Tips on buying an electric guitar

Tips for buying a (used?) electric guitar:


1) Take a friend who plays guitar (if you know someone).

2) Humbucker pickups if you want a full, meaty sounds, single-coils if you want a thin, cutting sound.  (There are other types of pickups, with different sounds -- but this is a good starting point.)

3) It's okay to start with a small practice amp.  Get a guitar amp that has a "Pre" volume knob and a "Post" or "Master" (or a "Drive" and "Volume"?) -- or some variation of two volume knobs -- then turn up the "pre" and turn down the "master" for distortion -- or keep the "pre" low and the "master" up for a clean sound

4) Even though you'll get a slightly better price through Craigslist, Gumtree, etc., I suggest going to a pawn shop:  more of a range, all in one place.

5) Find a guitar that you think looks cool, and "grabs" you.  If you can't find one that appeals, go to another shop rather than "settling".

6) If you know power chords (see YouTube), you can fake just about anything.

7) If you have an electric guitar, you automatically look cool.

8) If you are at all sentimental, avoid trading in or selling your first guitar:  95% chance you will regret losing it. 


Good luck!


--GG