A Poor Person's Guide to Buying a Guitar

Every websight I have seen that tells you how to select and buy a guitar are directed toward adults with money. I am not even in high school, so none of these help me! I have picked up quite a few tricks of the trade from my grandpa. I will teach you how to find a good deal on a used guitar, and what to look for in any guitar that you might want to buy. I have 5 guitars (on 1-14-12) and I got most of them very cheaply. The acoustic below is a Takamine gs 330s. It sells new for $324, but I got it for $125, plus I got it with a case.

Step 1: Acoustic or Electric?

Acoustic guitars generally cost more than electric guitars, but it evens out after you buy an amp and a cord (requisite for an electric guitar.) Acoustic guitars are better for people who want to just pull their guitar out and play, or for people who would like to take their guitar places. Electric guitars have amazing effects, and you can distort the sound as much as you want, to accomodate for any style of music. Both of the guitars below are the ones that I have bought myself. The electric is a fender squier affinity series telecaster. The acoustic is once again my Takamine.

Comments

[AlmightyFduffle]

ESP guitars are also good, they are used in metal music lots. They should be considered if you are into music like metallica, pantera and heavy stuff:)

[freeza36]

Yeah I've played a few esp guitars.I don't much like the sound of it for anything other than metal, but it does sound great for metal.

[thinkpadt30]

Your Dean is gorgeous! As for the weight of guitars, if a guitar is made from laminated wood, it will generally weigh more, and all other things being equal, will not sound as good, as the sound does not travel as well through the layers. Solid hardwoods almost always sound better than laminates. You gave some good things to look for in a guitar. However, if a guitar buzzes because the strings touch the frets, you can easily adjust that out with the truss rod if the neck is not too out of true. I got my "as-new"electric Ibanez, amp, cord and stand for one third new price of the guitar because of that, and had it adjusted in about a minute. As for your uncle's guitar, I would take it to a good place that sells guitars and ask their advice about why it sounds so bad. They'll tell you if it is worth investing in a setup. I'll bet a professional setup would do wonders, and the cost is not prohibitive. It would be a fitting thing for your uncle's memory. I agree with the other poster to get an electronic tuner. $12-20 will get you a good one.

[freeza36]

Well thank you. As for my uncle"s guitar, Ive already had an action job. Theres not much I can do now. But thanks for the criticism. And you must have gotten a pretty good deal on your Ibanez.

[kamakiri]

I've found that weight doesn't matter as much as the guitar being balanced. That's why I can't play a Les Paul -- the neck always wants to go up and the body is way too heavy. An SG is the perfect guitar for balance (*sigh* why did I have to sell my SG in the 80s?)

[freeza36]

Thats why I love my fenders. I couldnt live without my (squier) tele.

[kamakiri]

Go to Rondo music (http://www.rondomusic.com) for some amazing deals on GOOD guitars. I've bought at least five from them and I've played the best -- Gibson L6-S, SGs, Strats, Telecasters, Precisions, the LOT and Rondo's SX guitars definitely make the grade. Check them out. (Not affiliated in any way).

[freeza36]

I just came across the resonators on this website and instantly want one

[freeza36]

I dont see any major brands there, but I definetly see a few that I would love to have. Thanks for the tip man,
freeza36

[kamakiri]

You are welcome! I know them so well by now. I've never even talked to them on the phone! Talk to Kurt -- he's a good guy and he's the owner.

[nfk11]

uh,what about falcon in acoustic

[freeza36]

falcon is one of the lower priced brands, but it is a brand nevertheless. Thanks for pointing that out

[GyroGearLoose47]

Great ible, keep it up and add more when yuou can. One way to lower cost at a music store is to check the consignments. Thanks again.

[wanna beco]

Also, buy a good tuner..Great ideas here!

[fire-is-fun]

Weight doesn't have an effect on sound in acoustic guitars.. In fact, many heavy guitars can sound better. The type of wood used effects the weight and tone, and some of the more expensive, heavy woods sound MUCH better, but make the guitar cost over one or two thousands dollars.

The reason your uncles guitar might not sound as good is the neck may need to be reset, or its not in the right humidity, and you need a guitar humidifier.

[freeza36]

in very expensive guitars, weight doesnt much matter, but in entry level guitars to intermediate, light guitars sound much better most of the time, when other variables are cancelled out. My uncles guitar has had an action job, and is cheap enough not to need a humidifier (it is a horrible guitar anyway)

[freeza36]

im not saying weight is the only reason it does not sound good.