I been thinking on learning how to play the guitar. I dont know anything about guitars. so what should i look for in a use guitar. signs that is damage or its not a good quality made guitar. i dont want to invest alot of money cuase i'll prob give up on learning soon. so a use one it is.
Looking to buy a guitar
- Thread starter amaya777
- Start date
Try Capsule Music, 921 Queen St. West. Mostly used instruments from basic to very high quality. Knowledgeable and honest staff.
Also Twelfth Fret at 2132 Danforth Ave. A mix of used and new in all price ranges. Again good staff.
Long & McQuade - various branches - main location on south side of Bloor, just west of Ossington. Some used, but mostly new guitars. Salespeople knowledgeable but a bit more likely to just try and make the sale. Main advantage is that if you find you don't like the guitar within the first month or so, they will either give you your money back, or will just give it back minus a month or two of what they would have charged you to rent the guitar. That being said, they will in fact rent you a guitar to try out, so if you don't like it, you just give it back and lose only the rental for the time you had it. I also believe they will apply the rent paid to the purchase price if you decide to buy the instrument you rented.
As far as the condition of the instrument, all of these stores are reputable and will help you choose on in good condition.
Also Twelfth Fret at 2132 Danforth Ave. A mix of used and new in all price ranges. Again good staff.
Long & McQuade - various branches - main location on south side of Bloor, just west of Ossington. Some used, but mostly new guitars. Salespeople knowledgeable but a bit more likely to just try and make the sale. Main advantage is that if you find you don't like the guitar within the first month or so, they will either give you your money back, or will just give it back minus a month or two of what they would have charged you to rent the guitar. That being said, they will in fact rent you a guitar to try out, so if you don't like it, you just give it back and lose only the rental for the time you had it. I also believe they will apply the rent paid to the purchase price if you decide to buy the instrument you rented.
As far as the condition of the instrument, all of these stores are reputable and will help you choose on in good condition.
rent one first......learn and then narrow what you want.....acoustic..electric...6-string..12-string.....wide body narrow bodied...Super slim body.....I been thinking on learning how to play the guitar. I dont know anything about guitars. so what should i look for in a use guitar. signs that is damage or its not a good quality made guitar. i dont want to invest alot of money cuase i'll prob give up on learning soon. so a use one it is.
plus what kind of music you wanna play will dictate your choice in guitar too..
Best to have someone who plays shop with you. Some guitars are complete crap, and indeed in the same model, especially with cheaper lines, quality can vary immensely. Decide on a budget, you can get a decent sounding, nicely playable instrument in all price ranges. And get it set up by a good guitar tech / luthier. A poor setup will make it a challenge to play.
Some great value for money guitars are
Acoustic- Art and lutherie. The 3/4 size one (called the "ami") can be had new for less than 300. Used probably 2. Grew sounding, playing guitar, and it is made in Canada. Great, portable guitar, perfect to "campfire" playing.
Electric- epiphone "special 2". This is a bare bones guitar, that is a little rough around the edges, but <300 new, and I bought one for 140 used. The factory setup is abysmal, and some of the electronics will crap out after a couple years- bu usually its just a case of getting connections re-soldered. When buying one of these, definitely get a guitar friend to help, because the quality varies widely.
These are only a few examples It is possible to get a playable guitar to make good music at a low price, or get junk. But if you want to push your pricepoint a little higher, say up into the 5-700 range, you could score an amazing used instrument. Look for stuff made in Japan in the 80s, the quality of many of these axes rivals north American.
Some great value for money guitars are
Acoustic- Art and lutherie. The 3/4 size one (called the "ami") can be had new for less than 300. Used probably 2. Grew sounding, playing guitar, and it is made in Canada. Great, portable guitar, perfect to "campfire" playing.
Electric- epiphone "special 2". This is a bare bones guitar, that is a little rough around the edges, but <300 new, and I bought one for 140 used. The factory setup is abysmal, and some of the electronics will crap out after a couple years- bu usually its just a case of getting connections re-soldered. When buying one of these, definitely get a guitar friend to help, because the quality varies widely.
These are only a few examples It is possible to get a playable guitar to make good music at a low price, or get junk. But if you want to push your pricepoint a little higher, say up into the 5-700 range, you could score an amazing used instrument. Look for stuff made in Japan in the 80s, the quality of many of these axes rivals north American.
Are you looking for electric or accoustic?
How big are your hands? Some guitars have a slightly thinner neck which is good if you have small hands.
Maybe look at famous people who you like and see what kind they play. For example, if the play les pauls the pick ups are humbuckers. IF they play Stratocasters the pick ups are single coil.
Is a tremelo bar important for you?
I suppose if you had the time and knew what an in tune guitar sounded like..... strumming a used guitar for a while to see if it holds the tuning might be something to look for.
Plug it in and try it out.
You could get an entry level guitar for 200 but if you spent in the 500 to 700 range..... if you decided to sell it you could probably stand a better chance of getting a good chunk of that money back. Of course brand name is important for re sale.
How big are your hands? Some guitars have a slightly thinner neck which is good if you have small hands.
Maybe look at famous people who you like and see what kind they play. For example, if the play les pauls the pick ups are humbuckers. IF they play Stratocasters the pick ups are single coil.
Is a tremelo bar important for you?
I suppose if you had the time and knew what an in tune guitar sounded like..... strumming a used guitar for a while to see if it holds the tuning might be something to look for.
Plug it in and try it out.
You could get an entry level guitar for 200 but if you spent in the 500 to 700 range..... if you decided to sell it you could probably stand a better chance of getting a good chunk of that money back. Of course brand name is important for re sale.
Epiphone Les Paul and non-North American Fender Stratocaster are both good value and are good quality reasonably priced starter guitars. Try them both. Strat has a thinner body so it's which one feels better to you (my preference is Les Paul body). Telecaster is more of a country music guitar.
tele is not just country...it is also r 'n b and rockEpiphone Les Paul and non-North American Fender Stratocaster are both good value and are good quality reasonably priced starter guitars. Try them both. Strat has a thinner body so it's which one feels better to you (my preference is Les Paul body). Telecaster is more of a country music guitar.
Agreed. Just ask Jimmy page, Keith Richards, Pete Townsend, Joe Strummer etc...tele is not just country...it is also r 'n b and rock
Hey Amaya777, I also began learning guitar a few years ago, in my forties. I'm not very good, but I really like it.
If you are set on an electric, that's fine, but I think an acoustic steel string is really much more versatile. Whatever you buy, try it a couple of times before you plunk down your cash. Whatever your budget is, keep looking until you find something you like. Go too cheap and the thing will hurt your fingers more and never stay in tune. A real telecaster or les paul--one made in the U.S., will start at about $1100.00. I've tried many and recommend you don't go for the knock offs. I have four guitars now, I play the electric least often and it's the cheapest one I've got - a Danelectro. Does the job though.
When I was looking I set a budget of $500.00, and promptly spent more than double that...but I really love my guitar, it's a Larrivee, made here in Canada. For my original budget, I think I'd also have been happy with a Seagul guitar--I've really liked everyone I tried of those.
But I'm saving my best advice for last. You're going to want help learning right? I've tried a few teachers, and none come close to a guy who offers free lessons online. His name is Justin Sandercoe. All the lessons are free, but he supports himself by selling extra tutorials and songs on CD. He is an amazing teacher, all over Youtube but I urge you to go to his site, www.justinguitar.com
If you are set on an electric, that's fine, but I think an acoustic steel string is really much more versatile. Whatever you buy, try it a couple of times before you plunk down your cash. Whatever your budget is, keep looking until you find something you like. Go too cheap and the thing will hurt your fingers more and never stay in tune. A real telecaster or les paul--one made in the U.S., will start at about $1100.00. I've tried many and recommend you don't go for the knock offs. I have four guitars now, I play the electric least often and it's the cheapest one I've got - a Danelectro. Does the job though.
When I was looking I set a budget of $500.00, and promptly spent more than double that...but I really love my guitar, it's a Larrivee, made here in Canada. For my original budget, I think I'd also have been happy with a Seagul guitar--I've really liked everyone I tried of those.
But I'm saving my best advice for last. You're going to want help learning right? I've tried a few teachers, and none come close to a guy who offers free lessons online. His name is Justin Sandercoe. All the lessons are free, but he supports himself by selling extra tutorials and songs on CD. He is an amazing teacher, all over Youtube but I urge you to go to his site, www.justinguitar.com
Actually from a resource POV Rocksmith for the playstation and xbox is neat. You plug in an electric quitar..... ifyou don't have one they sell a version that comes with one.
You can learn songs or play mini games that teach chords.
One thing that hasn't been metioned is "action" this is to describe how hard you have to press down to play notes. A well made electric will have a small space between the strings and the neck of the guitar. When compared to a poorly made guitar the difference can be quite noticeable.
You can learn songs or play mini games that teach chords.
One thing that hasn't been metioned is "action" this is to describe how hard you have to press down to play notes. A well made electric will have a small space between the strings and the neck of the guitar. When compared to a poorly made guitar the difference can be quite noticeable.
That isn't really correct. Every guitar has some space between the string and the fret board. Otherwise the strings would buzz. It there a lot of space, the action is high, if little space, then the action is said to be low. Low or high action can be found on both good and bad quality guitars, in fact you can set the action on any guitar. Most beginners would do well to choose a guitar with low action because the strings are easier to press. The action is set according to how you play and what you like to play.A well made electric will have a small space between the strings and the neck of the guitar. When compared to a poorly made guitar the difference can be quite noticeable.
