Guitar Shopping 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Finding Their Ideal Instrument
Intro
The first step in the ever-thrilling decision play the guitar is to buy one, which can be overwhelming considering the hundreds of guitar manufactures out there. From looking online or in stores, it is clear that choosing the best guitar is no simple task. Guitars come in all shapes, sizes and budgets. Finding the right instrument for you is an important task, but not one that is insurmountable. Let’s dive in!
Types
There are three main types of guitars: nylon string acoustic, steel string acoustic, and electric. Any of the three are suitable for a beginner, however each one has its benefits over the other. You might choose one of these based on your stylistic preferences, your comfort level, or even just your budget.
As with most things, there are brands to seek out with better price points, but also reputations of quality. In this article, we will break down which specific models are most ideal.
Nylon String
Also referred to as a “classical guitar” the nylon string option is not exclusive to classical music. While it is true that seasoned classical players use these exclusively, they happen to be ideal for a younger beginner. The softer material of the nylon strings helps to ease into the pain of developing callouses on young finger tips. Learning to play the guitar is a patient process, and perhaps one of the most difficult humps to pass over when starting out is the callous building phase. Your fingers will naturally callous over, even when practicing on nylon strings, yet it will feel a little easier with nylon strings.
The nylon string guitars that give you the most bang for your buck are:
Yamaha C40II
Simple, yet elegant, the Yamaha C40II is about as perfect as it gets. The Japanese instrument company is known for their quality and affordability, and their guitars come with a deep and rich tone which is maintained over a lifetime. The consistency among their guitars is second to none, and this particular model is between $150-$200 USD on Amazon.
For the young aspiring rockstars, it should be noted that Yamaha also produces the CGS102A and CGS103A which are smaller 3/4 and 1/2 sized versions that are better suited for small hands. These will go for around $140 USD on Amazon.
Cordoba C1M
If you are looking for an upgrade, or a slightly fancier model, the Cordoba C1M is a great model as well. Priced under $200 USD on Amazon, it has a brighter tone than the Yamaha, but matches the quality and durability. It is the most affordable model from the Spanish manufacturer, which is known for their high-end instruments that are revered by many flamenco and latin guitarists. They also make the guitar in various sizes - everything from full size on down to 1/4 size.
Steel String Acoustic
If you’re more enthralled with the bright tones of steel strings, rather than the darker and more mellow ones of nylon, then look to steel strings for your first buy. Steel string acoustics offer the largest spectrum of options to choose from, particularly at a lower price point, so quality is of the utmost importance.
Yamaha FG800J
Once again, Yamaha is the winner for this category. The FG800J is, much like its nylon string counterpart, revered for its quality. Coming in at around $200 USD on Amazon, it’s an easily affordable model that gives you the best of any simple acoustic guitar. The spruce wood top offers a clean look while the mahogany body gives you all of the warm tones you will need, and then some. Much like their nylon variants, they do also produce smaller sized versions, namely the JR1FG model.
Takamine GD11M
Another great option is the Takamine GD11M – a slight upgrade from the Yamaha. A little more expensive at roughly $300 USD, the sounds and tones of the model are a little richer than the aforementioned Yamahas, and they offer a more automatic feel. These guitars have a slimmer neck, which has the advantage of less stress on the hands as you are learning to play. Takamine makes other models that are priced higher, but again offer higher quality if you are looking for an upgrade down the road.
Electric
Last, but certainly not least is the cherished electric guitar. Just the look of them can be so enticing, and the many varieties and styles captivate all players. The first thing to note about electric guitars is that you are not just buying the guitar, you also need an amplifier, cables, and possibly pedals and other accessories. I won’t get too deep into that in this article, but I will offer some guidance on which models might be the best value.
Starter Kits
If you are brand new to the instrument, or are looking for the right thing for your young rocker, then a starter kit is a great option. The quality among them can be very hit or miss, so sticking to more notable brands such as Fender - through their Squire line, Gibson - via their Epiphone line, and Ibanez will maintain quality at a reasonable price. The Squire Sonic Kit gives you a properly built electric guitar, alongside an amplifier, cable, strap, and other accessories that will allow you or your child to hit the ground running without being surprised down the road by various critical necessities. One of these kits is around $275 USD via Amazon.
Brands like Donner or Rogue are also common, and tend to be at a lower price point, however they don’t offer the same standard and are ultimately not worth what you will spend. Quality is everything when it comes to guitars, and sacrificing that over price is ultimately doing yourself or your loved ones a disservice to their desires and passions.
If you are looking to upgrade an electric, or are wanting to choose something more carefully, I would recommend heading to your local guitar shop or other retailer where you can try out the guitars in person. Electric guitars are unique across all manufacturers and styles, and finding the right one for you is often times best done so through physical trial and error.
At the end of the day, we all have different taste. Choosing the right guitar for you is about finding a guitar that will sound best for the sound/genre you’re striving to attain. The models listed in this article are ones I have found to be consistent in quality, while managing to stay valuable for their lower price point. As a player of 20 years, and a teacher for nearly 6, I have had the chance to try these all out and I recommend them all for a beginning guitar player. Getting your first guitar is a feeling you will never forget. I still remember unpacking and tuning up my first one, and that excitement has yet to fade. Enjoy the process, happy purchasing and playing!
