Buying A Guitar

A guitar should be purchased with due care toNeck - This is the long piece attached to the body
avoid any problems with it in future. Identifying aover 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 instrumentNeck should be examined carefully for any
only if you trust the source. The sound quality ofwarping or twisting.
musical instruments generally improves withFret 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 anindividual notes. The distance between fret board
antique piece or some other value is attached toand strings is critical. If the strings are too close
it. But there may be mechanical damage in theyou do not get "clean" notes. On the other hand if
guitar which is not easily detectable. You have tothe strings are too far away you have to press
really use your judgment. When in doubt, go for aharder to play the notes causing greater strain to
new one. You can get a warranty for a period inyour fingers. Also, the string gets stretched while
a new guitar, but you will not have this comfort inplaying. 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 customtoo far above the fret board, they get sufficiently
made. The mass-produced instruments will be lessstretched while being pressed to change the
expensive. Custom made guitars come in wideoriginal tuning of the string.
price range depending upon the material, skill andStrings - You can have a choice of strings made
effort put into their construction. You can use oneof different material. They come in two broad
rule of thumb in deciding which one to buy - ifcategories - metallic and nylon strings. Nylon
you can discern the superiority of sound quality instrings are easier on the finger tips. There are
a custom made guitar then you can consideralso "heavy" and "light" strings which vary in cross
purchasing it. Otherwise purchase a masssection. All these strings have different sound
produced one. You can purchase custom madequality 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 partsThe position of strings on the guitar is also an
critically. I am giving here my views on what youimportant 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 forand 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 canmatch with the size of your fingers.
prepare a checklist of your own which will helpTuning Heads and Posts - For each string there is
you to remember all the points you have toone set of tuning post and head. They stretch
verify.the string for tuning it when you turn the tuning
Overall Appearance - Guitars come in differenthead and keep the string in that stretched position
colors, designs, sizes. You can select a piece tofor playing it. You should ensure that the
your liking. Inspect thoroughly to satisfy yourselfmovement 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 withThe string should not become loose while playing.
sound hole in the front. It is where strumming isAfter you have considered all these points you
done. It is hollow from inside and providesshould play the instrument, or get the salesperson
resonance when strings are played. Theto play it. See how it sounds, how it feels. You
resonance enhances the sound volume andshould be satisfied with its overall performance
makes it "rounded". The body is designed tobefore you decide to buy it. When you buy a
provide resonance over entire range of notesgood guitar which is to your liking you will be
played on the guitar. You should check the soundmotivated to take you guitar lessons more
quality with each string played at different notes.seriously.