How to Purchase Your First Electric Guitar By S. J. Clark

Introduction

There are a number of factors to consider when looking to purchase your first electric guitar. This report will be divided into four sections each covering a specific topic that will help you to choose your guitar. This text is intended as a guide only and in no way claims to be definitive. It does not promote or endorse any particular brand of instrument over another. The information contained is the result of nearly thirty years of playing, repairing and selling guitars.

Section I - Price Range

The first issue to address and perhaps the most important (unfortunately) is the price that you are willing to spend on an instrument. Nowadays, unlike twenty or thirty years ago, you are able to purchase a very good quality guitar for a low price. It is a good idea to establish a minimum and a maximum that you would like to spend. Say for instance you choose a model that starts at $125.00 and goes up to $250.00 for the model with the most options or features (better bridge, tuners, etc....). If your maximum price is only $200.00, you might opt for the in-between model that is still a great guitar that has everything you need! However, make sure that you shop around for your best deal. The same instrument could vary in price from one store to the next; so do your homework you won't regret it! So when choosing your first electric guitar, only you can decide how much you want to spend. The point is to realize that there is usually more than one model of the same line of a particular guitar at different prices. It can get rather confusing, but that is what this guide is for; so you have an idea of what to look for!

Section II - Visual Aspects

It is important to consider the appearance of the instrument you are seeking. This section of course varies with each individual person. However, it is important that you are happy with the way your guitar looks. After all, you're buying your first guitar and you will probably keep it for a number of years. Do you like solid colors such as blue, red, green, or white? What about clear finishes or sunburst? Is the body style appealing to you? This is all personal choice right? Well, yes and no. If you have the money obviously you can pick whatever you want, but keep in mind that within just about any particular brand of guitar, solid colors generally cost less than clear finishes and sunbursts. So visual aspects are largely a matter of taste, but you might be limited again by your budget.

Section III - Sound and Playability

When you pick up a guitar in the store and begin to play, it should feel comfortable. The neck should fit your hand size and the body should rest against you comfortably while standing up as well as sitting down. The sound must be pleasing to your ears or else you won't be happy with the instrument. Ask to try out guitars with different pickup configurations. Pickups are the bars under the strings near the bridge that 'pickup' the string vibrations. Pickup configurations are simply the arrangement of the pickups that will produce different sound combinations when switched. The guitar should also fit the style of music that you intend to play. The salesperson at the music store can be helpful for this, as they should have a pretty good idea of which guitars are used for what. This might seem self-explanatory but so many times I've seen people (including myself) settle for something less or different than what they had in mind. Only to fall victim to the persuasive salesperson who is thinking about his commission rather than your satisfaction or happiness. So when choosing, keep in mind your personal needs alone, not what someone else tells you or tries to push you into.

Section IV - The Bottom Line

What is the bottom line? Your personal satisfaction! You have to like or even love the instrument that you purchase, even if it is an inexpensive beginner's model. Of course there is a lot more that could be said about this subject but the idea is to give you a guide that will help you in your purchase, not to write a long commentary! So have fun and don't rush. You won't be satisfied if you're hasty so take your time and you will find your first electric guitar with as little stress as possible.

Now that you are ready to purchase your first guitar, it's time to consider guitar lessons. Proceed to our Guitar Lesson Reviews section to read user reviews on the best guitar lesson products.

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About the Author

S.J.Clark is a guitarist of thirty years with experience in building, repairing and teaching the guitar.