Buying An Electric Guitar

No matter whether you've been playing guitar your entire life or you are yet to pick up a guitar for the very first time, it can be difficult to decide on a guitar which is right for you. Even the pros stare blankly at that wall of guitars in the shop sometimes; it's a tough choice to make. The right electric guitar is a wonderful thing though, little can compare to it.

A guitar has five basic components; any electric model will have all of these parts:

1. A body 2. A neck 3. A head stock piece 4. Electrical pick ups 5. A bridge

Electric guitars need an amplifier to make the sound audible. For an electric guitar, the sound is made when you pluck the strings and the strings vibrations are sent, or "picked up" by the pickups and sent to the amplifier.

The top two things most people look for when shopping for a guitar are price and sound quality.

The price of an electric guitar can be anywhere from an inexpensive $99 to an eye-popping $20,000. Quite a range, yes? Why is there such a difference in price? The materials that the guitar is made of, the care with which it is constructed and the quality of the pickups is the reasons for this. A beginner of course can safely opt for a cheaper model. There are even starter kits out there which include an amplifier, guitar strap, picks and instruction books along with the guitar.

A guitar usually has a solid wood body, meaning the body will not resonate very much (this is why pickups are necessary). An amplifier is used to control the volume of the guitar. Among beginners, solid body guitars are the most commonly used.

The neck joint is an important part of the guitar and has some bearing on the sound of the instrument (more on this in a minute).

The visual appeal of the instrument is also a prime factor - after all, you are more likely to enjoy playing the guitar if it is an instrument which is pleasant to look at. The most popular looks (and indeed, brands) are the Gibson Les Paul and the Fender Stratocaster. Another large manufacturer is B.C. Rich, which is known for offering electric guitars in unconventional shapes and colors, as well as being slightly less expensive than Gibson or Fender guitars. However, even the biggest names need not be too expensive as these manufacturers offer lower priced models in addition to their flagship products - a Fender or Gibson guitar can be yours for $300 or a little less.

Guitars are made with several types of neck joints (how the neck attaches to the body). There is the bolt-on, which is the cheapest, then the set neck and the neck through style. The bolt on type is exactly what it sounds like-it bolts on to the body. This is the most common type of neck and is very affordable.

The set neck attaches to the body by means of a tongue set into the body of the guitar, which is glued in. These necks cost a little more to build, but offer more sustain and resonance to the guitarist.

Neck through design has the neck built of a single piece of wood extending all the way through the body. The sides of the body are fastened to the sides of the neck wood. This is the most expensive way to go, but does give the best tone available.

If you're in the market for an electric guitar, does some research before you buy? Visit guitar stores and don't be afraid to ask questions. Try out every guitar you're interested in and go with one that feels right to you - you'll know when you play it!

When you find the right one, you WILL know it! Happy strumming!

Article Source: http://www.search4allinfo.com

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