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How To Pick Your First Guitar
- By Matt Chang
- Published 10/14/2008
- Arts and Crafts
- Unrated
Matt Chang
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Are you thinking about buying a guitar? Especially if this is your first one, you will want to choose a guitar that's right for you. There are literally thousands of guitars available, and in every possible price range. The question you probably have is, how the heck to choose one that is right.
One of the main things that beginners get distracted by is the appearance of the guitar. But it is the least important factor when you are just learning. More important things to think about are price, quality, and action. If you can find on that fits the criteria, and look the way you want, then you will be in top shape!
What is action? A guitar's action is how far the strings are off of the fret board. The action will make the guitar easy or hard to play. You don't want to start on a guitar with a high action because it will be difficult to fret the notes and you might get too frustrated and give up. The higher the action, the harder you need to press to get the chords you are looking for. Make sure you pick a guitar with low action.
Bring
a guitarist friend, or even better yet your teacher, along to help you pick out your guitar. Take everything the sales people at the music store say with a grain of salt, after all, they just want to sell you a guitar and might not have your best interests in mind. In general, you can find some great guitars from manufacturers like Fender, Ibanez, Gibson, Ovation, and more. In general, all the top manufacturers make guitars for entry level, and they are made in Asia. Expect to spend a few hundred for a good one.
Another thing to figure out is whether you want an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar. Of course, this will depend on the styles of music you want to play, and the style of guitar you are interested in. Electric guitars are easier to play and can be quieter than acoustic guitars when they aren't plugged in. The thing you do need to consider is that the electric guitar will take a bit more equipment. You will need an amp, and eventually effects pedals.
So if you are thinking about getting a new guitar, resist the impulse to buy the prettiest guitar on the wall and get a guitar that will work for you.
One of the main things that beginners get distracted by is the appearance of the guitar. But it is the least important factor when you are just learning. More important things to think about are price, quality, and action. If you can find on that fits the criteria, and look the way you want, then you will be in top shape!
What is action? A guitar's action is how far the strings are off of the fret board. The action will make the guitar easy or hard to play. You don't want to start on a guitar with a high action because it will be difficult to fret the notes and you might get too frustrated and give up. The higher the action, the harder you need to press to get the chords you are looking for. Make sure you pick a guitar with low action.
Bring
Another thing to figure out is whether you want an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar. Of course, this will depend on the styles of music you want to play, and the style of guitar you are interested in. Electric guitars are easier to play and can be quieter than acoustic guitars when they aren't plugged in. The thing you do need to consider is that the electric guitar will take a bit more equipment. You will need an amp, and eventually effects pedals.
So if you are thinking about getting a new guitar, resist the impulse to buy the prettiest guitar on the wall and get a guitar that will work for you.