How to Choose a Good Guitar

When buying a quality guitar, there are a few points to consider. Most importantly, go with someone who has experience with guitars and understands them well. In my opinion, a quality guitar should not be bought online: you should try it in person, paying particular attention to its projection and tone.

An instrument is a tool that produces sound, so sound is naturally its most important quality. Comfort, the quality of the materials and craftsmanship come next. When you enter a music shop, start by asking about the guitar you like: what woods were used, and when and where it was made. When you pick it up, first inspect it to make sure every part is complete and in place. The body should have no cracks or dents. Before buying an instrument, check its sound. Tune it and test the harmonics, especially at the fifth, seventh and twelfth frets. They should produce clear, precise pitches. Then fret the strings and check for any unwanted sounds. On a good guitar, the soundboard is the most important factor affecting tone, although the other components also contribute. Cedar and spruce are the woods most commonly used for classical guitars, though other woods can also be used. These woods come in different varieties, but I will describe their general properties without going into too much detail. Each has its own character. Cedar has a soft structure. It is not particularly resistant to impacts, but it produces a powerful, bright sound. Spruce is harder and therefore more resistant to impacts. Initially it produces a raw, very bright sound, but the tone settles over time and becomes very pleasing. Rosewood, ebony and maple are among the woods preferred for the fingerboard. They are hard and durable.

I would like to mention one more important point. To keep using your guitar for many years without losing sound quality, do not leave it directly beside heaters, stoves or radiators. Protect it from damp conditions and impacts, and do not neglect the tuning machines. This will help your guitar retain the sound quality that impressed you for years to come. Note: harmonics allow us to produce a note an octave above the note touched.

Cahit Baltacı
Rekor Sanat – Guitar Teacher