Which Guitar Should I Buy?

The question about which guitar to buy as a beginner seems to get asked more than any other, which I suppose is not all that surprising given the variety available.

Often people already know, or think they know, the kind of music they want to play and this can determine whether one buys an electric, classical or steel string acoustic. There are other types, but let's just stick with the main three for the moment.

I own all three and in terms of ease to learn on they probably go in the order I've given above, with the electric guitar being the easiest. However, that's not a real good way of making a decision in my view. Ease of playing may seem attractive, but it can also be very limiting. It's much easier to go from learning an acoustic to playing an electric guitar than it is the other way round.

It's also the case that you need both an amp and a power supply for an electric guitar. All you need for either acoustic or classical guitar is the instrument itself and maybe a pick (plectrum) or two.

Here's something to consider: most people who start to learn guitar give up after only a few weeks, often once they have learned to strum a few chords and maybe sing a couple of songs. Some never get that far. If they have spent a lot of money on equipment it's just a waste. So first off think "low cost" to start with. You can always upgrade later.

The next thing to do is to hold and play as many guitars as you can get your hands on. Don't worry that you can't play a note, just pick the strings and press down on the fretboard - get a "feel" for the instrument and how it sounds. Go to a good guitar shop and take your time and never buy on the first visit. The staff will be quite used to this and will do what they can to help in most cases. If they don't, go somewhere else.

Buy the guitar you really like that is still within your budget, which will probably be an acoustic, and stick with it for the first few weeks of learning. If you look after it you will always be able to sell it for about half what you paid for it, should you give up.

For more information visit this page on buying a guitar. There's also an article on buying second hand guitars that you may find useful.

Good Luck!