| 10 BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS My 10 BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS are here to help you to make a wise descision, avoid frustration, plus save you time, and money as you search for the just the right instrument to meet your needs. Musical Styles: Know what you're looking for. There are four basic types of guitar:
So, just how much should you be prepared to spend? The good news is that it doesn't need to cost you an arm and a leg! You should find that spending somewhere between $100-$300 will be enough to get you started. Of course, be sure to keep in mind as a general rule: the better the instrument, the higher the price. BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #2: Buy a guitar that is best suited for the style of music you want to play. Below are some suggestions, but please keep in mind that these are only recommendations. Buying a guitar is a very personal decision, so feel free to think outside the box!
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #3: If you're a beginner, be sure and take advantage of package deals. This will give you an opportunity to get started without spending a lot of money first. Package deals usually offer a guitar and some extra goodies (such as a strap, pics, case, tuner, etc.) at an affordable price. 
 BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #4: Children and adults with small hands should consider a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar. Also keep in mind that electric guitars, and nylon-stringed acoustic guitars, are easiest on the fingers.
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #5: You will find some safety in sticking with companies that have already established a good reputation for quality merchandise and excellent service. Some well known name-brands are Ibanez, Yamaha, Fender, Ovation, Gibson, Martin, and Taylor. I often recommend Yamaha guitars for beginners because these instruments are usually well made and there is a wide selection of models to choose from. With Yamaha, you are bound to find just the right guitar for your skill level and price range that will be easy to play, stay in tune and sound good too. Later, when you're ready to go professional and start you're concert tour, you can upgrade if you need to. BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #6: Often people will put their unwanted guitars for sale on consignment at local music stores, so be sure to ask questions about this when you're shopping around. If you live in or near Montana's beautiful Bitterroot Valley, THE MUSIC BOX has a nice selection of brand-name guitars and amps to choose from plus CDs, sheet music, accessories, and more. This is a friendly family-run business located at 612 N. 1st, Suite 2 in Hamilton. Their toll free number is: 1-800-559-5491. Please mention that you were referred through my website here at ABC Learn Guitar! BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #7: Ask music store owners if they are planning to have any upcoming promotional sales. They may offer to put your name on their mailing list so you can stay informed and take advantage of any special offers or discounts they have in the future. BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #8: Look through classified ads and check college campus newspapers and bulletin boards. I found a great deal on a "like new" Yamaha classical guitar this way. Students are often in need of extra money to pay for tuition and books. Because of this they will often sacrifice musical instruments they are no longer using. BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #9: Buying a guitar online can be another great way to save money, but always be sure to find out what the company's return policy is. Zzounds.com offers competive prices, a 30 day return policy, plus a money back guarantee if you're not fully satisfied with your purchase. They also provide free shipping on many items. Online auctions at eBay offer another money saving solution. However, I recommend you stick with brand name guitars and be sure to purchase only from sellers who have a good reputation. Keep in mind the old adage..."you get what you pay for.." BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #10: Enter contests that are being promoted online when you have the opportunity to do so. This is a great way to get some free gear if you win. Merchants generally require a valid email address in order to contact the winner and send updates of their products. You can always remove yourself from their email list after the contest is over if you want to. Leave 10 Best Guitar Buying Tips & return to Homepage. |
10 BEST GUITAR BUYING TIP
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Website for the St. Louis based guitar manufacturing company. Features owner's manuals in PDF format, and other items of interest.
This is an American guitar manufacturer that concentrates on making lower-priced guitars - like the "Aria Pro". The company does also deal in some higher end products as well.
From the makers of some of the most unusually shaped brands of guitars around. Includes a message board, pricing information, and more.
Website of luthier Robert Benedetto, one of the most widely respected archtop makers in the world. Bring your platinum card!
This Washington-based company is responsible for designing and building some very high calibre, and unusual, models of guitars.
Site featuring the guitars endorsed by guitarists like Steve Vai, Al DiMeola, and more. Has an extensive online catalogue.
An informative website featuring Cort instruments, along with list prices, etc.
This American-based guitar and effects manufacturer creates some very individual looking, low cost guitars.
This handy site offers helpful information (like prices!) on the company's interesting and attractive guitars. Hi bandwidth site that may take a while to load.
This popular guitar company is a spin off from Gibson. Epiphone often create lower cost guitars similar to more expensive Gibson instruments (eg. there is an Epiphone Les Paul).
Official site offers documentation (with pics) of the various types of guitars the company manufactures. Each guitar includes a listing of it's retail price.
Site featuring guitars made by Leo Fender, after he left Fender, and started his own company in 1980. The guitars are great; but website is poorly constructed.
The comprehensive Gibson website features contests and give-aways, as well as plenty of information on all Gibson products.
Site of the unusual thinline hollowbody electric, and solidbody electric guitar makers, based out of Quebec, Canada. Site includes specs and pics, but no prices are listed.
Known primarily as drum builders, the American-based Gretsch company also creates some high caliber guitars. The website offers specs on guitars, plus company info, and a bit more.
Official site that provides several interesting features, including a "date your guitar" page.
This company builds guitars both in the US, and internationally. The website offers the usual guitar specs, company info, etc.
This Kalamazoo, Michigan based company concentrates on making quality archtop guitars, although they do make many solidbody models as well. The website offers specs and pics of their instruments, and more.
This company manufactures many models of electric and acoustic guitars, plus mandolins, etc. The web site offers all the usual info on guitars, company history, etc.
Official website for the well-known guitar makers. Unfortunately, the site is very flashy, which makes for difficult navigation. Users with slower connections or older computers beware!
The instrument choice of many high profile players, Jackson guitars seem suited to a "heavy rock" environment. The website offers the latest Jackson news, instrument specs, and more.
An unusually shaped line of guitars used most notably by the great Bill Frisell. If you're intrigued by odd looking guitars, take a peek at this site.
This British Columbia based company manufactures higher-end acoustic. Their official site includes model info, list prices, testimonials, and more.
Official site of the guitars made by Ernie Ball. Pics and specs are shown for each model of guitar, but site doesn't give much other documentation, or provide any info on pricing.
Famous acoustic guitar-maker's website.
An offshoot of the Kaman Music site, this web site is devoted to the somewhat controversial round-backed guitars.
These unusually shaped, handcrafted guitars seem to have a broad following. The website offers the typical info on guitar specs, the building process, the company, etc.
Official site of the multi-faceted music company.
The website featuring Paul Reed Smith products.
This official site features all the customary information about Rickenbacker guitars and basses. No price information given.
This company offers hand-crafted guitars starting at about the $1600(US) range, created by a luthier in Finland. Extensive documentation on construction (with pics) is provided.
Web site for the company specializes in producing lower-cost electric guitars. Typical info here on guitar types, etc.
These guitar makers focus on producing high end, acoustic instruments. The website provides detail on pricing, materials used in construction, dealer info, and more.
The official site of these highly respected mid-priced acoustic guitars. Includes pics and specs of each guitar, although no retail prices are listed.
Website of the popular acoustic/electric-acoustic guitarmakers. A lot of links going to the wrong places here.
Nice site featuring many impressive acoustic guitars.
A very helpful site that offers solid documentation of Washburn products, with an online price guide.
This multi-instrument manufacturing company has a high tech website with some interesting features. Including the regular info, you can listen to clips of Yamaha guitars in action.
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My 10 BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS are here to help you to make a wise descision, avoid frustration, plus save you time, and money as you search for the just the right instrument to meet your needs.
BEST ACOUSTIC GUITAR UNDER $500
Musical Styles: BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #1:
Know what you're looking for.
There are four basic types of guitar:
ACOUSTIC - The word means “to hear” and refers to an instrument that can be heard without amplification. Acoustic guitars can have either nylon strings or wound steel strings.
CLASSIC - One of the oldest types of acoustic guitar. It is designed with a wider neck to facilitate finger-picking techniques.
ELECTRIC - An instrument that needs to have amplification in order to be heard.
ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC - As the name implies, these guitars can be played with or without amplification.
So, just how much should you be prepared to spend? The good news is that it doesn't need to cost you an arm and a leg! You should find that spending somewhere between $100-$300 will be enough to get you started. Of course, be sure to keep in mind as a general rule: the better the instrument, the higher the price.
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #2:
Buy a guitar that is best suited for the style of music you want to play. Below are some suggestions, but please keep in mind that these are only recommendations. Buying a guitar is a very personal decision, so feel free to think outside the box!
Alternative: any of the 4 basic types are suitable
Blues: any of the 4 basic types are suitable
Bluegrass: acoustic steel string, acoustic/electric
Classical: acoustic nylon string classic guitar
Country: acoustic steel string, acoustic/electric, or electric
Fingerstyle: acoustic, acoustic/electric, classic
Folk: acoustic, or acoustic/electric
Folk/Rock: any of the 4 basic types are suitable
Jazz: any of the 4 basic types are suitable
Ragtime: acoustic, acoustic/electric
Rock: usually played on an electric
Metal: electric
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #3:
If you're a beginner, be sure and take advantage of package deals. This will give you an opportunity to get started without spending a lot of money first. Package deals usually offer a guitar and some extra goodies (such as a strap, pics, case, tuner, etc.) at an affordable price.
The Yamaha GMDLX for example, is a fantastic package which provides all the accessories needed to start playing immediately. The package includes a solid spruce top guitar, gig bag, digital tuner, DVD guitar lessons, strap, strings, and picks all for one great low price!
Ibanez IJX40 Jumpstart Electric Guitar Package includes axe, amp, cord, instruction book, gig bag and more. Jumpstart has name brand, good stuff that you can still use when you get good yourself.
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #4:
Children and adults with small hands should consider a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar. Also keep in mind that electric guitars, and nylon-stringed acoustic guitars, are easiest on the fingers.
The Yamaha CGS102 1/2 size Classical Guitar is a perfect instrument for small hands. Constructed with the beautiful tonal woods and meticulous details of a full-sized Yamaha guitar.
Martin Little Guy LXM is a nice affordable steel string acoustic guitar for small hands. A good choice for those who are interested in learning how to use a pick to strum the guitar.
The Ibanez GRGM21 GIO Mikro Electric Guitar has a 22.2 in. body scale, 24 frets and 2 humbucker pickups. It's great for little rockers or can make a nice travel guitar for adults looking to save space.
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #5:
You will find some safety in sticking with companies that have already established a good reputation for quality merchandise and excellent service. Some well known name-brands are Ibanez, Yamaha, Fender, Ovation, Gibson, Martin, and Taylor. I often recommend Yamaha guitars for beginners because these instruments are usually well made and there is a wide selection of models to choose from. With Yamaha, you are bound to find just the right guitar for your skill level and price range that will be easy to play, stay in tune and sound good too. Later, when you're ready to go professional and start you're concert tour, you can upgrade if you need to.
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #6:
Often people will put their unwanted guitars for sale on consignment at local music stores, so be sure to ask questions about this when you're shopping around. If you live in or near Montana's beautiful Bitterroot Valley, THE MUSIC BOX has a nice selection of brand-name guitars and amps to choose from plus CDs, sheet music, accessories, and more. This is a friendly family-run business located at 612 N. 1st, Suite 2 in Hamilton. Their toll free number is: 1-800-559-5491. Please mention that you were referred through my website here at ABC Learn Guitar!
LEARN HOW TO EVALUATE A GUITAR HERE...
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #7:
Ask music store owners if they are planning to have any upcoming promotional sales. They may offer to put your name on their mailing list so you can stay informed and take advantage of any special offers or discounts they have in the future.
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #8:
Look through classified ads and check college campus newspapers and bulletin boards. I found a great deal on a "like new" Yamaha classical guitar this way. Students are often in need of extra money to pay for tuition and books. Because of this they will often sacrifice musical instruments they are no longer using.
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #9:
Buying a guitar online can be another great way to save money, but always be sure to find out what the company's return policy is. Zzounds.com offers competive prices, a 30 day return policy, plus a money back guarantee if you're not fully satisfied with your purchase. They also provide free shipping on many items.
Online auctions at eBay offer another money saving solution. However, I recommend you stick with brand name guitars and be sure to purchase only from sellers who have a good reputation. Keep in mind the old adage..."you get what you pay for.."
BEST GUITAR BUYING TIPS #10:
Enter contests that are being promoted online when you have the opportunity to do so. This is a great way to get some free gear if you win. Merchants generally require a valid email address in order to contact the winner and send updates of their products. You can always remove yourself from their email list after the contest is over if you want to.
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