what do you look for in buying a guitar.. - Gear-Monkey Guitar Community

Monster · **what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-03-2008, 02:58 PM

everyone has there reasons on what makes them buy a guitar , what are your;s that makes you buy a guitar.

for they would be
1) construction and quality of it ( if it was not built right then don't get it)
2) feel of the guitar, kneck and wight ( if it don't feel good then it will never sound good as you wont be comfortable playing it)
3) looks (reason this is second cause its nto easy to change the look)
4) sound ( not to worried because if everything above i like then i can always swap pups to something better

V-Type · **Re: what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-03-2008, 03:11 PM

These days I cant justify more than $700 on any guitar or amp. And really have too save for a few months to get close.
But I look for used guitar values first. Like Used USA's if possible or other Half priced deals.
New I make sure all the finish and fit is near flawless. Im also leaning more towards uprgades on certain models such as strap locks and better hardware/electronics.
I also look for nicer finish's and blingy inlays and bindings.
Funny I have two Korean,one MIJ and One USA and the MIK's are just as nice acrossthe board. IMO.

floydmoline · **Re: what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-03-2008, 05:10 PM

the most important things when looking at new instruments for me is

1. wood / sound, i feel a guitar has to be real wood, preferably not ply wood, all though there are a few plywood guitars that sound ok, i haven't found a plywood guitar that sounds great, and softer woods like agathis, poplar, and the like sound dead to me, a bit on the dull side, for metal heads who like the scooped sound softer woods are ok i suppose, but i prefer more mids

2. BALANCE i really want to get an SG for that reason alone, i love the sound of a les paul, but i find it very difficult to play one sitting, they are very bottom heavy compared to a fender designed guitar

3. lastly playability, prolly the "wrong" way to look at it, but i play on acoustics at home mostly, and play bass mostly in bands (lotsa guitar players, not so many bass players) and my acoustics all seem to be poorly constructed, or something, they all have very high actions, and are difficult to play i suppose, but i have grown used to it, so now when ever i play on a "good" electric it feels odd, the stings are so low, and so loose i find my self attempting a 1/2 step bend and end up with a 2 1/2 step bend, and for bass the bass i play is fretless, and has a high action because the if it don't you get fret-board slap.

indytruckboy · **Re: what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-04-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydmoline

the most important things when looking at new instruments for me is

2. BALANCE i really want to get an SG for that reason alone, i love the sound of a les paul, but i find it very difficult to play one sitting, they are very bottom heavy compared to a fender designed guitar

One of the things SGs are not known for are their good balance. I own quite a few. Some have some neck dive. It's workable. But a lot of people have issues.

floydmoline · **Re: what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-04-2008, 10:10 AM

i don't mind a little neck dive while sitting, but the pauls butt drops to the floor, it's easier for me to hold the neck up and play then to try to hold the neck down and play, none of them really bother me standing, it's just seated that gets annoying.

senor_penguin · **Re: what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-05-2008, 01:02 AM

feel is the main thing, then it goes to construction, then sound

jackal · **Re: what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-05-2008, 07:42 PM

I agree, the feel is the most important... when you pick it up and play it you know if its made for you or not.. thats why i don't think there is a perfect guitar design.. because everyone likes a different feel.. of course it has to sound good too

torgeot · **Re: what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-09-2008, 10:57 AM

Feel is a main thing when I buy, but honestly I've bought my last 15 guitars online. (I buy and sell alot, about 30-40 each year) I'll check reviews and see how people feel about a guitar, but the feel on the neck is the bigget thing for me. after that it's how it sounds through my amp (s).

Vintageheadbox · **Re: what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-09-2008, 11:03 AM

I do it a different way.. Ive been play for over 30 yrs now and I know what I want.. and there not new guitars..

I buy used ones that back in the day were great guitars , but now they are worn out. so I get them cheap and I have the re done
from a friend of mine that is a luthier.. now they are new again so to speak..

Jerry

Monster · **Re: what do you look for in buying a guitar.. -** 03-14-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintageheadbox

I do it a different way.. Ive been play for over 30 yrs now and I know what I want.. and there not new guitars..

I buy used ones that back in the day were great guitars , but now they are worn out. so I get them cheap and I have the re done
from a friend of mine that is a luthier.. now they are new again so to speak..

Jerry

hey thats cool and a good idea.. i don't buy guitars brand new much any more... because they drop in price faster these days at guitar stores etc..