How To Buy A First Guitar - For Yourself Or Someone Else
What to look for in a starter or beginner guitar.
Here's a list of things to consider when you buy a guitar.
- You want to purchase a guitar that's good enough to inspire the player to play.
Face it, it's a fact of life that if the guitar sounds like ... junk, then you're not going to want to play it much. The sound of a low quality instrument is frustrating and uninspiring. It's the kind of instrument that gets put down after 5 minutes. It's a chore to pick up instead of being a pleasure to pick up. So when you buy a guitar, it's worth it to pay a little extra for the best you can afford.
- You want to buy an instrument that's not too expensive.
Cost is always an issue - but for something you're going to be using every day...Remind yourself the guitar will be used almost everyday. Divide the price you plan to pay by a 365 day year to gain perspective on how much it's worth to you.
- When selecting a first guitar, get the guitar used by the musicians playing your favorite music.
In other words if you want to play like Stevie Ray Vaughn, pick up a strat. If you want to play Led Zepplin, get a Les Paul. Don't get an acoustic guitar if you really want an electric. Get the gear that inspires you to play the music you enjoy.
Action plan for ordering a first guitar.
- Pick a price range.
Know what you can afford to spend going in an stick to your plan. Consider not only the guitar, but also an amp and any other accessories you need to get started.
- Select the guitar of your dreams
Remember to get the guitar you dream of, the one that will inspire you to play.
- Pick your vendor
You have a lot of options when it comes to where to buy an electric guitar. You can to online, local music store, used gear, etc.
Guitar Buying Plan - Upgrading
It can be discouraging when the guitar gear you want is out of the price range you planned on. One way to handle this when you start out playing guitar is to make a deal with yourself. Say something like, if I stick with this and go to lessons and play everyday for 1 year, (or plug in the amount of time of your choosing), then I'll reward myself by getting this better guitar and amp. Better instruments are more fun and enjoyable to play and this can be a helpful way to motivate yourself.
Here's a list of the various guitar beginner packs that are available in different price ranges:
- Epiphone Les Paul Special II Player Pack
About $260
comes with the guitar, amp, case, picks, etc
- Squire Strat Pack
About $200
Includes the Squire Stratocaster electric guitar, Squire amplifier, cord, tuner, picks, strap, case, stand.
- Ibanez Metal Guitar Jump Start Pack
About $300
Everything you need to start thrashing! - guitar, amp, case, cord, headphones, tuner, picks, strap.
If you can afford it, go right into something like a Fender Strat from Mexico, or an Epiphone Les Paul. These are awesome guitars and cost around the $400 range.
