What’s the Best Beginner Guitar?

If you’ve got a girl at home who is just begging you for a guitar, then read on because the Daisy Rock guitar may be just what you’re looking for.

This line of guitars are specifically made for girls! They are smaller in size, lighter weight and the neck is thinner so small hands will find it easier to play.  On top of that, they come in all sorts of colors that girls love. You can get an
atomic pink electric guitar, a blue acoustic guitar or an electric guitar shaped like a flower or butterfly.

See a Full Line of Daisy Rock Guitars Here!

The Daisy Rock Debutante Rock Candy Electric Guitar Starter Pack is perfect for any new guitarist. The starter pack comes with the atomic pink debutante electric guitar, an amplifier, guitar strap, picks, a guitar tuner, gig bag and an instructional CD so your girl can start playing the guitar right off the bat.

If an acoustic guitar is what your girl wants, the Daisy Rock Wildwood Acoustic might be just what you need. It’s constructed in the exclusive “Slim and Narrow” design made especially for young girls and smaller hands. This guitar comes with a maple top with mahogany back and sides to give it a nice sound and quality tone. This size guitar is great for young girls or for anyone looking for a smaller, portable guitar.

Daisy Rock Guitars was founded in 2001 by Tish Ciravolo and is based on the philosophy that they will do whatever it takes to help girls play guitar and enjoy music. The guitars are designed to fit the skill level, hand size and personality of the young female guitar player. Their basic line of guitars is a great quality at an affordable price and are the perfect starter guitars.

They also carry a professional line of quality guitars in all styles including acoustic, electric, a combination of the two and a line of bass guitars. The company doesn’t just stop at guitars either. They provide a number of instructional books and CD’s that are tailored for the female student. Daisy Guitars are all about empowering your girl be better, learn music and have fun playing and rocking out.

Choosing Guitar Strings

Steel strings are made with various windings in several gauges to suit different styles of playing. For general acoustic playing, medium or light gauge bronze wound strings with a wound 3rd string are preferred by may guitar players. Depending on the type of music you play, and the sound you prefer, there are many different types of guitar strings to choose from.

Heavy Gauge

For heavy rhythm playing and chunky chords. Heavy gauge strings are only suitable for very strong guitars and strong fingers. They are great for playing loud but you will notice a difference in the amount of pressure it takes to make a good sound and your finger tips will feel the difference until you develop thicker calluses.

Medium Gauge

These are good all-around mellow sounding strings that are great for finger picking or playing with a pick. Still more of a rhythm guitar string and will give you good volume but a little easier to play than heavy gauge guitar strings.

Sevilla Classical Guitar Strings Medium Tension Classical Tie-On Guitar Strings

Sevilla Classical Guitar Strings Hard Tension Classical Tie On Guitar Strings

Cleartone Hybrid Electric Guitar Strings

Light Gauge

Great for finger picking and playing with a pick. Light gauge guitar strings are great for playing blues or bluegrass and will give you a nice bright sound. However, they won’t give you as much of a bass sound and may not last as long as heavier strings. But, if you like playing a little lead guitar mixed with strumming, these are a good way to go.

Extra Light Gauge

These strings are usually too light for most acoustic guitars and you may hear a buzz if you play them on your basic guitar. These guitar strings are good for electric guitars and allow you to play nice, fast solos with plenty of string bending.

Ultra Light Gauge

Made for very fast electric lead guitar playing, these strings give long lasting sustained notes and bend very easily. However, ultra light strings can be far too light for many guitars. They are not the type of string you would use for general guitar playing and they will have to be changed often because they are so thin. But if you want to play some speed guitar and killer lead solos, this may be the way to go.

NOTE – For good general playing, use a wound 3rd string. An unwound 3rd string will give you an odd sound and your guitar may seem like it’s out of tune. Guitar string sets with unwound 3rd string are best used when playing lead or solos or for special blues effects.

Bronze Wound

- These steel strings are recommend for a good reining acoustic sound, but are not really suitable for electric guitars.

Flat wound and Ground Wound strings are for electric guitars only. Thy give a smooth slick sound, and allow the fingers to slide silently along the strings, however, they feel heavier that regular wound strings and are not as good for long sustained notes and controlled feed back effects.

Select the type of string that will fit the type of music you like to play and the type of guitar you own. Remember to change your strings often. All guitar strings will corrode over time and they should be changes at best, every 3 or 4 months whether you play often or not. At the most, you can let your strings go for 6 months or more, but if you let them go for a year without being changes, you will start to notice a big difference in the way your guitar sounds. Getting new strings is like getting anew guitar. Be sure to change them often.

How to Buy a Used Guitar

Purchasing a used guitar can be a very smart choice and you can often find great deals in your local listings or music store. But, how can you be sure you’re not paying too much? How can you make sure you’re buying a quality instrument? These steps will tell you what to look for when choosing a used guitar.

Your first step should be an overall inspection of the body of the guitar to see if there are any cracks in the wood or edges coming un-glued or separating from the rest of the guitar. If there are major cracks be aware that it can drastically effect the sound quality and possibly require further repairs as the guitar ages. If there are any gaps or cracks, it’s best to walk away and look for a different guitar.

Look at the grain of the wood. You should see grains that are close together and preferably a solid piece of wood over the entire top. However some guitars will have two pieces of wood to make the top but these guitars are generally cheaper quality. If you see anything that resembles plywood or pressed wood, put down the guitar and walk away…no, run away.

Next check the bridge. On some used guitars you may see that the glue holding the bridge onto the guitar body has dried out causing the bridge to separate from the body. A good trick is to take a piece of paper and see if you can slide it under the bridge at all. If you can’t then you’re good to go. If the paper slides under, then you may want to reconsider purchasing that guitar. Bridge repair can be a fairly expensive fix. Also look at the saddle on top of the bridge. This is the piece that the strings rest on. Check for an cracks or broken portions. Also see if the saddle moves around at all in the groove. If the saddle isn’t perfect, it’s not the end of the world, This is a relatively inexpensive fix and you can use this to bargain with the price.

Next check the neck and frets. Run your fingers along the sides of the fingerboard to see if the metal frets have started sticking out of the sides of the neck. If they are, it may be a walk away situation. This means the neck may be warped or bent or just a cheaply made instrument. You will have to make a judgement call, if they are very slightly coming to the edge, then it may still be playable. Also, check to make sure the frets are not rising out of their slots. If they are, this is not an expensive fix and they can sometimes be fixed with a few taps of a hammer. But, you can use this to bargain the price.

Now, look at the head stock of the guitar. Make sure all the tuning keys turn freely. If you’re looking at a nylon string guitar, check the white rollers that the strings wrap around. If there are any cracks on these rollers, the guitar will have a hard time staying in tune. This, however is not a super expensive fix, but it all depends on whether or not you want to deal with fixing it. Also check the nut or the white part that the strings rest on. Make sure it is not cracked, broken or coming un-glued. Again, this is not an expensive fix but you can use this to bargain with the price.

Check the neck of the guitar. People often worry about older guitars having a neck that is bent. Although this can happen, it’s actually a bit rare. the fingerboard of a guitar, especially a classical guitar, actually has a slight unevenness. The bottom portion of the fretboard, under the high E string will actually be raised a tiny bit higher than the top portion of the fretboard. So don’t be alarmed if you see a slight twist to the fretboard.  Also on the neck, take a look at how the neck attaches to the guitar body. Better guitars will have a larger “boot”. This is the piece of wood under the neck that attaches to the side of the guitar body. A longer boot is less likely to give you problems.

The last thing you should do when selecting a used guitar is to play it. If the guitar has all it’s strings, bring a tuner with you so that you can tune it. If the guitar doesn’t seem to want to get in tune, then it’s not a good pick. When you play the guitar, listen for any buzzing. This may indicate that the struts inside the guitar are coming loose. If they are, this is a walk away situation because fixing the struts inside the guitar is a labor intensive job and will cost a few hundred dollars. Quite frankly most used guitars aren’t worth the bother.

To sum it up, whenever you’re considering a used guitar, always take careful time to look over each part of the guitar carefully. Play the guitar to see how it sounds and feels. Never purchase a guitar sight unseen, such as on eBay or other similar sites, unless you are able to pay them a visit for an actual inspection. Don’t be afraid to bargain with the price a little, but be reasonable and offer what the guitar is worth.

Choosing a guitar is always an important decision. If you are buying your fist guitar, the decision is more difficult because you may not know where to start or what to look for. So, before you do anything, read these words of advice.

First, visit your local music store and play as many guitars as you like. Make a note of which guitars feel good and which ones feel like an awkward fit. Play the cheap guitars and then play the $3,000 guitars just to get an idea of what the expensive ones feel like. A word of caution when playing the pricey guitars, which are usually on display in a closed off room. It’s a good idea to ask a store attendant to help you with those guitars, and they usually like to stick around to make sure you’re not going to be careless with it. Let them take the guitar down and put it back away. The last thing you want to do is damage a $3,000 guitar that you never intended to purchase.

Next, set yourself a budget. If you have the money to buy an expensive guitar, then go for it. But, if you’re like most, and especially if this is your first guitar, then you’ll be able to find a great guitar in the $200 to $300 range. Yamaha Acoustic Guitars give you a lot of bang for the buck. They are excellent quality, have a great mellow tone and are generally easy to play for the beginner. Don’t go for the cheapest guitar available, you may end up regretting it once your playing is improving.

Avoid heavy Shop for Guitars at acoustic guitars. As a general rule, the more wood there is in an acoustic guitar, the poorer its volume and tone are likely to be. Compare the weight of several guitars of the same type, for example, if you are going to buy a nylon string guitar, compare several guitars with nylon strings. Don’t compare a steel string with a nylon string.

Shop for Guitars at Steel string guitars are heavier than nylon string guitars, but their method of construction and their louder strings compensate for this. On the whole, smaller bodied steel string guitars are a better buy in the lower price ranges. Larger guitars, such as the dreadnought, have to carefully designed and well made if they are to be any good, and this makes them more expensive.

Appearance. Don’t choose a guitar simply because of its looks. How it sounds and how it plays is much more important than looks. Besides, you can’t look at it while you’re playing it. Many times the price of a guitar increases simply because of the decoration and ornamentation, which doesn’t make the guitar sound better; it just makes it prettier. In fact, too much oration, especially on the body of the guitar, can interfile with the guitars sound quality.

So, be sure to shop around and try out plenty of different guitars before you purchase one. A guitar is an investment and, if you buy the one that’s best for you, you’ll have it for years to come. Choose wisely, and play, play, play.

Purchasing a Guitar Online

These days technology and the internet has allowed us to purchase just about anything we want from the comfort of our homes and have it shipped right to our door, and the guitar is no exception. But what if you’re sifting through pictures and prices of hundreds of different guitars at your favorite online guitar store and you’re wondering how on earth you’re going to choose. It’s tough to decide which guitar to buy when you can’t touch them or play them to see what they’re like. But, you can get some really good deals online if you know which guitar to purchase.

When buying a guitar online it’s best to purchase from a well known, reputable dealer that can accommodate proper shipping and handling of an instrument. Guitar Center is a good, nationwide music store that has a large online selection as well as actual stores where you can visit. Many times you can get a great online deal and have them ship it to a store in your area where you can pick it up. Or, if you have a particular guitar in mind, the store may not have it in stock, but you can purchase it from their online store and have it shipped to your door.

If you buy online, it’s a good idea to visit a music store first, any music store that has guitars on display. Spend some time playing different styles and brands of guitars and make your selection. Once you have found a guitar that you are happy with, go to your computer and see what kind of deals you can find online compared to the music store price.
Be sure to factor in the cost of shipping with your purchase, however, many online stores will provide Online Only Free Shipping Exclusives if you spend a minimum amount of money. It’s easy to hit the free shipping mark when purchase a guitar and online stores are often happy to pick up the shipping costs if your spending a couple hundred dollars on one of their products.

Purchasing a guitar online should not be a stressful ll experience as long as you are buying from a store that has a good reputation. Look for contact information such as a physical address and a customer service phone number. If you leery about the company, give them a call and talk to someone about their shipping procedures and return policies. If you’re at all uncomfortable with the results, move on to another online store to make your purchase. So, take some time to find the guitar and the online deal that fits you best.

Traveling With Your Guitar

Many people like to travel with their guitar and take their instrument with them wherever they go. Whether it’s for a performance or for pleasure, it’s easy to travel with your guitar and keep it safe if you take a few precautions.

Always carry your guitar inside its case and preferably in a good quality hard-shell guitar case. Even if you are going a short distance, put it in a guitar case or Guitar Gig bag to protect it from dirt, rain or sunlight. If you are using public transportation it’s important to use a quality case.

See a full line of guitar cases here!

If you travel by car, lay the guitar flat on its back where it will not slide around. For this reason, it will usually be safer in the trunk of the car rather than on the back seat where it can fall to the floor if you stop suddenly. The head of the guitar should not touch anything that might knock it out of tune or strain the neck. Never leave your guitar in a parked car all day or all night as it may be damaged by the hear, cold or humidity. Not to mention the fact that it could be stolen.

On a bus or train, it is probably safest lying flat on its back on a luggage rack, as long as you can keep an eye on it, and remember it when you get off. Otherwise, hold it upright on the floor by your feet.

If you travel by plane, a hard case is essential, as most airlines to not allow guitars to be taken into the cabin. Place “fragile” labels all over the case and put a little loose padding, such as foam or soft towels, around the guitar. Airlines normally take good care of fragile items, however you may be asked to sign a form saying they are not responsible, so insure your guitar before your trip. At the end of the flight, go quickly to the baggage claim area and ask where the fragile items arrive.

If you are going to another country with your guitar, take the receipt of purchase with you as you may need it when you check through customs. If you insure your guitar, give the insurance company the make, model and serial numbers. These are normally found on the head or inside the body of the guitar. Insure the guitar and it’s case on an “All-Risks” policy for what it would cost to replace, rather than what you paid for it and increase its value every year.

Traveling with your guitar shouldn’t be a big burden so take some precautions to protect your investment whether your traveling by air or just over to your friends house for a jam session.

Your guitar will last longer and stay in better condition if you take some time to look after it.

Guitar Humidifiers

Acoustic guitars and hollow body guitars are easily effected by humidity. Extreme heat or dryness may cause cracking or splitting. Dampness and extreme cold can cause the wood of your guitar to warp. If you live in a climate where it is dry, such as the southwester United States where there is little rainfall or in the northern states where the winters are very cold and dry, it is important to maintain a consistent humidity level for your guitar. This is easily done with a guitar humidifier. Humidifiers are simple systems that consist of a solution soaked sponge that rests in the sound hole of your guitar. They will either clip onto the strings and hang, or they will fit directly into the sound hole. When a humidifier is used the guitar should be stored in its case. Some guitar cases come with a built in humidifier. These are a great investment if you really want to protect your instrument and keep it in top condition. This is an easy decision to make if you have invested your hard earned money in a nice quality instrument.

Storing a Guitar

Your guitar can be easily damaged by accident so, when you are not playing it, put it in a safe place, preferably in a guitar case. Always keep it out of the way of clumsy hands and feet, such as those belonging to small children. Don’t leave it on the floor where it can be accidentally stepped on, or on a chair or couch where it can be sat on or the dog can jump on it. If you don’t have a Guitar case or gig bag, lean your guitar in a corner where it won’t easily be tripped over or bumped. You can also keep it in a closet to keep it away from direct sunlight.  If you want to keep your guitar out, then purchase a guitar stand and keep it safely on the stand. It’s not a good idea to lean your guitar up against the wall, but if you do, lean it in a corner and make sure it can’t slip out and fall on the floor.

Humicase Dreadnought Guitar Humidifier Case

Humicase Classical Guitar Humidifier Case

Oasis Oh-6 Case Humidifier

Playing your Guitar Outdoors

Some people love being able to take their guitar anywhere, including to the beach or camping. In this case it’s a great idea to invest in a used or inexpensive acoustic guitar that can take the punishment of the great outdoors. Backpacker guitars or travel guitars are perfect for those who love the portability of the guitar.

No matter what you choose to do with your guitar, or not matter what the quality or price you paid for it,  always treat it as a fragile, expensive instrument. It’s an investment, even if it was inexpensive and used. Take good care of your guitar and it will be around for years and years giving you plenty of entertainment and pleasure.