How To Learn Guitar Fast...
Buying Acoustic Guitar Tips – How To Check Sound Quality
The tone or sound quality of your guitar should be round in the bass and singing in the top strings.
A poorly constructed guitar can sound too bassy, too tinny or sometimes just dull.
Lessons Learned
My first guitar was a cheap factory produced model which sounded like someone strung a tin shoe box with elastic bands. No matter how hard I tried I could never get anything to sound remotely like it should. Playing chords produced a loud tinny obnoxious sound that was pretty offensive to the ears of anyone unfortunate enough to be within range. So believe me when I say I have been there and made the mistakes.
Just Play It
The easiest way to check a guitar for tone is simply to play it. Draw your plectrum across the strings midway between the bridge and the end of the fingerboard. You can use your fingers too of course, but a pick gives a clearer sound.
What if it’s out of tune?
There is a good chance the guitar is out of tune if it has been sitting in the shop for a while. It is best to ask the shop assistant to quickly tune it for you. If he doesn’t know how, is he really the type of person you want advising you about buying your first acoustic guitar?
Does the guitar sound ring out for some time after each stroke? Does it die almost immediately? If you think it fades too quickly your best bet is to try another guitar for comparison.
Try a few instruments. Even an untrained ear can pick up on sound quality of several instruments played one after the other.
Bring a Friend
If you have a friend that plays guitar ask them to come along and offer advice. Remember price is not always the best measure of a guitars tonal quality.
Although tone is the most important factor when buying an acoustic guitar, there are other things to take into account like price, action, holding its tune and of course how cool it looks.
September 23, 2008 at 1:15 pm | Guitar and Equipment | 1 comment
My first acoustic guitar really sounded like crap too. haha I actually ended up making some cheap recordings with it however only because I couldn’t afford a better one.
The next time I went to the music store I brought my buddy who has been playing for a few years and he helped me out.
Good tips!