Buying your first guitar is an exciting milestone, but it’s easy to hit a few sour notes in the process. New players often fall into similar traps when choosing their first instrument. This beginner guitar buying guide will walk you through common mistakes (for classical, acoustic, and electric guitars) and how to avoid them, ensuring you get the right guitar for your needs. From beginner guitar tips on sizing and type to advice on how to choose a guitar that matches your musical taste, we’ve got you covered.
Classical Guitars: Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing a Classical Guitar for the Wrong Reasons: One of the biggest beginner mistakes is choosing the wrong type of guitar for the music you want to playyourguitarbrain.com. Classical guitars (with nylon strings) have a mellow tone suited for classical, flamenco, or folk styles. Don’t pick a classical guitar just because you heard it’s “easier” on the fingers or because it’s a hand-me-down – if you dream of rocking out to pop or rock, a classical guitar’s sound may disappoint youyourguitarbrain.comartist-guitars.com. How to avoid this: Be clear on the style of music you enjoy. If classical or Spanish music isn’t your main interest, you might be happier with a different guitar type. Choose your first guitar based on the music you actually want to play, not a one-size-fits-all notionartist-guitars.com.
- Ignoring Neck Size and Playability: Classical guitars typically have a wider neck, which can be challenging for beginners (especially children or those with smaller hands)yourguitarbrain.com. Beginners might struggle with finger stretches on a wide fretboard, leading to frustration. Avoid it: Always feel the guitar before buying if possible. Check that the neck feels comfortable in your hand. If a classical guitar’s neck is too wide for you or your child, consider a smaller ¾-size guitar (also called a parlour guitar) which can be easier to handleyourguitarbrain.comyourguitarbrain.com. The right size guitar will be easier to play, helping a new student stick with it.
- Buying the Cheapest Nylon-String Guitar Available: It’s tempting to “just get a cheap one” when you’re not sure how long the hobby will last. However, ultra-cheap no-name classical guitars often have poor build quality – wood that isn’t properly dried or a neck with no reinforcement – which can lead to the neck warping or the instrument becoming unplayable within monthsblog.guitarfromspain.com. They may also have high string action (strings far from the fretboard), making them painful to play. Avoid it: You don’t need an expensive concert guitar, but do invest in a decent student guitar. A good beginner classical guitar should have a straight neck and comfortable action (string height) so it’s easy to press the nylon stringsblog.guitarfromspain.comartist-guitars.com. Spending a little more on a reputable entry-level model will save you from the frustration of constantly tuning or struggling with a badly made instrument.
- Wrong Strings or Setup: Another mistake is not understanding the needs of a classical guitar. For example, putting steel strings on a guitar made for nylon can damage the instrument. Classical guitars also often lack a truss rod (the adjustable rod in the neck), so if the neck bows over time, it’s hard to fixartist-guitars.com. Avoid it: Always use proper nylon strings on a classical guitar. If possible, choose a beginner classical model that does include a truss rod for stabilityartist-guitars.com. When buying, ask the shop to check the guitar’s setup – a slight adjustment to the saddle or nut can lower the action and make it much easier to play (your fingertips will thank you!).
Acoustic Guitars: Beginner Buying Guide and Mistakes
Believing “Acoustic Is Mandatory”: Many beginners have heard the advice “you should start on an acoustic guitar first.” While acoustic guitars are popular for beginners, the best first guitar is one that keeps you motivated. If you love folk, pop, or country music, a steel-string acoustic guitar is a great choiceartist-guitars.com. But if you secretly yearn to play screaming electric solos, don’t force yourself to start on acoustic out of obligation. How to avoid this: Choose the type of guitar that matches your musical taste and goals from day oneartist-guitars.com. There’s no rule that you must begin on acoustic. Starting on the style you’re passionate about will keep practice fun. (That said, acoustic playing can build finger strength and technique, so it’s certainly beneficial – just not a requirementyourguitarbrain.com.)
- Wrong Body Size and Fit: Acoustic guitars come in various body sizes (dreadnought, concert, parlor, ¾-size, etc.). A common mistake is picking a full-size dreadnought because it’s standard, only to find it’s too bulky or uncomfortable. Young players or people with smaller frames might struggle with a big guitar. Avoid it: Make sure to get the right size guitar for the player’s age and build. For children or smaller teens, a ½ or ¾-size acoustic might be appropriateyourguitarbrain.com. Even adult players can choose smaller-body acoustics (like a concert or parlour size) for a more comfortable feel. Always hold the guitar in playing position to ensure you can reach the strings and fretboard comfortably.
- High Action and Poor Playability: Beginners often don’t realize that not all guitars are equally easy to play. A very common pitfall is buying an acoustic with the strings too high off the fretboard (high action). This makes pressing chords require much more finger strength, causing pain and discouragementartist-guitars.com. Cheap acoustic guitars, in particular, often suffer from poor setup and high action. Avoid it: Check the action before buying. As a reference, at the 12th fret the gap should be reasonable (around 2–2.7 mm on an acoustic) for beginnersartist-guitars.com. If you’re not sure how to judge this, ask a knowledgeable friend or the shop staff. Many guitars can be adjusted (truss rod tweak or sanding the saddle) to improve the action. A properly set up acoustic will be much easier for a newbie to learn on.
- Paying for Unneeded Features (Electronics, etc.): Modern acoustics sometimes come with built-in pickups and equalizers (making them “electro-acoustic”). New players might assume they need these extras, or confuse “electro-acoustic” to be some hybrid of electric and acousticyourguitarbrain.com. In reality, if you’re just practicing at home, you won’t use those electronics anytime soon. Avoid it: If you don’t plan to perform on stage or record music immediately, save money by buying a standard acoustic guitar without fancy electronicsyourguitarbrain.com. You can always mic your guitar or add a pickup later if needed. Focus on getting a guitar that sounds good unplugged and feels comfortable – that’s what matters for learning.
- Skimping on Quality: Just like with classical guitars, the cheapest steel-string acoustic isn’t always the best deal. A very low-end acoustic might not stay in tune or could have a dull sound and weak structural integrityyourguitarbrain.com. Since beginners haven’t developed technique yet, they need an instrument that gives them a pleasant sound with minimal effort, or they risk losing interest. Avoid it: Look for value, not just the lowest price. There are many affordable acoustic guitar options that offer good sound and build quality in the $200–$500 rangeyourguitarbrain.com. Read reviews, or better yet, visit a music shop and try a few guitars in your budget. A slightly pricier guitar made with decent materials will likely remain enjoyable to play for years, whereas a $50 bargain-bin special could become a headache.
Electric Guitars for Beginners: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing Looks Over Sound: That spiky heavy-metal guitar or the exact signature model your idol uses might catch your eye, but buying a guitar solely because it looks cool is a classic rookie error. The most common beginner mistake, according to experts, is picking the wrong type of guitar for your needs – often due to appearanceyourguitarbrain.com. An electric guitar needs to sound and feel good in your hands first and foremost. If it doesn’t play well or suit the music you love, it won’t matter how awesome it looks on your wall. How to avoid this: Before buying, research and listen. Try out the guitar or listen to demos to ensure it has the sound you want. Make sure the neck feels comfortable and the guitar isn’t too heavy to hold (some electrics can weigh 4–5 kg)artist-guitars.com. It’s fine to pick a style you love, but balance it with practical playability. Remember, a simple design that plays great will beat a flashy guitar that’s hard to handle.
- Forgetting the “Extras” (Amp and Accessories): Unlike an acoustic, an electric guitar doesn’t have a full voice on its own – you’ll need an amplifier to really hear it. Beginners sometimes spend their whole budget on a nice electric guitar and forget they also need an amp, cable, maybe headphones, etc., to get started. Avoid it: Plan for a starter setup. Allocate some budget for a decent practice amp (it doesn’t need to be huge – even a small amp or headphone amp can work for home practice)yourguitarbrain.com. Don’t worry about buying a 100-watt stage amp right away – a small amp is cheaper and more suitable for learning at bedroom volumesyourguitarbrain.com. Also grab essentials like a tuner, strap, and picks so you have everything you need on day one.
- Going Too Cheap on Electronics: While acoustic guitars rely on wood for sound, electric guitars depend on pickups and hardware. A very cheap electric guitar package might come with a low-quality instrument that won’t stay in tune or an amp that sounds thin and buzzy. Constant tuning issues or bad tone can quickly sap a beginner’s enthusiasm. Avoid it: Aim for a decent entry-level electric from a known brand or a well-reviewed starter bundle. You don’t have to splurge on a top-tier model like a Gibson Les Paul Custom as your first guitar (that would be overkill for a beginner)yourguitarbrain.com. But likewise, avoid the bottom-of-the-barrel $99 electric sets if possible. In the long run, a guitar in the mid-range of the beginner budget (and a small but quality amp) will make practicing far more enjoyableyourguitarbrain.comyourguitarbrain.com. Remember the saying: “buy cheap, buy twice” – a slightly better guitar now will last until you’re ready to upgrade for real.
- Paying for Features You Don’t Need: New players might be enticed by guitars that boast extra pickups, complicated tremolo bridges (whammy bars), or other bells and whistles. The truth is, advanced features can complicate things for a beginner. For example, a floating tremolo bridge can make tuning and string changes tricky if you’re not experienced. Avoid it: Keep it simple for your first electric guitar. A standard model with a fixed bridge and two pickups is perfectly versatile for learning. You can experiment with effects and fancy features later as you develop your skills. By starting with a straightforward guitar, you’ll spend more time playing and less time struggling with setups. (Your future self can always add that whammy-bar shred machine to the collection once you’re comfortable maintaining a guitar!)
- Not Trying Before Buying: It can be intimidating for a beginner to test guitars in a shop, but not hearing or feeling an electric guitar before purchase is a mistake. Each guitar has a unique neck shape, fret feel, and weight balance. What if the one you bought online has a neck that’s too thick for your grip, or sharp fret edges? Avoid it: Whenever possible, try the guitar in person – even if you only know a couple of chords! Store staff can play it for you as well, so you can hear its toneyourguitarbrain.com. If you must buy online, watch demos of the exact model on YouTubeyourguitarbrain.com. Checking sound and comfort beforehand will save you from unpleasant surprises. A guitar that feels right will encourage you to practice more often.
Conclusion: Hitting the Right Notes in Your Guitar Purchase
Choosing your first guitar doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll set yourself up for success. Remember to pick the type of guitar that inspires you, get the right size, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek advice – whether from multiple shops or experienced playersyourguitarbrain.com. A well-chosen beginner guitar that is comfortable, stays in tune, and suits your musical taste will make learning enjoyable and rewarding.
In short, invest a bit of time in selecting the right instrument and it will pay off in faster progress and more fun. If you need more guidance on how to choose a guitar, we’re here to help. Visit our music shop or contact us for friendly expert advice on finding the perfect classical, acoustic, or electric guitar for your needs. We’re excited to help you start your guitar journey on the right foot – with an instrument you’ll love to play for years to come!