When you come to buy your first guitar there are some general rules that are going to apply, however the number one is going to be taking your time. There is generally no need to rush into it and it is best to find a guitar that best suits your playing style and pocket.
So, having made the time to get the choice right there are some things that you can add to your list of things to consider:
• The action (or the gap between the fretboard and the strings): if the action is too high, it could make playing difficult, uncomfortable and probably painful for you. If it is too low, you may experience buzzing frets, which believe me is one of the most irritating problems you will encounter.
• Please make sure the guitar's neck is straight. Having a bent or warped neck will make playing difficult. This can be checked by simply holding up the guitar and looking along the fretboard.
• You will also need to check the intonation by playing the Twelfth fret harmonic, and then the Twelfth fret note. They should sound at the same pitch. If they are not, that will require fixing.
• The electrical wiring is vital on any electric guitar therefore you will need to check the tone and volume controls work and also the pickup selector switch works.
You will need to check that all the pickups function and that they sound clean with no crackles or loss of sound level.
Even an online guitar shop will offer a free set-up with each new purchase. This option should always be taken because a well set up guitar will be a joy to play from the outset. A badly set up instrument will be a frustrating and ultimately damaging playing experience.
For your first amplifier a solid-state one (rather than a tube amp) should be considered. Marshall, Fender, Line 6, Vox and Peavey all make a great range of cheaper and very functional starter amps.
Other bits and pieces you will need are a guitar lead and I would recommend that you don't go for one which is too short or even too long. About 3m is perfect. You will also need a guitar strap, picks in a range of thicknesses so you can find out your preference (they are pretty cheap). No matter what guitar you buy you are going to have to change the strings too, again this will be down to personal preference, but please make sure that whatever strings you choose are suited to the guitar you have brought.
A clip on chromatic guitar tuner is also a must unless you have a trained ear unlike about Ninety nine percent of us.
You can part with as much or as little as you wish, but musical instruments are certainly examples of the 'you get what you pay for' statement. The internet provides a fantastic source of information for researching guitars and how well they perform. It should probably be noted at this point too that the biggest selling acoustic in the world is the Washburn d10s acoustic guitar which starts at less than £140. The world's bestselling electric guitar is the Fender Stratocaster which is a little bit more pricey; however there are some great models out there and a couple of hundred pounds will get you a decent and playable example. need not always be a false view and if you stick to some of the advice above you will not go far wrong.
So, having made the time to get the choice right there are some things that you can add to your list of things to consider:
• The action (or the gap between the fretboard and the strings): if the action is too high, it could make playing difficult, uncomfortable and probably painful for you. If it is too low, you may experience buzzing frets, which believe me is one of the most irritating problems you will encounter.
• Please make sure the guitar's neck is straight. Having a bent or warped neck will make playing difficult. This can be checked by simply holding up the guitar and looking along the fretboard.
• You will also need to check the intonation by playing the Twelfth fret harmonic, and then the Twelfth fret note. They should sound at the same pitch. If they are not, that will require fixing.
• The electrical wiring is vital on any electric guitar therefore you will need to check the tone and volume controls work and also the pickup selector switch works.
You will need to check that all the pickups function and that they sound clean with no crackles or loss of sound level.
Even an online guitar shop will offer a free set-up with each new purchase. This option should always be taken because a well set up guitar will be a joy to play from the outset. A badly set up instrument will be a frustrating and ultimately damaging playing experience.
For your first amplifier a solid-state one (rather than a tube amp) should be considered. Marshall, Fender, Line 6, Vox and Peavey all make a great range of cheaper and very functional starter amps.
Other bits and pieces you will need are a guitar lead and I would recommend that you don't go for one which is too short or even too long. About 3m is perfect. You will also need a guitar strap, picks in a range of thicknesses so you can find out your preference (they are pretty cheap). No matter what guitar you buy you are going to have to change the strings too, again this will be down to personal preference, but please make sure that whatever strings you choose are suited to the guitar you have brought.
A clip on chromatic guitar tuner is also a must unless you have a trained ear unlike about Ninety nine percent of us.
You can part with as much or as little as you wish, but musical instruments are certainly examples of the 'you get what you pay for' statement. The internet provides a fantastic source of information for researching guitars and how well they perform. It should probably be noted at this point too that the biggest selling acoustic in the world is the Washburn d10s acoustic guitar which starts at less than £140. The world's bestselling electric guitar is the Fender Stratocaster which is a little bit more pricey; however there are some great models out there and a couple of hundred pounds will get you a decent and playable example. need not always be a false view and if you stick to some of the advice above you will not go far wrong.
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