Tips for Budget Electric Guitar Shoppers

So, you need a new electric guitar and you are on a budget. There is no need to worry; more than ever, there are some options for you out there if you know what you are looking for.

The key here is have a strong sense of what kind of guitar you want. Let’s face it: no guitar can do everything, but a few out there can do more than one thing. Some are specialists, some are generalists. If you focus on what you want to accomplish with the guitar, then you will end up with the guitar you had in mind.

Tip # 1 – Know Thyself

Are you a punk? a rocker? a funk meister? Whatever genre you hold near and dear to your heart, make sure you are shopping for the guitar that matches your style of playing. A perfect example of this is the Ibanez GRG170DX , which recently won the award for Best Budget Electric Guitar from BestCovery.com This guitar is really a shredder’s guitar. So if you like low action, super duper five bombs with minimal tuning hassles and a two-octave neck, then this is the guitar you want. If you are looking to play the best of Creedence Clearwater Revival, then maybe it is not the best choice. They key is to be clear about the kind of instrument that fits your style of playing.

Tip # 2 – Try Before you Buy

These days, everyone buys online, and there ain’t nothin’ wrong with that at all. But, a big part of knowing how an instrument will work for you is to try it and see how it feels in your hands. You can still buy it online, but if you go to a local music store that carries it, it’s worth your time to get a handle on how it feels.

Tip # 3 – Don’t Be Afraid to Buy a Specialty Guitar

While it is always good to have options, sometimes you want a tool that does one thing really well. An example of this would be if you are really focused on Country  or Old School R&B. In both cases, a Telecaster would be the way to go. While this guitar may not serve you well in many other genres, it will nail the sounds you need and nail them good. A perfect budget guitar that fulfills this requirement is the Squier Affinity Series Telecaster Special Butterscotch Blonde, which came in at # 2 in Best Covery’s Best Budget Electric Guitar

One might say: “Hey, it’s only a budget guitar… so what if I get the wrong one…” I disagree with that statement. If you are shopping for a budget guitar, the reason is probably that you cannot afford to buy a second one. So, it matters that you get the right one for you. Also, it is likely that you are a beginner, so having a guitar that you can not only afford, but enjoy and grow with will play a critical role in your development.