Choosing Acoustic Guitar
Apart from your budget the biggest decision to make is acoustic or electric.They both have there plus and minus points, obviously with the acoustic you can take it anywhere you want and not need an amplifier. The sounds are amplified by the hollow body and you hear the pure sound that you and your guitar are making. Most of the parts of an acoustic guitar are fixed and you have very little control over the set up of a modestly priced instrument. They are very light and can be purchased in full size versions as well as ¾ for the younger players.
Choosing Electric Guitar
The electric guitar is quite often made of solid wood which makes them a lot heavier than the acoustic, and here it is the electrics that help create and amplify the sound . The necks are generally thinner than the acoustic, enabling fingers to create chord patterns easier.
The body is thinner, which means that you can see what is going on with your strumming hand. These guitars are designed to enable you to “set up” the guitar correctly to ensure you have the almost perfect sound.
There is normally a metal truss rod inside the neck which prevents warping of the neck,( every time you tighten a guitar string you are putting more pressure on the neck). You will get a greater variation of sounds from an electric guitar, purely due to the pickups, volume and tone settings etc. The amplifier will also increase the choices of sound when you start use the effects channel or pedals. Use headphones through the amp if you do not want to disturb others
My favourite guitar and the one I believe is easiest to play is the SG manufactured by Gibson/Epiphone. It is very thin, quite light, and the double cutaways make it easier to reach the high notes. This guitar is so popular for all styles of music that it has been copied by many manufacturers, some of the cheaper versions are a good starting point for the budding guitarist.
All guitars have one thing in common, kept in their case, or on display in the bedroom corner will not help you improve unless you pick it up and practise, so take a look at some of the free lessons on offer here as well as probably the best guitar courses on the net.
Teejay O'Neill
