How do I shop for a guitar? I don’t even know how to play one yet !
Whether you are an experienced guitarist or a total novice – adult or child - shopping for a guitar should be done thoughtfully so that you end up with a guitar that's right . Many people who have played for a while have rarely, or never , shopped for a guitar. Here are some ideas on how to look for one to own , love, and learn on.
Look at pictures of musicians whose music you like a lot to get an idea of the range of shapes.
Decide how much you can spend before you look at guitars. There will always be better, more expensive guitars to tempt you upwards in price.
Buy from a reputable store unless you know someone who can go with you who can tell if it’s structurally sound and who is familiar with the value of different kinds of guitars. Used guitars are an excellent choice as long as they either come from a store that will give you a warrantee for a few months or if someone knowledgeable can help you sort thru private sellers.
The price should include a case, a warrantee and a set-up – meaning they adjust the “action” (the distance of the strings from the fingerboard). List price fro a new guitar always includes a decent case.
Go to a store where you can play several different types of shapes and brands or makers. If you want a salesperson to spend a lot of time with you, go when they are less likely to be busy - NOT on Saturday afternoon!
Compare body shapes and sizes - your right arm should be able to go over the top of the body of the guitar without it aching after five or ten minutes. Too big a body can create shoulder problems. The guitar should fit you well enough that you can hold it on your lap without it falling off.
Guitars for Children - For average 4-6 year olds, try to find a half size guitar. Playable ones do exist but not all stores carry them. Most are under or near $100, with the phrase "PLAYABLE" bring very important - the guitar can be tuned accurately and hold the pitch. The tuning machines hold the strings firmly without slipping, they can be turned without brute force, and the strings are close to the fingerboard. Average children 7-12 years old do really well with 3/4 size guitars, which are much easier to find and come in a wider price range.
Compare necks - Even the same guitar bodies from one maker are often made with different neck shapes. Compare the width, the shape and depth of the necks – some are thick, others slimmer, V-shaped or more rounded . . . If you have small hands, narrower, thinner necks are better. If you have big hands and fairly wide fingers, definitely look for a wider fingerboard. (If you have some arthritis in your fretting hand, you actually want a rounded shape and a little thick. It is much more stressful on your hand to have to press your thumb against a neck that is not very thick - meaning between the fingerboard and the back of the neck.)
You just somehow like the sound and feel of it - even if you’re a total beginner, don't dismiss this as important. You're picking out a partner in a musical relationship - hopefully a long term relationship!
Use a digital tuner and have the salesperson help you check the intonation on guitars you are looking at. The double dots on the neck up near the body of the guitar indicate an octave above the string when it is played open - it should be close. No new guitar should go home without a digital tuner! Once you have your new guitar, tune every time you pick it up and check it between every piece you're playing. Guitars don’t sound good if they are out of tune. Tuning is not a once a week activity, no matter how much you paid for it!
Keep ALL your purchase documentation in case you either sell it later or have a problem with it. (This is also relevant if you plan to take it out of the country - including Canada. Customs can confiscate your guitar if you can't prove the woods were either harvested sustainably or that it was made before current laws were put in to effect.)
IMPORTANT PLAYING TIP – unless you’ve been playing other string instruments recently, your fingers are going to hurt until you develop calluses. Expect it. You can make life easier by getting silk and steel strings for it, or extra lights, especially for children, as their fingertips are very soft. Play for short chunks of time often, rather than trying to play for a long time. If possible, start off with easy pieces that only require one finger on the strings at a time. I seem to be a lone voice in the crowd, but I REALLY don't recommend starting with chords because of how hard it is on your fingers and also because it takes so long before it sounds anything at all like music!
Spend LOTS of time with your new guitar on your own or with the help of a teacher. It's a new relationship, a new passion, so give yourself the gift of spending time with it.
Whether you are an experienced guitarist or a total novice – adult or child - shopping for a guitar should be done thoughtfully so that you end up with a guitar that's right . Many people who have played for a while have rarely, or never , shopped for a guitar. Here are some ideas on how to look for one to own , love, and learn on.
Look at pictures of musicians whose music you like a lot to get an idea of the range of shapes.
Decide how much you can spend before you look at guitars. There will always be better, more expensive guitars to tempt you upwards in price.
Buy from a reputable store unless you know someone who can go with you who can tell if it’s structurally sound and who is familiar with the value of different kinds of guitars. Used guitars are an excellent choice as long as they either come from a store that will give you a warrantee for a few months or if someone knowledgeable can help you sort thru private sellers.
The price should include a case, a warrantee and a set-up – meaning they adjust the “action” (the distance of the strings from the fingerboard). List price fro a new guitar always includes a decent case.
Go to a store where you can play several different types of shapes and brands or makers. If you want a salesperson to spend a lot of time with you, go when they are less likely to be busy - NOT on Saturday afternoon!
Compare body shapes and sizes - your right arm should be able to go over the top of the body of the guitar without it aching after five or ten minutes. Too big a body can create shoulder problems. The guitar should fit you well enough that you can hold it on your lap without it falling off.
Guitars for Children - For average 4-6 year olds, try to find a half size guitar. Playable ones do exist but not all stores carry them. Most are under or near $100, with the phrase "PLAYABLE" bring very important - the guitar can be tuned accurately and hold the pitch. The tuning machines hold the strings firmly without slipping, they can be turned without brute force, and the strings are close to the fingerboard. Average children 7-12 years old do really well with 3/4 size guitars, which are much easier to find and come in a wider price range.
Compare necks - Even the same guitar bodies from one maker are often made with different neck shapes. Compare the width, the shape and depth of the necks – some are thick, others slimmer, V-shaped or more rounded . . . If you have small hands, narrower, thinner necks are better. If you have big hands and fairly wide fingers, definitely look for a wider fingerboard. (If you have some arthritis in your fretting hand, you actually want a rounded shape and a little thick. It is much more stressful on your hand to have to press your thumb against a neck that is not very thick - meaning between the fingerboard and the back of the neck.)
You just somehow like the sound and feel of it - even if you’re a total beginner, don't dismiss this as important. You're picking out a partner in a musical relationship - hopefully a long term relationship!
Use a digital tuner and have the salesperson help you check the intonation on guitars you are looking at. The double dots on the neck up near the body of the guitar indicate an octave above the string when it is played open - it should be close. No new guitar should go home without a digital tuner! Once you have your new guitar, tune every time you pick it up and check it between every piece you're playing. Guitars don’t sound good if they are out of tune. Tuning is not a once a week activity, no matter how much you paid for it!
Keep ALL your purchase documentation in case you either sell it later or have a problem with it. (This is also relevant if you plan to take it out of the country - including Canada. Customs can confiscate your guitar if you can't prove the woods were either harvested sustainably or that it was made before current laws were put in to effect.)
IMPORTANT PLAYING TIP – unless you’ve been playing other string instruments recently, your fingers are going to hurt until you develop calluses. Expect it. You can make life easier by getting silk and steel strings for it, or extra lights, especially for children, as their fingertips are very soft. Play for short chunks of time often, rather than trying to play for a long time. If possible, start off with easy pieces that only require one finger on the strings at a time. I seem to be a lone voice in the crowd, but I REALLY don't recommend starting with chords because of how hard it is on your fingers and also because it takes so long before it sounds anything at all like music!
Spend LOTS of time with your new guitar on your own or with the help of a teacher. It's a new relationship, a new passion, so give yourself the gift of spending time with it.