How to Choose a Guitar That Fits Your Skills & Budget

When It Comes to Budget, Consider This

Not everybody has a guitar fund that they have been saving up for their whole lives. So, it’s understandable that you’re going to want to find the best price and try to save where you can. But you don’t want to get the cheapest one in the store. And here’s why…

You Get What You Pay For

It’s important to remember (and this applies to almost everything you buy): you get what you pay for. Many people mistakenly buy an inexpensive acoustic guitar when the kind they truly want is electric. Parents might be worried that their kids won’t stick with it and that the money will go to waste. But that’s not the way you want to go because you’re setting yourself (and your kid) up for failure.

Cheaply made acoustic guitars will make you want to quit since they’re harder to play and not what you really wanted in the first place (if you really want the electric sound). They’re generally less fun to play and aren’t adjustable. In other words, the cheapest guitar is not worth your hard-earned money.

Beware of the Shiny Package Deals

When you find those guitar packages promising great value for an even greater price, they’re probably too good to be true. Pay attention to the red flags, such as a guitar package worth $800 that’s selling for only $199. The price gap is simply way too big. If you see a package valued at $289.00 and it’s selling for $199.00, it’s a lot more realistic.

Don’t Fall for the Brand Name Trap

When it comes to beginner and intermediate guitar players, many large brand name companies will stand against minor brand name companies. Professional players, on the other hand, tend to go for the major brands.

Smaller companies don’t rely on advertising; they depend more on support and knowledge of the dealers they sell to. The truth is that the cost of advertising is included in the overall price of the guitar (or any instrument for that matter). That means you could end up paying more for a brand name while the quality is the same as a smaller brand. Or you could pay a competitive price for a lower-quality guitar.

At the end of the day, just because it’s a brand-name guitar doesn’t mean it’s better. Here’s something to consider: many big brand guitar makers give free guitars to recording artists to use on stage as a marketing tool. What it means is fans who want to start playing the guitar tend to connect the guitar brand with their favorite artists, not understanding that these expensive guitars share very little with the entry-level models.

Other Things to Consider When Buying Your Next Guitar

String Action

A common mistake when buying a guitar is getting one with strings that are too high and hard to play. A guitar’s string action is critical – the measurement of the gap from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret. It’s measured at the 12th fret, which is the halfway point of the string.

Beginners, your guitar should have these measurements:

Electric Guitars 2-2.3mm

Acoustic Guitars 2-2.7mm

Nylon String Guitars 3-3.6mm

Support Materials

Many people don’t think about support material when they buy their first guitar. A guitar can be confusing at first, and most of them don’t even come with a manual. Not knowing what to do at all can discourage even the most determined beginners. The first six months are critical when learning the guitar, so make sure you get some support material with your purchase!

Electric Tuners

A good tuner is just as important as having strings and guitar picks. Guitars are typically made and set up to handle the tension of the standard pitch, which creates the best tone. Now, your guitar might be tuned too high, meaning the extra tension can damage it and break your strings.

On the other hand, if your guitar falls too far below standard pitch, the neck can move backward and create an undesirable string buzz. The fix? An electric tuner. It doesn’t just tune and adjust your guitar; it also promotes ear training.

Staying Motivated

One of the most important things to remember is that you want to buy a guitar that will motivate you to spend time honing your skills. Choosing the aesthetic you want is also important since picking up a guitar that you’re proud of will obviously make you feel good. After all, feeling good and having fun is a big part of the process, right?

Try to avoid bias before walking into a music store (if you’re buying a guitar in person). Be critical, of course, but go for a guitar that resonates with you or your child – the more emotional the attachment, the more motivation to pick it up and play.

Which Websites Should You Buy Your Guitar From?

While many prefer to buy instruments in-store – to pick it up and get a feel for it – others already know what they want and prefer to purchase online and get it shipped right to their door. If that sounds like you, then you might want to know which online stores are the best for guitars. Here are the top guitar sites:

Musician Friends

Musician’s Friend has a great reputation for always having the best prices, the shipping is always free, and the best part – no sales tax (in most states)! They offer helpful support and are a trusted name in the industry. They even have what they call “Stupid Deals of the Day” for the saver-savvy shoppers. This site also guarantees the lowest prices and a free two-year warranty. Not too shabby!

Sweetwater

Sweetwater is a massive retailer for instruments. The site is widely considered to be reliable, offering a large variety of products from all the reputable and popular brands, such as Fender, Gibson, PRS, ESP and more. The site also offers budget options for each brand. The site has great customer service – they’re knowledgeable about gear and technology and can answer any of your questions.

Guitar Center

Guitar Center is the largest music store in the world and has shops all over the country, which is great if you want to purchase the guitar online and pick it up in-store. You can also return the guitar for free at your local store. Oh, and shipping is free−which is always nice! Their huge selection and good prices make it a great place to purchase a guitar, among many other instruments. They also have a “flash deals” section for some extra good prices.

Amazon

Of course, Amazon is always going to be on the list of where to make online purchases, even when it comes to guitars. They have a wide selection, and more often than not, the guitars come with accessories. It’s also beneficial to see buyers’ reviews.

One Last Note (Pun Intended)

After you did your best to make sure you got a well-crafted guitar within your budget, you should go ahead and trust your instincts. If it sounds good, go for it. All in all, there is no such thing as a universally agreed-upon and recognized “best guitar.”

The “best” guitar is going to be different for each person. As long as you consider all the above-mentioned pointers, chances are you’re going to be happy with your final purchase.

Happy guitar playing, everyone!