There are many different types of guitar on the market today and which guitar you will choose will depend a great deal on the kind of music you want to play. You must also make sure it feels comfortable for you. If you have a small build, you’ll need a guitar to fit, while if you have very long arms, a small guitar will not do. Weight is another important factor. If you intend to play a lot, you don’t want to feel weighed down by an instrument that is way too heavy for your strength.

Other factors to consider when choosing a guitar is whether you like the look of it, and how it sounds. Guitars come in a range of different shapes, colors and finishes. All guitars have slightly different sounds and the quality of sound often depends on the quality, and hence the price of the guitar.

All these factors must be taken into consideration, yet always within the style of music you are interested in playing. If you are into classic, you’ll need a guitar with gut or nylon strings. The back and sides will usually be made of rosewood, with spruce or cedar for the top. The guitar for flamenco players is similar but the wood is thinner and the body shallower and made of cypress with a cedar top.

The two most popular types of guitar are the classic with its hollow body and nylon strings and the electric steel guitar with its solid wood body, bolted on neck and steel strings, like the well-known Fender Stratocaster. There are many variations within each type, of course. Semi- acoustic and semi-solid are just two of them. Then you get the bass guitars. But when buying your first guitar the main choice will be between electric or acoustic.

If you’ve never played one before, then consider buying an acoustic guitar. It is simpler to play and you don’t need anything else to accompany it - apart from a case, a strap, some picks and sheet music, all relatively cheap. If you buy an electric guitar, you’ll have to also buy an amplifier and at least one effects box. This can increase the cost dramatically and also make the choice more difficult.

While you don’t need to fork out a truckload of cash for your first guitar, it’s not wise to buy one that is cheap and nasty just because you’re not sure if you will continue to play. If you buy one that looks disgusting and feels worse, are you likely to want to play it at all? Take every chance you can to play guitars belonging to others and those in the shops before you decide. You needn’t be swayed by the top brand names, because there are plenty of top guitars out there with no-name brands on them.

Make sure your guitar is well made by running your fingers around the seams. If you can feel any part that could be coming apart or is rough, don’t buy that one. And make sure the frets are even and the top is not of plywood. Never rush out and buy the first guitar you pick up; there are many different guitars on the market and one of them has your name on it.

Tags: Guitar, Instruments, Music General