Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a dreamy-eyed aspiring artist, guitar shopping is one of the most thrilling endeavors to undertake. Although I’m not mainly a guitarist myself, I have been witness to my fellow band mates obsessing over their next “axe” purchase on many occasions. I’ve found that the allegiance to certain brands and designs can often be quite prominent:
“Dude, I can’t stop thinking about that Flying V.”
“I am totally going to shred on my new Tele, it’s not even funny.”
“Don’t you ever say the words ‘okay sounding’ and ‘Les Paul’ in the same sentence again.”
“What’s that? You think I should eat? Not until that Gibson is at home in my hands where it belongs.”
Now, I know you’re asking yourself “how can I gain such tenacity for a guitar?” or perhaps you are that road-warrior guitarist looking to expand your collection. Well, I’ll give some of my humble tips to help you with the decision making process and you can take them or leave them.
BUT FIRST: to spark some inspiration, take a look at the rig Musical Instrument Associate Ian from our Tukwila, WA store likes to rock:
A good starting point to find the right guitar for you is always to step into your local store and check out the vast selection on the guitar wall. You can’t beat the hands-on factor of trying a guitar out. When considering color and finish, don’t rule out a specific guitar design if you like it because, chances are, they make the one you want and it can be special ordered.
Also, a commonly overlooked factor is weighting. Some guitars are heavy in the body, some are not, and some are more heavy in the neck; it is all matter of preference. A buddy of mine likes the heaver guitars because they feel more durable and he is quite spastic when he plays. Make sure you stand up with the guitar to see how it sits on you when using a strap especially if it is going to be used in a live performance setting.
Finally, strum away. Listen to the tone using the different pick-ups and adjustable knob settings. Check the volume knob for increase/decrease spikes as those can sometimes be annoying (speaking from experience). Try several amps with the same guitar to get a good idea of its character when amplified by different speakers. Depending on the genre or various genres you intend to play, tone is key to your overall sound in band or solo as well as how versatile the guitar will be for you. Tone can be the catalyst or the hindrance for your creativity so take your time deciding here.
Finding the right guitar can even go much further than look, feel, and sound. For some, the instrument is a reflection of their personality and part of who they are. Pick the one that best fits you. There is quite a wide spectrum of price ranges as well but don’t be deceived if a $200 guitar sounds better to you than a $2000 guitar; if it sounds good, it sounds good. Period.
So, whether you think a humbucker is a wild animal or a guitar pick-up, visit your local Best Buy® Musical Instruments store and work with our rockin’ Musical Instrument Specialists to find the axe that’s waiting just for you!
Find more instrument demos and instructional videos like the one above at www.bestbuyMIvideos.com!
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