Hey, I have been playing the guitar for a few months now. I got my guitar at Walmart, lol, it is a First Act guitar that I bought just to mess around with. Well, I started taking lessons at the beginning of the summer and I really enjoy playing! I am gonna want to "upgrade" in the near future. Any advice for buying my second guitar? Or should I wait longer before I get a new one?

chrissy

Chrissy,

this may head you in the right direction:

http://social.chordbook.com/guitar/cboa … php?id=561

Jim

Hi. my opinion get the best you can afford. Go to guitar center or some other shop and try out the ones you like that are within your budget. Youll find one that is comfortable to you and that sounds and plays alot better than a first act. Think of it this way, the more time you spend tuneing and trying to get something to work right is less time you spend playing. I started playing about 4 yrs ago on a no-name guitar that cost about 100 bucks. It was impossible to keep tuned and was very uncomfortable and hard to play. Very frustrating and made learning alot harder than it needed to be. I think youll be suprised at the difference in how different guitars play and sound. If youre broke like me maybe look at a mexican strat or an epiphone. I play an epiphone sg- 400 and for the money (think mine was about 450.00) they play nice and sound pretty good. Jackson also has pretty good stuff for under 500. Anyway I hope this helps. Just remember, practice practice practice. Its the only way to get good. Have fun

ceejay is right
i like the idea of buying the best you can affourd think of it lik a tattoo it can last your entire life if you take care of it. so that being said it makes sense to buy a sweet guitar the irony is that as a begginner you need something with forgiving action and that tends to cost money. also i think that the 400 to 600 price range is adequate there are tons of great guitars at this price or medium guitars that you can then upgrade. i like les pauls and teles myself they feel good they weigh in nice they are sandards that are time proven simple and tough. they don;t really need upgrades out of the box. check the wiring on a new guitar make sure all the pots work right and the switch to. make sure it hold tune well and feels like you could hold it foreever. i sit with mine in my lap for hours on end.

what are you interested in playing, acoustic or electric ? First Act makes both.

Others have hit it pretty well. I feel the best way to buy a new guitar is this.

First you should have an idea of what kind of music you want to play. If for example you're interested in playing metal, single coil only guitars are pretty much out (unless you're ok with changing the pickups out). If you want a wide range I'd shoot for something with humbuckers and a coil tap. But I digress.

Go down to your local music store and see what strikes your fancy. Grab a few guitars and play them. Everybody is different and the guitar that speaks to you may not be what others like. But that's the key. Find a guitar that speaks to you.

Budget is another story. Honestly if you find a guitar that's "the one" and it's out of your budget, I wouldn't settle for something else you may end up hating. Better to save up and get the one that's right for you.

Another note. Don't be afraid to ask for a strap and try the guitar standing up. I do this for all guitars I consider. Proper balance in a guitar is very important.

Remember also that what I've said isn't all there is to consider. Everything said thus far is important when buying a new axe.