The guitar is a fantastic instrument to learn to play. As a beginner, choosing your first guitar is an exciting part of the musical journey. But, with so many options on the market, how does one know how to choose, or be sure of making the right decision?
Well, first and foremost, it’s necessary to decide on the type of guitar you’re after. In case you want to know how to start off with the real deal, without any extras and gadgets, then there’s no doubt you’d choose one of the classy acoustic guitars online stores offer.
An acoustic is a better choice than an electric guitar if we consider the big beautiful chords, the hollow construction that produces the characteristic sound, and the lower price end are some reasons as you don’t require extra gear (e.g. no need for amplification). Additionally, it helps the player get stronger fingers and hands, plus an enhanced coordination, as it requires more strength to play the strings.
Since there’s no need to rely on additional equipment once you get one of the acoustic guitars online, it means you can play it anywhere, anytime, which makes for easy portability and flexibility with the playing location. On the plus side too, there’s versatility in the settings, and variety when it comes to genres you can play, from pop and folk music to country, bluegrass, flamenco, as well as classical guitar.
How Do I Choose an Acoustic Guitar for Beginners?
It’s important to consider the basic factors that are crucial in finding your ideal instrument out of a range of options. If you can’t or choose not to buy in a physical store where you can actually pick up a guitar and see how it feels in your arms and hands, then when you choose to buy acoustic guitar online, focus on:
The Price
When you’re first starting out with playing an instrument, buying the most expensive one of quality from a high-end brand isn’t the priority. The crucial bit is to find an instrument you like so you can practice and progress with the skills. Ideally, you should look for something on the lower end and see how it goes from there. Just because a model is more expensive doesn’t guarantee you’d like playing it, so focus on what matters, and set a budget you’d be willing to spend on the first guitar. Once you’ve progressed with the techniques, you can invest in a guitar that’s more top-notch.
The Brand
The market truly is abundant when it comes to brands known for their products, but when you think of quality and affordability, there are some that stand out more than others. Names you might be familiar with in terms of quality and price include Yamaha, Alvarez, Martin, Taylor, Fender, Gretsch and Epiphone.
To be sure of the quality, and that the guitar is in top condition, comes with the straight neck and the proper position of the strings with the fretboard, and stays in tune, it’s necessary to be mindful of where you shop. Look for acoustic guitars for sale from trusted retailers and stores that have many good reviews to have the peace of mind, and preferably avoid shopping for second-hand instruments from unreliable sites.
More so if you choose to buy a cheaper entry-level guitar, as most manufacturers opt for cheaper materials that are known to age poorly, like softer wood, and weaker metal bits. If you want the warranty, and the cutting-edge technology, it’s best to buy new.
The Size
Although naturally the acoustic guitars are bigger and bulkier than electric, there are still differences among them, so it’s possible to find smaller and bigger than the norm. It’s essential to check the size, paying attention to the measurements properly, and have in mind the person you’re buying for – you don’t want to make the mistake of buying a full-sized adult guitar for a child under the age of 10 when there are the smaller three-quarter size, and half-size models.
The Material
The wood has a role in how the sound would turn out, so it’s not something to be taken lightly. It’s advisable to get to know the different options, and what they mean for the sounds you would get playing. Cedar, cocobolo, koa, and walnut are on the bright higher-end tones, whereas mahogany is better for the strong sound. Ovangkol is the choice if you want to get well-rounded sounds. The string material is another aspect you should consider, with nylon producing softer tones, and steel making for a louder and brighter result.
The Accessories
It’s necessary to set some budget for the essential accessories too. Even though the acoustic guitar doesn’t require gadgets, there are still some pieces you could require. From the adequate guitar case to properly store and protect the instrument, and the right pick for the string strikes, to the adjustable and comfortable strap, and extra strings for those “just in case” scenarios, you need to think of everything.
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