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Budget
The first thing to think about when choosing an electric guitar is how much you are prepared to pay for it. You can purchase one at a very cheap price or you can obtain a superior one for the price of a small house. In effect, there is usually a reason why cheap electric guitars are so cheap. It is best to pay a bit more to make sure that you get a guitar that is free from defects and playable. Having said that, if you are a beginner, generally you should not spend heaps of money for the top-of-the line electrcic guitar. Are you planning to play occasionally or do you have a burning ambition to play daily and achieve global domination with your band? These factors greatly influence what type of guitar would suit you the best and it is best to have some idea before walking into the shop and being confronted with rows and rows of guitars. Remember, the most expensive guitar you can see is not necessarily the best model for you. It is also important to realize that you will require to buy an amplifier and guitar case too and that they will need to be factored with your budget considerations.
Style Of Music
What kind of sound are you after? What kind of music do you plan to play on your electric guitar? Some electric guitars are designed for a certain type of music - jazz, rock or blues for example. Others can play many types and have a slightly different sound. If you know you play only hard rock music, it might be a good idea to mention this to the music professional in the guitar store who can point you towards what he thinks is a suitable guitar for you. If you are after a specific type of sound, you can play a recording to the sales assistant and if he is worth his salt, he will be able to identify which type of guitar produced the sound and recommend something similar for you. If you know nothing whatsoever about electric guitars, you should find someone who knows a lot about them as your ear will not be as finely tuned as his and something that sounds great in the music store might not please you so much after a few months of playing.
Research
Before buying an electric guitar it is best to do some research first. The fact that you are reading this web page is a good 1st step, but there are other resources that could be looked at. Buying magazines on guitars can be a good place to read reviews and get an idea of prices. Also it is a great idea to talk to other guitarists about their experiences with guitars and the reasons they selected their particular electric guitar.
Defects
The neck is the most important thing to look for when searching for defects in electrical guitars. A bad neck means a bad electric guitar. You should 1st check to see if the neck is straight. Check the back of the neck and headstock for cracks and finally, examine the fingerboard for excessive wear on the frets or the wood between the frets. You should also check the body of the guitar for any large dents, but this is not as important as the neck checking. It is also a good thing to test the electronics. Try adjusting the volume up and down to test whether scratchiness occurs and that the tone controls work. Basically then play the guitar and determine whether anything jumps out at you in a bad sound way while adjusting pickups and other controls.
Comfort
The most important thing is that your electric guitar is going to be with you for a very long time, so you have to pick one you are totally happy with. You should love its sound, like the way it feels and feel comfortable playing it. If you feel unhappy with any of these things, put the guitar back in the rack and try another. Never rush the purchase of a music instrument. If you are not comfortable with the guitar, that might come across in your playing. Take as much time as you need to select a guitar that you love. There is plenty of choice and there is something available for every type of guitar player, no matter how amateur or advanced you might be and no matter what kind of music you plan to play on it.
Buying Vintage Guitars
Vintage guitars can be valued at extremely high prices. Some people take advantage of this fact and make fake instruments to try and rip collectors off. Also some vintage guitars may have had some repairs done to them that are difficult to spot. Therefore it is risky buying a vintage guitar from anyone other than a reputable dealer who is able to certify the authenticity of the vintage electric guitar that you want.
Buying Electric Guitars over the Internet
If you are planning on buying your dream electric guitar, then perhaps the Internet is not the best place to buy it as there can be subtle differences between the sounds of two guitars that are the same brand and appear to be exactly the same. Having said that, the Internet is usually much cheaper to buy an electric guitar than your local music store. Many guitar enthusiasts check out the types of guitars they like at the local music store, then buy them online. Some stores do not even allow you to play electric guitars.You can get some idea of guitar varieties and prices by typing "electric guitar" in the power search box on the left.
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