How to Buy Guitar (your First Budget Guitar) by Acoustic Pahadi

Buying a First Budget Guitar

The presenter offers a checklist for inspecting a guitar in person before buying it. The main advice is to check the instrument carefully rather than letting the excitement of buying rush the decision.

Checks and advice

• String action at the 12th fret: With the guitar lying flat, measure the gap between the strings and fretboard around the 12th fret. Around 3–4 mm is ideal; up to 5 mm may be usable, but avoid a guitar with a larger gap. The presenter warns against letting a shopkeeper adjust the truss rod just to disguise excessive string height.
• Truss rod: Check that it is present and appears serviceable. A faulty or heavily adjusted truss rod can cause problems later.
• Tuning pegs: Turn each peg and check that it works properly and is not unusually loose.
• Cracks and body condition: Inspect the front, back, sides, and headstock, especially the joint between the neck and body. The presenter also suggests tapping the body and listening for signs of an internal problem.
• Neck alignment: Look down the neck from more than one angle. If it appears crooked or misaligned, treat it as a manufacturing defect and do not buy the guitar.
• Brand and model: Check the name and model number, including the headstock and markings on the body.
• Pickup and tuner options: A built-in tuner and electronics can be convenient, but they are optional. A guitar without them can still be suitable and may cost less.
• Bridge: Inspect the bridge, as it is an important part of the guitar. The presenter cautions that very inexpensive guitars may not last as long and suggests considering a better-quality instrument as playing progresses.
• Strap attachment: Some guitars have a strap button at the back but none near the neck. A strap can be tied at the headstock. The presenter advises against fitting a button yourself, since drilling or attaching it incorrectly could crack the body.
• Serial number: Check whether the guitar has a serial number, often near the bottom or endpin area.
• Sound and resonance: Play the guitar and listen before buying. Avoid an instrument with unwanted rattling or cracking sounds. Body size and thickness affect resonance and tone, so choose a sound that suits your preference.

Pros, cautions, and comparisons

The checklist can help beginners spot visible defects and avoid buying a guitar that needs immediate adjustment or repair. Built-in electronics are useful but not essential, and the presenter cautions that the cheapest guitars may not last as long as better-quality branded instruments.

As a personal example, the presenter says his Yamaha F310 remained in good condition for over six years after three string changes.

Verdict

Inspect the guitar’s setup, neck, body, hardware, and sound before paying. A basic model can be adequate as a first guitar, but avoid obvious defects—especially excessive string height, a crooked neck, cracks, or unwanted noises.

No numerical product rating is given.

Speaker

The subtitles present one main speaker, who provides the buying checklist and uses his Yamaha F310 as a personal example.