(by 3 people)
It's not a good deal if you can't play it!
Buying a guitar is easy, right? It's gotta be. First of all, they're everywhere: electronics stores, discount stores, guitar chain stores, eBay sellers and a fleet of online retailers are all clamoring for your business. Next, there's a dizzying array of research out there about guitar materials, specs, and brands, and the virtues of P90s vs. humbuckers and swamp ash vs. alder and on and on and on. With all these choices and resources, finding and buying a great guitar has never been simpler.
Or has it?
There are a lot of very common misconceptions out there about what (and just as importantly, who) makes a good guitar. Most of those misconceptions come from a natural desire to simplify and make sense of an overwhelming amount of information in a frankly pretty technical field. The problem is that relying on those misconceptions is an easy way to waste your money and make sure that the new player (or "victim," as we call them here) has a frustrating and unsatisfying experience and quickly gives up on the whole idea.
Can Junior really get started on something you bought along with the groceries? Are all guitars the same? Are certain brand names a reliable indicator of quality? Some folks would like you to think these things are true, but we know you're smarter than that.
Read on, and let's see if we can't make some sense of this.
A few pointers to get us started . . .
- Thanks to the boom in overseas manufacturing, it's now possible to get a good, solid guitar for surprisingly little money.
- Also thanks to the boom in overseas manufacturing, it's now possible to get a guitar-shaped piece of firewood for the same amount of money.
- Trusting your grocery or discount store to sell you a good guitar is kind of like trusting your plumber to do open-heart surgery.
- A good guitar will encourage and aid the learning process, while a bad guitar will do the reverse. Bad guitars create obstacles to learning, even if the player can't identify the obstacles themselves. They only know that the guitar isn't comfortable or hurts their wrist or won't stay in tune and the whole thing is frustrating and no fun.
- Many of the qualities that make or break a guitar are difficult for the first-time buyer to identify and assess. Just because it looks right doesn't mean it is right!
- Sadly, brand doesn't matter nearly as much as it used to. Many of the best-known guitar names don't make much of their own product anymore. There is no name brand in the beginner market that guarantees quality.
Okay, that was kind of depressing.
Now what?
(What was that quote? The first step in knowing is knowing how much you don't know? Something like that.)
How To Buy a Beginner Guitar
- Do your research. (Duh. If you're here, you're off to a good start.)
- Set a budget. We suggest a minimum of about $150ish. Of course, you can spend much more, but we've never seen a guitar for much less that's good for more than re-enacting that scene from Animal House.
You know the one
we do this all the time here, it's great stress relief
Anyway . . .
right, back to business
- Decide whether you want an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, or an acoustic-electric guitar. While it's typically more affordable to get started on an acoustic since you don't need an amplifier and cable, many beginners prefer to start on an electric since it's easier to play. We recommend that you start with what appeals most to you. The idea is to have fun, right?
- Buying online may not be the way to go on this one. Really. If you absolutely must, then make sure the seller has a great reputation, a great guarantee, and a very liberal return policy, then have a qualified technician check out the guitar as soon as it arrives. Be very, very wary of eBay deals that look too good to be true.
- Get out there and go shopping! Playing the guitar is a very physical, tactile experience, so choosing a guitar should be as well. Even if you've never played a note in your life and you aren't shopping for yourself, go check out some guitars. Hold them. Look at them. Ask questions. Lots of them. You'll be surprised what you learn.
- Find good help. If you have a friend who plays guitar, ask them to go shopping with you. Check out shops in your area and find one with a knowledgeable staff or a salesperson you feel you can trust. Try your local independent retailer!
- Check out the actual individual guitar you plan to buy. Give it a good, hard look. Does it seem solidly built? Do the pieces fit together well? Take a look down the neck, like you were looking at a 2x4. Does it look straight and level? Does the guitar feel balanced in your lap and hands?
- Conversely, does anything about it seem cheap or weird? Does the hardware seem flimsy? Do the frets (the metal bars running across the neck) stick out or feel sharp on the sides? Does the neck have any humps, divots, or twists? (If you see a twisted neck, run, do not walk. That's definitely not the one.)
- A good general rule is not to buy a guitar at any store that sells toilet paper. A minute of convenience can cost you a mountain of aggravation and/or just plain old wasted money when you or your child never really gets going on guitar.
- Unfortunately, big box stores just don't have the time, expertise, or personnel to inspect guitars, their selection is very limited, and their employees don't have the training necessary to help you make a good, informed decision. A box store won't be able to provide you with any service or support after the sale, and frankly the stuff they sell is, uh, let's say "not so great" in terms of quality. (Remember that mention of firewood?)
- Speaking of which, does the guitar come with a warranty? How is that warranty supported? If something goes wrong with it, what do you do? If the answer is "take it straight back to where you bought it and they will help you," you've probably found your place to buy.
If You Want Mythology, Try the Greeks
if you want good, reliable information, read on.
- If it says "BRAND X" on the headstock, it's gotta be good.
- Guitars from China are junk.
- Only the biggest stores and the internet have good prices. Everybody else is a ripoff.
- It doesn't matter what you start on. Beginners can't tell the difference.
- All the best guitars go to the biggest stores because they buy the most.
The Truth, One Step at a Time
Here's the real deal on those myths, in order:
- The brand on a guitar means less than ever before. Many of the largest brands don't even make most of their own guitars anymore. That's right, that guitar that says "BRAND X" on the headstock very likely came out of a factory owned by another company entirely, and that company probably has its own brand of equal or superior quality that's a whole lot cheaper than "BRAND X." There are far fewer factories than there are guitar companies, and many guitar companies are sharing factories with one another. Surprising, eh?
- Though there is certainly a fair share of scary junk coming out of China, there are also very good guitars being made there for shockingly affordable prices. The same is true of Korea and Indonesia. Overseas manufacturing can be a great thing for the first-time buyer. Just make sure you use the shopping criteria above and you'll be in good shape.
- Most independent music retailers are very motivated to compete in today's marketplace and willing to work with you to get you the best possible price. Many will match or beat competitors' prices and/or provide you with additional service and incentives to win your business. If there is an independent store in your area, stop by. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask, and you may very well find that you are much happier in the end.
- A really crummy guitar is going to ensure that the beginner never makes it to intermediate. Factors like how easy the guitar is to play, how it sounds, and whether or not it will stay in tune all influence the beginner's experience. A beginner doesn't need a $5,000 guitar, but they do need a decent starter guitar if they are to succeed.
- All retailers get shipped the same stuff. Independent stores are far more likely to actually inspect the guitar, make adjustments, and catch any defects.
That guitar in your local Megastore wasn't made here
though some folks would like you to think so
Not all Fenders are created equal. Nor are they created in the same place.
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Comments:
It was made here
or somewhere very much like it
china guitar factory rino88
Our guitar factory is located in the south east of china in the guoang dong province. We Have a work force of 200 people manufacturing acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars.
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27766 views
10 Comments:
In Conclusion
just like our English teacher taught us :)
Do your research, find good help, and trust your instincts, and the result can be a wonderful instrument that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Good luck!
Diving Deeper
The Guitar Handbook
A wonderful and classic overview of guitars in general, recently updated. Also covers valuable techniques & strategies for learning the guitar, as well as maintenance tips. Great stuff.
Amazon Price: $23.35 (as of 10/12/2008)
Introduction to Guitar Tone and Effects: A Manual for Getting the Sounds from Electric Guitars, Amplifiers, Effects Pedals and Processors
For electric players, this guide is a primer on what components do what to the guitar signal. Very helpful for players contemplating their first pedal or amp purchase.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/12/2008)
The Electric Guitar Sourcebook: How to Find the Sounds You Like
It's the rare guitar book indeed that actually talks about how to achieve tone and all the different variables that go into creating it. A great read for people who want less mystique and more details.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 10/12/2008)
Guitar Player Repair Guide
Pretty technical, but if there is a Bible of guitar repair this might be it. Dan Erlewine is the man.
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 10/12/2008)
The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works--and How It's Transforming the American Economy
The economic pressure Wal-Mart places on its suppliers and the resulting impact on small business is a story that is being told all over again, right now, in the guitar business. That great big guitar chain store in your town (you know the one) is the Wal-Mart of guitars. Whether that matters to you or not is of course your decision.
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 10/12/2008)
Don't just take our word for it
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If you have any thoughts or comments after reviewing our lens, we would appreciate your feedback. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy your guitar!
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DJRock
Looks cool! Hi from a newbie Guitar group member! Posted April 18, 2008 |
Thanks. It really helped me out.
Posted February 27, 2008
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John Hughes
Thanks for the advice. I'm giving you five stars. check out my lens on learning guitar online. Posted November 26, 2007 |
