How to Choose the Right Guitar: What to Look for Before You Buy

Choose the Right Type of Guitar for the Music You Want to Play

The first question is not which brand to buy. It is what kind of guitar actually fits the music you want to make. Electric, steel-string acoustic and classical guitars differ considerably in body shape, strings, neck dimensions, volume, feel and the techniques they naturally encourage.

If rock, metal, blues, funk or modern pop made you want to play guitar, there is no rule saying you have to start on an acoustic instrument first. An electric guitar may actually be easier and far more motivating. If you mainly want to accompany vocals, write songs or play unplugged, a steel-string acoustic may make more sense. Classical guitars use nylon strings and usually have wider necks, so they feel noticeably different again.

If you are still deciding between those basic families, start with our Acoustic vs Classical vs Electric Guitar comparison. For a broader overview of semi-hollow guitars, baritones, extended-range guitars and other designs, see Types of Guitars: Electric, Acoustic, Classical and More.

The important thing is to buy for the guitarist you actually want to become—not for somebody else's idea of what a beginner should own.

Comfort, Body Size, Weight and Balance Matter

A guitar can look perfect online and feel completely wrong once it is against your body. That is why comfort should be one of the first things you evaluate when you actually pick up an instrument.

Sit with the guitar normally and notice what your shoulders, arms and wrists are doing. You should not have to twist yourself into an unnatural position to reach the strings. Large acoustic bodies can feel cumbersome for some players, while different electric-guitar contours can make instruments of similar dimensions feel surprisingly different.

Then try the guitar standing up. Put it on a strap and see where it naturally hangs. Pay attention to weight and balance rather than weight alone. A relatively heavy guitar that stays perfectly balanced can sometimes feel more comfortable than a lighter guitar whose neck constantly falls toward the floor.

This becomes especially important if you intend to rehearse or perform for long periods. Something that feels insignificant after two minutes in a shop can become very noticeable after a ninety-minute rehearsal.

Neck Shape, Scale Length and Hand Size

The neck is one of the biggest reasons two guitars can feel completely different even when they appear similar from the front. Neck width, thickness, profile, fretboard radius and scale length all influence how the instrument feels in your hands.

Some players prefer a thin neck with a relatively flat fretboard. Others feel more comfortable with a thicker, rounder profile. There is no universally correct neck shape. What matters is whether your hand can move naturally around it without unnecessary tension.

Do Small Hands Need a Small Guitar?

Not necessarily. Hand size is only part of the equation. Thumb position, technique, neck thickness, nut width and scale length can all change how large a guitar feels.

A player with relatively small hands may have no problem with a standard-scale electric guitar, while another guitarist may strongly prefer a shorter scale or narrower neck. Try several instruments rather than assuming that a measurement alone can tell you what will be comfortable.

What Does Scale Length Change?

Scale length is the vibrating length of the string between the nut and bridge. With the same string gauge and tuning, a shorter scale generally feels a little softer under the fingers, while a longer scale generally produces more tension.

You may notice this during bends, vibrato, wide stretches and fast passages. You do not need to choose a guitar based entirely on scale length, but if one instrument immediately feels easier or stiffer than another, scale length may be part of the reason.

Playability: Action, Frets, Setup and Intonation

A guitar should not make basic playing unnecessarily difficult. Unfortunately, it is easy to confuse the quality of the guitar with the quality of its setup.

Action is the distance between the strings and the frets. If it is too high, fretting chords and notes requires unnecessary force. If it is too low, the strings may buzz against the frets. Action is adjustable within limits, so an otherwise good guitar should not automatically be rejected because the shop setup is imperfect.

Fretwork deserves attention too. Run your hand gently along both sides of the fretboard and check whether the fret ends feel sharp. Play notes in different areas of the neck and listen for obvious buzzing, dead notes or notes that choke unexpectedly.

Check Tuning Stability

Tune the guitar, play it for several minutes, bend a few strings and check it again. Tuning stability depends on the complete system: strings, nut, bridge, tuners and setup. Expensive tuning machines cannot compensate for a badly cut nut or poorly installed strings.

You can check the instrument directly with our free PITCHR Guitar Tuner, which lets you tune and monitor the pitch while testing the guitar.

If you are still learning the basics of tuning, our Standard E Guitar Tuning guide explains the six open strings and the standard A4 = 440 Hz reference.

Check the Intonation

A guitar should not only be in tune when the strings are open. Notes further up the fretboard should remain reasonably in tune as well.

Compare the 12th-fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret. A small difference can usually be corrected during setup, especially on an electric guitar. Large or inconsistent tuning problems deserve more attention.

The important distinction is between an adjustable setup issue and something fundamental about the guitar. Action and intonation can often be changed. Body shape, scale length and the basic neck profile cannot.

Sound, Pickups and Electronics

Specifications can help you create a shortlist, but eventually you have to listen to the guitar.

Two instruments with similar woods, pickups and construction can still respond differently. Play them rather than deciding what the specification sheet says you are supposed to hear.

On an electric guitar, begin with a reasonably clean amp sound. Excessive gain, compression, delay and reverb can make almost anything sound impressive and hide useful differences between instruments. Check every pickup position, use the volume and tone controls and listen to how the guitar reacts when you pick softly and aggressively.

On an acoustic or classical guitar, listen to the balance between bass and treble strings, clarity, projection and sustain. Make sure individual notes remain audible rather than disappearing inside large chords.

Don't Choose an Electric Guitar Only for Its Pickups

Pickups matter, but they are replaceable. The fundamental physical characteristics of the guitar are much harder to change.

If one guitar feels fantastic but its pickups are not quite your ideal choice, that may be easier to solve later than buying the perfect pickup configuration attached to a neck you dislike.

Also test every knob, switch and output connection. Controls should work consistently without obvious crackling, interruptions or mechanical problems.

Think About the Tunings You Want to Use

Standard tuning works perfectly for an enormous amount of music, but your preferred tuning can influence which guitar makes the most sense.

If you regularly use Drop D, lower standard tunings, open tunings or extended-range guitars, scale length, string gauge, bridge design and setup become more important. A guitar that feels ideal in E standard may require different strings or adjustments when tuned substantially lower.

Before buying specifically for alternate tunings, you can use TuneMap to compare standard and alternate tunings and see the string notes for 6-, 7- and 8-string guitars.

This is particularly useful when deciding whether you really need another guitar for a different tuning or whether your existing instrument can cover the job with the right setup.

New vs Used—and Buying Online vs in a Store

Buying new usually gives you predictable condition, straightforward retailer support and fewer unknowns. Buying used can give you considerably more guitar for the same budget, but the condition becomes much more important.

When inspecting a used guitar, check the neck, fret wear, bridge, tuning stability, electronics and hardware. Look for cracks, repairs or structural damage and find out whether major components have been replaced or modified.

Cosmetic wear is not automatically a problem. A scratched guitar can be perfectly healthy. Structural problems, severe fret wear or a neck that cannot be adjusted properly are different matters.

What About Buying a Guitar Online?

Online stores give you access to far more instruments, but you lose the most useful part of guitar shopping: physically comparing them.

If you buy online, pay attention to scale length, nut width, neck profile, fretboard radius, body dimensions, bridge type and pickup configuration. If the individual weight is listed, check that too.

Most importantly, use a seller with a clear return policy. Specifications can tell you whether an instrument is likely to suit you, but they cannot completely predict how that particular guitar will feel in your hands.

Price, Features and Your First Guitar

More expensive guitars can offer better hardware, finishing, materials, consistency and quality control, but price and playability do not increase in a perfectly straight line.

Modern entry-level and mid-priced guitars can be extremely capable instruments. At the same time, buying the cheapest guitar you can find is not always economical if poor fretwork, unstable tuning or a bad setup makes learning unnecessarily frustrating.

A beginner does not need a professional touring instrument. You need a guitar that functions properly, feels comfortable and does not make basic playing harder than it needs to be.

If this will be your first instrument, see our dedicated Beginner Guitar Buying Guide.

Don't Pay for Features You Don't Need

Extra switching options, unusual pickup combinations, locking tremolos, seven or eight strings and elaborate electronics can all be useful. But every feature should solve an actual problem.

A straightforward guitar that does the things you need exceptionally well may be a much better purchase than an instrument with a long specification list that adds complexity without adding anything useful to your playing.

The same applies to collecting guitars. Different instruments certainly have different strengths, but owning more guitars does not automatically make you a better guitarist. If gear acquisition is starting to become the goal itself, read How Many Guitars Do You Really Need?.

How to Test a Guitar Before You Buy It

You do not need to impress anyone in the guitar shop. The purpose of testing a guitar is to discover whether it works for you.

Play the same material on several instruments so your hands and ears have a consistent reference. Use things you already know well rather than playing random notes on every guitar.

A useful test includes:

• Open chords and barre chords.
• Single-note lines across several areas of the neck.
• Notes high on the fretboard.
• String bends and vibrato.
• Wide stretches.
• Soft and aggressive picking.
• Palm-muted riffs if they are relevant to your music.
• Playing both seated and standing.

Test some things you find difficult as well. A guitar that only feels good while you play your easiest material does not tell you as much as an instrument tested across several techniques.

Whenever possible, compare guitars back to back. That is often when differences in neck shape, tension, body balance and response suddenly become obvious.

And do not let celebrity association make the decision for you. There is nothing wrong with being inspired by a guitarist you admire, but their instrument was chosen for their hands, music and circumstances. Use that inspiration to create a shortlist, then let your own hands decide.

Guitar Buying Checklist

Before you buy, run through this checklist:

• Music: Does this guitar suit the music I actually want to play?
• Comfort: Does the body feel natural against me?
• Neck: Does the neck profile suit my hand?
• Scale: Does the string tension feel comfortable?
• Weight: Would I want this hanging from my shoulder for an entire rehearsal?
• Balance: Does the guitar stay in a useful position when standing?
• Action: Can I fret notes comfortably without excessive buzzing?
• Frets: Are the fret ends comfortable and the notes consistent across the neck?
• Tuning: Does it remain reasonably stable after playing and bending?
• Intonation: Does it stay in tune further up the neck?
• Hardware: Do the bridge, tuners, knobs, switches and output jack work properly?
• Sound: Do I genuinely like how the instrument sounds and responds?
• Motivation: Do I actually want to keep playing it?

The Final Test: Does the Guitar Say “Play Me”?

Reviews, specifications and buying guides can help you eliminate bad choices. They can tell you whether a particular guitar is likely to suit your style, budget and physical preferences.

But once several guitars pass those tests, something less technical starts to matter.

Put the guitar down. Try another one. Walk around the shop for a few minutes. Then notice which instrument you want to pick up again.

That reaction matters because the most useful guitar is ultimately the guitar you actually play.

Looks can even be part of that. Appearance does not determine tone or playability, but there is nothing wrong with wanting an instrument that makes you want to reach for it every time you see it.

If the guitar suits your music, feels comfortable, works properly and keeps inviting you back, it does not need to win every specification comparison.

It says “Play me.”

And that may be the best indication that you have found the right guitar for you.

You can also explore our free Guitar Training Tools for tuning, pitch, fretboard, rhythm and ear-training tools.

For more practical guides about guitars, equipment, tone and setup, explore Gear, Tone & Setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying a guitar?

Look at comfort, neck shape, scale length, action, fretwork, tuning stability, intonation, weight, balance, hardware and sound. Most importantly, choose a guitar that suits the music you want to play and feels good enough that you want to keep playing it.

How do I know if a guitar is right for me?

A guitar is a good fit when it feels comfortable sitting and standing, the neck suits your hands, the instrument functions properly and you enjoy its sound and response. You should not have to fight the guitar to perform basic playing movements.

Should a beginner buy an electric or acoustic guitar?

Either can be a good first guitar. Choose according to the music you want to play rather than assuming every beginner must start on acoustic guitar. Motivation and a comfortable instrument are more important than following a fixed sequence.

How much should a beginner spend on a guitar?

There is no single correct amount. Prioritise usable fretwork, reasonable tuning stability and a setup that does not make learning unnecessarily difficult. A higher price can improve consistency and components, but it does not guarantee a better personal fit.

Is it better to buy a new or used guitar?

New guitars usually provide more predictable condition and retailer support. Used guitars can offer excellent value, but should be checked carefully for fret wear, neck problems, repairs, electronics issues and structural damage.

Should I buy a guitar online or in a store?

A store lets you compare the feel, weight, neck and balance of different instruments directly. Online shopping offers more choice, but specifications cannot completely predict how a guitar will feel. If you buy online, choose a retailer with clear return conditions.

Does guitar brand matter?

Brand can tell you something about design, product range and expected quality control, but it should not replace evaluating the actual instrument. Two guitars from the same brand can still feel different, and a less expensive model may suit you better than a more prestigious one.

What is the most important thing when choosing a guitar?

The guitar should suit your music, feel comfortable and make you want to play. Specifications and price matter, but an instrument that keeps making you want to pick it up is far more useful than one that looks perfect on paper and stays in its case.