help with buying first guitar?

Question

i am a begginer and want to buy my first guitar...
I already have a first act garage monster guitar tath was given to me for free because it came with my uncles car???...

Anyway.. I dont have much over 100 buks....
I dont want to get ripped off...
Are there risks of buying a gibson or ibanez guiatr from ebay?

Answer 1

Take a guitar-playing friend or acquaintance with you to a reputable music store. You can't afford a Gibson right now--not with a $100.

Communicate closely with your friend about styles and models of guitars that appeal to you. Have your friend play the guitar in a closed room that catches your eye. If you aren't totally satisfied with the sound it projects move on to another one.

Sit with your selection and see how comfortable you are with the neck in your hand. Can you reach the chords you have learned? Is the fretboard too wide, too narrow, or just right? Look at the double-dots on the fretboard (in the 12th fret). Are the strings excessively high? That can be corrected if you like the guitar. Simply ask the store technician to adjust the action.

Alvarez is a good beginner's guitar, ranging from $300 to $600. I do not endorse Alvarez, but I did buy one for a neighbor as a lifelong gift. He loves it.

Good luck in your quest for a lifelong friend with strings.

Answer 2

If you prefer electric guitars, I'd just go and get an electric - they're both tuned the same and played the same way. In fact, you may find an electric easier as a beginner because the 'action' (that's guitar geek for how high the strings are, and how hard you have to squeeze to get a note out) is often lower on an electric. On the other hand, acoustics are generally cheaper - which means if you decide guitar is not for you then you haven't spent so much money. One word of advice either way - obviously don't buy anything too expensive, but don't go for the cheapest option either. There are some really terrible-sounding cheapies out there which are also really uncomfortable to play and could easily put a beginner off when they'd be happy with a slightly more expensive but more comfortable model. In terms of electrics, there are some particularly good and reliable beginner-to-mid level models made by Peavey, Squier and Yamaha. I started with a Peavey Predator Plus and would recommend that to anyone starting out. Of course, that's just my opinion - maybe go into the shop and ask what they think, maybe get them to give you a few demonstrations of the different guitars on sale.

Answer 3

Yes there are risks. NEVER buy a guitar that u can't try first. Go to ur local music shop, look at prices. Try as many as U can in ur price range. Check: how they sound; How easy it is to press the strings against the fingerboard; are there any rattles or buzzes. Play each string at the 12th fret & make sure it is an octave above that string played open. How heavy is it? U can get a better guitar for less if U don't have to have a "name". If u can take someone who knows with U.
By the way, what's a first act monster guitar? Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I do not see how you could possibly buy a gibson or ibanez for 100 bucks. There must be something wrong with it! If you are a beginner and want something new, save up a few more bucks and go to www.musiciansfriend.com- you can buy a package starter kit that would have the guitar and amp and some accessories for $150.

Answer 5

First off, I would "never" recommend buying a guitar unseen!!

The strings may be too high off the frets and you may have a hard time getting them to "press", and hurt your fingers to the point that you never want to practise because your fingers never get that proper callous...(its what stopped me!)...

Also, with a guitar unseen, even if there is a picture of it, you dont know if the electronics work... If the body is sturdy, if there is anything "wrong" with it...(you find this out, when you get it and have a hassle sending it back for a refund!).

But it from a reputable dealer... Take some one who "plays" guitar with you so you dont get "ripped off"... (My dad didnt play at the time, and the store clerk sold him a piece of junk, and I never learned to play because of it...but, now my Daughter wants to play and I "know" what to look for!).

Make "sure" you know what field you want to play in... as there are many "types" of guitars, and you dont want to get your head turned around, with some fancy store clerk trying to sell you fire wood! or junk!

I wish you well...

Jesse

Answer 6

what everyone seems to have missed here is recommending you check out the USED guitar store near you. A lot of cities have guitar stores that trade instruments and because they have reputations to maintain, and because musicians are picky, you should not get scammed.
Buying a good used instrument will save you some money plus it will put you in touch with someone who can help you with servicing and future purchases. Good luck.

Answer 7

check your local pawn shops. there you can try the product before you buy also, they won't' buy it if it dosen't work.