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"It takes an expert to play a poor instrument,
the beginner needs everything in their favour."
Anon music teacher
Surprisingly enough there are no standard size guitars so, if possible, always consult a qualified guitar tutor before committing yourself to unnecessary expense.
THE WRONG GUITAR
IS A WASTE OF MONEY.
What type of strings to use?
Why not steel strings?
Fingerboard width.
Fret number and why?
Guitar body size
Classical Guitar prices
Guitar accessories
Secondhand Guitars
Split body check.
Bridge check.
Fingerboard check.
Fret check.
Machine head check.
THE INSTRUMENT MUST HAVE NYLON STRINGS.
Clear nylon for the treble strings and nylon thread, covered with wound metal, for the bass strings.
WHY NYLON STRINGS?
They have less tension than steel strings and are therefore easier to play on.
They do not harm the nails of the right hand or cut into the left hand fingertips.
The player can create more contrasting natural sounds with nylon strings.
They are the modern equivalent to the original gut or silk strings.
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WHY NOT STEEL STRINGS?
Steel strings should only be used for guitars that have narrow reinforced fingerboards and bridge.
They are generally used for plectrum strumming/picking.
BEWARE of classical guitars with steel strings, the fingerboard, bridge and body top could all be warped.
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FINGERBOARD WIDTH:
The width should be full size (5.1 cm at machine head end) irrespective of the size of the body.
WHY ONLY FULL SIZE WIDTH?
The finger tips of the left hand need to press on a string and still allow any higher string/s to sound, if needed.
This is very difficult to do if the fingerboard is too narrow. (I can do it, but I'm not a beginner.)
Young hands(and feet)
grow faster than other parts of the body and small children can have large hands.
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FRET NUMBERS?
There are 12 frets from the machine head nut to the body of the guitar.
WHY ONLY 12 FRETS?
There are 7 main and 5 enharmonic notes in music.
Seen on the white and black notes of the piano.
Each note is a semitone apart and each of these 12 semitones is represented on the guitar by a fret.
The 12th fret is the 8th main note (octave) and is found where the fingerboard reaches the body of the guitar.
Folk or pop guitars can have more frets before the body of the guitar because the player finds it easier to strum
the 'power chords' or play the solo riffs higher up the fingerboard.
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BODY SIZE:
The body of the guitar must be the correct size for the pupil.
I realise that children vary in size. However, generally 7-9 year old pupils should have a 3/4 size guitar (with a full size fingerboard) whilst older pupils should have a full size.
Never be tempted to buy a 1/2 size guitar for your child as the fingerboard will be too small for any serious playing and the sound is very thin.
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(A VERY CHEAP FULL SIZE CLASSICAL GUITAR CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ARGOS FOR £36.)
1999 Classical Guitar and Utility prices
Admira 3/4 size (with full size fingerboard) CLASICO £99
Admira full-size ALMERIA £99
Admira full-size RONDO £125
Admira full-size ESPANA £130
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ACCESSORIES:
Soft guitar cases £10-30
Hard guitar cases £60-200
Foot-stools from £10 (Or make your own.)
Music stands £4-50
Metronome £18-30
Guitar tuner £16-30 (Look in Argos)
Tuning Fork (A-440 cps) £5
Capo £4-15
AGUSTINE guitar strings £8 (silver or gold)
(There are plenty of guitars and strings on the market which are just as good as the above makes however, I find that they maintain their quality well and are very good value for money.)
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Secondhand Guitars
If you are lucky, you can pick up a good secondhand guitar at a very reasonable price. However, look out for these faults.
SPLIT BODY CHECK:
Some splits can be obvious. However, to make sure that the sides have not come unstuck, hold the guitar by its' fingerboard and tap (with your knuckle) the back or front of the body at the edge and listen for any rattle.
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BRIDGE CHECK:
Lift the body of the guitar up to eye level and check that the bridge has not lifted from the body of the guitar.
BEWARE of classical guitars with steel strings, they can lift the bridge and warp the fingerboard.
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FINGERBOARD CHECK:
It could be warped, therefore look down the top of the fingerboard to check if it is twisted.
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FRET CHECK:
Look to see if any of the frets have lifted.
Check each fret by playing every note on every string if any note buzzes... BEWARE!
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MACHINE HEAD CHECK:
Look out for loose, bent or cracked machine head pegs or split dowels.
The most important rule for buying a guitar old or new is...
LET THE BUYER BEWARE
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