One question that I’m sure all tutors like me get asked at some point is how to choose an electric guitar if you’ve never owned one before, and it’s a question that most commonly comes up in one of two contexts.
#1 It's only a phase...
Firstly, from the parents looking to buy their child an instrument to learn on. Chances are that budget is going to be a primary concern, because despite mine and every other guitar tutor’s best efforts, that child might be going through a phase. The next time that loft door opens to retrieve the Christmas decorations, that guitar could be going out of sight and out of mind. The guitar will also have to look like the one that <<insert teenage popstar of your choice>> plays, because that’s obviously a key factor in rock stardom.
I know it sounds like I’m being a bit flippant, but actually, regardless of your age or financial status, there is a parallel grain of wisdom there. Buying a guitar that doesn’t excite you to look at or play, rarely works. It seems superficial, it’s all about the sound, right? Wrong. Sound is obviously important, but you’ve got to get there first, and choosing something you like the look of really helps. Especially if you think it makes you look cool.
#2 It's about time...
The second most common context in my experience is the older, acoustic guitarist, who might feel like they’re a bit stuck in a rut. Cost is usually less of an issue here, however the prudent purchaser might still consider the real value of the purchase. Just because you can afford an expensive guitar, it doesn't mean its a good investment. What I said in the last paragraph still holds true though, everybody needs to be inspired, and the new sounds that an electric guitar can unlock can be exciting, especially if you’ve been crashing away an acoustic for years.
Quick sidebar… When it comes to learning guitar generally, there is a traditional argument that you should learn on an acoustic, and graduate to an electric. I personally don’t hold much store in that. I think they both have pros and cons, and that a balanced education would ideally involve both instruments, as being complementary to each other. The majority of the skills are completely transferable, so it really does come back once again to that idea of inspiration, and to suitability for what you actually want to play.
Okay, so what we actually have is two questions here…
#2. How do I go about choosing an electric guitar to further my playing and conquer new sonic realms?
I’ve been having a look through all the popular Youtube channels, and I’ve picked out a few videos that I hope might help to answer each of these questions. In this blog I’m going to share three videos with you that help answer the first question. Even if you feel that you’re in the ‘question two’ category, I’d still recommend watching these videos first, because there’s a bit of information to be gleaned about guitar types and choices that you’ll have to make too.
These videos, the first by Andertons at Guildford, and the second by Marty Schwartz in the U.S. concentrate on guitar bundles. By bundles I mean pre-packed boxes containing a guitar, amplifier and leads. Internet purchases are most likely the best way you will find the best deal BUT I would ALWAYS recommend an in store trial and purchase if you are able.
Not all guitars are made equally, and although the quality and price of such bundles has improved drastically in the last several years, even if you think you know what you want, if you can make it to a guitar shop to try before you buy, absolutely do it. Similar priced deals can often be had from smaller, independent or second hand guitar shops too, so don’t feel you have to shop from the big boys. Your inspiration might come from some unusual, second hand guitar you like the look and sound of, and not from a more popular choice. I know mine do, speaking as somebody with too many guitars and absolutely no standard Telecasters or Stratocasters.
What these two videos show you is what is typically available by going down the big business bundle route, and quite a selection it is! I’m going to continue this topic in one of my next blogs, by sharing the two videos I’ve chosen which might better reflect the considerations affecting those of you in group two - the experienced acoustic guitarists, but novice electric guitar buyers.
The third and last video is from Paul Davids, where he actually rates some of the most popular current options in terms of how highly he values their features, playability and quality. Be warned though that he has a very practised eye. A lot of his criticisms, (comments referring to a neck pickup not being as well tonally balanced as the bridge pickup, for example) don’t really affect whether the instrument might actively hinder your learning process. In fairness I think he says as much, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to be inspired to play it, not me, or him.
Feel free to let me know or ask if you're considering a purchase. I may not have any knowledge on the product or manufacturer you are considering, but chances are I know somebody else who might...
Cheers.
Can't say I've ever found much use for my electric guitar, maybe because I'm more into playing DIY country music, rockabilly, rock 'n' roll and blues than rock, heavy metal, psychedelic, etc. One thing I shall always remember, though, is that when it arrived it was covered with layer after layer of transparent plastic, and I wondered if I would ever get to the strings...