Here is the second topic of my series "The Basics of Guitar_Part I"...Go through the document carefully...Hope you will be benefited by this document...Visit my Facebook page (Any Body Can Play Guitar) for more...Thanks...

1. Choose the best first guitar
- Biswarup Majumder

2. The Bitter Truth
• If you don’t have any previous experience with buying guitars it
can be really difficult to choose the best one.
• I can’t tell you what guitar is best for you because I don’t know
what your goals and your wishes with playing guitar.
• I can only give you certain guidelines and a couple of
recommendations based on my experience.
Start and learn the basics, be consistent, and everything else will fall in its place.

3. Let’s Start Our Journey
 Our approach must be in step by step manner.
 After reaching the last step of this journey you will be able to choose your
best first guitar.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

4. Ask yourself
• What kind of music do I like to play?
• What type of guitar do I prefer?
• How much money am I willing to spend?
Step-I
 Spend some time in search of the answers of these questions.
 Then go through the next few pages and you will be one step ahead in choosing your first guitar.

5. Music that you wish to play on your guitar
Types of Guitars Used to play
Classical Guitar Classical Spanish music, Other classical music, Pop, Folk,
Latin & Jazz.
Acoustic/Electro-Acoustic
Guitar
Folk music, Ragtime, Blues, Pop and many other type of
music.
Electric Guitar Most of modern music genres including Rock, Heavy
metals, Blues, Country and Jazz.
If your wish is to play death metal, then a pink classical guitar probably isn’t the wisest choice

6. Electric guitar is most versatile type of guitar
• Electric guitar is versatile and can mimic any other guitar, while acoustic
guitars have more limitations.
• Using electric guitar you can manipulate the sound almost unlimited
number of ways with the help of amp, effect pedals, pickups* etc.
 If your goal is to play in a band soon, it’s better to buy an electric guitar.
 If you would like to be a lead guitar player and play captivating solos, buy an electric guitar.

7. It’s best to avoid really cheap guitars
• Cheap guitars seem really good at the beginning but later you may found
out that they are horrible sounding compared to other guitars, hard to
play, break more easily, go out of tune while playing and cause tons of
other problems.
• Even though there are a couple of gems out of there which are quality
made at a low price, it’s best to avoid them altogether if you can, and save
money and invest a little bit more at the beginning.
Guitar is a very personal thing, you’ll want a nice instrument for yourself which is reliable and
will last a lifetime.

8. Top 10 Best and Popular Guitar Brands in India
Epiphone Available at Rs. 13,000/- onwards (approx). For more details, visit Epiphone.com.
Yamaha Available price is Rs. 8,000/- onwards (approx).
Ibanez The price range starts from Rs. 13,299/- onwards (approx). For further details,
visit Ibanez.com.
Cort Guitars Available price is Rs. 10,449/- onwards (approx). For further information,
visit www.cortguitars.com.
Fender The guitar will available at Rs. 12,199/- onwards (approx). For further information,
visit fender.com.
ESP Available price is Rs. 9,270/- onwards (approx). For more information,
visit Espguitars.com (Global) or Espguitars.co.jp (Japan).
Jackson The price range starts from Rs. 13,380/- onwards (approx). For further details,
visit jacksonguitars.com.
Gibson The price range starts from Rs. 49,500/- onwards (approx). For more details,
visit Gibson.com.
Signature Guitar The price range starts from 4,999/- onwards (approx).
Hertz Guitar Available at below Rs. 12,040/- (approx).

9. Some More Valuable Tips
• Your first guitar won’t be your last
– After a certain time of practicing, playing and getting better on guitar,
you’ll most likely want to expand and buy another guitar, usually of
different time.
• If you’re left-handed, consider buying a left handed guitar.
• Always try a guitar before buying it.
– No matter what anyone else says and suggests you to buy, you need to
see and feel the guitar with your own hands.
– Even if you can’t play anything, at least hold a couple of guitars in your
lap and your hands, and see which one feels best.

10. In search of a music shop
• Do your research online first and make a list of guitars that you
like, that fit your budget and that you’d like to try out.
• Find all music stores in your local area and select the best one.
• If you know someone who is experienced with guitars ask them to
accompany you.
Step-II

11. Entering the music shop
• Check some features that I will explain to you in next few pages.
• If you find that all the features are fulfilled by your chosen
guitar then you can buy that one, otherwise try another one.
Step-III

12. Size of the guitar
 Choose the size according to your
age and comfort level.
 In case of selection of acoustic
guitar, prefer thin guitar than
thicker one.

13. Shape of the guitar
 Prefer guitar with cutaway. It
allows access to the upper
frets*.

14. Action on a guitar
Distance of string from fret board*
Too much high action
(difficult to play notes and
Barr chords) and too much
low action (cause buzz sound)
must be avoided.

15. Sound quality
• Ask anyone in the store to demonstrate the guitar for you (if you
don’t know someone who plays a guitar or they couldn’t come with you).
• Listen closely how the guitar sounds when they play (focusing on
the balance between treble and bass sound).
• Notice if you can hear any noticeable bad sounding fret buzz or
ringing type of noise.

16. Connection with the guitar
• Try holding the guitar in your hands and get the feel for it.
• Check the guitar properly (Emphasize on its finishing and mechanical
error).
• Try to play each string and strum a bit.
Many beginners try to buy guitar looking to its color & design, but always choose the guitar that
fulfill the discussed properties.

18. My Journey
 I have started on an acoustic
guitar primarily (cheap in prize).
 After a certain time of practicing
when I feel better on guitar I buy
another acoustic guitar (costly
one - See the picture).
 Then I buy an electric guitar for
further practice.

19.  Now I think you are wise enough to buy your first guitar.
 So don’t be late buy your guitar as soon as possible and try to
play it with my free lessons posted on my Facebook page.
 Please inform me your experience after reading my document.
 If you feel benefited then please like this document and share it
with your friends.
 If you have any problems in learning and any suggestion for
improvement please inform me on my page.
 Thank you ….
- Biswarup Majumder
- Any Body Can Play Guitar -

20. Thank You
* Topics must be covered in upcoming lessons …Keep in touch…