| A guitar should be purchased with due care to | | | | Neck - This is the long piece attached to the body |
| avoid any problems with it in future. Identifying a | | | | over which your finger moves to play chords. On |
| good instrument is an important guitar lesson. | | | | the other end on the neck there is the head in |
| Should you purchase a new or an old instrument? | | | | which tuning posts and tuning heads are fixed. |
| You should consider purchasing an old instrument | | | | Neck should be examined carefully for any |
| only if you trust the source. The sound quality of | | | | warping or twisting. |
| musical instruments generally improves with | | | | Fret Board - This is the piece glued over the neck |
| playing, which is a plus point for an old instrument. | | | | on which strings are pressed to play chords or |
| You can also get it at a lower cost unless it is an | | | | individual notes. The distance between fret board |
| antique piece or some other value is attached to | | | | and strings is critical. If the strings are too close |
| it. But there may be mechanical damage in the | | | | you do not get "clean" notes. On the other hand if |
| guitar which is not easily detectable. You have to | | | | the strings are too far away you have to press |
| really use your judgment. When in doubt, go for a | | | | harder to play the notes causing greater strain to |
| new one. You can get a warranty for a period in | | | | your fingers. Also, the string gets stretched while |
| a new guitar, but you will not have this comfort in | | | | playing. Ideally, pressing the strings over the fret |
| old instrument. | | | | board should not stretch it. But if the strings are |
| New guitars may be mass-produced or custom | | | | too far above the fret board, they get sufficiently |
| made. The mass-produced instruments will be less | | | | stretched while being pressed to change the |
| expensive. Custom made guitars come in wide | | | | original tuning of the string. |
| price range depending upon the material, skill and | | | | Strings - You can have a choice of strings made |
| effort put into their construction. You can use one | | | | of different material. They come in two broad |
| rule of thumb in deciding which one to buy - if | | | | categories - metallic and nylon strings. Nylon |
| you can discern the superiority of sound quality in | | | | strings are easier on the finger tips. There are |
| a custom made guitar then you can consider | | | | also "heavy" and "light" strings which vary in cross |
| purchasing it. Otherwise purchase a mass | | | | section. All these strings have different sound |
| produced one. You can purchase custom made | | | | quality and "feel" while playing them. You can take |
| guitar later when your ears are better trained. | | | | your pick. |
| Before purchasing you should see all its parts | | | | The position of strings on the guitar is also an |
| critically. I am giving here my views on what you | | | | important criterion. Finger sizes vary widely in |
| could look for in a new piece. | | | | individuals. Your fingers should comfortably reach |
| It is always good to prepare a checklist for | | | | and press the last string. The distance between |
| purchasing anything which is somewhat costly. | | | | the strings, and the width of the fret board should |
| Based on the considerations given below you can | | | | match with the size of your fingers. |
| prepare a checklist of your own which will help | | | | Tuning Heads and Posts - For each string there is |
| you to remember all the points you have to | | | | one set of tuning post and head. They stretch |
| verify. | | | | the string for tuning it when you turn the tuning |
| Overall Appearance - Guitars come in different | | | | head and keep the string in that stretched position |
| colors, designs, sizes. You can select a piece to | | | | for playing it. You should ensure that the |
| your liking. Inspect thoroughly to satisfy yourself | | | | movement of the tuning heads should is smooth, |
| that there are no visible defects. | | | | and the tuning posts retain the stretched string. |
| Body - This is the hour-glass shaped part with | | | | The string should not become loose while playing. |
| sound hole in the front. It is where strumming is | | | | After you have considered all these points you |
| done. It is hollow from inside and provides | | | | should play the instrument, or get the salesperson |
| resonance when strings are played. The | | | | to play it. See how it sounds, how it feels. You |
| resonance enhances the sound volume and | | | | should be satisfied with its overall performance |
| makes it "rounded". The body is designed to | | | | before you decide to buy it. When you buy a |
| provide resonance over entire range of notes | | | | good guitar which is to your liking you will be |
| played on the guitar. You should check the sound | | | | motivated to take you guitar lessons more |
| quality with each string played at different notes. | | | | seriously. |