Guitars are available in abundance in the market. You have acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass guitars, and the list goes on. Once you reel in the types of guitars in the market, you are hit with the plethora of brands available.
There is no doubt that you have a diverse set of options. But how do you choose the right guitar for your musical journey? Before I delve into certain factors of consideration, let's walk through the basics.
The quality of a guitar heavily relies on its durability. If the material is sub-par, be prepared to be disappointed with the sound it produces.
To help you make the right decision for your next guitar purchase, here are the top 6 factors you should consider.
The intensity and frequency of the sound vary on the guitar's material. So, besides prioritizing the construction of your next guitar purchase, there are a few other things in mind. Here are some factors to consider and why they matter.
As I mentioned before, guitars come in various shapes, sizes, and finish. So first, you have acoustic guitars, and then the more punky rock electric guitars.
When choosing the right guitar for yourself, you must first sit down and think about the type. Do you want it for playing soothing ballads or heavy metal rock?
Fender Acoustic guitars are ideal if you want to strengthen your guitar skills and you are more into soft and pop songs that don’t require a high pitch or frequency of the guitar.
On the flip side, you might want to incline towards an electric guitar if you are into creating sharp and edgy tunes. Acoustic guitars are also great for instrumentalists.
It's recommended by professionals that people should start with an acoustic guitar if they are a beginner. However, if you are well-experienced and want more creative flexibility with your tunes, the electric guitar is a good pick.
One of the biggest mistakes people make while buying guitars is not paying attention to their size. Of course, you can play the guitar sitting down while placing it on your lap for support.
But, at the same time, you need to up your skills and be able to strum out the tunes standing and walking around as well.
For this reason, you need to pick a guitar of the correct size. Small-bodied guitars are perfect for children or individuals with a smaller stature.
You don’t want to buy a guitar you aren’t comfortable carrying around. This is especially true for young guitar players.
If required, you can also physically hold the guitar options in-store in your shopping process to see which one feels the most comfortable.
Ideally, if you are confused about what feels right, you should be able to ask the people in the shop to help you out with the best options.
Guitars aren’t cheap. You can quickly pay upwards of $100 to thousands of dollars for a single instrument. However, it is a misconception that the higher the price, the better it gets.
Don’t get me wrong. I'm not saying that the more expensive guitars are bad; I'm just saying that the cheaper ones aren’t always bad.
It's recommended that when picking a guitar for yourself, you should start with a budget. Then, look into the maximum amount you can spend without disrupting your finances.
Once you have those set numbers, you can visit the store or go online to review your options without feeling at risk of overspending.
Having a budget allows you to sort the search results and only look at the guitars in your budget. From the list, you can shortlist your top 3 or top 5 picks.
Once you have your shortlisted products, consider reading through in-depth reviews to narrow down your choice.
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Musicians like to play unique and aesthetically pleasing guitars. And while the more successful ones have the budget and resources, most do not.
An affordable guitar that looks like any other might be a better option than an expensive one just because of an extra layer of paint on top.
As a new guitarist, you will be enthused by the “cool-looking” guitars, and that’s completely fine. However, ensure that your final purchase isn’t solely dependent on the guitar's looks. Instead, prioritize the quality of the guitar first.
Surprisingly enough, some resources and tools allow you to customize your guitar after you have bought it. So, you don’t need to spend an unnecessary amount just for aesthetics.
This might not be for every guitarist, but I'd highly recommend used guitars if you are on a strict budget. As I mentioned, some of the high-end, high-quality guitars can easily cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
If you have the money for it, there’s no looking back. However, if you are short on money but want to get your hands on the guitar you’ve been longing for, I'd say you look into user guitars.
Multiple online and offline platforms should provide easy access to used guitars, so I recommend you go for them without any questions.
Not only can you get the guitar you have been meaning to buy, but you can also get it for a discounted price.
If you are buying an acoustic guitar, picking the correct quality string can be a game-changer. Even though I list this as my final point to consider, do note that it is very important.
Typically, you have nylon and steel strings. Most of the standard acoustic guitars come with steel strings, be prepared to balm your fingers at the end of the day since they are tough. Nylon strings are comparably gentler on the fingers.
The good thing about steel strings is that they season your fingers. Steel will build calluses on your fingertips that shed later.
And in comparison to steel, nylon strings don’t produce a vibrant and loud sound, so they may not be a wise choice.
So, when choosing your next guitar, be assured that you also have to choose the right strings. Take your time and consult a professional for better guidance.
Also, while looking into the strings, spare a few extra dollars for the accessories. If needed, you might have to buy a case, a stand, a pick, and even a tuner.
Choosing a guitar is a very subjective experience. Every guitarist has personal choices and preferences. So, look into your options first and do your research.
If you are in doubt, you can always reach out to someone with experience. There’s nothing wrong with being critical about the purchase decision.
Take your time and pick what you think would suit your style and music the best.
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