How to select an acoustic guitar for a beginner

It's great to know that you want to be a musician and choosing a new guitar for yourself is really an exciting process. Please do not be in hurry to make any decision on this. Before going to buy any acoustic guitar you have to prepare yourself first so that once you go to the guitar store you should not look like fully blank or unaware of musical sound. It's always advisable to do homework before finalizing it. There is no need that you have to be thoroughly matured musician to select a nice guitar. But few things if you care you will definitely end buying a great guitar for you. For your guidance I am mentioning below some guidelines just follow that.

1. Get some knowledge about known brands in your locality.
2. Fix a budget.
3. Know the important parts of the guitar and wood quality.
4. Be comfortable at guitar store
5. When final purchasing

1. Get some knowledge about known brands in your locality :

There are few international brands which are available in high price but other than that there are few Indian brands also available which are very good in quality with affordable price. Yamaha, Ibanez, Fender, Takamine, Gibson etc. are international brands wherein Gb&a, Pluto, Granada, Givson etc. are Indian brands. Get some idea that which is easily available at your locality with affordable price. If you have any friend who is working in musical store then take idea from him or if you know any guitar tutor get suggestion from him. Don't worries if both the options are not available, simply go to the store and guide yourself with the details I have given it here. My personal choice would be Gb&a which I am using it for past 4 years. It has all the quality which a beginner required while playing or practicing on it and it comes with affordable price also. But again, it's my personal choice the musical sound differ by ear to ear so select that one which you like most. After all no one but you will have to spend your quality time with the guitar.

2. Fix a budget :

Normally in India a basic guitar you can find it from Rs.3500/- onwards. Please do not go for the very cheaper guitar. The reason is when you are new you may not find the quality of sound but later after few month you can easily find the difference between a good sound and better sound. If you go for a very basic guitar then you might not like the sound of it later on and thus, you can lose the interest on playing.
So, it always better to go for medium range guitar for longer duration.

3. Know the important parts of the guitar and wood quality :

If you are known to guitar then there is no problem but if you are new then just get idea of the main parts here. A guitar has long neck which end on top with tuning head and below it end at the body of guitar. It's a very important part of a guitar, generally all the guitar's neck made with rosewood but finishes are different in brands. It has to be smooth in quality so that you can slide it easily. Play on it and find out which one is smoother. Check the tuning head it should not be rusted and easy to move, at the same time it should not be very loose also.

Now, the most important part of guitar is top wood. There are many costly woods get used as a top wood of guitar but Spruce are common in all basic guitars nowadays. Be certain that it should be a spruce wood and not ply, if you have any doubt you can ask the salesperson. There are cheaper guitar which used ply wood for the top which are not really sound good and do not last longer.

When you will be checking the guitars you will find that there are two types of holes in different guitars. One is round hole in the middle of the body, second few small holes in the left and right side of the body. If you are beginner go for round hole guitar because it will give you brighter tonal quality instead of mellow sound which comes with small holes.

4. Be comfortable at guitar store while selecting your favourite one :

It is always better if you select a guitar store which keeps more than one brand so that you can check different sound and quality. Remember once you step to a store the salesperson will keep you engage with his/her advice look at them what they say. Tell them that you have come to buy a beginner guitar and asked them to provide guitar which comes in under your budget. If they deal with any particular brand sure they would like to sale that one first but try to check other guitar as well.

There are different sizes guitars- medium, dread knot and jumbo. Hold the guitar comfortably and see which one can fit with you. Medium are always advisable for beginner but if you are comfortable holding with dread knot size than you go for it. Dread knot size guitar will give you better sound than medium just because of the size. Check the top spruce wood and smoother neck. Hold the guitar like holding a gun and look it from bridge to the top of the neck if it is flat straight, if you find the neck of guitar is slightly down at the left or right side then asked the salesman to make it correct. Always buy a guitar which has fixed rod inside the neck, so that in rainy season if it gets stress it can be fixed properly. Press each freights of the guitar and play the pressed string till 12th freight, it should not buzz or give uncomfortable noises. At the last freight the distance between neck and strings should not have much space at the same time it should not be very low as if touching the neck.

Select few guitars of your choice and play, if you cannot then ask the salesperson to play for you. Listen carefully the sound of your selected guitars and whichever you feel better go for it.

5. When final purchasing :

Asked for discount if possible bargain it. Also asked as what are the accessories they will give you along with the guitar. Remember few stores gives guitar cover, a strings set, few plectrums and electronic tuner along with guitar. If they do not provide you guitar cover than buy it for safety of your guitar, if you are beginner then buy an electronic tuner also if they do not provide you.Last but not the least please doesn't forget to take the warranty card.

Maintenance and care for your guitar :

When you carrying your guitar please never hold or hang your guitar top side down. If you are hanging on your back always place it straight. If you are carrying without cover hold the guitar from middle of the neck. Suppose if you are holding it wrong way and enter the examination room then be hundred percent sure that your marks will be deducted. It is a musical instrument so please respect your instrument.

Never keep your guitar at the floor without cover, play it regularly. Suppose if you are not playing for long time then keep the guitar strings slightly loosen to avoid any kind of stress on the neck. Always keep clean and look after your instrument. Keep these few things in your mind and you can enjoy your instrument for longer period of time.

At the end wish you all the best and good luck in this music world, keep enjoying yourself.