Guitar Tips Part 3 - Hints for Buying a New Guitar

Whether you’re buying your first guitar, upgrading or simply
adding to your collection, your first priority is to do your
homework. There are many different resources available and
you should endeavor to use them all. Guitar magazines are a
good place to find out prices and specifications on different
models of guitar. You can get similar knowledge from browsing
at your local instrument shop. Another great tool is the internet
– you can check for the most competitive prices, get some
information on the manufacturers and search for other guitarist’s
reviews and opinions.

You really need to arm yourself well before you try haggling with
your local guitar salesman.

Often you can find online auctions where guitars sell for incredibly
low prices; however, I wouldn’t advise you to take this option.
As a rule you should always play before you buy so that you get a
chance to gauge performance.

Once you’ve got the background knowledge that you need on the
guitar of your choice the next task is to set yourself a budget and
stick to it. Don’t let salespeople talk you into spending more money
than you anticipated.

Testing out new guitars in the shop can be an intimidating task for
beginners. It is important to remember that you are not there to
showcase your playing ability – you are there to discern whether
your proposed buy is a good deal or not. Check the frets for buzzing
by playing each one. Make sure that the neck is not warped by
looking down it as if you were sighting a gun. Check that all of the
volume and tone switches etc. are in good working condition.

It is a great idea to take an experienced guitarist along with you
when you are looking at a possible purchase, so see if you can
persuade a teacher of friend. Not only will they be able to offer
helpful advice – they will be good moral support when it’s time
to pick up the guitar and test it out in public.

Part 4 to follow.

In affiliation with Ben Edwards Of Jamorama

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