So you’ve got your headphones in and you’re rockin’ out to your favorite bands -- AC/DC, The Beatles, RHCP, or whatever it is that you listen to (I’m not one to judge) --when suddenly you hear something that makes you go, “Wow, I wish I could do that.” That’s how I got started playing guitar. What I’ve discovered since then is that this six-stringed instrument is awesome. The only problem is that you have to pick out the right guitar for you to truly understand its power -- and there are so many choices! When I started looking into which guitar I should buy, I spoke to other players and sellers for advice on how to choose the right one. Here is a list of the five things they told me to consider before settling on the guitar that ultimately made me truly happy:
1. If you’re a beginner, go acoustic:
Yes, the electric guitar is great for shredding and the complete rock-out experiences, but as a beginning guitarist one of the main things you want to be concerned with is strengthening your fingers and an acoustic guitar will help you do just that. The steel strings will help build calluses so that you’ll be able to play for longer periods of time, and you’ll be able to hold down that nasty G9 chord without any of the obnoxious buzzing. Besides, the acoustic will be a little lighter on the wallet since you won’t have to pay for the chord and the amplifier as well!
2. Look for “solid top” guitars:
Now, there are some really cheap guitars out there. Don’t be fooled. Walk into any local Best Buy or Toys R’ Us and they’ll trick you with those cheap Gibson lookalikes. Don’t go buy one of these; if you’re serious about learning this instrument, expect to pay $150 or more. What’s the difference between a Gibson and the less expensive brands? Well, besides the quality control and overall playability of the guitar, the big thing is that a guitar you buy from Best Buy will not have a solid top. A solid top guitar is one where the face of the guitar is made out of actual wood, not just laminated plastic. Laminated tops tend to sound worse as they age whereas solid tops can only get better. The aging of the wood is just one of the things that helps make a guitar sound better with age.
3. Listen before you buy:
In order to really be sure you’re going to like the sound of a certain guitar, you’re going to have to play it a little. Don’t get stage fright though! The people that work in the store know that you don’t know how to play and they get many people every day doing the exact same thing. All you have to do is hold the guitar and lightly strum your fingers along the strings. This will make the strings vibrate and you will hear exactly how the guitar sounds. There is no right or wrong sound; only you can decide whether or not it’s one you want to listen to every time you pick it up to practice.
4. Get a feel for the ax in your arms:
The employees I talked to at Music & Arts at Bailey’s Crossroads and I had a little debate over whether this should be Number 3 or 4 on this list, but ultimately I feel both are equally important. When I say “feel” of the guitar, I mean just that. When you hold it, does it feel too big or too small? Is the neck too short or is it too long? Ideally you’ll find a guitar that allows you to rest your elbow on its face with your thumb held firmly on the back of the neck while reaching across the entire fret board with all 4 fingers down closer to the head joint. Of course, this position may not be what feels right to you. The point is to find a guitar that you will be comfortable playing; don’t pick one that feels too awkward to hold.
5. Consider the ascetic details:
Finally, after you’ve found a guitar, or multiple guitars, that have filled the above four characteristics, it’s time to start looking at the details. There are many things that give guitars their own individual looks. These instruments may have different colors, unique patterns on their pick guards, inlaid borders connecting the side pieces to the front and back and lacquered wood. These are personal preferences that you’ll want to talk to a sales associate about.
If you follow this list of criteria, I can assure you that you’ll be walking away with a brand new guitar that you will love to play. Once you have the guitar, it’s time to find a private teacher or a nice book and CD that will help you learn not only the chords but also the theory behind this awesome instrument.
