What To Look For In A Cheap Guitar

If you are considering buying a cheap guitar, it helps to know what to look for and which brands are worth your hard-earned money beforehand. Not every cheap guitar is a piece of junk, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it has to come from a used or discounted music store to be considered cheap.

After spending some time researching guitars, you may be surprised to find that many high-quality manufacturers that maintain very reputable brand names actually offer brand new, cheap guitars—cheap meaning affordable, not low quality. Many of them simply cost less than other retail-priced guitars, although they are 100% brand new and have never been used.

The first trick to finding a cheap guitar is familiarizing yourself with these manufacturers, and the second is to inform yourself as to what to look for in one, should you decide to buy a discounted or used instrument instead of a brand new one. In general, you need to look for many of the same qualities. However, these qualities should be carefully inspected with used or discounted guitars, since they likely suffer from minor wear and tear.

Features to Look for in a Cheap Guitar

The body of a cheap guitar is the first thing you will want to look at when considering it for purchase. Cheap guitars of low quality are often made with fiberboard. These guitar bodies are covered in thick paint or are laminated in wood-grain patterns, which make them look similar to real wood. If you want a cheap guitar that is high quality, search for a body that is constructed of solid wood. This will affect the sound and the overall performance quality of the instrument.

Next, you’ll want to look for a cheap guitar with a truss rod. A truss rod is the part of the guitar’s neck that runs under the fret board. It helps stabilize the neck’s string tension and is essential for keeping it fairly flat. Without a truss rod, the neck of the guitar will warp with use. Even though the neck of the guitar will bow over time, it can be countered with an adjustable truss rod, so make sure the cheap guitar you are looking at has one.

Aside from the body of the guitar and the presence of a truss rod, be aware that the finish is also a primary factor in determining the price of a guitar. If you’re looking for a cheap guitar, you’ll need to compare the different finishes. In general, plain, stripped-down finishes are going to cost a lot less and are worth looking at when shopping around. Dressed-up finishes will increase the price, and you’ll usually receive the same great sound by buying a plain model, depending on the manufacturer you choose.

Additionally, pay attention to the bridge and tuner hardware. This is especially true with cheap guitars that have been used or that are discounted due to being returned or discontinued. The bridge and tuners should be made of steel, and they should have a good tuning ratio. Typically, a good tuning ratio is 18 to 1, although a minimum of 12 to 1 is also sufficient.

Brands That Offer the Best Cheap Guitar Options and Where to Buy Them

Regardless of what kind of cheap guitar brand you choose to buy, you should buy one either straight from the distributor, which can save you a lot of money, or straight from a reputable
on-line retailer that specializes in guitars and musical instruments. Also, be sure that the cheap guitar you are considering is backed by a warranty or a full guarantee of some kind. There are some great on-line retailers that offer full guarantees for your peace of mind.

Cheap guitar brands you should consider include top-of-the-line manufacturers, such as Fender, Ibanez, and Epiphone. For example, you can snag an excellent cheap guitar from any of these brands for less than $200. The Fender Squier Affinity Series Fat Strat model is a great, cheap electric guitar, and some of the Epiphone SG models are just as affordable, with equal sound capabilities and quality construction. Also check out the Ibanez GRX20, a best-selling guitar that is in the same price range as the Fender Fat Strat and Epiphone SG models.

Finally, to find a cheap guitar that is high quality, don’t rule out guitar kits, which come with the guitar and all of the accessories you need in one package. The highly-acclaimed manufacturers mentioned here also offer numerous cheap guitar packages, so if quality is just as important to you as the price tag, consider a cheap guitar package from these name brands before you look at any others.