Buying a guitar

About the worst thing you can do to a beginner guitarist is give him a bad guitar, one that's hard to play, doesn't stay in tune, or has bad harmonics. So for that first guitar, stick with well known names, like Squier, Epiphone and Sigma, which are sub-brands of Fender, Gibson and Martin. Low end models cost around a hundred dollars, and while you get what you pay for, Fender Gibson and Martin aren't putting their names on crappy guitars. Once you learn the basics on this beginner guitar, you are ready to purchase your first "real" guitar, one you might keep for a long time, so you want to make an informed buy.

First, establish your budget ceiling; mine is around $650, and I have several great guitars, but that eliminates brands like Taylor and Martin. If your heart is set on one of these superb guitars, bring along at least a grand. Next, make your short list if you have one: guitars you have heard and liked, guitars you have played and liked, guitars recommended by others, some ideas to get started with. I recommend bringing along a guitar playing friend, but that is optional. At the store you want to do a blind play test first. Give your list to your salesperson and together pick out 6 or 7 models you'd like to try. You don't have to be actually blindfolded to do this, but it wouldn't hurt. The point is to play without any preconceptions about the instrument that might color your actual at-the-moment impressions. Have each guitar brought to you at random (here's where the friend is handy to keep the salesfolk honest) and do process of elimination (this one's better than that, but not as good as this) until you have 3 finalists. Toss out the most expensive one (unless the difference in cost is negligible) and have your friend or the salesperson play the guitar for you. Some guitars sound better to the audience than to the player, and that's really what you're interested in, isn't it? So now you have your winner and you buy it!

Whoah, not so fast! Don't you think you could save a few dollars buying on E-bay or craiglist? Quite probably you could, and now you know what your dream guitar sounds and feels like. Remember the one you put aside because it was too expensive? See if you can find oneof those for less than you were going to pay for the guitar you picked!

Also let your decision marinate in your mind - you might even want to try a new model via craigslist just for a final comparison. Used guitars sometimes come with other goodies, too, like hardshell cases, pickups and tuners, so ask after the particulars.

And finally...congratulations on your new guitar! The final thing I would do is take it to my local luthier and have them do a standard setup on it: check intonation, lower the action, etc. It usually costs $50 or less and is often well worth it, but if you think the guitar is perfect, forego the added cost. Now that you have your new axe, don't let your friends tell you that you should have bought their favorite model of guitar instead - you bought the best model for you at this time, and maybe for years to come. Now get to rocking!