How to Buy and Choose Your First Guitar
Sometimes for a beginner it can be bit confusing deciding what type of guitar they should be buying and how much they should be paying.
Lets start with keeping this simple.
In a nutshell there are 3 types of guitar.
1. Acoustic Guitar (steel string)
2. Acoustic Guitar (nylon string) otherwise known as a Classical or Spanish Guitar
3. Electric Guitar
1. Acoustic Guitar (steel string)
When buying your first guitar always be sure what style you want to play.
If you are unsure then i suggest buying a steel string acoustic guitar.
Acoustic guitars come in two styles a) steel string b) nylon strings.
Stick to a steel string guitar unless you want to learn Classical or Spanish Guitar.
If you are unsure then ask at your local music store what the difference is.
So how much should you be spending on your first guitar. Obviously this depends on your budget but as a rule you can pick up great starter guitars for around £80 ($120)
A guitar around this price will buy you a fantastic starter guitar but you can buy cheaper versions or even a good second hand guitar will do just fine as long as it's not been damaged.
Worried about what make or model? Don't worry, guitars around this kind of starter price do not vary in performance, they all do the same thing. The most important thing at this stage is that you are happy with how it looks and it sits with comfort when you hold it.
If you really want to go that extra mile then check out the starter range from "Fender" they do some great starter packs that will throw in a strap, plectrums and a tuner.
2. Acoustic Guitar (nylon string)
The second version available in the acoustic guitar range is the Nylon String style.
Nylon string guitars are for those who wants to learn classical or spanish style guitar.
Nylon string guitars are great for fingerpicking but that does not mean you can't fingerpick with a steel string guitar.
Usually a starter guitar with nylon strings are cheaper than steel string guitars, expect to pay around £40 ($60)
Again don't worry about the make or the model of a starter guitar.
3. Electric Guitar
With an electric guitar dont forget you will need a small amplifier and lead to plug in with.
The best thing to do when buying an electric guitar is to buy a starter pack.
Electric Guitar starter packs will give you everything you need, Guitar, Strap, Lead, Plectrums and most importantly an amplifier.
The amplifier will more than likely be a small basic starter amp with a few different settings such as a clean sound, echo and dirty rock sound.
Again makes and models do not really make much of a difference, but be sure you are happy with it in look. Fender again do great starter kits, although the starter range are called "Squire" but they are still made by fender.
An electric guitar starter kit will cost you within the range of £120 ($180) but shop around, you can pick up some fantastic deals.
Buying a Beginners Guitar for the kids
Lets not forget about the kids!
Mums & Dads, if you are buying a starter guitar for the budding young guitarist in the family then follow the rules above, all guitars come in small versions for the kids, ask at your local music store for advice.
Left Handed Guitars
For those of you that are left handed double check to see if you need a left handed Guitar.
Just because you are left handed this does not mean you need a left handed guitar. Go to a music store and try holding a guitar.
If you do need a left handed guitar you can still buy one, but if you already have a right handed guitar and you need a left hander then no panic!
Turn a the run of the mill guitar into a left handed version by simply swaping the stings around and hey presto! A left handed guitar. (it may look a little weird but you can still do this)
