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If you have decided to buy your first guitar, then the overall choice that is available can often seem overwhelming! What should you be looking at when it comes to styles, colors, makes and models? You have probably asked yourself – which one is right for me, and how on earth do I choose?

If you are in the position of looking to buy a guitar, then the following questions are the ones that you really should be asking yourself. The sad fact of the matter is that many people they end up spending a lot more money than they need to, and many people end up with what they thought was a great deal that turns out to be complete rubbish.

What is the type of music that I am looking to play?

Examine your particular tastes and which type of music you are interested in learning. For those who have more of a tendency to rock and roll or jazz, then an electric guitar is probably going to be best for you. If you are looking to strum along to a more tuneful style, then you should be looking into getting an acoustic instrument. Whatever kind of music you like, the basic skills that come into playing the guitar are pretty much the same. The guitars, however, are different – they are built with a particular style in mind.

What is my level of expertise?

• For the beginner it’s a good idea to look at a classical or an electric guitar. These tend to be easier on the fingers to begin with, and thus easier to learn on.

• For the more experienced player it really comes down to what kind of music you want to play, as well as price and style. You should consider what you are trying to achieve – for example are you looking to improve your current style or expand your repertoire?

What is ‘tonal quality’?

Tonal quality, is, quite simply, the unique sound of the individual guitar. Does that sound suit you and your style of playing? Each guitar is different, so strum it and listen carefully to the noise that it makes.

What is the ‘action’’?

The action is the placement of the strings on the fretboard. The placement of the strings will affect the playability of the guitar – too high and the strings become more difficult to press down and therefore affect the tempo of your playing. On some guitars they are set high, on others you’ll find they are lower. Too low and there will be a lot of interference on the frets which causes a buzzing sound as you play.

Is the neck straight?

You should see more or less straight away whether the neck is straight or crooked. If there is even a slight bend in the neck it will hinder the intonation of the instrument, and at different points chords will sound different. It’s a really easy thing to check, but is still missed by a lot of people. All you need to do is hold the guitar and look along the edge.

Does the neck fit in my hand?

When a craftsman builds a guitar, they vary the shape and size of the neck to suit the variability of the players’ hands. It’s a really good tip to make sure that the neck fits snugly into your hand. Try and find one that feels like it was built for your particular size hand in mind. The thin necks are usually more suitable for smaller hands, but thicker necks tend to be stronger.

How much can you afford?

You shouldn’t really be thinking about spending a massive amount of money on a new guitar if you are a beginner. Look at exactly how much you have to spend, and then make sure you keep to it. Looking at models that you can’t afford is a waste of time and will only make you confused. Upgrading is easy when you have practiced for a while and you have a better idea of what style of music you want to play.

Getting it right, and getting it right from the very beginning is absolutely vital. Get it right, and you have a much better chance of succeeding in your musical quest. Buying a guitar based solely on what it looks like as it hangs in the shop is a recipe for disaster – you will get it home only to find that it does not even come close to fitting your needs. Relegation to the corner of the living room or the loft will probably ensue! Buying a guitar is like making an investment – an investment into your own musical future.

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