Monday, November 20, 2006

How To Buy A Guitar-Acoustic and Classical Guitars by Ronn Espy

So you are ready to learn how to play acoustic guitar. Are you confused and dizzy from all the models available? All you want is a comfortable, good quality, good sounding guitar made to last, right? If it's your first guitar you you honestly may not know what you want. You need basic information so you can learn how to buy a guitar. Buying your first guitar can be rewarding and fun, once you learn how to buy a guitar.
If this will be your first guitar an acoustic guitar or classical guitar will be an excellent choice.
When you learn how to buy a guitar: construction, sound, and feel will be your focal points. Oh...and price of course. Luckily if you learn how to buy a guitar right you can get your first guitar for a price that won't break the bank, without sacrificing comfort, quality and sound.
Acoustic guitars and classical guitars have the same basic parts. As you learn how to buy a guitar you need to know the differences.
Some differences: acoustic guitars have a narrower neck which is good if you have small hands. They are also louder than classical guitars. Classical guitars are smaller.
Strings: 6 (there are also 12 string guitars) Classical guitars have nylon strings, Acoustic (folk, blues, rock etc.) have steel strings. Nylon produces a warm and mellow sound. Steel strings have a stronger, bolder sound.
The body and wood it's constructed out of determine greatly the sound emitted from a guitar. Basically you have a top, sides and bottom. Tops can be laminate or solid. Temperature and humidity have less of an effect on laminate tops and these will tend to be less expensive. Solid tops will offer superior sound with more cost.
The Body: You have a hollow body, the top soundboard transmits the strings vibrations to the body, a sound hole allows the the hollow body to emit the sound. The middle of the body has what's called the waist or narrowing. The waist the bulges above and below the waist are called the boughts.
The Bridge: Is a wedge of wood where the strings attach to the body,it has a saddle (plastic or bone) that helps transmit vibration from strings to the body.
The Neck: Has the fingerboard on the face of the neck. It has metal pieces cut into it that are spaced these are called frets.
The Nut: Attached to the end of the neck, keeps strings suspended along with the bridge.
The Head: Attached to the top of the neck, has six tuning pegs where strings attach and can be tuned by adjusting the tension. As you figure out how to buy a guitar take into consideration your specific needs such as sound, comfort and budget. If this is your very first guitar at this point you might not actually know what you want, don't worry.
Do your research first. Go to a local music store and test drive different guitars. You will also find a wealth of helpful information there. Take someone with you to the store who knows how to play if you don't. Have them play something that reflects what you will be learning to play. Nothing too advanced.
Be sure to ask the salespeople questions. You will find some are very knowledgeable and more than happy to share what they know. An important part of how to buy a guitar is asking questions. If you have heard someone play or like the sound of a particular guitar try that model and similiar guitars. Some stores even offer courses and seminars.
Make sure to see if the guitar fits you. That's right, how does it feel in your hands, is it comfortable.
You can buy good quality low and midpriced guitars locally, online or even craigslist. When you find the guitar that fits your criteria you should now know how to buy a guitar.
All that's left is to get good guitar instruction and practice. You can find a guitar teacher locally or get convenient online guitar lessons. You will be strumming your favorite songs in no time.

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