You'll Regret Buying These Guitars

Guitars, there are so many brands around it can be difficult to nail down which one to go for. Once discovered, the rabbit hole runs deep. Unfortunately, for every good guitar out there, there's a bad one. In this article we'll go over a few checkmarks to go over to make sure you get one of the good ones.

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Style Over Substance

There are two parts to this chapter. The first is 'normal' guitars that prioritise style, the second one is weird guitars (to get as a first one).

Pick a Good Brand

First then, smaller brands can have little gems. But sometimes, they skimp out on quality control and use worse materials. Doing a quick Google search on 'worst guitar brands' often returns a brand called First Act which are primarily sold on the USA through retailers. Stagg is another brand that often get's complained about. I don't have personal experience with both, but by most accounts they are pretty much beyond saving and should be avoided.

But then you also come across bigger name brands like Kramer, Epiphone and Jackson.

Here then, you need to be aware of something all (bigger) brands do... They have different variations of quality running through their models.‍

Fender for example, has the Stratocaster model. But they have different types, like the Player series, the Mexican and USA made series, the Ultra series, the Vintera, the Original, ... And they even have a second brand, Squier by Fender, for the more budget models.

All of this makes it that a Fender isn't just a Fender. But there's a lot more context to it than what it looks like on the surface.

This is the same with the brands mentioned above. A high-end Epiphone should be fine, while a lower end one might have more issues. "You get what you pay for" often rings true, and it's the same in the Guitar world. And Style over Substance is a big part of that. A guitar that might look great on the surface, might be trash underneath. Therefor, always look at reviews and do your research on materials. Don't buy the book because of it's cover.

If you're looking for a budget deal, check out this article on buying second hand.

Avoid 'Weird' Guitars

The second part I mentioned, is weird guitars. With this I refer to shape. An 'RD' or 'Explorer' for example, are fun looking shapes. But any beginner will no doubt find these weird to play. They usually don't feel nice in the beginning. Especially compared to more traditional shapes and especially those with ergonomic cutouts.

My first axe was a Yamaha Pacifica 311. It comes with cutouts on the front and back, and to this day is the most comfortable guitar I own (compared to a Les Paul and a Telecaster).

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The Investment Myth

Let's go to the other end of the spectrum then. From budget cheapies, to expensive 'investment pieces'. Thread carefully.

Guitars, like the rare vintage models from the 60s, are often perceived as good investments. However, predicting which guitars will appreciate in value is super speculative. A 1960s Gibson Les Paul might have skyrocketed in value. But that doesn't mean the early 90s beater you bought will. Vintage pieces in any industry (guitars, watches, cars, ...) is a totally different ball game. Only if you are really invested into this area of your hobby, will you potentially make good choices.

Those looking for a quick win or guaranteed money will lose. That's the story of the world when it comes to any money related thing.

The guitar market is unpredictable and influenced by a myriad of factors, including cultural trends, the economy, and even the passing of famous musicians. A classic example is the surge in prices of certain vintage guitars after the passing of iconic guitarists who played them. However, these spikes in value are often temporary and can recede as quickly as they arise.

Another common misconception is that rarity equates to high value. While a rare guitar might be valuable to a collector, it doesn't always translate to a high resale value. The demand for a specific model plays a crucial role in determining its worth. For example, certain limited edition models might be rare but lack the demand, thus not appreciating as expected.

Also, emotions play a big role in the buying journey of anything, so also guitars.

Finally, condition is a big factor. Unfortunately, pristine guitars that were never played will usually retain a higher value because they seem new but are many years old. These 'barn finds' are now often faked by people buying and storing them with this investment strategy in mind.

A dangerous game.

Instead, focus on guitars that offer great sound and playability for their price, which are known for their consistent quality and affordability. That Yamaha from above for example is a great choice.

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Hype and Endorsements

Celebrities have a powerful influence on consumer behavior. When a renowned guitarist like Eric Clapton or Eddie Van Halen endorses a particular guitar, it immediately becomes more desirable. First it was done by the guitarist everyone in the world has heard of. Today, more niche guitarists also have their signatures. Brands often release these signature models designed in collaboration with these artists. While these guitars are sometimes high-quality, they are tailored to the specific preferences and style of the endorsing artist, which may not align with your needs or playing style.

Other times, they are cheaper versions of the actual guitar the celebrity plays. But not always.

The guitar industry, like any other, is susceptible to trends. A model that gains popularity, often through celebrity association or clever marketing, can create a hype that overshadows its actual utility. For instance, a guitar may gain fame for its unique look or association with a popular music genre, but these factors don't necessarily translate to versatility or quality.

And, they often come with a premium price tag without necessarily justifying it. A different paint job isn't wort a 30% premium.

Artists with a signature model but are never seen playing them live is a red flag. While you could argue that these artists prefer playing custom and more high-end models, to me, it's a telltale sign of one that should be avoided.

The only caveat to this is artists that came out with a signature 10 years prior and now moved to a completely different style of music.

Here are 3 revered signatures from Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevelfold), Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) and Marcus King:

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Choose One That First Your Style

When selecting a guitar, two crucial aspects to consider are its practicality and how well it aligns with your personal style and needs.‍

This way, you're more sure you'll like it when you first pick it up and will continue to like it.

This goes for style (blues, metal, pop, ...) as well as looks. After all, if you think it looks bad, you won't like picking it up every other day. So here a quick checklist of things to get right to ensure you'll end up finding a good one:

1. Ergonomics and Playability

The physical feel of the guitar is crucial. Consider the neck's shape and width, the body's size and contour, and the string action (this last one can be adjusted though). A guitar that feels uncomfortable or hard to play can hinder your progress and enjoyment. For instance, those with smaller hands might prefer a guitar with a slimmer neck, such as the modern C-shape. And vice versa.

2. Tonal Characteristics

• Bright and Twangy: A Telecaster is known for its bright, twangy sound, ideal for country and pop.
• Rich and Warm: Humbucking pickups (those fat ones), offers a richer, warmer tone suitable for rock and blues.
• Versatile Sound: A mix of different pickups and a traditional shape gives the most options, while sometimes offering less in exerptise.

3. Aesthetic Appeal

Like mentioned above, you need to think it just looks good. Otherwise you won't want to pick it up ever and that won't help you in your journey. This of course, is highly subjective. But remember. Looks aren't everything. You should choose first on the things that really matter like quality, electronics, body shape, ... before finish.

4. Budget

Just set a realistic budget. While it's tempting to go for high-end models, many mid-range guitars offer excellent quality at a more affordable price. Brands like Yamaha, Epiphone, and Squier provide great options for those on a tighter budget.

It's a 'diminishing returns' curve, but in a positive sense.‍

As you spend more money, you do see improvements in quality, but the rate of improvement decreases as you move towards the higher end. Initially, when moving from low-end to mid-range guitars, the increase in quality is quite significant. This is because you're overcoming the basic issues present in cheaper instruments, such as poor build quality, inferior materials, and lack of quality control.

However, once you reach the mid-range and start moving towards high-end guitars, the improvements in quality become less drastic.

So mid-range is probably the way to go, especially in the beginning when your budget might now allow for a high-end model.

5. Think Long Term

This also goes into the last point. Mid-range will last and last well. Low range probably won't. So if you only listen to metal, get a decent 'metal guitar'. If you only listen to country, you'll likely only play that so get one suited for those styles. If you're unsure or like a bit of everything, get one suited for a more broad range.

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In the end, the journey of finding the right guitar is deeply personal and subjective. It's about striking a balance between practical needs and personal aspirations. Whether you're a bedroom guitarist or a stage performer, the right guitar should feel like an extension of your musical soul, encouraging you to explore new territories and express yourself more fully.

While that sounds more deep than it should, it's true. You need to find a balance between budget, looks and quality.

Hopefully this article, and the other on Bedroomguitarist.com can help you along your playing and buying journey.