Electric Guitar Resources
Additional Information
Shopping for your first instrument should be the initial step in a lifelong journey of learning and inspiration. It can also be confusing because all musical instruments come in so many different makes and models.
If you’re buying your first guitar, you’ll face choices like what size guitar to buy, deciding between an acoustic or electric, or whether to invest in a new or used instrument. While there are many variables that might affect your decision, the most important thing is to find a guitar that sounds good, looks good, and feels good to play - to you.
There are countless styles of guitars available, and everyone has their own personalities and tastes. Above all, the instrument should inspire you, and make you want to practice more frequently. From deciding between types and styles, to deciding between which guitar sizes to buy, this guitar buying guide will help simplify the process of finding the best beginner guitar for you.
One of the questions we get here @DaddyDaughterGuitars is which guitar parents should buy for their child who wants to start learning to play. Here are a couple of pointers to help you find out how to buy a guitar for a beginning musician.
There are a few general categories of guitar that are very popular. These styles have very different sound and playability characteristics. Deciding the style of which guitar to buy in advance will help narrow down your choices considerably.
Out of all the types of guitars, electric guitars are by far the most popular style used in modern music. Electrics produce only the faintest of sound on their own, but once connected to an amplifier they open up a world of potential for a variety of sounds. These guitars are primarily used in rock, metal, pop, blues, jazz, country, and R&B.
ADVANTAGES OF AN ELECTRIC GUITAR
- Easier to play than acoustic or classical
- Available in many sizes, making them perfect for young players
- Versatile and capable of of producing a variety of tones
- Used frequently in most popular styles of music
- With the amplifier, can be set to be as loud or soft as desired
f your student is highly motivated and big enough to play a full size guitar, you may want to invest in a new instrument from a trusted manufacturer. By buying new you will get:
- Cutting edge technology
- Manufacturer’s Warranty
- Brand new look and feel
Good starter guitars come in many shapes and sizes, and finding an instrument that feels good and “fits” is super important for any aspiring student – especially younger students who are not yet fully grown. Incorrect guitar sizes can affect your ability to play, and young students can struggle with full-size guitars due to the width of the guitar neck, heavier weight, the wider spacing of the frets, and may be unable to play all the notes.
While it may be tempting to buy a full size model that a student can “grow into,” the reality is that a student will likely become frustrated trying to play an instrument that is too large for their body and hands. Several guitar manufacturers make small scale guitars, and these can be great options for young students who are just starting out.
When choosing between guitar sizes, you may need to consider the age of who you’re buying the guitar for. Generally, our experts recommend a half-size guitar for ages 5 - 7, a three-quarter size guitar for ages 7-10, and full size guitar for ages 11 and up.
These recommendations are based off the average heights for these age ranges, so you may need another size depending upon the height of your child.
There are lots of great options for a first guitar that are inexpensive and totally decent. If cost is your main consideration, you can still give your budding musician a good starter guitar they'll feel good about bringing to band practice. If your kid is ready for something a little more serious, there are a lot of possibilities for which guitar to buy.
When it comes to deciding how to buy a guitar, it’s important to look at guitar accessories to get you playing in no time.
Basic guitar accessories include:
- Guitar amps: An amplifier is a necessary accessory for an electric guitar. In most cases, a small “practice amp” will suffice for newer students. Students interested in rock, pop, and blues may desire a “two-channel” amp - that is, one with the capability of both clean tone and distorted tone.
- Instrument cable: The instrument cable connects the electric guitar to the amp. You want to make sure the cable is long enough to reach from the amp to the student’s chair or stool. A 10’ cable or larger should suffice.
- Headphones: Many amps have headphone jacks, which are useful for keeping practice volume inaudible to family members, neighbors, pets, etc.
- Guitar tuner: A tuner is a necessary accessory for any type of guitar. Acoustic guitars will require a tuner with a built-in mic, while electric guitars require a tuner that can be plugged into. Alternatively, headstock tuners work by vibration and are fine for any type of guitar. Most tuner models are relatively inexpensive.
- Guitar picks: Guitar picks are plastic plectrums used to strike the strings. They come in a variety of thicknesses - “medium” pics are good for beginners, until the students develop a preference.
- Guitar straps: All electric guitars and most acoustic guitars are set up for use with a strap. Most straps are adjustable for size, but try it out before you buy to make sure it’s a comfortable fit.
- Extra strings for your guitar: Guitar strings occasionally break through regular use, so an extra set of strings is a good investment. Make sure to buy strings that are compatible with either an electric or acoustic guitar.
- Guitar case: A guitar case is a must for protecting the instrument during travel. Soft cases (“gig bags”) are inexpensive and fine for car rides and general use. Hard cases offer greater protection for more upscale instruments or when taking the guitar on an airplane.