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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ What To Look At When Buying A New Guitar Please?
Posted by: Sh4d0w Oct 14 2008, 09:15 PM
Hi all again!^^
I'm planning to buy myself a new guitar, cause my first guitar I ever bought and am still using is starting to show some usage flaws. So, I was wondering, if I'm buying a new guitar, what should I look at then? Cause I'm not very good in the technical section of the guitar...
Also, if you can be specific with a guitar brand, a guitar even, please do let me know!
Thanx already!
Stijn.
Posted by: MickeM Oct 14 2008, 09:40 PM
For an electric look for the aucoustic sound when it's not plugged in. that will tell a lot about the guitars sustain etc.
But of course you have to test a few if you're inexperienced so you can compare and detemine what's good and what's not.
Posted by: jer Oct 14 2008, 09:45 PM
I look for comfort in the neck.
Try the chords you know. Scales. Whatever. Give it a workout. Is it comfortable. What do you like about it? What do you NOT like about it. Talk to the tech at the store. Ask him if any adjustments can be made (for free) if you buy it.
Make sure it sounds good for what you like to play.
If you play clean tone stuff a lot. Make sure you check the sound of the guitar in that setting. Same with overdrive.
Test the knobs. Are they tight? Do they turn like they are supposed to? Do they turn too far? Is the jack quiet? Wiggle the cord. Still quiet?
If its got a whammy bar, whammy it!!!!!! Is it staying in tune?
If the strings are old and corroded, ask them to change them.
Posted by: Fran Oct 14 2008, 09:50 PM
There are many aspects to decide which guitar to get, but I'll tell you what I think is the most important one:
Buy a guitar you feel comfortable playing with, and be sure that there's no buzzing in any of the frets. Play the guitar unpluged to check that, playing every single position in the fretboard looking for buzzing. Now, some very light buzzing in some positions can be normal if it is not heard through the amp (check that later), but as I said, you should spect very low to no buzzing at all in any position.
Of course this depends on the action on the guitar. If it is too low it will buzz. If it is too high it won't but it doesn't mean it won't once the action is "normal".
having said that, check that the guitar sounds good through the amp. Check every pickup position, twist all the knobs (tone/volume) to check they work,a nd they don't make weird sounds through the amp. Check that the cable plug doesn't make weird sounds either (move it a bit once the cable is plugged to check that).
Look for imperfections (dents, scratches) on the body of the guitar. Ask the guys about the tuning system, be sure that it stays in tune. A good shop usually provides a pro set-up on any new guitar sold (even if it's a cheap guitar).
If there's any particular style you enjoy playing maybe reasearch a bit some models you may like.
Stratocasters are a safe bet for single coil guitars, Les Pauls are a safe bet for humbucker guitars. Fender and Gibson are awesome. American fenders are awesome but expensive, mexican fenders can be great too and are cheaper, squier and pacifica models are good for beginners on budget. Gibsons are nice but expensive, Epiphones are awesome budget guitars. There are also a bunch of Ibanez guitars that are great in many price ranges.
Last but not least, take a look at the neck. It should look straight (not bent!) and well joined to the body, wether it's a bolt on neck or set neck, check that there are no cracks or bad looking things in the place where it joins the body.
Hope that helps.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 14 2008, 10:20 PM
What kind of music do you like, and what kind of guitar you are looking for mate? Is it electric, acoustic? Did you already saw some models that you like?
Posted by: Sh4d0w Oct 15 2008, 10:12 AM
Thanx for all the info! 
And I'm playing electric guitar, might buy an acoustic later on because the sound of it is just out of this world! 
I like rock, metal, ... Kinda several genres. I have been told Ibanez is a good brand for that genre?
Posted by: ZakkWylde Oct 15 2008, 10:18 AM
Give us as much info as possible so we can find the best possible guitar for you...
...you said Rock,Metal so that is covered, now we need info about:
-How much money can you spend?
-Do you prefer a guitar shape (Flying V, Strat, Les Paul, Sg...)?
-Do you want your guitar to have a tremolo?
...
Posted by: Sh4d0w Oct 15 2008, 11:36 AM
Well, how much money, I would like to stay in the price class of 400-800 €
I don't really prefer a Flying V, and I'm not sure about other shapes... I'll give a link of what I think is a nice shape.
http://www.discosom.com/loja/images/_products/Guitarra%20ibanez%20rg%20350%20EX%20BK.gif
Well, about the tremolo, it can always be usefull. As long as it doesn't make my guitar get out of tune fast, then I think I'd like a tremolo! ^^
Posted by: Noangels Oct 15 2008, 11:42 AM
That Ibanez looks realy good,kind of reminds me off vai's universe axe slightly:)
Posted by: ZakkWylde Oct 15 2008, 03:37 PM
I think this one will suit you perfectly:
http://www.thomann.de/de/schecter_diamond_c_1_blackjack_atx_fr_b.htm
It looks awesome, it's well crafted, has an Original Floyd Rose tremolo, and great Seymour Duncan Active Pickups
Best guitar for Rock/Metal for the money you have IMO
Other choices For Rock/Metal WITH a tremolo I would say look at those two:
http://www.thomann.de/de/ibanez_js100bk.htm
http://www.thomann.de/de/ibanez_rg1570sdb.htm
Tremolos are great and stay in tune, perfectly crafted and the guitar sound good (great if you install better Pickups)
WITHOUT a tremolo I would say:
http://www.thomann.de/de/epiphone_les_paul_custom_ex_me.htm
http://www.thomann.de/de/schecter_diamond_c_1_elite_bk.htm
Posted by: kjutte Oct 15 2008, 04:08 PM
I'm planning to buy myself a new guitar, cause my first guitar I ever bought and am still using is starting to show some usage flaws. So, I was wondering, if I'm buying a new guitar, what should I look at then? Cause I'm not very good in the technical section of the guitar...
Also, if you can be specific with a guitar brand, a guitar even, please do let me know!
Thanx already!
Stijn.
Humbuckers or not? If singlecoils, need humfree?
What kind of tremolo do you want? If you want a floyd rose tremolo, your guitar should be relatively expensive unless you want a rubbish out-of-tune-tremolo.
Pretty versatile guitar is a strat with a bridge humbucker really. Not much can go wrong with it.
Posted by: mattacuk Oct 15 2008, 04:09 PM
For me the most important thing too look for in a guitar is TUNING STABILITY and sustain. Think about how easy it will be to pick up and play at anytime
Posted by: Jesse Oct 15 2008, 04:19 PM
But of course you have to test a few if you're inexperienced so you can compare and detemine what's good and what's not.
Posted by: kjutte Oct 15 2008, 04:42 PM
Correct mic setup, preferably a hardtail bridge, lots of gain on amp, compressor, etc.
Posted by: Fran Oct 15 2008, 05:50 PM
One more thing: If you get a guitar with a trem system (like a floyd rose, etc.) remind that they take more time and effort to change strings and adjust.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 15 2008, 07:55 PM
I think some Ibanez without floyd rose would do you perfect. FLoyd ROse is cool, but it is a bit complicated if you don't know much about guitars.
So any Ibanez with HSH configuration will do you just fine mate. I suggest you go into store and try several models, try to feel comfortable when you pay it, and see if the tone is good. It would be also wise to bring someone who is playing at least 10 years with you to assist you. I think that buying a guitar from internet and not trying it before is a big risk.
Posted by: mattacuk Oct 15 2008, 07:58 PM
Exactly
I picked a Hardtail guitar (e.g fixed bridge with strings through body) because it next to never goes out of tune
Sustain is how long a note rings when you pick/pluck it, its important to have good sustain for solo work! So plug some guitars in and see how the measure up
Posted by: Fran Oct 15 2008, 11:38 PM
Yeah, that's always the hardest part
Posted by: Sh4d0w Oct 16 2008, 08:46 AM
So any Ibanez with HSH configuration will do you just fine mate. I suggest you go into store and try several models, try to feel comfortable when you pay it, and see if the tone is good. It would be also wise to bring someone who is playing at least 10 years with you to assist you. I think that buying a guitar from internet and not trying it before is a big risk.
So should I choose the guitar that has been advised to me already? Cause well, should be going to the biggest musicstore in the country in a week or 2, so I'll have choice enough I guess!^^
But for the record, I should choose an Ibanez without floyd rose? What is this 'thing' actually ...
Posted by: mattacuk Oct 16 2008, 10:56 AM
You should choose whatever it is YOU feel comfortable and happy with Just keep in mind the points everyone has mentioned
Posted by: Sh4d0w Oct 16 2008, 11:04 AM
Aight, thanx alot^^
Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Oct 16 2008, 11:10 AM
Just sit down with loads and play them till you're happy with one. I could say a guitar is awesome but you may think it sucks. Play it on an amp similar to what you own and see what it can do. Keep doing bends on it a lot and see if it goes out of tune by hitting the whammy bar if the guitar has one. Really test it well.
Posted by: Sh4d0w Oct 16 2008, 02:25 PM
So like, the shop owners, don't say anything bout smashin on that bar? XD
Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Oct 16 2008, 02:26 PM
Well just don't be soft with it. Do some whammy dives and see if strings are still in tune. Smashing on the bar might not please them
Posted by: Noangels Oct 16 2008, 02:29 PM
Do a dragonforce on it and yank the guitar up high in the air just by holding the bar while shaking it as hard and fast as you can I think thats the way your ment to use whammy bars
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