or anything if it’s your first guitar and you are just starting, you just have to pluck each string while pressing down one by one on each fret along the entire fretboard.

 

By doing this every fret should have a nice clean tone.  If not, this could be a fret buzz.  You’ll know it when you hear it because it won’t sound right. This can sometimes be fixed by adjusting the steel rod in the guitar neck.

I’d highly recommend leaving that to a guitar repair professional.

 

Tip#4)  Size and weight

Since all guitars are different, they are all different sizes and weights.  You want to find one that fits comfortably when you pick it up. You don’t want it to be too heavy (especially starting) or you’ll never want to pick it up and play it.

 

You also don’t want it to be too small because that might not inspire you to play it either.  You want it to be just right.  (like Goldilocks and the 3 bears)  The guitar should feel right when you hold it.  The right size, the right weight.

 

Tip#5)  Color and design

This is important because this is what’s going to make you want to play it.  If you don’t like the way the guitar looks or the way you look holding it, you are not going to want to learn how to play it.  You must like these things.

 

If so, you will be inspired to pick it up and go through the process of learning how to play it.  So this is very important to consider when buying a guitar.

 

Conclusion

The guitar is a very personal instrument and much thought should go into purchasing the right one for you.  Use the 5 tips above to help in making your decision.  Whether it’s an acoustic, electric, or both.

 

The guitar can be a great addition to your life.  If you shop online,  you can do it in the comfort of your home, and if you have any problems with your purchase, they will gladly take it back and find you what you want.

 

So if you are in the market, be sure to take into consideration 5 things to look for when buying a guitar new or used. If there is anything I can do to help, be sure to let me know.  Best of luck to you and your purchase.

Additional helpful tips

Dunlop crybaby wah pedal review

5 ways to improve your guitar playing today

How to recognize notes on your fretboard.

Until our next lesson, take care.

Sincerely, Dwayne Jenkins