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There are a variety of string instruments
from electric to acoustic, from 6 string to
twelve, not to mention name brands like Fender,
Ovation, Gibson, Martin and the likes but what's
the best way to compare guitars? Read on ...
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How To Compare
Guitars
Let's Go Guitar Shopping and
Review Some Models
Learning to compare guitars
is almost like comparing apples and oranges. No two
guitars are the same, and often different types are
used for different purposes. For example, you can't
compare acoustic guitars to electrics.
Acoustic Guitars, 12
Strings and Electric Instruments
An acoustic guitar gives a
different sound, is made in a different way, and
uses different playing styles. Similarly, you can't
compare 12 string guitars to six string guitars,
folk guitars to classical guitars, and hollow body
electrics to solid body ones. They all have their
advantages and disadvantages, and you have to know
what type you want before you even start to look at
more detailed comparison.
The Art Of Shopping For
Guitars
That doesn't mean that
comparing guitars is in any way impossible. As any
experienced guitarist will tell you, there are
definitely advantages and disadvantages to every
model.
Guitar Neck
Action
One of the main things that
you have to look at when you compare guitars is
action. Action has to do with the height of the
strings and the feel when playing the guitar. A
guitar with very low action can often suffer from
fret rattle – the sound you get when the
strings bang against the guitar while you are
strumming.
A string with action that is
too high, however, will be very difficult to play.
It can be especially hard for beginning guitarists,
who will have difficulty with pressing down the
strings all the way.
Compare Guitars by Sound
Quality
You can also compare guitars
in terms of sound quality.
This can be a little bit
difficult because guitars in stores may not have
good strings on them. The strings have a lot to do
with the sound the guitar makes, as does the
equipment you use with it.
This is particularly true
with electric guitars. A good electric guitar
played through a lousy amp will sound lousy.
Similarly, a beginners electric guitar played with
good effects and a good amp will sound just fine.
Therefore, you should make sure that the guitar has
new strings on it and that it is fully in tune
before you even try it out.
Review of Used
Guitars
It can be even harder to
compare used guitars, because the quality can vary
so much. A really excellent guitar with a warped
and cracked neck can lose a lot of its value,
whereas a sturdy beginner model that has been kept
in good shape can get you pretty far.
The best way to compare
guitars, obviously, is to bring a friend along who
knows what he or she is doing.
Have him or her play the
guitar out, explain its strengths and weaknesses to
you, and guide you through the decision about which
guitar to buy. It can be hard to compare guitars,
but it's worth the effort to do it right. After
all, hopefully you will be using that same guitar
for years to come. Now, go play
something!
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Acoustic
Guitar Guide
Learn
More about Stringed Insturments
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Music Note
Reading Skills
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