The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Inspecting Your Next Guitar

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player, knowing what to look for when purchasing a guitar is essential for finding a high-quality, playable instrument. This guide covers the critical components of both acoustic and electric guitars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. The Essentials of Physical Inspection

When first picking up a guitar, start at the headstock and work your way down:

• Tuning Pegs (Machine Heads): Look for enclosed units that feel smooth when turned.
• The Nut: This is a critical part of the guitar. The slots must be cut to the correct depth and spacing. You can perform a "dink test" by tapping the string above the first fret; they should be cut just above the fret height for a playable action.
• The Frets: These should be finished smoothly. When you perform vibrato, there should be no grinding or unwanted noise.
• Neck Relief: A guitar neck should generally have a slight concave bow so strings have room to vibrate. To check this, hold a string down at the first and last fret; there should be a gap about the thickness of a playing card at the 7th fret. A convex bow is a sign of a serious problem.

2. Acoustic Guitar Considerations

The "action" (the height of the strings from the fretboard) on an acoustic is determined by the nut cuts, the neck bow, and the height of the bridge saddle.

• Body Construction: Think of the body as a drum; the top vibrates in sympathy with the strings while the sound hole pushes the air out.
• Cutaways: Consider a model with a cutaway if you need easier access to the higher frets.
• Electronics: Many modern acoustics include under-bridge pickups or microphones to blend your sound.

3. Electric Guitar Specifics

While many neck and nut rules remain the same, electric guitars offer more precise adjustments, often featuring individual saddles for each string at the bridge.

• Locking Tuners: These are highly recommended for tuning stability, especially if using a whammy bar, and they make changing strings much faster.
• Pickups:
  • Single Coils: Offer a clear, "bell-like" tone but can pick up electrical interference.
  • Humbuckers: Use two coils to cancel noise, providing a "fatter" and quieter sound.
• Pickup Position: A pickup near the bridge will sound thinner and more trebly, while one near the neck will be warmer and fatter.

4. Testing in the Shop

Before you buy, perform these quick checks:

• The Playability Test: Play every string, one fret at a time, all the way up the neck to check for buzzing.
• Check the Electronics: Switch the pickup selector back and forth and turn the volume/tone knobs. Listen for crackles or cutouts. While often fixable with contact cleaner, the shop should ensure the wiring is solid before you purchase.
• Comfort and Balance: The guitar should feel right against your body. A well-designed guitar, like a Stratocaster, should sit nicely without you having to put effort into holding it up.

The Bottom Line: Buzzing is generally bad, but often a matter of setup rather than a defect. Above all, trust your gut and choose the instrument that feels most comfortable to you.