If you’re trying to learn how to play an instrument or attempting to join a band or become an artist, you may be thinking about learning how to play the drums or guitar. This is a bold step to take as playing an instrument is a great skill to have that also has the potential to add a unique sound to music. When shopping around looking for guitar strings, you may find that they can be relatively expensive depending on where you’re looking, what brand it is, and the type of guitar you’re buying. To help you get the most affordable guitar possible, this article aims to explore different ways that you can buy your first guitar on a budget.
Buy in Sales
Before buying your first guitar, you’re going to have to decide on the type that you want. There is a range of guitars such as electric, acoustic, classical, multi-neck, steel and archtop just to mention a few. Depending on your personal preference and what type of sound you’re going for, you should be able to get a guitar in a sale. It can be tempting to buy the first guitar you see, but it’s likely that it may be out of your budget. Instead, you can wait until there’s a seasonal sale as you’ll probably find that you save a significant amount. In order to keep an eye on these sales and check when they’re happening in your area, you may need to go to the store regularly to check or try asking store employees. When looking for bargains and sales, it’s important that you’re patient enough and do your homework so that you can get the deal that you desire.
Get a Cheaper Brand
When shopping for a guitar, you will find that there is a range of different brands to choose from. Each brand may also offer a different type of quality which may be reflected in the price of each. You may, for example, find that the price of Gibson and Fender guitars are way out of your budget. They are amongst some of the oldest makes of guitars, so it is no surprise that they would be pretty expensive. However, it is possible that you can find a guitar brand that offers both a decent price and good quality, if you take your time to shop around. You don’t necessarily want to make too much of a compromise on quality as you don’t want to compromise your sound, however, it is possible to spend less if you budget more.
Rent From a Company
If you’re desperate to get a guitar but can’t necessarily afford one, think about getting one from a rental company. Prices vary depending on the company and the length of time that you’ll be borrowing it for. When finding a rental company, you should, therefore, take your time to do thorough research and compare prices so that you get the best deal. You should be very careful with the guitar that you rent as the cost of damages or replacements can be high. Make sure you ask questions regarding terms and conditions before renting so that you’re well aware of all costs and can plan for any contingencies.
Buy a Used One
As with everything, there are pros and cons of buying a used guitar. Some pros for buying a used one is for one, it could work out to be a lot cheaper. Another benefit is that it will likely already be broken into as someone has been playing it before, so you’ll be free to play it like the rockstar that you are. You’re likely to find three categories of guitars. These include ones that appear to be brand new and barely used, blemished ones with minor scratches, or ones that have noticeable scratches and dents. It’s up to you to decide which is more suitable for you but be sure you’re getting a good enough bargain for your money. You can begin the process by making a list of ten of the best guitars and then seeing how much you can get for a used version of each. This way, you can still get a good quality and reputable guitar within your set budget.
Borrow from a Friend
If you happen to have a veteran guitar playing friend who has put away their strings to try something new, consider asking them whether you can borrow or rent the guitar for a period of time. Of course, it is a given that you should vow to ensure you keep it safe and return it in the state that you found it. You may want to offer to pay them a token for the duration that you have it just as a kind gesture and depending on how close that you are as well.
Get One Online
You may find that when you search for a guitar online as opposed to in a physical shop that you find a cheaper deal. This is because the cost of running an online store differs from that of running a physical store. Since an online store is likely to have lower operational expenses, they’re sometimes able to offer their goods for less. Note that you’re more likely to get a good deal online if you have access to online savings codes, deals of the day, no taxes and free shipping offers. If not, these charges could creep up on you and make your guitar work out more expensive than buying it in a physical store. Try using a price comparison site as well just to be sure, however.
When you find your first guitar, it can be a fulfilling moment. Being able to hold the instrument in your hand can bring a sense of pride and joy. You shouldn’t however, have to break the bank in order to get one. Hopefully, the suggestions in this article make your quest for one easier, and you’ll be on your way to practicing on your own instrument in no time.