Guitar Buying

PunkStar · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 6:55 pm Post subject: Guitar Buying

G'day, thanks for tuning in (no pun intended) to another of my tutorials. As hosted by those nice people on the Christian Guitar Forum.

Today I'm going to be talking about buying a guitar. First I'm going to advise on buying your first guitar. Then I'll give my advice on buying better guitars.

When people first start guitar, they enter a pretty big world. Unless someone gave them a guitar, they have to go out and buy one. But which is the best guitar to start on? Well, first answer this question.

Do you think you will give up playing any time soon? If you're absolutely sure you want to play guitar and you don't think you'll lose interest within a few weeks, then don't buy the absolute cheapest guitar in the shop. Go for something just a bit better quality. A shop assistant will be able to help you with that. I found my playing was limited by how good my guitar was. If you know you will stick at it. Then a bit better guitar won't make you feel so limited. And you'll have something with just a bit more quality.

If you think the guitar will only be a passing fad. Then just buy a really cheap guitar. That way, if you give up the guitar, you won't have wasted so much money.

Often, when people start off. They buy a classical guitar. They are pretty good as beginner guitars. The difference between a classical and a normal guitar is that the classical has nylon strings, while a normal guitar has steel strings. People will by the classical because the nylon strings don't hurt your fingers so much when you start. That's actually a big reason why many quit. They don't like the pain of the strings. Nylon is still going to hurt a little bit. But not as much as steel. WARNING! When you get better, don't put steel strings on a classical guitar. Simple reason is this. Steel strings put massive amounts of pressure on a guitar's neck. The neck of a steel string has a metal rod inserted down the middle of it. The steel strings pull the neck forward, that metal rod (called a truss rod) pulls the neck back to where it should be. A classical guitar doesn't have that metal rod. So if you put steel strings on a classical guitar. The strings pull the neck forward and the neck just snaps. And then you have to go buy a new guitar. And don't even think about putting nylon strings on a steel string guitar. Because if that guitar has a pick-up on it, then the pick-up won't work. The pick-up needs the metal to work the magnetism in the pick-up for the pick-up to work. So in summary, don't put the wrong type of strings on a guitar. It just won't work.

A classical is a great way to start, and I'd recommend it. As for which one to buy. This would be something to discuss with a salesperson at the store. They should know their range and will be able to advise on what to get. But make sure you talk to other guitarists in your area to find out which stores are reputable. Because some are really dodgy, and trust me, you don't want to deal with them.

Eventually, you'll want to buy a better guitar and let your playing really progress. So, it's time to go out and buy a better guitar. Some stores let you trade in your old classical to get a bit of money. But this is dependant on the store. Now comes the hardest decision in your life, more important than who you marry or what car you drive. Which is the perfect guitar for you?

To answer this most vital question you have to first answer this question. What is your style? This will really dictate what type of guitar you get. Do you want to play electric guitar stuff or acoustic guitar stuff? If you like acoustic guitar work more, then you should probably think about getting one of those. Or get an electric if you like electric work more. But either way, the buying process is the same. Of course, there is no rule saying you can't have more than one guitar. But let's just focus on buying one for the moment. Below are my tips for guitar buying.

First, lets talk about where you buy:
Buying on the internet is risky. There are some great deals on the internet. But there are also a lot of people who will try to take your money and leave you with shoddy goods (or worse, no goods at all). I prefer to buy a guitar from a store. That way I can see if the guitar is in good condition. I can hear how it sounds. And see how it feels. I don't like to pay for stuff without seeing it first. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy off the internet. Just be aware of the risks involved.

If you buy from a store, make sure you buy from a good one. There are some particularly unscrupulous stores out there. Often a good store will get up your guitar for you (I'll explain that later), provide a bit of free tech support if something happens to the guitar you buy from them. And generally just be really friendly and helpful. A good way to find if a store is any good is talk to some of the guitarists near you. They will know which stores are good and which to stay away from.

(When I say that they should set up your guitar for you, it means this. The store will check the action (the height of the strings off the fretboard). The intonation (how much length the string to vibrate. If it isn't right, the guitar will never be able to be in tune). That the neck is in the right position (if it's bending any way, they just adjust the truss rod). And probably some other stuff. Just to make sure the guitar works properly. After a guitar has sat on the shelves for a while, it may just need a bit of work to make sure it's alright to play.)

Some general tips:
Save up as much money as possible so you can get the best guitar possible. Of course, you don't have to use all that money. But it's good to have that option. Preferably, don't borrow money to get a guitar. You don't really want to go into debt just to buy a guitar. I believe the only exception to this is that if the guitar is on sale and you want to buy it before the sale ends. Or if it is the last guitar of that type that the store will ever get in, and you want to get it before it's gone forever.

Take as much time as you like when buying a guitar. Nodody said you had to get one straight away. Look around, search the internet, learn as much about guitars as possible, take trips to guitar stores in other cities. And make sure you know exactly what is around for you to buy.

Know your needs. Do you want a guitar that lets you play with heavy distortion. Or a nice, bright, warm, church kinda tone that won't offend anyone? Do you need a pick-up on your guitar to be able to plug it into an amp, or do you just play for yourself and never plug in? Know exactly what you need your guitar for and tell the people in the music store that. Then they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Now, some tips on the actual guitars themselves:

The first prerequisite for any guitar must be that you like it. If you like it, that's all that matters. Some things to look for would be these.
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Feel - When you sit or stand natually with the guitar. Does it feel comfortable? Does the neck feel comfortable to you? Can you slide your hand around the fretboard without it getting stuck? Can your reach all the frets you want? Do your hands feel comfortable where you naturally put them on the guitar? Just generally, does the guitar feel comfortable?

Sound - When you strum the strings, do you like the sound you get? Does it sound too deep? Too high? Too bright? Too mellow? Too anything? If you don't like the sound of the guitar, then just put it back on the shelf. Because you are never going to be happy with it. This is probably the most important factor in buying a guitar. So you have to be happy with it.

Condition - Obviously, you don't want to buy a guitar that is in terrible condition. Here are some things to check. This is not a complete list, just some ideas that came to me: [/blue]

Check the wood is in good condition and isn't cracked or broken anywhere

Look at the edges of the fretboard, they should be pretty much parallel. Hold the fretboard at eye level. The fretboard should be straight without much bowing. If there is a bit, then you can probably fix it by adjusting the truss rod. Unless it's a classical, no rod.

Check the intonation. If it is out, then get it put back in before you buy it. If it's an acoustic, I don't think there is much you can do about it. That is set when the guitar is made. If you really like the guitar, get the shop to order in a new one. If it's an electric, you can adjust it. Which isn't too hard a job. The store will be happy to tell you how to do that.

Check the height of the action (height strings are off the fretboard). You can generally adjust it on an electric. On an acoustic, they have to file down the bridge bone and top nut. It's more about checking the height is comfortable for you. Generally, set it lower for solos. Set it a bit higher for chord work so you don't get as much string buzzing.

Just generally see that it doesn't look really knocked about.

You don't have to buy a big name brand. Many of the smaller guitar companies still make some quality stuff. Who knows, you may become really good with that guitar and make that company really famous. Then that company will make a signature model for you. Think about that. Cool huh? (my thanks to Guitar Essentials for the first half of that thought, the bit about the company making a signature model for you is my part)

When at the store, don't listen to the guitar through any effects unless you plan to use that effect. And listen to it through an amp similar to what you use at home. Then you will know roughly what it will sound like when you get home. Some stores sell dodgy guitars through good effects. Don't let that happen to you.

Keep away from tremolos unless you intend to use them. On strat type guitars, you can often just choose not to use them and it won't affect the rest of the guitar. But unless you plan to use them, keep away from complicated tremolo designs like Floyd Rose tremolos. For example, a Floyd Rose gives you a lot of room to push the arm, but it gives the guitar massive intonation problems that you don't really want to have to sort out. So don't buy a guitar with a tremolo if you aren't going to use it. They tend to put the guitar out of tune and unless you use them, they are more trouble than they are worth. A strat type probably won't affect the guitar if you don't use it. So you can rest at ease if you buy a guitar with a strat type tremolo.

If you like the electric guitar, but hate the pick-ups. You can change them. But it's a bit of work to go to. But it is easily possible.

But I think this is the best advice I can give to anyone. Carefully consider which guitar you buy before you buy. And bring the decision before the Lord and ask Him to guide. The Lord will then guide you to the guitar He wants you to have.

shardy53 · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 10:26 am Post subject:

I somewhat disagree with buying a classical guitar if you dont want to play classical style. My reasons for this is that the classical guitars have very wide necks and cheap classical guitars don't sound very good as a rule. I suggest buying a steel string and tuning it down two half steps to lessen string tension while your fingers become calloused. You wont need to play at concert pitch untill you start playing with other people, and even then you can use a capo if nessessary.As long as the steel string is of a decent quality, you can keep it as a beach, camping or travel guitar after you upgrade in the future. You can buy a decent new guitar for about $350 in the USA or Canada. The Canadian Made Seagulls and the Garrisons are great starter guitars. You can buy the Martin 15 series for $500. But even the Epiphones and sigmas are OK too for even less money. The important thing is that you have the guitar set up properly for action, intonation, and truss rod adjustment. DO NOT trust a discount retail dealer to do this because most of the time they dont know what they are doing and couldnt care less.

Buying used is a good way to purchase a better guitar for the same or less money. If you are looking at a used guitar I would suggest buying it from someone you can trust or maybe bring along a friend who knows about guitars. Once again have the setup checked, because this can be the difference between liking to play guitar and hating it. This is just my own humble opinion, so take it for what it is worth.
Bless you all,
Steve

PunkStar · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 2:14 am Post subject:

All good points I would agree with. Thanks for sharing them.

That's the good thing about posting tutorials on a message board. We can all add our opinions and help each other out. It also means if I'm wrong, I can be corrected. Laughing