Buying a Guitar

I try to post on a variety of topics and from a variety of perspectives here, but sometimes one area or another gets neglected. I haven't put up much for budding guitarists lately, so let's talk about buying a guitar.

If you are a beginning guitar student you should buy a student guitar, of course! With online retailers this is easier than it used to be. Look at this student guitar from Amazon, for example:

https://www.amazon.com/Classical-Acoustic-Beginners-Strings-Waterproof/dp/B07FHZC61S/ref=zg_bs_11971281_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=649785WBG8C0ZNCNP2W7

Without trying it out, I can't give it much of a review, but this is the kind of instrument you want if you are a young beginner. Seven or eight is a good age to start and you will certainly need a smaller size instrument. This one is a 3/4 size which will suit a lot of beginners. But younger ones might need a 1/2 size guitar. You need an instrument small enough so that your fingers can, with a bit of reaching, span the first four frets.

I haven't played any student guitars for a long time, but one of the most reliable brands has been Yamaha. Here is that same bundle from that company. Notice that the price is higher.

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-CGS103A-Classical-Instructional-Polishing/dp/B00F3T36DG/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=yamaha+student+guitar&qid=1557924010&s=gateway&sr=8-10

These bundles include odd things like picks and a strap, which a classical guitarist won't need, but a folk guitarist will. The Yamaha bundle does not include a case. You can get by with a "gig bag" which is a soft canvas case, but that offers little protection for the instrument. As soon as you move up in quality you will need a sturdy hard case.

If you are an adult beginner you will want a full size guitar and a little higher quality. Here is a Yamaha model with a cedar top in the low 200s:

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-CG122MCH-Classical-Guitar-Bundle/dp/B07FXXZ6ZD/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1LLXQ2R76D427&keywords=yamaha+classical+guitar+full+size&qid=1557924261&s=gateway&sprefix=yamaha+classical+guitar%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-2

The same is also available with a spruce top:

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Spruce-Acoustic-Classical-Guitar/dp/B07G8P7NGV/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1LLXQ2R76D427&keywords=yamaha+classical+guitar+full+size&qid=1557924364&s=gateway&sprefix=yamaha+classical+guitar%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-3

Yamaha makes guitars at various levels. This is one in the mid-400s with a spruce top:

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-CG182S-Natural-Acoustic-Classical/dp/B07FY37XHP/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1LLXQ2R76D427&keywords=yamaha+classical+guitar+full+size&qid=1557924449&s=gateway&sprefix=yamaha+classical+guitar%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Once you get past that level, you will want to start visiting music stores to see what they have. There are a few very simple things to look for.

• the "action" is the relationship of the strings to the fretboard. This is critically important. If the strings are too high, it will take too much effort to press them down to the fret. If the action is too low, the strings will buzz on the frets as they vibrate. The action can be adjusted, but if it is really far from correct, it is a sign the music store doesn't know or doesn't care too much about their product!
• the neck needs to be straight, not warped. Hold the guitar up to your eye and sight along the length of the neck to see if it is straight.
• the instrument should not be too heavy. One quick way to sort out instruments is to simply go along the row and lift each one. Try out the lightest one!
• Tap on the body to see if it is resonant and responsive
• Finally, sit down and play it!

Just a few thoughts to get you started. Send me questions in the comments.