When it comes to buying a first guitar for a young, budding rock star you are likely to want to buy a cheap acoustic guitar. An inexpensive acoustic guitar is generally the instrument most aspiring guitarists are probably going to begin practicing on. So, is it really possible to find an economical guitar that you or your young friend or relation will enjoy playing? The simple answer is "yes". However, you would be well advised to use the following guidelines to ensure you are more likely to make a good choice of instrument.
Specify a realistic budget and keep to it. When it comes to buying guitars and indeed many other items you really only get what you pay for. The quality of an instrument is directly proportional to its price. However, you do not always need to consider buying a brand new guitar. A previously used guitar can be an ideal choice for the budget conscious. However, be aware that vintage guitars from brands such as Gibson and Fender can command extremely high prices.
Consider how the guitar looks. Although it may be a cheap acoustic guitar, it is important that you like its appearance. It also goes much deeper than that. You need to perform a detailed inspection of the instrument to ensure the guitar's body, neck and bridge are not split or too worn. You should also confirm the neck of the guitar isn't warped or twisted. Also consider the type of wood used to construct the guitar's body, neck and fret board. Different woods have different characteristics such as coloring and weight. Whilst a wood's color is a matter of qualitative appreciation, its weight is an important factor - especially if there is a need to stand whilst playing the instrument for long periods of time.
Consider how the guitar feels. Hold the guitar in your ideal playing position and check that the neck is smooth and easy to navigate. Your hand's fingers should easily be able to reach all the strings and frets. If you are able to play chords and strum you should practice on your selected instrument to determine its "playability". If you are a beginner then have the confidence to spend time assessing your chosen guitar. Ensure you check the guitar's "action". This term refers to the distance the strings are away from the fret board. The strings should be near enough to the fret board for them to be easily depressed by your fingers. Ideally, this distance should be the same all the way along the length of the fret board.
Consider how the guitar sounds. It is important to check that the note each string makes when played without any finger touching the fret board is exactly an octave lower than the note that can be heard when each string is played with a finger pressed on the twelfth fret. If an octave is not heard, it is likely that the neck of the guitar is not properly aligned or the frets are not correctly positioned. In addition, the sound an acoustic guitar makes is dictated by factors such as the materials that the instrument is constructed with, the size of the body and sound hole as well as the type and quality of the strings used. It is certainly worth comparing and contrasting the sounds different guitar and string combinations make before deciding which cheap acoustic guitar to purchase.
Specify a realistic budget and keep to it. When it comes to buying guitars and indeed many other items you really only get what you pay for. The quality of an instrument is directly proportional to its price. However, you do not always need to consider buying a brand new guitar. A previously used guitar can be an ideal choice for the budget conscious. However, be aware that vintage guitars from brands such as Gibson and Fender can command extremely high prices.
Consider how the guitar looks. Although it may be a cheap acoustic guitar, it is important that you like its appearance. It also goes much deeper than that. You need to perform a detailed inspection of the instrument to ensure the guitar's body, neck and bridge are not split or too worn. You should also confirm the neck of the guitar isn't warped or twisted. Also consider the type of wood used to construct the guitar's body, neck and fret board. Different woods have different characteristics such as coloring and weight. Whilst a wood's color is a matter of qualitative appreciation, its weight is an important factor - especially if there is a need to stand whilst playing the instrument for long periods of time.
Consider how the guitar feels. Hold the guitar in your ideal playing position and check that the neck is smooth and easy to navigate. Your hand's fingers should easily be able to reach all the strings and frets. If you are able to play chords and strum you should practice on your selected instrument to determine its "playability". If you are a beginner then have the confidence to spend time assessing your chosen guitar. Ensure you check the guitar's "action". This term refers to the distance the strings are away from the fret board. The strings should be near enough to the fret board for them to be easily depressed by your fingers. Ideally, this distance should be the same all the way along the length of the fret board.
Consider how the guitar sounds. It is important to check that the note each string makes when played without any finger touching the fret board is exactly an octave lower than the note that can be heard when each string is played with a finger pressed on the twelfth fret. If an octave is not heard, it is likely that the neck of the guitar is not properly aligned or the frets are not correctly positioned. In addition, the sound an acoustic guitar makes is dictated by factors such as the materials that the instrument is constructed with, the size of the body and sound hole as well as the type and quality of the strings used. It is certainly worth comparing and contrasting the sounds different guitar and string combinations make before deciding which cheap acoustic guitar to purchase.
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