How to Choose the Right Guitar
Choosing the right guitar is a no small task. If you buy an instrument that doesn't suit all of your musical needs, you will find yourself quickly getting frustrated. If you choose the right guitar, however, you could find yourself having fun learning how to play the guitar right off the bat. In order to make an educated decision about what guitar is right for you, you have to evaluate your own musical tastes and learn some guitar basics.
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Instructions
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Decide if you want an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar. Acoustic guitars are convenient because you do not need an amplifier to hear them, but there are some types of music, such as metal or punk rock, for which acoustic guitars are not well suited. Acoustic guitars are ideal for folk, classical, country and some rock music. The sound electric guitars make can be manipulated via electronics, so they are more tonally versatile than acoustic guitars. Electric guitars also use thinner strings than acoustic guitars, making them easier for novices to play without finger pain.
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Find the right size guitar for you. Most full-size instruments are designed for an adult of standard height, but if you are shorter than average height, playing a full-size guitar may be uncomfortable. Common smaller guitar sizes include 3/4 and 1/2 size. Try as many different-sized guitars as possible to find the one that is just right for you.
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Avoid buying the cheapest instruments if possible. Guitars that cost under $100 are rarely any good, and more often than not, they will simply frustrate you. Quality inexpensive guitars include foreign-made Fender guitars, Epiphone guitars and Schecter guitars.
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Pick a guitar that looks good. Although looks don't always have a direct affect on the tone of the instrument, it is quite important to have an instrument that you think looks cool. Visit a guitar store and browse through all of the models. You may not be able to afford the guitars that look the best, but you should quickly develop a taste for a guitar's physical appearance.
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Test out as many guitars as possible before you buy one. Sometimes, a certain guitar will just feel or sound right to you. The more guitars you play, the more you learn about what you like and what you don't like in the instrument.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask other guitar players you know to go guitar shopping with you. They can help you immensely when choosing a guitar.
References
Resources
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