Your Guide to Buying the Right Guitar

Everybody loves to have a hobby that can keep them busy during their spare time. Reading, dancing, singing, playing musical instruments and sports are some of the most common hobbies. These extracurricular activities are not only a break from that hectic everyday lifestyle, but also help to keep the mind sharp. Doing something that one is passionate about is the best way to select a hobby. Like most other hobbies, playing musical instruments is something that many people enjoy. There are a variety of musical instruments to play, and one of the most used is the guitar.

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Anyone can play a guitar, right from children to adults, as long as they take the time to learn it. Playing a guitar can be very enjoyable and is a hobby that can last a lifetime. This musical instrument can even turn a hobby into a profession. For those who love the guitar but don’t have one, there are few things to consider when buying one. The first thing you need to select a suitable guitar. Here are a few basic things you should know. 

Selecting a Guitar

Body – Make sure the guitar doesn’t have any flaws in structure. Inspect the joins in the guitar carefully. There should be no gaps between both parts of the guitar, especially the neck and the body. The surface of the guitar should be smooth and free of any bumps. Also, ensure there are no cracks around the jack or jack plate. 

Neck - Check if the guitar neck is straight. It is also important to get a guitar with a neck that feels comfortable while fretting (moving your fingers from one chord to the next). Consider the width and depth of the neck depending on the player’s hand. People with large hands will find guitars with wider necks comfortable, while, people with smaller hands will find narrower or shallower necks comfortable. However, make sure the string spacing is adequate to the playing style. 

Fret – The fret is the metal line on the guitar neck. This is useful to check if the guitar sounds right before buying it. Place the index finger on the first string of the first fret (low E), pluck the string and listen for any odd noises or buzz. If it doesn’t sound right, you can either adjust the sound with a tuner or have a professional do it for you at a store. 

Feel – This is one of the most important factors to consider while buying either an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. The best way to know if the guitar is comfortable is to try it sitting down as well as standing. If it doesn’t feel right either way then you know it is the wrong guitar.

Selecting a suitable guitar is not very difficult as it depends on feel and comfort. Buying a guitar on the other hand can be a little more difficult as it involves a few factors. Here are a few tips on how to purchase a guitar.

Buying a Guitar

Budget – This is a very important factor to consider. Guitar prices vary depending on their make. For beginners, it is advisable to pick an inexpensive one. However, that doesn’t mean you should go for the cheapest. Look for something that has good sound quality and proper construction. 

Type of guitar – Selecting either an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar that suits an individual’s style of play is important. It is advisable for beginners to start with acoustic, and then move onto the electric type.

Brands – There are various brands available in the market. Well known brands like Gibson, Fender, Martin and Taylor are more preferable as they are high quality brands that are likely to have better sound and last longer. 

Shop – For beginners, it is important to take a friend or relative along who has the knowledge of guitars. Play the guitar to check its sound quality before buying it. If you don’t have anyone experienced to go along with you, ask the attendant at the store for help. It may also help to get a warranty with it while buying the guitar. Add accessories like a new set of strings, tuner and gig bag to your list as they can come in handy, especially for beginners. 

Once you have bought the right guitar, it will be time to master the musical instrument. Although there are lessons for guitar and other instruments online, it is advisable to sign up with a private tutor that can help you learn the techniques easily and correctly. There are many places that offer guitar tutorials these days and it is recommended that you learn to play a guitar with help from a professional. You can always turn to online lessons if a private tutor doesn’t fall in your budget.

These few tips will be helpful while buying a guitar at a store or online. With a variety of online instruments available for purchase, finding a guitar that is suitable will never be a problem.

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