So you or someone you know is ready to pluck down hard earned cash to buy your first guitar. Here’s a few important things to know.
Electric or Acoustic?
Do you want to be like Dylan or Hendrix? Or for you born in the last decade, Ed Sheeran or Jack White? Acoustic guitars were once thought of as the stepping stone of learning to play. You were taught “Mary had a Little Lamb” until your fingers hurt…..and you liked it! But times have changed and lots of kids don’t really hear the subtlety of the acoustic and just wanna rock. An electric guitar has the same notes, makes your fingers hurt, and you like it. It just depends on your musical taste and what you want to play. Most people will start on one type and add the other to widen their options as they get better. There is also the hybrid acoustic electric guitar that allows one to enjoy the tone of an acoustic, but the ability to be amplified.
Comfort Is Key
Whether electric or acoustic, the guitar should feel good in your hands. You should be able to reach the width of the fingerboard without your hand feeling cramped or stretched. The body of the guitar should fit comfortably to your body. It should be where your arm comfortably drapes over the front of the guitar. You should put the guitar on a strap if possible, and adjust it for fit. Even if you are going to sit and play on the couch, this will let you feel the guitar in its playing position.
Folks with smaller frames should begin with a guitar that is smaller in body size. However, it can backfire to get a smaller scale neck for a child. The chord shapes are more compressed and often when they graduate to a full scale guitar, the normal chords might feel strange and may have to learn all over again.
New or Used
The new beginning guitar market is pretty much been taken over by the “pack” approach: An all in one box containing everything one needs to get started. Complete with guitar, strap, tuner, extra strings, gig bag, and for the electric (or the aforementioned acoustic electric) an amp and amp cord, the pack is an easy answer to help get one started. But if you choose to go a more customized route, at Albert’s we have the expertise and knowledge to help you put together a used package deal that provides better guitars and accessories at a lower price. We can mix and match with our large inventory of guitars and accessories and tailor the equipment to the player. Instead of cookie cutter packs that will depreciate instantly, the majority of our gear has already depreciated and will now hold its value. That’s a comfort for parents especially, since kids who are often enamored at first but quickly move on to the next thing leaving you holding the bag.
Hopefully this little primer has provided some insight into getting started. Albert’s Loan is standing by to help start your journey.
Stop by one of Albert’s four locations to find the beginning guitar set up that you are looking for!
Albert’s has been family owned and operated since 1927. No matter what part of the Tri-Cities you’re in we have a location to serve you. With four Albert’s Pawn locations (Downtown Johnson City, North Johnson City, Bristol and Kingsport), getting top dollar for your items for pawn loans and finding that item you’ve been looking for at an unbeatable price has never been easier. Stop by and see why Albert’s Pawn is the premier pawnshop in the area.