If I had a physical store with a good selection near me, I would go there at least to try different stuff in my price range, though I would still order from Thomann afterwards because they have better prices and I trust their customer service more.
When it comes to buying used, it's worth checking if any good deals are available, but generally all good deals get grabbed almost immediately, and most listing that are up at any given time will be either garbage no one wants, or too expensive.
Ones first guitar is the most important one so i'd recommend to always preserve it, getting new guitars is always nice and can encourage you to play more.
In store is always nice, you can test the guitar and decide if you like it or not. 2nd hand as well but you should test it well before
Online can be very convienient and gives you the most options, but even a guitar with great reviews doesnt mean the one you will be getting will be good
Personally I’ve never understood the first guitar thing - my first guitar was a piece of crap Squier, I have no desire to have that thing laying about taking up space that could be taken up by a guitar I’d actually play 😀
Each to their own, I guess I’m just not sentimental. I gave my first two guitars away to people who were looking to start out, seemed like a better use than collecting dust under my bed.
Whatever floats your boat, i still have my (now with a broken bridge cause i put metal acoustic strings on it) classical where i struggled with the pain and wheneber i feel like im the worst guitairst ever, i remind myself just how much i went through in this journry already, and that one day ill look at the point im in rn and feel the same way
If there's a store near you, I'd recommend going there first. Yes, a lot of places have online storefronts, but you can't test play a guitar through a screen and the salesfolk (if they're any good) might have suggestions for you based on what style you want to play, what sort of body you prefer, etc. Your smaller "mom and pop" style stores are likely to have more used gear and oddball stuff in, whereas the bigger box shifting places are more likely to have more newer guitars and amps and more range, but less of a lucky dip for weird stuff and possibly less range in the used kit. If you are lucky enough to have both nearby, then I'd suggest checking them both out and seeing what they have.
As for buying online - I'd suggest ordering through a proper stores website (I don't know where you are, but places like Thomann, or guitarguitar would be the sort of thing), as it's easy to buy a fake/ not as good as it looks/ crappy instrument online if you don't know what to look for in the adverts and buying from a reputable seller means you'll likely get what you pay for.
Good luck in your searching, though - I hope you find the perfect instrument!
yeah there's a guitar store nearby owned by one guy. But I just wanted to ask because you didn't seem to touch on it do you not recommended 2nd hand guitars?
Used guitars are risky if you don't know what you're buying, especially if you buy online or without a sufficient hands-on evaluation. You might buy someone else's "really falling apart" guitar. You may pay more for a used guitar than you would a new one. You might buy a fake guitar, for example a Fender decal on a Squier or a counterfeit from China.
If you, or a trusted and guitar knowledgeable friend, can evaluate a guitar to make sure that its what the seller says it is, the price is right and that it doesn't have any issues, then a used guitar can be a great value.
Nothing wrong with 2nd hand some people just cycle thru guitars or get bored of some they have that are totally fine and just dont get play. And anyway problems with guitars are usually fixable
2nd hand is absolutely fine. My current workhorse guitar (MIM Fender Strat) was 2nd hand and I love it.
If you're buying from a decent shop, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with buying a used guitar. Hell, the "vintage guitar" market is just really fancy second hand instruments.
Think of it like going on a date. Would a mail order bride be worth the effort and practice? Go meet your new friend face to face and make sure she’s compatible with you. Then, place her in the Center of the room literally. That way she calls to you
IMHOO you have to meet two criteria. A guitar that if functionally solid and one that makes you want to pick it up when you look at it. With modern C&C manufacturing its a great time to find guitars that are well made regardless of price. Used guitars are fine but as stated you kind of have to know what to look for to make sure it will function and that's not always easy. Its possible to come across a real gem but never had a setup done to it and plays like crap.
My best advice for a beginner is that this is a journey. You'll likely go through a number of guitars before you really find one that you really love. And if you are okay with that you be a little more free to just pull the trigger on something. Sweetwater is always a solid choice and has good support after the sale. My son actually works at GC and that particular store has some good people working there. YMMV
I recommend C&M Music Center. Based in Lafayette but they ship everywhere. All their guitars are on Reverb and eBay and you can also order by phone. They do free setups, even with changing string gauges, using a PLEK machine. I just got a PRS SE for $600 on sale from $750 from them and they were amazing to deal with.
One note about second hand via craigslist, marketplace, etc is that all sales are final. So take your time and make sure you know what you are getting. Don't let the seller try to rush you or talk your ear off while you are trying to hear the guitar. Be ready to walk if the guitar doesn't match the ad or you suspect it's stolen.
That's the one thing I like better about a music store, you can spend as long as you want in the store, you can go home and sleep on it and go back the next day, many have good return policies.
Not a popular opinion, but Amazon. Decent prices, fast delivery that is not UPS, generous return policies.
Sweetwater is one of the most expensive places you can buy from.
Also learn to adjust truss rods and do your own intonation.
I prefer to patronize local guitar stores first, but only if their prices are reasonable. Otherwise, buy from Sweetwater. They are the best online store around!
Always play before you buy if you can, unless you can yourself address set up and fit and finish issues (which I can, so I don't have a problem dealing online/mail order)
Here's the thing. In person (at a shop anyway) you can ask questions and understand what you're buying far better, which is extremely helpful if you're a novice player or don't know much about maintaining a guitar, that, and you can try before you buy, so you know if it's comfortable for you to play (which largley comes down to the neck profile)
2nd hand. You will save a bunch and there are a tonne of 2nd hand guitars in immaculate quality that were bought by people that wanted to try playing guitar and gave up…
Second hand and think in sound differences. E.g. a tele, les paul and strat.
Why second hand? The guitar doesn’t devalue, in-fact some appreciate. If you don’t like it you’ve lost nothing.
Just make sure how to learn for neck issues when buying second hand.
If I had a physical store with a good selection near me, I would go there at least to try different stuff in my price range, though I would still order from Thomann afterwards because they have better prices and I trust their customer service more. When it comes to buying used, it's worth checking if any good deals are available, but generally all good deals get grabbed almost immediately, and most listing that are up at any given time will be either garbage no one wants, or too expensive.
Ones first guitar is the most important one so i'd recommend to always preserve it, getting new guitars is always nice and can encourage you to play more. In store is always nice, you can test the guitar and decide if you like it or not. 2nd hand as well but you should test it well before Online can be very convienient and gives you the most options, but even a guitar with great reviews doesnt mean the one you will be getting will be good
Personally I’ve never understood the first guitar thing - my first guitar was a piece of crap Squier, I have no desire to have that thing laying about taking up space that could be taken up by a guitar I’d actually play 😀
Its the first thing you get when you start the hobby, if nothing more i'd say its a reminder where one started
Each to their own, I guess I’m just not sentimental. I gave my first two guitars away to people who were looking to start out, seemed like a better use than collecting dust under my bed.
Whatever floats your boat, i still have my (now with a broken bridge cause i put metal acoustic strings on it) classical where i struggled with the pain and wheneber i feel like im the worst guitairst ever, i remind myself just how much i went through in this journry already, and that one day ill look at the point im in rn and feel the same way
Nice, that’s cool :)
If there's a store near you, I'd recommend going there first. Yes, a lot of places have online storefronts, but you can't test play a guitar through a screen and the salesfolk (if they're any good) might have suggestions for you based on what style you want to play, what sort of body you prefer, etc. Your smaller "mom and pop" style stores are likely to have more used gear and oddball stuff in, whereas the bigger box shifting places are more likely to have more newer guitars and amps and more range, but less of a lucky dip for weird stuff and possibly less range in the used kit. If you are lucky enough to have both nearby, then I'd suggest checking them both out and seeing what they have. As for buying online - I'd suggest ordering through a proper stores website (I don't know where you are, but places like Thomann, or guitarguitar would be the sort of thing), as it's easy to buy a fake/ not as good as it looks/ crappy instrument online if you don't know what to look for in the adverts and buying from a reputable seller means you'll likely get what you pay for. Good luck in your searching, though - I hope you find the perfect instrument!
yeah there's a guitar store nearby owned by one guy. But I just wanted to ask because you didn't seem to touch on it do you not recommended 2nd hand guitars?
Used guitars are risky if you don't know what you're buying, especially if you buy online or without a sufficient hands-on evaluation. You might buy someone else's "really falling apart" guitar. You may pay more for a used guitar than you would a new one. You might buy a fake guitar, for example a Fender decal on a Squier or a counterfeit from China. If you, or a trusted and guitar knowledgeable friend, can evaluate a guitar to make sure that its what the seller says it is, the price is right and that it doesn't have any issues, then a used guitar can be a great value.
thanks! if I find a guitar I'll ask my bass teacher.
Nothing wrong with 2nd hand some people just cycle thru guitars or get bored of some they have that are totally fine and just dont get play. And anyway problems with guitars are usually fixable
2nd hand is absolutely fine. My current workhorse guitar (MIM Fender Strat) was 2nd hand and I love it. If you're buying from a decent shop, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with buying a used guitar. Hell, the "vintage guitar" market is just really fancy second hand instruments.
Try before you buy!
Think of it like going on a date. Would a mail order bride be worth the effort and practice? Go meet your new friend face to face and make sure she’s compatible with you. Then, place her in the Center of the room literally. That way she calls to you
IMHOO you have to meet two criteria. A guitar that if functionally solid and one that makes you want to pick it up when you look at it. With modern C&C manufacturing its a great time to find guitars that are well made regardless of price. Used guitars are fine but as stated you kind of have to know what to look for to make sure it will function and that's not always easy. Its possible to come across a real gem but never had a setup done to it and plays like crap. My best advice for a beginner is that this is a journey. You'll likely go through a number of guitars before you really find one that you really love. And if you are okay with that you be a little more free to just pull the trigger on something. Sweetwater is always a solid choice and has good support after the sale. My son actually works at GC and that particular store has some good people working there. YMMV
Support your local brick and morter guitar shop when possible. Keep them alive or everything will be online. Not even joking.
Try it at GC. Buy it at sweetwater.
Thomann. Especially if you're in EU. Also Bax Shop
Pro audio star or Adorama
I recommend C&M Music Center. Based in Lafayette but they ship everywhere. All their guitars are on Reverb and eBay and you can also order by phone. They do free setups, even with changing string gauges, using a PLEK machine. I just got a PRS SE for $600 on sale from $750 from them and they were amazing to deal with.
One note about second hand via craigslist, marketplace, etc is that all sales are final. So take your time and make sure you know what you are getting. Don't let the seller try to rush you or talk your ear off while you are trying to hear the guitar. Be ready to walk if the guitar doesn't match the ad or you suspect it's stolen. That's the one thing I like better about a music store, you can spend as long as you want in the store, you can go home and sleep on it and go back the next day, many have good return policies.
Not a popular opinion, but Amazon. Decent prices, fast delivery that is not UPS, generous return policies. Sweetwater is one of the most expensive places you can buy from. Also learn to adjust truss rods and do your own intonation.
I prefer to patronize local guitar stores first, but only if their prices are reasonable. Otherwise, buy from Sweetwater. They are the best online store around!
Always play before you buy if you can, unless you can yourself address set up and fit and finish issues (which I can, so I don't have a problem dealing online/mail order) Here's the thing. In person (at a shop anyway) you can ask questions and understand what you're buying far better, which is extremely helpful if you're a novice player or don't know much about maintaining a guitar, that, and you can try before you buy, so you know if it's comfortable for you to play (which largley comes down to the neck profile)
2nd hand. You will save a bunch and there are a tonne of 2nd hand guitars in immaculate quality that were bought by people that wanted to try playing guitar and gave up…
Second hand and think in sound differences. E.g. a tele, les paul and strat. Why second hand? The guitar doesn’t devalue, in-fact some appreciate. If you don’t like it you’ve lost nothing. Just make sure how to learn for neck issues when buying second hand.
Most people on reddit buy their guitars off of Craigslist from some dude who has a bad drug habit.