4 Keys to Buying a Guitar as a Holiday Gift
How do you choose a good guitar with so many available. It can be very confusing. This article will give you some clear and simple pointers to help you make an informed decision and feel good about it.
The holiday shopping season is here again. Many parents are considering the purchase of a guitar to give as a gift. As a guitar player with 37 years of experience playing and buying guitars, I can offer a few basic guidelines to help make the purchase experience a little easier. Choice will be on your side as there are many great beginner and mid range guitars available these days.
Before we cover the four keys, one piece of invaluable advice. If you know anyone who plays the guitar, bring them along to shop. Even advanced beginners can tell the difference between junk and budget guitars.
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Where to Buy
If you don’t know much about guitars, do not shop online or at the cost clubs. A poorly made piece of junk can look nice in the box, but junk is almost surely what you will buy. You will find real instruments in a music store. Whether it be a big box music store or a local retailer, you will do much better at a music store.
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Electric or Acoustic
Which kind of guitar you buy should depend on what kind of guitar your special someone desires. Pop the question. If your 12 year old loves heavy metal or alternative rock he or she probably wants an electric. However, let say your preteen is into the Disney Rock phase. I’d consider an acoustic. Chances are if they want an electric and you get them an acoustic guitar, they will be disappointed. Their ability to succeed in learning to play the instrument will be based in equal measure of motivation, passion and talent. Your child might spend more time playing the guitar if the instrument makes them feel good.
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How Much to Pay
Expect to spend at least $125 for the cheapest, decent instrument. However, if you want to buy a good guitar for a beginner, nothing more than $400 is required. I suggest you can buy a good quality student guitar for $200 to $300. If a store clerk attempts to sell you higher than $400, ask them to put the cheapest, the middle and the expensive models side by side. Make them justify their sales pitch. This is where your guitar playing friend can be a big help. Be a good consumer and ask lots of questions. Remember, $400 should be the top for a good budget guitar.
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What to Look For
Look for brand names like Fender, Washburn, Yamaha, Takamine, Ibanez and Alvarez. These makers sell good quality beginner guitars for $400 or less. The one feature you should try to buy is a “Solid Spruce Top”. This is the wood on top with the large hole in it. Guitar tops are made either of laminated plywood or solid wood. Laminated tops look great and are very durable, but solid tops sound much better. Don’t spend more than $200 for a laminated top guitar. Ask your friend to play the guitars you like. Choose the one they like to play. Some guitars are just easier to play than others.
Good Luck.
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Peggy P, posted this comment on Oct 5th, 2008
All that is good but a few years ago I got my son a guitar and he never picked up the interest. So the best advice is to make sure they really want it first.