Everything You Need To Know About Buying Your First Guitar

"I want to learn guitar!"

Yes but where do you begin? You will be needing an instrument to practice on and fiddle with for this coming guitar learning phase of your life.

"But what kind of guitar do I need to buy?"

Depending on your age and hand size, this can be a tricky one. Let's enumerate the criteria you need to know when you are buying your very first instrument.

What kind of Guitar?

There are many kinds of guitars. There are classical nylon stringed guitars, acoustic, folk, electrics, jazz, and gypies. The list goes on and on! For this method and generally for beginners, it's good to start with a standard classical nylon-stringed guitar. Nylon string tend to be more comfortable to play on in the start because you will be pressing your fingertips on the strings. Also, the fretboard on a classical guitar is wider giving you mode space to set your fingers on.

What size of Guitar?

Depending on your age, height, built, guitar size is when beginning is very important. Surely, you won't let a 6 year old start with a standard-sized guitar, right?

According to our experience, this varies on hand size and comfort preference.

Thibault plays a standard classical guitar and I did too for most of my performance career. In recent times, I find that I am more comfortable playing shorter scale guitars such as the 3/4 or the 7/8th sized guitars.

General rule:

1/4 sized or ukulele: up to 5 years old

1/2 sized: 5-7 years old

3/4 sized: 7-13 years old

7/8 sized: teens and women

Full sized: 15 and Up Men/women

Note: It's always best to try an instrument first before purchasing!

EXHIBIT A: Guitar is WAAAY to large for this child. His hand doesn't naturally fall on the upper part of the neck of the guitar. his arm doesn't even reach the first string (high string). This is a guitar for an adult. Please don't do this to your child. haha

What brand of Guitar does it matter?

If you ask me, brands don't really matter BUT details do. When you start learning, you can settle for an entry-level model (But if you want to buy a good one right away, by all means, fill your hearts desire).

When you test out a guitar, make sure that it sounds good. It doesn't need to sound like a super high-end guitar, but you do need to set some kind of standard so you can enjoy listening to what you will be playing.

"How do I know what sounds good?"

Listen:

-Do I like the sound?

-Are there buzzing sounds?

-Does it sound like a can?

-Does it need more "umph"?

Another criteria you need to note is over all build quality. Look at the corners, look at the paint, and check the small details.

-Can you turn the tuning pegs easily?

-Was the wood sanded properly in the nooks and crannies?

-Does it squeak when you press on the body?

-Are the strings too far from the fret board?

-Is the intonation okay? (ask assistance for this)

Buying and choosing a guitar can be daunting but it is also a fun experience. Go with your gut! Stay within your budget and don't get pressured into buying it right away. Think of it as your first wand or lightsaber, you must have good chemistry and good vibe.

Happy shopping!