Tuesday, October 19, 2010

How To Get A Good Deal And What To Look For When Choosing A Second Hand Guitar

By Michael Farnsworth

If in your dreams you picture yourself strumming your guitar in front of large crowds of shouting fans, you may wish to learn the guitar. Mastering the guitar can be a challenge, even if just for fun. It may be better to begin learning with a previously used guitar. A seasoned guitarist can be of great assistance and it is a good idea to enlist the help of one. In most cases, they already know how to get a good deal and what to look for when choosing a second hand guitar.

Going for a guitar that has been used before can save you a tidy sum of money. For some guitar types, the older they get, the better they become - in much the same way as wine. Getting such a guitar can be a real deal. One may also spend a lot of cash to purchase a new guitar, only to realize later that they are no longer interested in playing it. In such cases, it is better to spend less on a second hand guitar until you are very sure you want to continue playing. Factors to consider so as to get a good deal include:

The Kind of guitar most suitable for you

There are two main guitar types. Acoustic guitars have a hollow body and a sound hole which amplifies sound. They have the advantage that they can be played anywhere as no amplification is required. They however need a lot of maintenance and are generally more expensive. They are also harder on the finger.

Electric guitars on the other hand have a solid body without a sound hole. They instead have to be plugged to an amplifier. They are very versatile, easy to maintain and can fit any budget. They can also be played with a pick or fingers. They, however, require amplification and this can add to the cost. It also makes them less portable.

Purchase point

The internet has a very wide variety for one to choose from. The major disadvantage of shopping online is that you do not get to test the guitar before paying for it. Shipping also adds to the cost and one cannot ask for a price reduction.

Buying one from a store gives you the opportunity to sample many guitar types. There are no shipping costs and you can haggle over the price.

Craftsmanship

It is easy to tell a good guitar, even one that has been used severally before. Those made by hand have the upper hand in terms of quality and durability.

Accessories

It is important to check if the guitar has the added accessories. These are things like guitar straps, picks, guitar cases and cables. All these will add up to the total cost.

Damage

One should look out for any damage on the guitar. Small cracks are okay. Big cracks are better avoided. It is important to know beforehand the individual prices of the various components of a guitar. If the neck is loose, knowing the price of a new neck gives you an upper hand when negotiating the price.

One may actually strike gold with a second hand guitar if you get it right when looking for a one. - 40730

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