How to Buy a Guitar

Now that you have a fair idea of what options and guitars are available to you.  You are ready to go into the music store and buy your first guitar before your guitar lessons.  It is exciting to be purchasing your first guitar but keep a few things in mind before heading out to the local music store.

First, practice patience.  You do not have to purchase the guitar immediately. At least two visits to the music store should give you all needed information.  Also, don’t let the salesman intimidate you.  You are the customer and you are the one in charge. Do as much research as you can when you have the time before buying your first guitar. You will find loads of information on the internet about guitars. If you have gathered enough information then you are certainly more equipped to make intelligent decisions.

Also, remember to recruit help if you need it.  If you have a friend or family member that plays the guitar, take them with you to the music store and it can help you choose the guitar that is right for you. If you cannot find someone to help you with your guitar shopping, you may ask the store employees for their opinions.  Don’t be shy. You can really get a reasonable deal if you are patient enough. Alternatively, you take guitar lessons, ask the sg guitar instructor to follow you for the purchase.

If you are just a beginner guitarist, it will be natural to feel intimidated in trying out guitars in music stores.  There may very well be other guitarists in the store who think they need to show off their skills.  They have a need to impress others with their great guitar licks and chords. This can prove intimidating but also exciting. Someday you want to be able to play just as well. But, you have to stay focused. Your goal is naturally to find the best quality guitar for your money.  

In the store, browse their products deliberately until you have checked out everything to your satisfaction. The store employees should give you a sturdy stool.  They should also give you a pick but it is probably best to bring one of your own.  If you are trying out an electric guitar, it should be plugged into an amplifier that is similar to the one you are going to use. 

To hear the sound quality of a guitar, don’t be afraid to strum the strings hard.  Listen to the guitar’s sustain and listen for problems such as buzzing strings. Some stores will even have rooms, away from other shoppers, where you can try out the guitar more satisfactorily. So be sure to ask for a more intensive inspection. If you encounter objections from store managers when you try out their guitars, then just hand the guitar over and leave. You deserve better service and should be allowed to try the products for their quality.  It is important to know how a guitar sounds before spending your hard earned money on it. 

Remember also that when trying out guitars, all you need to play are simple, uncomplicated songs.  Play something you are used to playing.  Concentrate on how the guitar sounds and feels.  Do not pay attention to the people who may be listening to you. Play each of the fret on the guitar, and check for any buzzing or unpleasant sound. electric guitars should not have pick up noises, try out different pick ups and listen for any unwanted and displeasing noises. 

Check out not just one type but different types of guitars in music stores. Make a list of questions that you will ask the store salesman.  You should jot down the make, model and price of the guitar.  Find out what kind of wood the guitar is made from.  Make a note of anything you like or dislike about each guitar you try. Once you have tried out a few guitars, consider going home first and think about the impressions you got from the guitars you’ve tried. 

After playing a number of guitars, you will probably have established preference in your mind.  Research the companies who make the guitar you are considering purchasing. Find websites of the different brands of guitars and you are sure to find many information about the company and their products there.  The majority of guitar company websites provide specifications for each of their guitars.  You may also find additional information on the guitar you want to buy. Look for warranty information and other useful info like how to care for the guitar.  The websites will most likely have contact information so you can e-mail or call them with any other questions. 

Of course it goes without saying that a guitar company website will be biased so you will need to discover what other guitarists think of various guitars. You only have to search the internet, and it will give you many reviews of guitars. When looking at these reviews take note of the amount others have paid for their instruments and seriously look at any criticisms.  You should be careful of those who give their own guitar a perfect ten. These reviewers often are hired or affiliated with the guitar makers.    

Use your yellow pages to search for local music stores near you. Make the effort to visit each store and check out the guitars personally. Call music stores ahead of time, if you have their numbers, and ask if they have the kind you want to look at. If they have what you want, then ask them to give you a quote.  Sometimes you may run into a store employee who does not want to give you a quote over the phone. If you make your intentions to shop somewhere else, they will probably make an excemption and give you a quote. Jot down the prices of different music stores for comparison later. 

If after all your efforts you still don’t feel able to make the final decision, then go to FretBoard, and look for answers there. It is an online bulletin board that offers help and lots of information to other guitar enthusiasts.  Someone should be able to assist you.

For more tips, visit us at guitar singapore.