Buying Your First Guitar

When you see a guitar player, what is the first thing your eyes are drawn to? Usually it’s their guitar. Guitars stand out in a way that is memorable. Your first guitar should be memorable too.

Someone playing an Electric Guitar

So where do you start? The first thing to consider is what kind of guitar do you really want?

Acoustic vs Classical Guitar

Acoustic guitars have metal (phosphor bronze) strings that are generally thicker than other guitar strings, requiring more finger strength which can make them harder to play and can cause initial fingertip discomfort in beginners. Acoustic guitars typically have much larger bodies.

Classical guitars have light, nylon strings which are easier on the fingers and have lower tension, making them more comfortable for beginners to press down and form chords. Classical guitars come in full size, half size, three quarter size and even smaller. Most are cheaply made and therefore very affordable.

Electric Guitar

Electric guitars have a slim neck and nickel strings which are very thin. The body of an Electric guitar is solid and requires an amplifier to produce sound (as well as a lead to connect the guitar to to the amp). There are many guitar packages available from various sources which provide a guitar, amp, lead, case, tuner, stand, picks, strap etc at a very low cost. Don’t worry too much about the manufacturer, as most of these guitars will be more than adequate for the beginner.

There are two main sizes of Electric Guitar: full size and half size. Some manufacturers build much smaller models. Try to avoid very small electric guitars as they are difficult to keep in tune.

Who Inspired You?

It is a common solution to buy a classical guitar as this is considered the best option for a beginner, but remember that guitar player who inspired you to want to learn? What kind of guitar do they have? If it was an electric guitar, start with an electric guitar. What style of music do you want to play? Which guitar best suits that style of music? The guitar inspires the player. There is a physical connection with your first instrument that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Additional Considerations

Regarding right and left hand guitar options, if possible, always go for right handed as there are a wider range to choose from. The predominantly left handed may want to sit with a guitar to see which suits them best.

Some of the best places to look for guitars are local guitar shops. These provide you with the opportunity to try out different guitars before purchasing. Even as a total beginner you know what feels right for you. Always compare prices online. Some online retailers we recommend are Gear4Music and Anderton’s which both offer good pricing and fast delivery. The usual online shopping companies also provide a good range. Look out for the deals.

Your first guitar is very important, your first guitar is your starting point of your musical journey. That first guitar will always stay with you, whether it be emotionally and/or physically, no matter how often you succumb to the 'pull' of that newer and better guitar that you really need.