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Here is a compelling article about how to choose a guitar from our Rancho Cordova teacher Bob C, who has a Masters in Music from Columbia University.

Starting musical lessons is a wonderful idea and can improve a person’s life.  It has been shown that students that seriously study music develop structures in their brain that MRI studies demonstrate are used for Math and Physics concepts.   In fact, Einstein credits his conceptual creativity on learning the violin at aged four.  As you learn, your brain grows musically and you’ll enjoy music much more.

To start lessons, as the teacher I am more than willing to help obtain a  reasonably priced, easy to play instrument.  Unfortunately students often show up with a guitar shaped toy.

The Toy:

Many parents show up or I find someone bought them a guitar at Wall Mart or similar guitar shaped toy.

The parents say, “If he/she likes it, we’ll get a better one.”   Well, it never works like that.
No one likes to play a piece of junk.  They are generally impossible to play; they hurt your fingers and sound terrible.   If they do everything perfect, which is almost impossible, it will still sound terrible.

The student won’t want to play the guitar.  End of lessons.   It is a sure path for failure.
Worse, it will discourage the student and think they can’t play guitar.     

The Recommended Starter Guitar:

A steel string guitar has 220 pounds of pressure, and usually has a narrow neck.  It is much easier for the student to start on a nylon string, usually called a classical guitar.
Nylon strings are much easier to play and there is more space between the strings making it easier to play chords.    It just is easier. 

Many children want to learn electric guitar.  At some point, when the student has progressed, that’s fine.  However electrics are a much more expensive proposition. You have to pay for a guitar, electronics, cables and an amp.       When a student is ready for an electric they can play and feel how well they play.    

If you prefer to go to a store, I’ll help work with a local store selecting an instrument.  You will pay more at a store, but they will be there if you need repairs or adjustments.

There are a number of excellent Chinese makers and but these people will only export a number at once.   While most Chinese guitars are junk, but there are a few shops that make excellent instruments for the money.  I used to import basses, and I can import very high quality supplier of guitars at low costs.  

Why a solid top?  That’s your speaker.  The more it is played, it will quickly open up and sound better and better.  Plywood tops will never get the beautiful sound.  But the top must be made of good woods and toned correctly.

Please buy a tuner.  Tuning is a fairly difficult task, and learning to tune a guitar with a tuner makes it much easier.   Tuning is tricky since it involves listening, getting used to adjusting the pitch.   Tuning takes practice.  And out of tune guitar really sounds terrible.
Get a tuner that will let you set which string you are on.  Some will play the sound of the note.  Even pros use tuners.  Regardless, I’ll teach you how to tune your guitar.

If you go to a store to buy a guitar, there are a few basic things you can check. 

1:  If you put a straight edge from the neck, it should hit the bridge, ideally, at the bottom of the saddle.  If not, the angle is off, and the guitar will be useless.  A yardstick or ruler is ideal for this.  If the angle is wrong,   the only repair is a neck reset which costs about $150 or more.

2:  If you push the guitar string down on the top and bottom fret the string should come close to hitting every string, with no more than a 1/8th of an inch.  If not it will be warped, and difficult to play.  Sometimes we can adjust the truss rod and straighten the neck.

3: Play every note on the guitar and make sure than all of them clear the next fret and don’t buzz.

4: It should be as easy to press down on the 12 fret as the first fret.  The notes are closer together up high on the fingerboard.  Once again, it is likely the guitar teacher will be able to help get a guitar. 

I think it is foolish to go to a store without someone that knows how to play guitar.  Each instrument that comes off the factory floor is unique.  You will pay much more.

In summary, a playable guitar is a musical instrument, not a toy.   If you buy a toy it will simply be money wasted and discourage your child.  A good student guitar is not very expensive, usually between $100 to $200.   I try and keep a few that I sell at cost to students.  I want my students to be successful and have a great time.  I will be glad to check out family instruments.   A string bass is well over a thousand dollars for even a playable plywood instrument.

And, a good guitar will likely appreciate in value over time.   So you see a good used solid top guitar, well taken care of is actually the better investment than the toy.

Even rock players do most of their personal practice on acoustic instruments.

Many children want to learn electric guitar.  At some point, when the student has progressed, that’s fine.  However they are a much more expensive proposition.   You have to pay for a guitar, electronics, and an amp.  Just think, the cost of pickups alone can easily exceed $100.   The cost for a playable instrument is much more expensive and a cheap one sounds terrible.    When a student is ready for an electric they can play and feel how well they play.     Only buy a guitar when you can get a good quality instrument and amp.

Finally, always wash your hands before playing the guitar.  The acids and dirt on your fingers will ruin the strings and even the guitar. Never let anyone play the guitar without washing their hands.