Instrument Buyers Guide

The Ultimate Guitar Buying Guide: Find Your Perfect Six-String Companion

So you've decided to take the leap and buy a guitar. Whether you're a complete beginner eager to strum your first chord, a seasoned player looking to expand your collection, or perhaps someone returning to the instrument after years, finding the perfect guitar can be both exhilarating and downright overwhelming. With a market flooded by an array of shapes, sizes, brands, and types, choosing the right guitar is anything but a one-size-fits-all endeavor.

From the classic warmth of an acoustic to the electrifying energy of an electric model, from budget-friendly options to high-end masterpieces, the possibilities are nearly endless. The quest for your ideal guitar should be a harmonious blend of your personal preferences, playing style, and of course, budget. But fret not (pun intended); this guide aims to navigate you through the abundance of choices by breaking down the essentials—wood type, body shape, string gauge, pickups, and much more—into digestible bits. Rick and Joe will even have some real-talk for you on buying your first instrument!

By the end of this guide, you'll not only be educated on what makes each guitar unique but also be well-equipped to make an informed decision tailored precisely to your musical needs. Let's tune in and turn your dream guitar into a reality.

Understanding Wood Types: The Building Blocks of Your Guitar's Tone

When it comes to guitars, the type of wood (often referred to as "tonewood") used in construction plays a significant role in determining the instrument's tone, resonance, and sustain. Not all woods are created equal, and each brings its unique sonic qualities to the table. Your choice of tonewood will depend on various factors including the style of music you wish to play, your tonal preferences, and of course, budget. Below, we delve into some of the most commonly used tonewoods in guitar construction and how they influence your sound.

Acoustic Guitars

Spruce

Sound Profile: Bright, clear, and articulate.
Common Uses: Often used for the guitar tops.
Good For: Versatile; suitable for various music styles.

Mahogany

Sound Profile: Warm and rich, with an emphasis on mid-range frequencies.
Common Uses: Both tops and backs.
Good For: Blues, folk, and fingerstyle.

Cedar

Sound Profile: Soft, warm, and less bright than spruce.
Common Uses: Mostly tops.
Good For: Fingerstyle and classical music.

Rosewood

Sound Profile: Deep lows and bright highs; complex overtones.
Common Uses: Backs and sides.
Good For: Virtually all styles but excels in intricate, finger-picked pieces.

Electric Guitars

Alder

Sound Profile: Balanced with a focus on mid-range.
Common Uses: Solid body guitars.
Good For: Versatile; works well for a wide range of styles.

Ash

Sound Profile: Resonant with bright highs and pronounced lows.
Common Uses: Solid body guitars.
Good For: Rock, blues, country.

Maple

Sound Profile: Bright and snappy.
Common Uses: Necks and tops.
Good For: Bright tonality suited for rock, blues, and jazz.

Basswood

Sound Profile: Balanced, but with a pronounced midrange.
Common Uses: Solid body guitars, especially those with a bolt-on neck.
Good For: Metal, hard rock.

Mahogany (Electric)

Sound Profile: Warm, full, with good sustain.
Common Uses: Solid body and semi-hollow guitars.
Good For: Rock, blues, jazz.

Understanding how these different wood types contribute to the sound and feel of a guitar will give you a substantial advantage when choosing the perfect instrument. However, it's also important to note that while the wood is a crucial factor, it's not the sole determinant of a guitar's overall tone. Other factors like construction methods, hardware, and pickups also play significant roles. But mastering the basics of tonewoods is a great first step on your journey to finding the guitar that truly resonates with you.

Navigating Body Shapes: The Blueprint of Your Guitar's Sound and Playability

One of the first things you'll notice when you walk into a guitar store or browse online is the variety of body shapes available. While the aesthetics might catch your eye initially, it's crucial to understand that the shape of a guitar's body has a significant impact on its tonal characteristics, volume, and playability. Whether you're into the smooth curves of a Stratocaster or the elegant simplicity of a dreadnought acoustic, the body shape is more than just a visual feature; it's an integral part of your guitar's identity. Below, we explore some of the most popular body shapes for both acoustic and electric guitars.

Acoustic Guitars

Dreadnought

Sound Profile: Loud, rich, and balanced, with strong bass.
Good For: Strumming, flat-picking, and various genres like rock, country, and bluegrass.
Notable Feature: The go-to standard for many acoustic players due to its versatility.

Concert and Grand Concert

Sound Profile: Bright and focused, with less emphasis on bass.
Good For: Fingerpicking and light strumming, ideal for folk and acoustic pop.
Notable Feature: Smaller size makes it comfortable for younger players or those with smaller frames.

Jumbo

Sound Profile: Loud, booming, with enhanced low-end.
Good For: Big strumming; suited for country, rock, and live performances.
Notable Feature: Its large size provides a big, powerful sound but may be uncomfortable for some players.

Auditorium and Grand Auditorium

Sound Profile: Balanced across frequencies, with good volume and mid-range.
Good For: Versatile; great for both strumming and fingerstyle.
Notable Feature: The middle-ground size offers a compromise between Dreadnought and Concert shapes.

Electric Guitars

Stratocaster

Sound Profile: Balanced, with clear highs and tight lows.
Good For: Versatile; works well for blues, rock, and pop.
Notable Feature: Double cutaways offer easy access to higher frets.

Les Paul

Sound Profile: Warm, rich, and excellent sustain.
Good For: Rock, metal, jazz, and blues.
Notable Feature: Its weight contributes to its sustain but might be cumbersome for some players.

Telecaster

Sound Profile: Bright and twangy, with a focus on high-end.
Good For: Country, blues, and rock.
Notable Feature: Single cutaway and straightforward design.

SG

Sound Profile: Warm, with a focus on mid-range and good sustain.
Good For: Rock, metal, and blues.
Notable Feature: Lighter than a Les Paul but with similar tonal characteristics.

Offset Bodies (Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Mustang)

Sound Profile: Varies, but generally offers a unique blend of clarity and warmth.
Good For: Indie rock, surf, and experimental genres.
Notable Feature: Unique aesthetic and ergonomic design.

Choosing the right body shape can enhance your playing experience and make the guitar feel like an extension of yourself. Whether you're standing on stage or sitting in your bedroom, the body shape will affect how you interact with the instrument. Make sure to try out several types to find the one that not only sounds right but also feels right in your hands.

Pickups Unplugged: Understanding the Electrical Heart of Your Guitar

For those diving into the world of electric guitars, or even acoustic-electric hybrids, the subject of pickups is undeniably important. These little electromagnetic wonders are essentially the microphones of your guitar, capturing string vibrations and converting them into an electrical signal that can be amplified. The type and configuration of pickups have a massive influence on your guitar's tone, making them a critical factor to consider in your buying decision. Here, we break down the main types of pickups and their tonal characteristics to help you find the perfect match for your musical ambitions.

Single-Coil Pickups

Sound Profile

Bright, crisp, and articulate with a clear high-end.

Good For

Blues, country, rock, and funk.

Notable Features

Tend to produce a "hum" due to their sensitivity to electromagnetic interference.

Humbucker Pickups

Sound Profile

Warm, thick, and rich with less treble. Excellent sustain.

Good For

Rock, jazz, metal, and blues.

Notable Features

Designed to "buck the hum," or cancel out the electromagnetic interference that single-coils are susceptible to.

P-90 Pickups

Sound Profile

A middle-ground between single-coil and humbucker. Bright but thicker.

Good For

Rock, blues, jazz, and punk.

Notable Features

Offers a vintage character with a bit more "grunt" compared to standard single-coils.

Active vs. Passive Pickups

Active Pickups

Sound Profile: Clear, focused, and very consistent across the frequency spectrum.
Good For: Metal, hard rock, and any genre requiring high output and clarity.
Notable Features: Requires a battery, generally has lower background noise and higher output.

Passive Pickups

Sound Profile: Broad tonal range with a more organic and "woody" character.
Good For: Extremely versatile; used in nearly all genres.
Notable Features: Doesn’t require a battery, offers a more dynamic response to your playing technique.

Acoustic Pickups

Piezo Pickups

Provides a bright and clear sound but may require pre-shaping to sound more natural.

Magnetic Pickups

Resemble electric guitar pickups and offer a warm, full sound.

Internal Microphones and Hybrid Systems

Offer the most natural representation of an acoustic guitar’s tone but can be prone to feedback issues in loud settings.

Choosing the right pickups is as much about understanding your own playing style and desired genre as it is about the technology itself. The pickups will shape your sound, affect your recordings, and either enhance or limit the kinds of music you can perform. Make sure to experiment with various types and configurations, ideally through the same amplifier and settings you plan to use regularly, to ensure you're making an informed choice that aligns with your musical journey.

The Neck of the Matter: Understanding How the Neck Influences Playability and Tone

When buying a guitar, the neck is often overlooked in favor of tonewood, pickups, or body shape. However, the neck plays a crucial role in the guitar's playability and can even influence its tone. From the width of the nut to the type of wood used, each aspect contributes to how the guitar will feel in your hands and respond to your touch. Below, we dissect the elements that make up a guitar neck to help you find the perfect fit for your playing style.

Neck Wood

Maple

Characteristics: Bright and snappy.
Good For: Almost any style of music; commonly used in both electric and acoustic guitars.

Mahogany

Characteristics: Warm, with good sustain.
Good For: Rock, blues, and jazz.

Rosewood

Characteristics: Rich and complex, often used in higher-end guitars.
Good For: Virtually any style, especially complex fingerstyle pieces.

Neck Shape

C-Shape

Characteristics: Comfortable and versatile, suitable for most playing styles.
Good For: General-purpose playing.

V-Shape

Characteristics: More challenging to play but preferred by some for chording.
Good For: Vintage enthusiasts, blues.

D-Shape

Characteristics: Flat back provides a different feel, which some find more ergonomic.
Good For: Fast playing styles like shred and metal.

U-Shape

Characteristics: Thick and rounded, offering more to grip.
Good For: Players who prefer a substantial neck.

Scale Length

Short Scale (e.g., 24.75 inches): Easier to play, softer tension, warmer tone.
Long Scale (e.g., 25.5 inches): Brighter tone, more tension, favored for lead guitar.

Fretboard Material

Rosewood

Characteristics: Smooth and warm, with complex overtones.

Maple

Characteristics: Bright and snappy, often sealed to maintain its look and feel.

Ebony

Characteristics: Hard and smooth, with a bright, crisp tone.

Nut Width and Fingerboard Radius

Nut Width: Affects how much space you have for each string. Wider nuts (e.g., 1.75 inches) are better for fingerstyle, while narrower nuts (e.g., 1.68 inches) are generally easier for chord-based playing.
Fingerboard Radius: A flatter radius (e.g., 16 inches) makes it easier to play fast and bend strings, while a more rounded radius (e.g., 7.25 inches) is often more comfortable for chording.

Understanding the various elements that make up a guitar neck will help you make an informed decision when choosing your next instrument. It’s advisable to physically try out different necks, if possible, to see how they feel in your hands. Remember, the neck influences both playability and tone, making it a critical factor in the overall enjoyment and effectiveness of your guitar playing.

The Final Chord: Making the Right Choice on Your Guitar Journey

Congratulations, you've journeyed through the labyrinth of guitar buying essentials—from wood types that shape your tone, to body shapes that offer different sonic landscapes, to pickups that capture your musical essence, and finally, to necks that define your playing comfort. By now, you should have a well-rounded understanding of what to look for in a guitar that matches not only your musical needs but also your aesthetic preferences and ergonomic requirements.

Remember, a guitar is more than just a combination of wood, strings, and electronics. It becomes an extension of yourself, a tool for artistic expression, and perhaps even a lifelong companion. Therefore, it's worth investing the time and effort to find the right fit for you.

Key Takeaways:

Know Your Budget: Setting a budget helps narrow down options and keeps you focused on what's realistically attainable.
Understand Your Needs: Your genre, playing style, and skill level will heavily influence the type of guitar best suited for you.
Feel Matters: If possible, visit a local music store to physically try out different guitars. No amount of reading can substitute the experience of holding a guitar and feeling its resonance.
Seek Advice but Trust Your Instincts: While it's beneficial to seek advice from more experienced players or online communities, remember that your comfort and musical joy are ultimately what matters most.
Don't Rush: Take your time in making a decision. A rushed purchase may result in a guitar that doesn't genuinely meet your needs, leading to wasted money and potential frustration.
Keep Learning: The world of guitars is ever-evolving. Even after you've made your purchase, continue to explore new models, technologies, and techniques. The learning never stops in the vibrant, dynamic realm of guitar playing.

Your perfect guitar is out there, waiting for you to find it. Armed with the knowledge you've gained from this guide, you're well-equipped to make an informed decision that you'll be happy with for years to come. So go ahead, take that final step, and may your new guitar bring endless chords of joy and inspiration to your musical journey.