Learn Electric Guitar - Buying an Electric Guitar

Ask any musician who has played or taught electric guitar and they will tell you that it is not the instrument that makes the music, it is the player.

This means that you do not need to go out to buy the most expensive electric guitar in the store to learn on, and in fact if you are not comfortable with the guitar you will be less likely to continue your practice.

Buying an electric guitar MUST be accompanied by visits to instrument shops to "try on" the electric guitar. You may prefer something lighter, smaller, or shaped this way or that.

Ensure that you spend at least 5 minutes with each one just feeling what is comfortable.



Make sure you do not got to buy an electric guitar alone. As much as people who work in music stores are enthusiasts, at the end of the day they are there to sell you something, anything.

Take a friend or music teacher who knows to ask the questions you don't know to ask. Make sure you have briefed your buddy before-hand on what your wants are.

Even though the instrument is secondary when it comes to learning the electric guitar, it is still sensible to buy the best guitar and amplifier you can afford. If possible go for a big name brand, one that has properly shielded pickups so there is no "hum" and uses quality materials.

Also make sure you buy an instrument with a warranty. If the manufacturer does not guarantee the quality of their workmanship then you can be pretty sure they are making crap guitars. Things can and do go wrong in manufacture and it may take a while to find that out.

1. Decide your budget before hand and stick to it
2. Have a buddy with you (someone who knows what they are doing!)
3. Try on every guitar in the shop, even the ones you can't afford
4. Ask the store clerk what they play/learned on
5. Try guitar with the amp you are buying.
6. Does it hum/noisy?
7. Ask for the warranty period and details