Choosing the Right Electric Guitar


When beginning to play electric guitar, or when searching for a new instrument to add to an already existing collection of guitars, a guitar player has a wide array of options. While different guitarists look for different things in a new guitar, there are several universal recommendations to take into consideration before purchasing an electric guitar. By considering several of these recommendations, it may be possible for you to choose the right electric guitar for your needs and wants.

The first thing that many guitarists consider is the guitars that are used within their preferred genre of music. If a guitarist has a favorite musician, they may investigate what sort of guitars he or she uses. Otherwise, taking a mental survey of the prevalent guitars used within their favored genre is a comparable substitute. In many ways, this can be one of the largest driving factors behind the purchase of a specific guitar. If a novice guitarist sees a guitar being played, and likes the sound it produces, they may want to acquire one of those guitars for their own use. It is no wonder, then, that so many guitar manufacturers have their "signature" lines, in which the manufacturer works closely with a guitarist to develop a guitar specific to that guitarist's needs. The guitar manufacturing companies can then market that line of guitars as being preferred or endorsed by the guitarist, making the guitar in question greatly appeal to the fans of the musician who helped develop it.

Another factor in an electric guitarist's decision to purchase a specific guitar may revolve around whether the guitar is handmade or factory made. Some guitar manufacturers only produce one or the other; other guitar manufacturers have a hand-crafted main line of guitars, but make factory made guitars, often replicas of the hand-crafted line, available under another name. Most experienced guitarists feel that a hand-crafted guitar is of a much higher quality than something made assembly line fashion in a large factory. Granted, a handmade guitar is going to have a higher price tag than a factory made guitar, but some guitarists are willing to pay that difference in price to get what they believe is a better product.

Related to the methods of manufacture is the question of cost. For some guitarists, cost ends up being the deciding factor on the type of electric guitar they purchase, because they are operating with a limited budget. Especially when the price of gear for an electric guitar is considered alongside the cost of a guitar, purchasing an electric guitar can be a major investment. While it is certainly advisable to save up some money, so that you do not have to settle for the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, electric guitars can be a major expense, one which many novice guitarists will need to factor into their decision.

Finally, a guitarist will want to consider where they will be playing their guitar. Guitarists who simply plan to play guitar as a hobby will have different needs and wants than one who plans to become (or already is) a rock star. This decision is somewhat subjective, but different guitars are sometimes better suited to casual playing as opposed to serious playing. Those who plan to play their guitar extensively may want to find a guitar that will be able to handle heavy abuse, while someone who plays at home can often get away with a more delicate instrument.

Beyond these major factors, different guitarists will have other factors that they will want to consider when choosing an electric guitar that is right for them. Some guitarists may only want a guitar that comes in a specific color or shape. Others may be looking for a specific feature, such as the woods from which the guitar is made, or the ways in which pieces of the guitar are fitted together. In this regard, the choice of an electric guitar is highly personal. While the factors mentioned above can be applied to the purchase of nearly any guitar, regardless of who intends to play it, each individual guitarist is going to have their own list of factors that help them to make their decision. A novice guitarist is not likely to have much of a list when they choose their first guitar, but as they begin playing, and learn their likes and dislikes, these will help to inform their second and subsequent purchases.

While it is impossible to say that one electric guitar or another is the perfect beginner's instrument, if you consider the above factors, you should be able to make a wise and informed decision about what to look for when purchasing your first electric guitar. For those guitarists who want to pick up a second, third, or even tenth electric guitar, the above factors may still help to remind them of the things that they will look for, however subconsciously, when they are selecting a new instrument.