WorkshopLive
2006-10-12 16:34:35 UTC
By WorkshopLive - Online Music Lessons
** Play Free for 7 Days **
http://www.workshoplive.com/playfree/
My friend Ray used to work in one of New York's great guitar stores. He
said that for most of the people he sold guitars to, if the color was
right, the guitar sounded fine. (He also said that, with all of the
gorgeous guitars that hung on the wall in that store, they made most of
their money on picks and strings. Who knew?)
Anyway, it's probably a good idea to think a little more deeply than
that when you're buying your first electric guitar. Here are a handful
of things to consider before you venture into We $ell Guitar$. There
are also one or two things you should write on the palm of your hand in
magic marker to make sure you don't forget them while you shop.
1. Comfort. If you're not comfortable with your guitar, you won't play
it, and it won't matter whether it sounds good or stays in tune. It
should feel good in your hands. You should feel cool sitting behind it.
The neck and action should be adjustable (ask the salesman.) If you're
a small person, or have small hands, get a small guitar with a skinny
neck. Try it with a strap to see how heavy it is when you sling it
around your neck.
2. Sound. Don't sweat it. If this is your first guitar, your idea of
what sounds good in a guitar will probably change a lot as you learn to
play. Also, your ability to extract different sounds from the
instrument will improve as you learn. For now, if it sounds good, it is
good.
3. Money. Aha! The big question! How much should I spend? Think about
this: for $369, a company called Carvin will sell you all the parts you
need to make an electric guitar (except paint). These are good, solid
parts - not top of the line, but certainly not junk either. So: if your
price is below that - lower than the cost of the unassembled parts -
what are your chances of getting a good guitar? Yes, there are guitars
available for less than $369, and they may be playable. But in the long
run they probably will never be more than OK. If you're thinking, "I'll
get something real cheap in case I lose interest," maybe you're better
off waiting six months to see if you still want one then. Gives you
time to bone up on your positive thinking, too. (This is a good time to
remind you that whatever you spend on the guitar, you're also going to
need an amp, a case, a strap, a cable - at least. Probably a tuner and
a metronome, too. They all cost money. So, whatever your budget is, you
may have to bump it up if you've forgotten them.)
And, while the budget is the budget and you shouldn't bust it, you
shouldn't look at this just as a financial transaction. The pleasure,
growth and satisfaction you will get from playing guitar are what
you're buying, not the instrument, and that stuff is the real deal and
completely beyond price.
4. Bells and whistles. Guitar players like knobs, dials and switches as
much as crows like bright shiny objects. Don't bother. Effects and
stomp boxes get better and cheaper every six weeks, so wait until you
know what you want. We $ell Guitar$ will never, ever run out of stomp
boxes.
5. New vs. used? Whatever you think about new vs. used cars, the same
thing applies to new vs. used guitars. New is more expensive, new has a
warranty, new hasn't been tortured by somebody else. Used may be
cheaper, or you may get more guitar for the same money. Some guitars
are only available used. Do you trust the person you're buying from?
That's what matters.
6. On-line vs. in-store? There are arguments both ways. On-line is
probably cheaper (don't forget shipping) and offers greater selection;
in-store lets you hold it in your hands before you buy it, and take it
home the same day. And while it's nice to have a personal relationship
with someone at the store, bear in mind these guys move around a lot.
Your buddy at We $ell Guitar$ today may be working 50 miles away at
Axe$ R U$ tomorrow.
Just don't spend hours trying every guitar in the guitar store and then
go and order one on-line. And don't bring the internet price into the
guitar store and expect them to match it, plus set the guitar up for
you, plus show you how it works, plus help you pick an amp, plus throw
in some free picks - there are reasons why guitars are cheaper on-line.
7. Quality. Low end guitars are mostly made in places like Mexico,
China, Malaysia and India - just like cars, sneakers, watches and
computers. The quality at the low end has improved dramatically in
recent years, so as long as you buy from a guitar store (or site), you
have a good chance of getting something that's playable. If you buy
your guitar at the same place you buy your paper towels, though, all
bets are off.
Some tips for in-store shopping:
1. Skip school. The more people in the guitar store, the louder and
more annoying it will be, as lots of bad-to-mediocre players try out
guitars at volumes they can't get away with at home. The salesmen will
be busier, too. Go at 11:00 AM. Tell the teacher the guys at
WorkshopLive said it was OK.
2. Louder sounds better. When it comes to musical sounds, people often
mistake volume for quality. In other words, if you play two guitars
side by side, you're likely to prefer the louder one just because it's
louder. Fiddle with the knobs until they're at the same level; then
decide.
3. Amps. Amplifiers contribute as much to your sound as guitars. If
you're buying both, you're really shopping for two instruments at the
same time. Pick the guitar first.
If you're just buying the guitar, try all your candidates through the
same amp, and make sure it's in the same price / power range as the amp
you have (or the one you're planning to buy eventually.) Every guitar
sounds goods through a 100 Watt Marshall amp that goes for $3,000. When
you get home and plug your new guitar into the 5 Watt Pignose you got
for $75, it's going to sound a bit different. If you're going to play
through the Pignose, test through the Pignose.
4. Setup. Ask the store to set up the guitar before they sell it to
you; that means new strings, setting the action at the right height,
making sure the neck is straight, making sure the pickups are at the
right height, and making any other necessary adjustments. None of this
will have been done when they hang the guitar on the wall to sell it.
You'll be amazed at the difference it can make. They may charge you for
it, but it's worth it. Don't take the guitar home without it.
The Wrap-up
1. Be comfy.
2. Don't get carried away.
3. Relax. Pick a cool one, take a chance, and enjoy it. You'll have
years of pleasure.
Buying your first electric guitar - you never forget your first love.
***
WorkshopLive is the online music learning experience that brings you
great lessons with excellent teachers and world-renowned musicians.
http://www.workshoplive.com
** Play Free for 7 Days **
http://www.workshoplive.com/playfree/
My friend Ray used to work in one of New York's great guitar stores. He
said that for most of the people he sold guitars to, if the color was
right, the guitar sounded fine. (He also said that, with all of the
gorgeous guitars that hung on the wall in that store, they made most of
their money on picks and strings. Who knew?)
Anyway, it's probably a good idea to think a little more deeply than
that when you're buying your first electric guitar. Here are a handful
of things to consider before you venture into We $ell Guitar$. There
are also one or two things you should write on the palm of your hand in
magic marker to make sure you don't forget them while you shop.
1. Comfort. If you're not comfortable with your guitar, you won't play
it, and it won't matter whether it sounds good or stays in tune. It
should feel good in your hands. You should feel cool sitting behind it.
The neck and action should be adjustable (ask the salesman.) If you're
a small person, or have small hands, get a small guitar with a skinny
neck. Try it with a strap to see how heavy it is when you sling it
around your neck.
2. Sound. Don't sweat it. If this is your first guitar, your idea of
what sounds good in a guitar will probably change a lot as you learn to
play. Also, your ability to extract different sounds from the
instrument will improve as you learn. For now, if it sounds good, it is
good.
3. Money. Aha! The big question! How much should I spend? Think about
this: for $369, a company called Carvin will sell you all the parts you
need to make an electric guitar (except paint). These are good, solid
parts - not top of the line, but certainly not junk either. So: if your
price is below that - lower than the cost of the unassembled parts -
what are your chances of getting a good guitar? Yes, there are guitars
available for less than $369, and they may be playable. But in the long
run they probably will never be more than OK. If you're thinking, "I'll
get something real cheap in case I lose interest," maybe you're better
off waiting six months to see if you still want one then. Gives you
time to bone up on your positive thinking, too. (This is a good time to
remind you that whatever you spend on the guitar, you're also going to
need an amp, a case, a strap, a cable - at least. Probably a tuner and
a metronome, too. They all cost money. So, whatever your budget is, you
may have to bump it up if you've forgotten them.)
And, while the budget is the budget and you shouldn't bust it, you
shouldn't look at this just as a financial transaction. The pleasure,
growth and satisfaction you will get from playing guitar are what
you're buying, not the instrument, and that stuff is the real deal and
completely beyond price.
4. Bells and whistles. Guitar players like knobs, dials and switches as
much as crows like bright shiny objects. Don't bother. Effects and
stomp boxes get better and cheaper every six weeks, so wait until you
know what you want. We $ell Guitar$ will never, ever run out of stomp
boxes.
5. New vs. used? Whatever you think about new vs. used cars, the same
thing applies to new vs. used guitars. New is more expensive, new has a
warranty, new hasn't been tortured by somebody else. Used may be
cheaper, or you may get more guitar for the same money. Some guitars
are only available used. Do you trust the person you're buying from?
That's what matters.
6. On-line vs. in-store? There are arguments both ways. On-line is
probably cheaper (don't forget shipping) and offers greater selection;
in-store lets you hold it in your hands before you buy it, and take it
home the same day. And while it's nice to have a personal relationship
with someone at the store, bear in mind these guys move around a lot.
Your buddy at We $ell Guitar$ today may be working 50 miles away at
Axe$ R U$ tomorrow.
Just don't spend hours trying every guitar in the guitar store and then
go and order one on-line. And don't bring the internet price into the
guitar store and expect them to match it, plus set the guitar up for
you, plus show you how it works, plus help you pick an amp, plus throw
in some free picks - there are reasons why guitars are cheaper on-line.
7. Quality. Low end guitars are mostly made in places like Mexico,
China, Malaysia and India - just like cars, sneakers, watches and
computers. The quality at the low end has improved dramatically in
recent years, so as long as you buy from a guitar store (or site), you
have a good chance of getting something that's playable. If you buy
your guitar at the same place you buy your paper towels, though, all
bets are off.
Some tips for in-store shopping:
1. Skip school. The more people in the guitar store, the louder and
more annoying it will be, as lots of bad-to-mediocre players try out
guitars at volumes they can't get away with at home. The salesmen will
be busier, too. Go at 11:00 AM. Tell the teacher the guys at
WorkshopLive said it was OK.
2. Louder sounds better. When it comes to musical sounds, people often
mistake volume for quality. In other words, if you play two guitars
side by side, you're likely to prefer the louder one just because it's
louder. Fiddle with the knobs until they're at the same level; then
decide.
3. Amps. Amplifiers contribute as much to your sound as guitars. If
you're buying both, you're really shopping for two instruments at the
same time. Pick the guitar first.
If you're just buying the guitar, try all your candidates through the
same amp, and make sure it's in the same price / power range as the amp
you have (or the one you're planning to buy eventually.) Every guitar
sounds goods through a 100 Watt Marshall amp that goes for $3,000. When
you get home and plug your new guitar into the 5 Watt Pignose you got
for $75, it's going to sound a bit different. If you're going to play
through the Pignose, test through the Pignose.
4. Setup. Ask the store to set up the guitar before they sell it to
you; that means new strings, setting the action at the right height,
making sure the neck is straight, making sure the pickups are at the
right height, and making any other necessary adjustments. None of this
will have been done when they hang the guitar on the wall to sell it.
You'll be amazed at the difference it can make. They may charge you for
it, but it's worth it. Don't take the guitar home without it.
The Wrap-up
1. Be comfy.
2. Don't get carried away.
3. Relax. Pick a cool one, take a chance, and enjoy it. You'll have
years of pleasure.
Buying your first electric guitar - you never forget your first love.
***
WorkshopLive is the online music learning experience that brings you
great lessons with excellent teachers and world-renowned musicians.
http://www.workshoplive.com