5 Tips For Choosing The Right Electric Guitar


A. Wielder - Riff TV.com

Purchasing an electric guitar is very exciting and fun. The process can be made more

efficient by following several basic guidelines and using several tips provided

below. A. Wielder provides these tips and information as a courtesy of Riff TV.com. Riff

TV.com is an online guitarist community dedicated to providing beginner guitarists with

free tools, information and video training. We understand that getting started on the electric

guitar can be challenging. Riff TV.com provides resources and totally free access to guitar

videos and more. Visit the site today for a free membership.

Are you new to guitars and ready to make your first electric guitar purchase? Are you a

seasoned player who owns several guitars and you find yourself adding to your guitar

collection? No matter which category you find yourself in, getting the most from your

instrument purchase is very important. It is also important to understand the types of

electric guitars available.

The choices include:

1. Solid Body Electric Guitars


2. Hollow Body Electric Guitars


3. Semi Hollow Body Electric Guitars


4. Acoustic/Electric Guitars


5. Pedal Steel Guitars


6. Hawaiian Style Lap Guitars

Guitars, and particularly electric guitars are not created equal. There are many brands of

electric guitars to choose from. Making the right choice when purchasing a guitar will depend

on some basic factors, including:

1. Evaluate your particular situation.





2. Determine the specific application for using the guitar.

For example, if you are a beginner, there is little reason to consider investing several thousands

of dollars into a pro level guitar such as a custom Les Paul or a Paul Reed Smith. Another example

regarding a specific application would be if you are a traveling musician. Traveling guitarists

may want to consider a slightly less expensive guitar to take on the road while saving their finest

instrument for a studio environment. Regardless of your situation or the application, the bottom

line is there are several factors to consider. Understanding your position as a potential guitar

buyer will help you make the right decision and ensure that you make an informed purchase.

Here are 5 tips to help you in choosing the right electric guitar.

Tip 1. Evaluate your level of commitment to the instrument and the art of music.

Before you choose your electric guitar be sure you understand the level of commitment

that you are prepared to invest into the instrument. Electric guitars can be expensive and

understanding the level of dedication you plan to invest in the instrument should play a vital

role in choosing your guitar.

Tip 2. Identify your particular application for the instrument.

If you are a beginner and just learning to play the instrument, your application will

be quite different from an intermediate or advanced guitarist who is adding to their collection.

Determine your particular situation and application for the guitar you will purchase. Consider

whether or not you will be keeping the instrument at home or frequently traveling with it. For

example, if you plan to keep the instrument at home for recreational use, you may want to

consider including a less expensive case for the guitar. Road cases can be costly and will not

be necessary if you do not travel with the guitar.

Tip 3. Identify your budget and include patience regarding your guitar purchase.

Many aspiring guitarists have wandered into the local music store only to be overwhelmed by

the vast choices and different price ranges of guitars. As with any purchase, pre-planning and

understanding your budget is critical. Prices for electric guitars range from a few hundred dollars

to tens of thousands of dollars. If you are serious about playing the guitar, selecting your instrument

will be one of the most important decisions you make. Be sure to take ample time during this stage

of the process. Patience is more than a virtue when selecting your guitar.

Tip 4. Consult a professional to get tips on guitar quality and performance.

It is a good idea to take the time to visit several musical instrument dealers in your area. Retail

guitar shops will be more than happy to help you understand what to look for when buying an

electric guitar. Get several opinions if you are new to guitars. Most guitar outlets will have

seasoned players on staff who will be happy to impart their experience and wisdom. Ask questions.

Find out what you need to consider when selecting an electric guitar. Getting several opinions in

this area will shed light on the overall picture and will be very beneficial information when it comes time

to buy.

Tip 5. Include additional items and training resources to help you get started playing the guitar.

Once you have made the right guitar purchase, be sure to have additional items on hand that will be

vital to the process of learning. You will need an extra set of guitar strings, some extra picks, a tuner

and a stand for your guitar. It is also very important to purchase some beginner books that include

chord charts, guitar tab and chord progression exercises. You can also find free guitar lesson videos

on the web at Riff TV.com. Riff TV.com is an online guitarist community that provides free membership,

free guitar lesson videos, chord progression exercises, scale exercises, scale charts, basic key/chord

overviews and more. If you are a beginner guitarist and need free resources, training guides and

tools, Riff TV.com is available and can be your virtual classroom. Be sure to stop by today

and sign-up for a free membership.

Learning to play the electric guitar is fun and exciting. There are few things in life that will provide the

relaxation and feeling of accomplishment you can experience by becoming proficient with guitar

chords, guitar tabs and guitar chord progressions. Applying the knowledge you gain from the right

learning resources to your favorite style of music is very rewarding. Carefully select your electric guitar.

Use your practice time wisely by taking advantage of great guitar resources such as Riff TV.com. Be

sure to practice to develop skill, musical knowledge and basic music theory concepts. Apply what you

learn on a daily basis and you will be amazed at the progress you will make with your new electric guitar.

A. Wielder is a host and instructor at Riff TV.com. He is a guitarist and a guitar enthusiast. He is also a studio musician and producer. A. Wielder has produced several CD's and radio programs featuring his original music.