So, you’ve decided to buy a guitar. Nice! Okay, so now that the easy part is over, you need to make the harder decisions. Whether you’re buying a guitar for you or for someone else, there are a few pointers to keep in mind if you want to get the best guitar for your skills and budget. But don’t worry; it doesn’t have to get too complicated.
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When it comes to guitars, there are so many to choose from, which can make the whole thing daunting. There are tons of sizes and designs that it’s easy enough to lose your way in the process. But if you – or whomever you’re giving the guitar to – has learned the art of playing the impressive instrument, then it’s only fair to get the best fit. Choosing the right guitar will only encourage more playing and will steepen the learning curve if you/they are in the beginner’s phase.
Here are the things you need to factor in when choosing a guitar.
First Things First: What Type of Guitar Do You Want?
There are simply too many types of guitars to list here, but we can narrow it down into three main variations:
Classical Guitar (or Nylon String)
To the naked eye, classical guitars look a lot like acoustic guitars; the only difference is a classical guitar is a bit smaller in size and the neck is typically wider. Since they have nylon strings, as opposed to steel, the sound of a classical guitar is more distinctive – mellow and soft. Classical guitars are perfect for beginners as the nylon strings are thicker and more easygoing on your fingertips. And since the neck is wider, the finger work will be a little easier, especially if you have big hands.
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But these guitars are also good for younger players. Why? Because compared to other types of guitars, these are relatively inexpensive and easier to play. Classical guitars are better for fingerpicking than for strumming chords and aren’t as loud as acoustic (steel-string) guitars.
Not sure what kind of sound you want? Well, think of the kind of music you like. If you want to play flamenco, classical, or Spanish music, then a classical guitar is the way to go.
Acoustic Guitar (Steel String)
Acoustic guitars are not unlike classical guitars, just with steel strings. The extra tension that the steel strings provide means the guitar is much stronger and offers a brighter, louder sound. Strumming sounds much better, which makes acoustic guitars a popular pick for beginners over a particular age, because steel strings can feel a bit too sharp on untrained fingers.
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Younger players might be deterred by the sharper strings, so acoustic guitars aren’t recommended for the younger beginners. Only once they build up some calluses and strength should they move on to acoustic or electric.
If you love listening to artists like Jack Johnson or Taylor Swift, then an acoustic guitar would be a nice choice.
Electric Guitar
Electric guitars are extremely varied in size and shape, which makes a major difference in the sound. But since we’re simplifying the guitar-buying process, we’ll make it easy. Unlike acoustic and classical guitars, electric ones need external amplification.
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Most of the electric guitars you’ll see don’t have a cavity (or hole in the body) – they’re made of solid wood. Magnetic energy is transferred from the strings’ vibrations into electrical energy; the signal can be altered and converted to make all kinds of sounds (just think of your favorite songs!). Electric guitars are also a bit smaller than classical and acoustic guitars, so they’re suitable for most heights and ages.
If you’re a fan of bands like AC/DC, Green Day, or the Foo Fighters, then an electric guitar is the sound you want.
The Next Step: Choose What Kind of Music You Want to Play
Think of it this way: would you choose a cooking utensil before knowing what you want to make? Well, it’s the same thing with instruments. You should have an idea of what type of music you want to play before choosing a guitar.
In general, electric guitars are great for rock, metal, pop and country music. Acoustic guitars are great for folk, pop, country, and slow rock music. And classical guitars are good for classical, flamenco, and Spanish music.
And Now for the Size
Picking the right size is just as important as the type because if the guitar is uncomfortably large, then it will impede your motivation. Electric guitars may be smaller than acoustic and classical guitars, but they’re heavier (around 5 – 6 kg) and thus can be harder for kids to pick up. An electric guitar usually weighs about 5 or 6 kg, which can be too heavy for kids to handle.
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If you’re buying a guitar for your child, make sure it’s not too big or else he/she won’t be able to reach around it with both hands. If his/her arm has to be lifted as high as the shoulder to reach around the guitar, it can be uncomfortable and even painful. Over-reaching also puts players at a technical disadvantage due to the fact that their muscles are stretched out already, making it a lot harder to properly move their fingers on the guitar’s fingerboard.
Here are some recommendations according to guitar type.
Classical:
Age Height (in cm) Recommended Size
2 – 5 75 – 100 1/4 Size
5 – 8 100 – 125 1/2 Size
8 – 12 125 – 165 3/4 Size
12+ 165 + Full Size
Acoustic:
Age Height (cm) Recommended Size
5 – 12 100 – 120 3/4 Size
12 – 15 120 – 165 Small Body
15+ 165 + Full Size
Electric:
Age Height (cm) Recommended Size
5 – 8 80 – 100 1/2 Size
8 – 12 100 – 125 3/4 Size
12+ 125 + Full Size