Gear Up and Learn to Play the Guitar: What To Look For When Buying Your First Instrument.
For aspiring guitarists, the world of guitar can seem daunting. From the different types of guitars to the different shapes and sizes, it can be tough to figure out what to look for when it comes to buying your first instrument. Thankfully, we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll cover what to look for when purchasing a guitar and how to ensure you end up with the perfect instrument for you. So, let’s get started!
The first thing you’ll want to do when starting your journey on guitar is to decide which type of instrument you’d like to purchase. Are you interested in an acoustic or electric guitar? Do you want a steel-string or classical? There are also hollowbody, semi-hollowbody and even seven-string models available. To help you decide which one might be the right fit, let’s take a look at the different options.
Acoustic guitars are popular among both beginners and seasoned players alike. They’re great for playing all kinds of genres, including classical, blues, country, and jazz. Acoustic guitars have a hollow body with no electronic pickups, so they produce their sound naturally. It’s possible to plug acoustic guitars into an amp, but they’re most often played without one. If you’re interested in an acoustic guitar, it’s important to consider your playing style and budget before making a purchase. Generally, smaller bodies make playing easier, but the sound may be less full than something like a dreadnought.
Electric guitars are a bit different. Instead of having a hollow body, electric guitars are made with pickups (essentially little microphones) that capture and amplify the sound of the strings. This allows you to plug into an amplifier, giving you access to a whole world of distorted and effected sounds. They’re great for playing styles such as rock, metal, and blues. When buying an electric guitar, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you get a good quality guitar. The more expensive models tend to have higher quality hardware and pickups that will last longer and provide better sound.
In addition to acoustic and electric guitars, steel-string and classical guitars are also popular options. Steel-string guitars are usually used to play styles like country, blues, rock, and folk. They feature a bright and twangy sound that’s great for playing solos and leads. On the other hand, classical guitars have a softer, more mellow sound that’s often used in classical and flamenco music.
Once you’ve decided which type of guitar you want, it’s time to pick a model. Many factors come into play, including the size of the guitar body, the style of neck, the type of bridge, and the number of strings. When looking at a guitar, it’s important to remember that smaller bodies don’t produce as much sound as larger ones, but they’re generally easier to play. You should also consider the neck shape as this affects the playability and feel of the guitar.
Finally, when you purchase a guitar, make sure it’s set up properly. This means that the strings should all be at the right height, and the intonation should be spot-on. If you’re buying a new instrument, this should be taken care of by the manufacturer, but you should check anyway. If you’re buying a used guitar, make sure to ask the seller if they have had it professionally set up. The last thing you want is to pick up a guitar only to find out it needs to be re-strung and adjusted!
Now that you’ve read through all the basics, let’s look at a few of the more advanced features to look for when shopping for a guitar. One of the things to look out for is the pickups. These electronic sensors pick up the vibrations of the strings and amplify them, giving access to a variety of different sounds and effects. Most electric guitars come with single-coil pickups, but you can also find double-coil, humbucker, and even piezo pickups.
In addition to different pickups, some guitars also have multiple pickups. This type of setup allows the player to have more control over the sound. For example, some guitars have a three-way switch that allows you to switch between a single-coil, double-coil, or humbucker pickup. Other guitars may have more than one pickup as well, with each producing its own unique sound.
Finally, you’ll also want to consider the type of bridge your guitar has. A bridge is the section of the guitar that connects the strings to the body. There are several types available, including fixed, tremolo, and vibrato bridges. Each has its own unique characteristics, so be sure to try out a few different types to see which one suits your playing style the best.
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when buying a guitar. We hope this guide has given you a better idea of what to look for in an instrument and how to make sure you get the perfect guitar for you. So, why wait? Gear up and get ready to make beautiful music.