|
|
|
Shopping for your first acoustic guitar
|
Page:
1
2
3
|
Setup Means Everything
Ultimately, the way a guitar plays and sounds will depend as much on its setup as its design. It’s often difficult for a beginner to assess what is inherent in the design and what can be changed with a good setup, which is why it’s a good idea to bring along a more experienced friend when you’re checking out guitars. Good playability often boils down to the guitar’s action (the height of the strings off the fingerboard). Although some experienced players may prefer relatively high action, a beginning player will generally benefit from low action (ideally paired with light-gauge, or in the case of a nylon-string, low-tension strings), as it will make the guitar easier to play. The first thing to check is whether the guitar’s neck is straight. On a steel-string, a slight bow can usually be straightened by adjusting the guitar’s truss rod (which should only be done by an experienced guitar repairer), but if there are any drastic bulges at the neck-to-body joint or the neck has a pronounced ripple, find another guitar. Due to the lower string tension on nylon-string guitars, bowed necks tend to be less of a problem, but the nylon-string’s typical lack of an adjustable truss rod makes adjustments difficult should they be needed. The guitar’s saddle should fit snugly in the bridge and stick out enough that the strings pass over it at an angle. If the saddle is so low that the strings pass over the bridge in a straight line, you’ll have a problem when you adjust the action.
Now start playing the guitar. Is it easy to tune? If the strings are grimy or rusty, ask the salesperson to restring it with a fresh set. Do the tuning machines turn easily and smoothly? Some guitars feature name-brand tuners such as Grovers or Schallers, but there are also many high-quality generic tuners. Check to see if the nut at the end of the fingerboard is cut correctly. If the guitar is hard to play in first position, try putting a capo on the second fret. A properly adjusted guitar should be equally easy to play with or without a capo, so if you notice a big difference, the nut will need some work. Finally, play some single notes and chords up the neck to make sure that the frets are even and aren’t causing the strings to buzz.
To Buy or Not to Buy?
If the guitar has checked out positively so far, play it for a while and compare it to other models at different prices so you get an idea of where it stands in the greater scheme of things. Have someone else play the guitar so you can listen to it from a distance. You might be surprised by how different it sounds from a few feet away. If the guitar doesn’t come with a case or gig bag, try to get one thrown in as part of the deal, and make sure you leave with one. A basic case will only set you back another $30 or so, and it will make a big difference in the longevity of your new instrument.
|
|
Previous Page |
1
2
3
|
|
Printable Version
|
|
|
