Okay. We’ve talked about choosing your first guitar for your first country guitar lesson, now let’s talk about buying it.
Always, and I can’t emphasise this enough, always buy your first guitar from a shop that has a luthier. That’s someone who is an expert in the construction, repair and maintenance of guitars. He, or more rarely she, will be your best friend as you are starting out.
First of all, don’t accept the first price you are quoted – ask for a discount. You will nearly always get one. And make sure there is a decent carry bag with the guitar, even if it’s only a padded gig bag. You will also need a strap, so try to get one thrown in with the deal. You also do not want the strings supplied by the factory for two reasons. You have no idea how long they have been on the guitar and they are almost certainly too strong for you as a beginner. Most acoustic guitars leave the factory with 12 gauge strings fitted, which can be hard for unpractised fingers to depress. Ask your luthier to change them for 11, or even 10, gauge to start with.
Finally, ask the luthier to check the ‘action’ for you. This is basically the height of the strings above the fret board (neck) of the guitar. In most new guitars this is set too high for a beginner. Ask to have it lowered. This is part of what is known as the ’set-up’ and shouldn’t cost you anything.
All done? Right. Pay the man and move on to the next country guitar lesson.
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