Buying a New Guitar (How to buy a guitar you love!)

Buying a new guitar can be exciting and fun, but it can also be an experience fraught with uncertainty. In the first part of this article, I’ll help you determine which kind of guitar will be best suited to the type of music you want to play. I’ll also point out how to choose a guitar that’s comfortable and enjoyable during long periods of practice. Then, I’ll provide tips to help you in shopping for and buying a new guitar with confidence and ease.

Guitar Sizes

It’s important to find a guitar that’s enjoyable to play and will not cause pain or injury. Look for one that sits comfortably on your lap, without your having to exert effort to keep it there. Make sure that the body of the guitar is not so large that it creates tension in your right shoulder as you reach your arm over it. Notice the difference in the neck size from one guitar to another. You’ll soon get an idea of what’s comfortable to you.

In addition to monitoring your own sensations, it’s helpful to have someone give you feedback. Don’t be shy—ask either a friend or the salesperson for help. Ask him or her to look at you holding several guitars of different shapes and sizes and give you an opinion on the fit. Check out the lessons in the Virtual Studio and read the article on the basics before you shop. You’ll learn about healthy posture and body use from those. Keep that wisdom in mind when you’re buying a new guitar!

Types of Guitars

The first step in buying your new instrument is determining the kind of guitar that will be best for different styles of music;

A lot of people make the mistake of buying purely out of personal preference from an aesthetic perspective. Although that may seem like the most important thing to consider, it’s critical to also consider other things, such as the style of music you plan to play, your upper body size, or whether you have smaller hands. You’ll even want to learn about different kinds of guitar strings, which can affect your comfort and success.

Acoustic guitars have steel strings and can vary in scale length, but typically have 14 frets to the body. They come in various sizes and shapes and may or may not have a cutaway. Unless your musical taste is restricted to classical music, you’ll probably be looking for this type for your first guitar. If you’re interested in an electric guitar, but need the versatility that an acoustic guitar provides, consider an electric-acoustic guitar.
Acoustic-electric guitars enable you to enjoy the best of both electric and acoustic guitars. When they’re not plugged in, they have the appearance and sound of an acoustic guitar. When they are plugged in, they’ll take you to a jam session, performance, or to your own living room to rock out!
Classical or nylon string guitars have a smaller body, a wider neck and 12 frets to the body. You’ll find the nylon strings on a classical guitar easy to press compared to the steel strings on an acoustic guitar.
Solid body electric – This is the kind of guitar most people think of as an “electric guitar”. It is made from a solid piece of wood and comes in various sizes, shapes and colors. The sound varies widely from one guitar to another, depending on the kind of wood and the number and types of pickups.
Hollow body electric – Just what the name says. Because the body is hollow, the guitar has acoustic properties. It’s not usually the best choice for rock, as the hollow body provides a risk of feedback at high volume. Jazz players usually prefer a hollow body guitar.
Semi-hollow body electric – This type of guitar is hollow, but the body style is thinner than the full hollow body, minimizing the feedback problem.

Materials and Construction Methods

Look for a guitar with a solid wood top. (Some of the less expensive entry level guitars have plywood tops, which won’t last as long or provide as good sound quality as one with a solid top.) Spruce and cedar are good choices for the top of an acoustic guitar.

Look for obvious signs of craftsmanship, such as symmetry, even frets, and straightness of the neck. Check for scratches, dings or irregularities in the finish.

For many people, the mere thought of trying out guitars in a store puts a damper on the desire to shop for a new guitar.

wall of music store filled with guitars

Guitar stores can be overwhelming: loud, crowded with people and instruments, and lacking in comfortable places to sit and play a guitar. It seems like there’s always at least one hot-shot guitarist playing one guitar after another at high volume. It can be intimidating to anyone, but especially new players.

If you can’t tell the cheaper guitars from the high-end guitars, don’t know one amplifier from another, and would prefer that no one hear you play, you might feel ready to run for the door before even trying a guitar. Instead of retreating, you can easily devise a plan and cultivate an attitude that will help you find the guitar of your dreams without spending a lot of money.

The Shopping Experience

You don’t need to be a seasoned guitar player to shop for a guitar. Use the information in the first part of this article and you can learn the rest of what you need to know as you shop.

You’ll want to visit several different stores and try out a lot of guitars to determine your personal preference for sound and comfort. If you don’t play well enough to “try out” a guitar, read The Basics to learn how to hold a guitar and play a simple single note exercise. Play your exercise or melodic fragment up and down the fretboard, to get the feel in all positions. If you can play barre chords, try them in all positions, as well. Or, use a three string chord, like D, to play in different positions. What you play is less important than getting a feel of the guitar and forming your own opinions about what works for you.

When you go into the music shop, tell the salesperson you’re serious about buying a guitar, but “not today.” Explain that you’re gathering information and forming opinions and would like to play a few guitars. Describe your level of playing and your goals, as well as your price range. Let him or her know what’s most important to you—sound, comfort, versatility, etc. Be cautious and respectful with each instrument and take your time assessing it. When comparing guitars, don’t feel shy about asking to play the same guitar several times. If you fall in love with a particular guitar, ask the salesman what his lowest price is. Notice the make and model and leave!

Making the Purchase

Check around to determine that you’re getting the best price and make sure that there’s not another style, color or wood that you prefer. Think of questions that you might have forgotten to ask or features that you neglected to assess. As soon as you’re sure you’ve found the right guitar, buy it!

Make certain you’re clear about the warranty before you complete your purchase. Also, inquire about the way the guitar is set up. Most people assume when they’re buying a guitar that it will come with a good factory setup. But that’s not always true. I’ve known people to be dissatisfied with the playability of their guitar for years before realizing that a simple adjustment would make it far easier and more fun to play! If there’s any doubt, it’s a good idea to talk to the guitar tech. It won’t take a lot of time and it’s worth doing. And make sure you have a fresh set of strings and any other accessories such as picks, tuner, metronome, guitar strap, or capo.

You’ll want to take proper care of your new investment and that starts with a case. An inexpensive cardboard case will provide minimum protection. Your best choices are a gig bag, which has the advantages of being soft and lightweight, or a hardshell case, which offers the best protection. If you ever plan on flying with your guitar, you’ll probably be required to check it. If so, nothing less than a hardshell case will do.

If you’re interested in guitar lessons, put as much care into choosing your guitar teacher as you do your guitar. Use this guide to help you find the teacher who’s right for you.

Just Getting Started on guitar or know someone who is? Click here for a complete description of the perfect beginner’s program.