If you have decided to buy your first guitar, then the overall choice that is available can often seem overwhelming! What should you be looking at when it comes to styles, colors, makes and models? You have probably asked yourself – which one is right for me, and how on earth do I choose?

The sad fact of the matter is that many people they end up spending a lot more money than they need to. If you are in the position of looking to buy a guitar, then the following questions are the ones that you really should be asking yourself. Many people end up with what they thought was a great deal that turns out to be complete rubbish.

What is the type of music that I am looking to play?
If you are looking to strum along to a more tuneful style, then you should be looking into getting an acoustic instrument.  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. 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. Examine your particular tastes and which type of music you are interested in learning.

What is my current level of expertise?
·    For the beginner: we recommend buying an electric or a classical guitar, for the sole reason that they are easier on the fingers and therefore easier to learn on.
·    For the intermediate and expert player – then it really comes down to the music that you are looking to play, as well as personal preference and price. Consider whether you are looking to expand your musical repertoire or just improve your current style.

What is ‘tonal quality’?
Tonal quality, is, quite simply, the unique sound of the individual guitar. 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?

What is the ‘action’’?
The action refers to the placing of the string son the fretboard. This affects the entire playability o the guitar. You’ll find that on some guitars they are set high, whilst on others they can be set lower. 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.

Is the neck straight?
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. 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.

Does the neck fit in my hand?
It’s a really good tip to make sure that the neck fits snugly into your hand. Try and find one that feels like it was built for your particular size hand in mind. The thin necks are usually more suitable for smaller hands, but thicker necks tend to be stronger. When a craftsman builds a guitar, they vary the shape and size of the neck to suit the variability of the players’ hands.

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. 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. Tell yourself exactly how much you have to spend, and keep to it.

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.

Copyright 2009 Liam Gibson (Stage Guitarist)

BC-102 • What guitar should you buy?

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