Buying a Guitar: Considering Guitar Construction

It’s important to consider guitar construction when buying a new guitar. How your guitar was put together and what materials were used can affect sound characteristics, durability, maintenance, and the overall appearance of the instrument. Inspecting the construction is doubly important when buying a used guitar!

Guitar body. Before buying a guitar, especially a used guitar, check the body for any structural defects. Nicks, scratches, dents, dings and cracks are never a good sign, especially when they occur between the guitar neck and body. You should also pick up the instrument and lightly tap on the back of it to make sure that you can't hear any parts moving or shifting around inside.

Type of wood. The type of wood your guitar was made with can affect the sound it produces. Most acoustic guitars are made from spruce, mahogany, and cedar, while electric guitars are typically made from mahogany, maple, or ash. Spruce-top guitars are known for their bright and clear tones, while cedar guitars have a warmer sound. The type of wood used can also affect the price of the instrument, as less common woods are usually more expensive. The wood used on fretboards is typically ebony, rosewood (dark brown) or maple (light tan). Each one of these woods provides durability and a great tone.

Guitar neck. The neck of a guitar can be attached in a variety of ways. On acoustic and classical models the neck is typically glued to the body. On electric guitars, the neck can be bolted on, glued on, or attached seamlessly to the body. A guitar with a warped neck is a serious problem, so check carefully to make sure the neck is fairly straight. To do so, look down the length of the guitar with the headstock pointing towards your face. The only curvature you should see is a slight bend in the fretboard about halfway down the neck.

Aesthetic elements. Some guitars have components which are strictly added to make the guitar look nicer. Things like pearl inlays (markings that help you find your way around the fretboard), soundhole designs, or chome/gold hardware are some examples. While these things won't affect sound quality, they will increase the value and price of the guitar.

Hardware. The hardware on a guitar includes things like the tuning pegs, volume knobs, pickup selector switch, tremolo bar, input jack, and any other similar components. You should make sure that all of the hardware is still firmly attached and not loose. Also make sure to check for general wear, tear, and rust.

Use this simple checklist as a guide whenever you are in the process of buying a new guitar!