Which guitar is better? Selection Tips for Beginners

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Guitar is a popular musical instrument. Everyone can master the basic three chords on it. Having mastered the game, you will be the center of attention in any company

But the guitar is not as simple as it seems. As you develop your skills, you will see what a huge potential is fraught with such a simple "yard" tool. But in order to become a pro, the choice of guitar should be taken seriously. So which guitar is better?

In this article we will talk about how to choose a guitar for a beginner guitarist. After reading, it will be clear to you by what criteria to choose a tool.

In the slang of professional guitarists there is a word "beaver". They call them a tool of very poor quality. Previously, there was a furniture factory in the city of Bobrov, which, oddly enough, also made stringed musical instruments. All the products that came out of the wallsenterprises, was of very low quality. This is how the instruments from the city of Bobrov became a household name.

Tips for those considering buying their first guitar:

1. Be sure to take a friend who has been playing the instrument with you to the store. An experienced musician himself was once a beginner and perfectly knows all your aspirations. Perhaps he will tell you, based on his own experience, which brand of guitar is better.
2. The budget is an individual matter. But do not choose the cheapest or most expensive guitar. Naturally, you think that you are purchasing a tool in order to try your hand at the game. But the fact is that a guitar that costs less than 2000 rubles can even be difficult to tune. How are you going to learn how to play it? Let's say you have a fairly impressive amount and decide to give yourself an expensive tool. Doing this is not worth it. Beginners do not feel the difference between an instrument for 5,000 or 50,000 rubles. Choose something in between.
3. What is a good guitar itself? The one you like the look of! Although this is not very professional advice, it is impossible to play an instrument that does not bring aesthetic pleasure!
4. Choose the right size. There are different guitars: 4/4, 4/3, 2/4, 1/4. For an adult, 4/4 is usually suitable. Teenagers and petite girls choose 4/3. For children, there are sizes from 2/4 and 1/4. The latter is for very little ones, such options are rarely on sale. To understand what size tool you need, just hold itin your hands as if you were already playing it.
5. Beginners use nylon strings. Pro - metal. It happens that novice guitarists immediately learn to play metal and do not lose anything. Please note that metal strings are not used on classical guitars. They are for acoustics.
6. Did you like some tool in the store? Ask a sales assistant to set it up and play something. Keep the sound clean. There should be no rattling. Nothing should irritate your ears.
7. Don't settle for the first option you like. In any case, arrange an audition for 3-5 applicants. Only in this way will you understand which guitar is better to play.
8. If you dream of playing the electric guitar, then buy it right away. Don't torture yourself with a classical instrument that doesn't sound good.

Which guitar is better to learn to play: acoustic or classical?

Before talking about manufacturers, you need to decide on the constructive types of tools.

Classic is immortal

Students of music schools without options start with classical guitar. For beginners, this is the best option. The classic instrument has a wide and thin neck, which means that untrained fingers should not move out and interfere with each other. On such a guitar, it is much easier to work out fingerings than on a narrow fretboard of an acoustic guitar. Nylon strings are installed on the "classics". This means that you will save your fingers from bloody calluses at the beginning of training.

You will feel betterlearn how to tune the guitar on your own, as the nylon is easily clamped and pulled up. Unfortunately, you can't put metal strings on a classical guitar. It is rare that a classic model can withstand steel strings. Do not experiment, you may lose an expensive tool.

Nylon strings give a quiet and soft sound. The musical genres played on this instrument are as follows:

• ballads;
• plays;
• romances;
• Latin American compositions;
• Spanish compositions.

The “classics” case is much smaller than the “acoustics”. Due to the larger body size, the acoustic guitar produces a deeper sound. The classical guitar is three hundred years old. It appeared in the 18th century in Spain. That is why the instrument is called "Spanish".

Acoustics - rich sound

This kind of guitar is much younger. He is only about a hundred years old. The instrument is from America. Here, in the middle of the twentieth century, jazz and folk were fashionable, which sounded very picturesque to the accompaniment of an acoustic instrument.

This type of guitar has rigid springs, ie wooden slats, which are placed under the top. Acoustic guitars have steel strings. The sounds she makes are much richer and louder.

To understand which guitar is better, acoustic or classical, you need to understand the features of both options. About the "classic" was discussed above. Now it's the turn of "acoustics".

The body of the acoustic guitar is quite large. This feature gives a deep sound. This tool has a metal rod in the middle of the section. It is located along the entire length of the neck and is called an anchor. It is needed in order to protect the plucked stringed instrument from damage due to the strong tension of the metal strings.

To understand which guitar is better, you should understand the types of strings that are installed on the acoustic version of the instrument. Metal strings on "acoustics" can have different types of braid. The sound directly depends on the metal.

Types of Braid

So, which acoustic guitar is the best type of string wrap?

1. Phosphorus-bronze. It appears to be an orange-bronze color. Looks very aesthetic. The sound of such strings is velvety. The bass is thick, but the high frequencies are less clear.
2. Steel or nickel-steel. The pros call them “silver” among themselves, but they know very well that there is no precious metal there. The sound that such strings make is reminiscent of a silver ringing - bright and distinct. Braid color - gray-silver.
3. Bronze plus tin. These strings are on models of the most famous manufacturers. The sound level of high and low frequencies for such strings is optimal.

To the accompaniment of "acoustics" they perform works related to rock and roll, pop, chanson. Learning to play the guitar with steel strings is very difficult. But if you take a chance and endure for about three weeks, then soon your fingers will get used to it and you will be able to enjoy deepsound.

Which guitar is better: acoustic or classical?

Next, consider the differences between these types of tools.

1. Nylon classical guitar strings are much softer. "Acoustics" will provide you with corns on your hands. Soon your fingers will get rough and you'll get used to it.
2. Steel strings often break, which is also not very pleasant. This does not happen with nylons.
3. In the "classics" there are always six strings. In "acoustics" their number varies from 4 to 12.
4. Children prefer the smaller classical body.
5. A pick is often used to play the acoustic guitar. This is a special metal plate. She makes the sound louder. When playing a classical instrument, such a device is not used.

General conclusion

Having considered all the features, it is difficult to say which guitar is best for beginners. This choice is individual, and you yourself must decide which option is more convenient for you.

We raised the question of which guitar is best to learn to play, in terms of the physical properties of the instruments. However, they are not decisive when choosing. First of all, a future guitarist should clearly understand their musical preferences.

"Acoustics" issues:

• loud sounds;
• high clear tones.

What they play on acoustic guitar:

• pop music;
• rock and roll;
• blues;
• folk;
• jazz.

On the "classic" you will play:

• incendiarySpanish motifs;
• plays;
• romances.

As practice shows, musicians who truly fall in love with the sound of the guitar acquire both options.

Top brands that make acoustics

To answer the question of which acoustic guitar is best for beginners, you first need to get acquainted with the brands that exist in the music market.

Here is the list of recognized champions:

1. Yamaha. Japanese manufacturer of musical instruments, whose name is on everyone's lips. Whether you choose a professional instrument or a beginner's model, you can be sure of the sound quality. The main thing that distinguishes this manufacturer is a worthy combination of price and quality.
2. Crafter. Korean brand. Makes tools for both beginners and pros. The brand's products have a wide price range. A buyer with the most modest budget will be able to pick up a decent option from a Korean company.
3. Martinez. A Chinese manufacturer that specializes in inexpensive goods. The company creates analogues of expensive acoustic models. The company makes a tool for both pros and beginners and amateurs
4. Ibanez. And again a brand from Japan. This manufacturer has proven itself in the production of bass guitars and power tools. However, the firm also makes quality acoustic guitars. A distinctive feature of this brand is the use of mahogany and rosewood in the manufacture.
5. Gibson. ThisThe company produces high-end instruments. It does not need advertising, as it has long gained popularity all over the world. The products of this brand are distinguished by amazingly clear sound and chic quality materials.
6. Fender. The manufacturer also specializes in high-end "acoustics".

Inexpensive "acoustics" for beginners

Which acoustic guitar is best for beginners? Below is a list of good quality budget options.

1. MARTINEZ C-95. A good tool from a well-known brand. The guitar produces quite tolerable sounds, given its low cost. The instrument is made of very high quality, so, most likely, your children will also be able to learn to play it. It's a great option for beginner guitarists. As soon as you comprehend the basics, you will want to change it to something more perfect. The instrument has a classic design: 6 strings, 19 frets. The neck of the guitar is made of rosewood, the body is made of mahogany.
2. YAMAHA C-70. Great tool for relatively little money. The brand does not need advertising. A guitar with excellent sound quality.
3. FENDER ESC80 CLASSICAL. If you still do not know which acoustic guitar is better, then pay attention to this model. According to the pros, she has no flaws. The instrument is made of precious woods (spruce, nato, agatis). At the same time, the price is affordable. This model is recommended for students of music schools. Its sizes are designed for children and teenagers - ¾.

A budget "classic" for beginner guitarists

1. CORT AC250 NAT. This guitar is made fromthree types of wood. The sound quality is high. Many people like its aesthetic appearance. Manufacturer: USA. Price: RUB 11600
2. FLIGHT C-250 NA. The company gained popularity in the 80s. Since that time, this guitar model has been recommended to beginners (previously it was called the Flight C-100). The only negative is that if a beginner guitarist does not properly care for the instrument, then the glossy finish will quickly become unusable. Manufacturer: China. Price 9500 rub.
3. ANTONIO SANCHEZ S-1005 CEDAR. If your budget is unlimited, then pay attention to this handmade model. This is the brainchild of the world famous Spanish brand Antonio Sanchez. The guitar, which produces a chic balanced sound, has excellent debugging. If you are still wondering what is the best classical guitar for beginners, then with a high budget, pay attention to this model. Naturally, not everyone can afford this tool (the cost is about 37,400 rubles). And, probably, you should not buy such an expensive model for children and teenagers who have not yet decided whether they want to play. The guitar is suitable for adult students who know for sure that the instrument will not gather dust in the corner.

A few practical tips before buying

1. Check the tool for external defects. The fact is that if you choose an inexpensive model, you should know that in mass production tools are often made from insufficiently dry wood. This leads to the fact that the coasters immediately begin to peel off.from the deck. Check tool for gaps.
2. Inspect the entire guitar for gaps between parts.
3. Check if the bar is straight. It must not be curved outwards.
4. Run your hand along the ends of the frets. If they cling to the palms, then in the future this will lead to microtrauma on the hands.
5. The guitar must have the correct string height above the fretboard. How to measure it? There should be a margin of 2 mm above the sixth string. Above the first - 1.5 mm.

Even when buying an expensive guitar, you should understand that you will most likely need the help of a professional to tune it. Later you will do it yourself. We hope that this article answered the question: "What is the best guitar for beginners?".