How to Buy an Electric Guitar

Any musician knows that a good guitar player will sound good on just about anything. However, the electric guitar you choose doesn’t just have an effect on your sound; it can also affect how it feels to play.

Many factors of choosing an electric guitar are personal. Do you like a lightweight instrument, or do you like your guitar to feel heavy and solid? Do you prefer heavy or light frets? Are you looking for the bright, twangy sound of a Fender, the deep, rich tone of a Gibson, or something in between?

That said, here are some basic guidelines:

Know your body styles. There are three body styles: hollow, semi-hollow, and solid. Solid-body guitars are best for loud rock sounds with sustained volume and high amplification. Semi-hollow guitars are good in situations where you’re looking for a more mellow acoustic sound but you still need to amplify. Hollow-body guitars produce the most acoustic sound, but they’re prone to feedback with amplification.

How does it feel? Feel is very important. Some players prefer a heavy, solid guitar, while others like a more lightweight instrument. The size of your hands will make a difference, too. If you have small hands, it will be easier for you to play a guitar with a more narrow neck.

Intonation. No matter your style, this is non-negotiable. If the frets are incorrectly placed, your guitar will get more and more out of tune the higher you go on the scale. This renders it unusable.

When it comes to wood, the most expensive isn’t always the best. Many high-end manufacturers use expensive designer woods with gorgeous finishes to give their guitars a distinctive look. That’s all well and good, but the pricier woods don’t always make for the best sounds.

Ultimately, what matters most for your first—or second, or third—guitar purchase isn’t the brand name, the price, or the materials. It’s the sound and the feel. Try many guitars before buying, and choose the one that sounds and feels best. If you love your guitar, you’re sure to get the best out of it.