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So you’re ready to buy an electric guitar? Where do you start? That depends on what you’re looking for at the moment. Are you just beginning your journey or do you have few years of playing under your belt?
If you are just beginning your journey then do not shell out more than $300.00. You can always find a pretty good used electric guitar for a little more than half that price. It would be a shame to have purchased a $1000.00 Les Paul that ends up collecting dust in the attic because of a passing whim. On the other hand you do not want to spend too little either. In most cases an electric less that $150.00 will more than likely fall out of tune constantly. This can be corrected but that would probably require new tuning heads, among other things, and you’ll only be going through needless hassle. If you’re new to this then it always helps to bring along someone who is familiar with guitars to assist you. Let them test drive the guitars that catch your eye.
If you have already been through all this and are ready to upgrade your guitar because you feel that taking the next step will put you closer to Hendrix, then consider this; it has been said that Jerry Garcia sounded like Jerry Garcia no matter what guitar he picked up. Another good example is Carlos Santana. He switched to playing a Paul Reed Smith later in his career but you would perhaps never know with your eyes closed.
That being said, choosing a high-end electric depends on the sound and style you are going for. Two names always stand out – Fender and Gibson. There is a reason for that too. They have continued to be the instrument of choice for many professional musicians. This has been the case for well over fifty years! Everyone has an opinion as to which guitar they prefer, but it all boils down to this. What feels right to you? Before spending the money that a new Strat or Les Paul would cost, play them, and listen to the sound and tone that they make. Gibson guitars will always have a “fatter” sound and more “bluesy” tone. Artists like Jimmy Page, BB King, and Ted Nugent are rarely far from their Gibsons. Fender guitars have a thinner sound and are perhaps more versatile in the tones they emit. Artists that swear by Fenders are Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and of course, Mr. Hendrix.
Of Fenders and Gibsons there are many models in their ranks. Popular Gibson models include the Les Paul, the SG, and the ES-335. For all intents and purposes, Fender guitars come in two sizes, the Stratocaster and the Telecaster. There are others but those are the most favored. It doesn’t hurt to mention also that both companies have less expensive guitar lines modeled after their most popular issues. Epiphone guitars from the Gibson company are manufactured overseas and produce good copies of their most popular models. The Fender company also has a successful line of Mexican produced guitars that stand up well against their American made counterparts.
There are other electrics well worth considering. As mentioned earlier, Paul Reed Smith guitars are almost second to none, combining the best features of both Gibson and Fender guitars. Dicky Betts and Carlos Santana can attest to that. The good folks at Ibanez also make great sounding guitars, and for affordable prices.
Consult on-line resources for opinions and advice in buying your electric guitar. A great place to start is Harmony Central. There you can browse guitar reviews by manufacturer and model. Musicians rate such things as sound, construction, and price. Remember though that these are only opinions and should never be taken as gospel when it comes time to actually plunk your money down. Also browse your local magazine rack for guitar-related publications and buyer’s guides. The information found within can be priceless. On-line resources and magazines are only meant as guide to help steer you in the right direction.
The choices are many. What you need to remember first and foremost is not to choose a guitar solely based on how it looks or what everyone else tells you. Choose the guitar that feels right. Play many guitars before making your final choice. You may start with wanting a particular guitar with all of your heart and soul, only to find yourself drawn to a completely different make and model simply because it “felt” right in your hand.
Over the years your tastes will change, as will the guitars you play, but the actual purchasing routine should always be the same. When you wrap your hand around the neck and your fingers find the frets you will know when you’ve made the right choice.
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