Before you jump in to get your hands on the swankiest instrument you can see, we’d strongly recommend you go through this guide and ask yourself if it is really ‘the one.’ Here’s how to choose the picture-perfect guitar for you.
Getting past the acoustic or electric dilemma
If you are an absolute newbie, going for an acoustic guitar is often the best choice. For starters, they don’t require any additional setup, to begin with, as you can just pick one up and start playing. However, electric guitars operate with a whole package comprising amplifiers, cables, pedals, and more. Due to this reason, acoustic guitars are also comparatively affordable, which can be a vital distinction, especially if you are just exploring your passion for the instrument.
Deciding what type of strings work the best for you
This part is only relevant if you decide to go for the acoustic guitar in the first step as they come in variants of nylon and steel strings. The standard is the steel strings, but they can be hard on your hands compared to the nylon ones. However, one could argue that ‘no pain, no gain’ holds even for budding musicians. Nevertheless, nylon-stringed guitars are suitable for beginners, but they don’t offer much output. They’re smaller and won’t produce sounds anywhere at par with a traditional, steel-stringed acoustic guitar. If you are just starting, it’s entirely up to you to master the craft first or focus on the sound quality from day one.
Choosing the appropriate size
It is a no-brainer as to be able to play correctly, you need to pick an instrument that you can handle. Most guitar manufacturers offer smaller variants of their standard models, and there are a ton of companies just catering to the younger demographic. You can also pick up a guitar starter kit that would comprise everything a beginner might possibly need.
Stay within the bounds of your budget
Guitars are the kind of commodity that range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. A reasonably priced guitar might fit perfectly for your needs, while you might not enjoy playing an exclusive, expensive one. So, it is best to pick the best guitar that you can afford.
Aesthetics might not be the priority, but they are still indispensable
The ‘cool’ factor of owning and playing the guitar has always been the dominant force of attraction towards the instrument. However, a guitar should always fit within your musical checklist first, and once it does, you should pay some attention to the non-musical elements. You need to buy an instrument that plays well and the one you like playing.
This guide is just the start, and these are indeed not the only factors to consider. But if you like an instrument, it’s imperative to do thorough research. Visit a music store, ask your friends who play the instrument, or dig up tons of information online. Whether you are buying your first guitar or the nth, it shouldn’t be a decision that you might end up regretting.
