Buying Your First Guitar

 

If you are hoping to become a superstar electric guitarist, then you probably can’t wait to start rocking out! You are probably wondering what to look for in your first electric guitar. After all, this will be your baby, your best friend, your most prized possesssion and the start of a rocking love affair! The guitar market is absolutely huge because the instrument is so popular, therefore, it can be very difficult to know where to begin when choosing one. Before you rush of to buy your new guitar, here are some tips of what to look for.

 Appearance
You may be thinking that the look of the guitar is of major importance. If you’re serious about learning to play the istrument as opposed to just posing with it then you’re wrong. Of course loving the look of your brand spanking new rock machine will make playing it more fun but the feel your first guitar and the dedication of the player is of greater importance.
In any case most beginners electric guitars are a variation on the classic Fender Stratocaster shape and come in black, sunburst or red, so don’t get too carried away with exotic designs and colours at this stage.

Comfort
Carrying on from above, you will probably see some guitars that catch your attention straight away. If you possibly can, take your time to get a feel of holding the guitar. It should feel comfortable to hold sitting down as well as standing up and the neck should also feel comfortable in your palm when in a playing position, like it’s made for you.
A good, suitable electric guitarshould feel like it could be an extension of your body and you should consider your size in relation to the guitar. For example, if you have small hands, a guitar with a skinny neck may be more comfortable than one with a larger neck and if you are small in stature than a heavier guitar with a large body will probably not be a good purchase.
An adjustable guitar strapcan also help to achieve uttermost comfort. There are many variations to choose from including padded straps to make the weight on your shoulders a little more bearable.

Sound
Being a beginner electric guitarist, don’t worry too much about the sound. At this stage, if you think it sounds good, it does. Remember that as you develop you will be able to create new and better sounds and you will have a greater appreciation of tone and how your playing can affect it.
To be perfectly honest, your first guitar will probably no be capable of achieving the same sounds as your heroes are able to with their expensive, customized instruments but with the manufacturing methods and attention to detail that the market leaders employ these days you should be able to come up with a pretty good approximation.
Just keep in mind that it is your first guitar and you can experiment with it until you find the sound that YOU like.

Where to Buy
It is easy to get over excited and think that you need to buy the most expensive guitar in the world. You don’t need to spend a lot to get it right, at least not with your first instrument. It is how you play that will really get you noticed!
It is a good idea to walk into a store merely to get a feel for different guitar models but don’t get carried away and buy the first thing you see and don’t be pressured into buying by the store sales people who want to get some cash out of you! 
Once you’ve tried and tested some models, in our opinion, your best bet is Amazon, as they have a massive range, meaning you are very likely to find the best deal. They have some of the most competitive prices anywhere on the internet and you will also be able to read some reviews and see what fellow guitarists think of the model that you’rre interested in.
You can also be safe in the knowledge that you’re instrument hasn’t had countless other hands all over it!

Makes and Models
As this is the start of your guitar career it is best to go for a model from one of the reputable, leading manufacturers, a model that is tried, tested and well known.
Below are the guitar models which are your best bet in terms of quality and price.

Squier- A good place to start would be with a Squier, they really do make excellent beginner electric guitars and being part of Fender you know you are getting an isntrument that is forged from years of skill and knowledge.
The Squier Stratocaster is great for beginners as the neck is thin which will allow you (the beginner electric guitarist) to play crisp clear chords comfortably and without over exerting the msucles in your hands which will just lead to injury over time. The frets are also narrow which will work as an advantage becuase you will be able to fret notes and chords easier too.
In addition to this, the bridge can be adjusted to raise and lengthen the strings and the guitar features a five position selector switch to vary the sound output of the pickups and the bodies come in a good variety of colours so there is a guitar for everyone.
Over all, the Squier Stratocatser is a well constructed electric guitar which looks great, is very playable and is great value for money. 

Epiphone – Being part of the historic, world renowned manufacture Gibson whose instruments are equally as lauded as Fender’s, Epiphone guitars are great.
As with the Squier models, there a many models to choose from. The Epiphone Les Paul Special II however, is a great model for the aspiring guitarist. You get all the classic benefits of a genuine Gibson Les Paul at an excellent price. The shape is, along with the Stratocaster, one of the most instantly recognizable and famous designs ever. An Epiphone Les Paul will deliver a great sound, as it is equipped with good, basic humbuckers that really do the job and will provide some beautiful tones suitable for blues, rock and metal, you simply have to flick through the three way pickup selector. More aggressive, sharper, treble tones can be produced using the bridge pickup whilst; much deeper, warmer, bass tones can be produced by selecting the neck pickup. You’ll also get an excellent combined mix by using the middle setting of the pickup selector to blend both pickups. Use the tone and volume controls in addition and you have a world of varied sounds at your finger tips. You wouldn’t regret buying an Epiphone Les Paul.

Price
One of the most important aspects of any purchase!
Remember, this is your first guitar! And there really is no need to go crazy! The models mentioned above will usually set you back around $100-$250 and you really shouldn’t need to spend any more.
Modern manufacturing techniques and low cost labour mean that such companies as Squierand Epiphone can bring you excellent quality musical instruments at great value prices which are ideal for the beginner electric guitarist.
The $100-$250 price range is great because it means that you don’t have to commit too much money to your first forays into playing the electric guitar, so if things don’t work out at least you wouldn’t have broke the bank to find out that it wasn’t for you.
If you stick with the electric guitar then as you progress you can invest in more expensive instruments with higher quality components and more features which will all add up to a better instrument, but for now any of the guitars mentioned in this article will see you right.

Amazonoffers great deals and you are guaranteed to find your awesome first guitar there. Keep in mind these tips and you can’t go wrong!

Happy Rocking!

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