My Ten Top Guitar Buying Tips For Beginners

My Top ten guitar buying tips will help you make a better decision, save time and effort, avoid frustration and save a lot of money while you search for the perfect instrument to meet your needs.

What should you spend? It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg! If you do your research and plan thoroughly you should be able to come across a guitar between 0-0. As a beginner that will be plenty to get you on the road. Bear in mind, the better quality the instrument, the higher the cost.

BUYING TIP #1:
Know what kind of instrument you’re looking for. The four basic types of guitar in use: 
Acoustic – An acoustic guitar doesn’t need amplification to be heard. Acoustic guitars can have a variety of strings either nylon or wound steel strings. 

Classic – One of the oldest types of acoustic guitar it has been designed with a wider neck to facilitate finger-picking techniques.

Electric – This type of guitar needs amplification to be heard more than a few feet away from the player. 

Acoustic/Electric – As the name suggests, these instruments can be played with or without an amp and still be heard.

BUYING TIP #2:
You want to know what music types you want to play then purchase a guitar that is best suited for the type of music you want to play. Below are a few suggestions,  bear in mind that these are only recommendations as buying a guitar is a very personal decision, so think outside the box!

Styles and the Guitars for that style: 
Alternative:  any of the 4 basic types are suitable – any type any kind its up to you on this one

Blues: any of the 4 basic types are suitable 

Bluegrass: acoustic steel string, acoustic/electric

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Classical: acoustic nylon string classic guitar

Country: acoustic steel string, acoustic/electric, or electric

Fingerstyle: acoustic, acoustic/electric, classic

Folk: acoustic, or acoustic/electric

Folk/Rock: any of the 4 basic types are suitable

Jazz: any of the 4 basic types are suitable but you see a lot of hollow body electrics used

Ragtime: acoustic, acoustic/electric

Rock: usually played on an electric

Metal: electric

BUYING TIP #3:
As a newbie take advantage of package deals. These give you an opportunity to get started inexpensively. Package deals usually offer a guitar and extras (such as a strap, pics, case, tuner, amp etc.) at a cost effective price.

BUYING TIP #4:
Students with smaller hands (like children or smaller adults), should think about purchasing a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar or maybe an electric guitar or nylon-stringed acoustic guitar as they are most times easier to play.

BUYING TIP #5:
Stay with instrument makers that have a solid reputation for quality and service. Some of the better known name-brands are Ibanez, Yamaha, Fender, Gibson, Martin, Washburn, Ovation  and Taylor. I can recommend Yamaha or Fender guitars for beginners because these instruments are well made and have a wide choice of models and price ranges to select from. Do not rush finding the right guitar for your skill set and price range. Get one that will be easy for you to play, keep in tune and sound good to you as well. Once you have decided that you are enjoying learning to play your guitar and starting to get better you can always upgrade.

BUYING TIP #6:
Look into consignment stores like Daddy’s Junky Music Store and other stores that take trade ins. People will often put their unwanted guitars for sale on consignment. Be sure to ask your local merchants about this when you’re searching.

BUYING TIP #7:
Ask instrument vendors in your area if any sales or promotions are available. They will probably ask you for your name and email address so you can be placed on their promotions list. This is a great way to stay informed of any special offers or discounts they might be offering in the future.

BUYING TIP #8:
Search the classified ads like Craigslist, check college campus newspapers and bulletin boards and the student unions. It is simple to find great bargains on a “like new” guitar this way. Students are often in need of extra spending money to pay for tuition, books etc. and will often be eager to sell their musical instrument often at a fire sale price.

BUYING TIP #9:
Online shopping for a guitar is another easy method to save money and to compare prices across a wide variety of vendors. Make sure the company has a money back guarantee and what their return policies are. Seek for competitive prices, and read reviews by other customers about the company and its integrity.
Online auctions (on sites like eBay) are also viable places to look but keep in mind…”you get what you pay for…”

BUYING TIP #10:
Entering online contests or in guitar publications when you find them is a great way to obtain free gear. Sellers will sometimes request that you provide a valid email address so that they can contact the winner and send updates of there products and promotions.

Good Luck and Good Hunting.

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Guitar For Beginners

Tags: Beginners, buying, Guitar, Tips