Here are some key points that you need to know about when you are looking for the best electric guitar for $100.
New vs. Used Guitars
One of the great advantages of used guitars is their price. You may never find a new guitar with such good characteristics for this price. Moreover, if the previous owner of your guitar knew how things work, they will tell you many important issues, such as how long the guitar stays in tune for, which strings are better, and what peculiarities it has.
The main advantage of a new guitar is that you have more options – you may choose special materials, shape, style, number of strings, frets, and so on. It’s much easier to find such a customized guitar in a shop than being sold by a private seller.
According to the Guitar Tricks blog, there is no right answer to the question of whether you should buy a new or a used instrument. It depends on your budget, how much you care about scratches on the guitar’s body, and whether or not you can spot problems that don’t meet the eyes. For example, if you don’t know how to distinguish a decent guitar from the one with a slightly off sound, you may be tricked by a private seller. That’s why you should take a friend who knows about guitars.
Are These Guitars Only for Beginners?
We all know that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover – similarly, you shouldn’t judge the guitar for its price only. Musical instrument producers have come a long way; many new technologies have been implemented, so a low price is not necessarily an indicator of a poorly-made guitar.
Beginners usually choose to buy cheap guitars because they know nothing about them; they don’t know the differences between nylon and steel strings, which materials are the best for different parts of the guitar, and so on. This knowledge comes with experience. When a person starts to understand their needs and what they want in a guitar, it is easy to set certain points they are looking for. That is why, after achieving a certain skill level, a person may want to buy a new guitar- not one that is necessarily more expensive but just with other characteristics. The price is not a key point here.
What to Look for at his Price
As it was mentioned above, even $100 electric guitars can be wonderful, since the price is not the major factor. First of all, you must find a reliable seller with positive reviews, so you won’t be fooled by greedy people.
You should look for the sound that you want. Ask yourself, what kind of music you want to play? Maybe you want a cool rock sound? Or are you looking for something smoother? Ask for some help from your guitar teacher or a friend who knows more than you. A decent guitar won’t have any traces of major repair (or any repair, if we are talking about a new one).
Check the bridges and all the hardware – cables must be thick and in good shape; the plug mustn’t be loose. When you play, the guitar shouldn’t make any strange additional noises.
Are They Different from Expensive Ones?
It is not a secret that cheaper guitars are made of cheaper materials- like plywood, for instance. More expensive ones are usually made of maple, mahogany, or rosewood. All the electronic parts can differ from guitar to guitar.
When you are paying a considerable amount of money, make sure you are paying for more quality, not for the brand.
Do I Need Any Accessories?
It depends on the kit you are buying. Usually, aside from an electric guitar, you may find the following items to come in handy:
- A bag. Even if you don’t plan to take your guitar with you (which you never know), a bag is an optimal choice for storage. It will keep your guitar from dust, dirt, and draughts.
- A guitar strap. This is handy when you play standing. Without it, you won’t be able to hold the guitar right and play at the same time.
- A guitar pick. This depends on your playing techniques and preferences.
- A cable. Whether you want it or not, you will need a cable for an electric guitar.
- A tuner. If you are a pro, you may get away without it, but if you are a newbie, consider buying it if you want your guitar to be tuned correctly.
In Conclusion
Don’t chase an expensive guitar if you don’t know what you are paying for. Cheap guitars are good quality ones, and expensive guitars may let you down. Ask yourself what you want out of your guitar and why. What are your skills now, and how much do you want to develop them? If you answer these questions sincerely, the choice of a new guitar won’t be hard. You will quickly find the best electric guitar for $100.
We wish you all the best in your learning and performing experiences!
