The hardest part is learning how to play a new instrument and picking the right one. The guitar world is filled with various models, and you may find yourself confused by them all. When it comes to buying a guitar, deciding what to buy can be a daunting task. After all, numerous factors are considered, from the string to the wood to the sound you want to achieve. But how do you choose a guitar that’s right for you? If you’re looking to buy a guitar or even build up a collection, here are some tips for finding the most suitable instrument for your style.
Consider Your Style
This is the obvious first step, and it is the first one for a reason. You won’t know how to proceed if you don’t understand how you will be playing it. You are probably already aware of what genre of music you play so that you can move on from there. Those who are into heavy metal, for instance, will want to aim for a guitar that has a thinner neck and is best for shredding and playing fast. If you are more into Blues, then guitars with pickups that generate a smoother sound will be what you should aim for.
Hardware
Once you have established what music you will be predominantly playing, you should check out the hardware. There are so many things to look for when buying a guitar, especially if you’re new to the hobby. When shopping for guitars, you need to take into account several factors. Your budget determines a large part of your decision, but other factors such as the type of wood used to make the body, the kind of electronics and tone, and the number of strings also matter.
Types of Guitars
When looking for a new guitar, make sure you understand the type of instrument you’re buying. Guitars come in a variety of shapes and sounds. The differences stem from the materials used to make the guitar neck, the kind of wood used, the finish applied to the instrument, and the body and headstock shape. Some of the more well-known varieties include:
Classical
Spanish guitars, or classical guitars, were initially made to play flamenco or classical music but now can be used for any music the player wants. Nevertheless, their primary function is for playing classical music. This stems from them having nylon strings that are easier to finger and have a smoother sound than other string materials. The classical guitar body shape also accentuates the sounds giving it a more profound and more playful tune.
Acoustic
Electric guitars may be the most popular type of guitar, but they are certainly not the only type. Acoustic guitars are the traditional choice for those who love the sound of an acoustic instrument. Acoustic instruments mainly differ in that an acoustic uses a hollow, wooden body with a soundhole, while an electric uses an internal chamber for amplification. Acoustic guitars produce sound by the vibration of their strings without the use of amplifiers. Unlike an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar has a hollow body, which means you do not have to amplify the guitar to get it to produce sound.
Ukulele
A ukulele is a small stringed musical instrument that is widely played across the world. It is generally a Hawaiian-style instrument, but there are many different types of ukulele, and they are played in various styles. For example, with Acoustic Realm, you can discover lots of further information ranging from how to tune your uke to some easy songs to practice for beginners. It is perhaps the most well-played instrument with lots of places online to practice.
Electro-Acoustic
The electric acoustic guitar, a hybrid of the electric and acoustic guitar, is usually created by taking an acoustic guitar and adding electric pickups. Doing so changed the guitar in some unexpected ways. Although it offers the most significant degree of versatility in terms of playing style, it sacrifices other areas. As the saying goes, Jack of all trade but master of none.
Electric
An electric guitar produces sound electronically from being plugged into an amplifier. The sound comes from a pickup, which converts the vibration of the strings into electronic signals. The oscillation occurs when a guitar player plucks the strings, causing a small amount of the string to vibrate. String vibrations are converted into signals that an amplifier can use to produce sound. This type is more commonly used for rock music, and what it lacks in terms of warmth, it more than makes up for in terms of sound variations.
Guitar selection sounds complicated at first, but once you know what type of music you like, you’ll find that it’s easier than you thought. Once you’re familiar with different varieties and the sounds they produce, you’ll know exactly what you need.