How to check a guitar before buying- Don't make the mistake of not knowing what to look for.

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This video gives you the confidence to check a guitar for faults etc before buying. Or, if you have ordered a guitar online, you unbox it, and go through these checks. If there is a problem, you know you can send it back with confidence.
Follow the fault finding tests, and understand what to look for when buying a guitar. Don't feel intimidated trying out a guitar in front of a sales assistant, rather show them that you have some idea of what you are looking for.
Good luck and happy playing!

[@nusagrace]

I felt pressured by the salesman to buy a guitar. I didn’t know what to look for. So I bought a guitar that is very uncomfortable to play, cuts my fingers even after 3 years of playing, doesn’t sound good to me and doesn’t work well with me either. I knew it the moment I got home. A mix of indecisiveness and shyness got in my way. I found that if you don’t connect with the guitar, it slows your progress. It has to feel good to play, something that I didn’t take in the consideration. You have to feel the guitar with your heart, otherwise playing it will feel like a chore. Don’t make the same mistake please.

[@pieflies]

I think this is fairly common unfortunately. A lot of guitar sales people have their preferences, whether it be guitars they personally like or guitars they make more profit on, and they enthusiastically push those guitars on customers. Music stores can also be very intimidating for people to play in when trying guitars out. I had this experience yesterday (although I don’t plan on buying that guitar), and I had the same experience when I bought my previous guitar (I did give in to it that time). A good sales person should encourage you to try lots of guitars and go with your gut feeling of what feels comfortable and sounds best to you. Sometimes a guitar will immediately feel amazing but sometimes it takes a lot of time and many store visits to decide and that’s alright.

[@Argorikki]

Its always best to find your perfect guitar, but in my experience i’ve had several guitars grow on me. After a while , i almost forgot what my guitars look like lol theres so much focus on the playing.

[@ToastandJam52]

Also check for loose frets. Run your fingers up and down the side of the neck. Any sharp/jagged edges denote a loose fret. This is more common on used instruments.

[@AndrewKeeping]

A very valid addition. Thanks

[@isakjacobsson867]

Another tip is to never walk into a guitar shop with intention of buying. This will make you more likely to buy a bad guitar, or a guitar you will regret buying.

[@ApertureWarrior]

Yeh if you can help it leave your money at home, if you cant be bothered to come back to get the guitar its a good indicator that you don't really want it

[@AndrewKeeping]

Good tip

[@3Danimationmaster]

Thanks Ewan McGregor

[@AndrewKeeping]

Ha Ha. very flattered.

[@farithrosh]

E

[@antipodesman2]

Some problems like a high fret are easily fixed but could be a useful tool for negotiating a better price.

[@RedRozei]

Bought my guitar 2 years ago, without checking it and stuff. Never saw this video, so now I'm confused is it good or not. I never once realized that there could be many factors of checking if a guitar is right or bad.

[@shane.henderson]

I'm going to shop for my first acoustic and wasn't really sure what I should look for when trying them out. This will help me a lot. Thank you very much!

[@andregfp]

SUMMARY 1. Look at the joints/seams, where the guitar sections meet. Make sure there are no gaps between them, or any sort of movement. Do the same along the table of the guitar, in the part where it comes in contact with the neck. Give it a bit of a movement to check how solid the neck is, and how firmly attached it is to the body of the guitar. Check the seams around the bridge of the guitar, and the same for the headstock. 2. Tap the table of the guitar with the side of the thumb, to check for any rattling or buzzing. If there is any, it might mean one of the struts is loose inside the instrument. 3. Check the back of the guitar for any irregularities in the seams. Also check inside the guitar (up and down). 4. Wind the machine heads down and then up, to check how smooth they are. 5. Check the action of the guitar (the height of the strings off the neck of the instrument). See if there is clear air between every single fret of the guitar. If there isn’t (usually on the first fret), you will get “fret buzz”. Check if all the frets are in the right place: sometimes, some of the frets may be higher than the others. To check for fret buzz, play along all the frets and strings of the guitar. 6. You can check the strings, but there’s no need to worry too much about them since they’re easily replaceable. The structure of the instrument is more important. Thank you for the tips, they're quite helpful!

[@alexcisotto3007]

Thanks for the useful summary, well done.

[@didequen3339]

The most important thing he missed was the neck where it provides tension between the neck and the body. Most guitars breaking down right at that place. The woodcut is also weak at that location too. If you see a tiny tiny hair line you should not buy it because it will develop into a big crack later when you play and tension pull it

[@MM-et5kz]

So useful. Ive always regretted the acoustic I bought because I didnt really know how to check. It just looked good. A few years later I’m realising that it wasnt the best value for my money

[@Eiei0h]

Bought my first guitar, wiped it clean then watched this video and got some tips, examined mine closely because I know nothing about guitar and found two of the heads were loosing their screws in the back and tightened it. I already knew that one of my strings was loose from trying play it because the sound was horrendous, I learned to tighten from this video as well. It sound is decent, I guess I didn’t know what I was buy, but it was cheap and good enough for my first guitar.

[@sunchaserw1477]

this is absolutely useful to know and thank you

[@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23]

Good stuff. I will be employing that wisdom. .

[@TatianaBalashova]

Thanks a lot! ❤ the classical guitar you showed looks pretty attractive :). And wish there were more videos on how to check a guitar when you don't know how to play a guitar and no friends to ask to help (e.g. if buying from craiglist the 1st guitar, it can be hard to juggle time & availability).

[@PartyPancakes9000]

I looove the video and your style 👌🏼. I’m thinking of buying aiersi GCC-40 do you have any idea about it or about the company? it’s around 80$

[@bernardinelermite1133]

This guitar is a beauty !! I love the wood combination, and the "mature" look it has (that sensual varnish !!!). Happy you ! 😊

[@Thayofonzi]

Great tips. Thanks.

[@iampresidentpunch3754]

my moms buying me guitar as a birthday gift😪 and she told me I'm the one to choose the guitar❣️ I'm watching this so i would have a knowledge about it

[@AndrewKeeping]

Good luck. If you need any further advise just shout.

[@yaskyjr4592]

Does this also apply to electric guitars? And what are good brands that do a thorough check of the guitar before shipping?

[@midnightdreams8136]

Thanks a lot! This was really helpful!

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're very welcome.

[@HB-wl8id]

Thank for the teaching and the asmr

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're welcome 😊

[@luismedina8502]

Well done mate! Thank you!

[@AndrewKeeping]

No problem 👍

[@eeejay2723]

this really helped me im anxious of what notes ill be playing on the strings, good thing i found this video.

[@AndrewKeeping]

so pleased it was useful.

[@lirej9833]

Thank you for your tips... I also wonder. What can I do to fix the buzzing? 😐😐

[@kibestudio1784]

Thanks 😊. really helpful for me.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Most welcome 😊

[@xeniakekae6592]

Very helpful!!! Thank you!!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nilanjanjana6100]

Thanks so much for all the info I looked for.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zumbaRdie]

good point. I also learned yesterday talking to one of factory tech to look at the fret from the headstock and make sure it lined up to the saddle.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Good tip!

[@NihinduAngana]

Great advice mate thank you!!

[@AndrewKeeping]

No problem 👍

[@ForeverSongMinistries]

Thank you! This is very helpful.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hadhuda12ify]

Thank you, this a lot of help 👍🏻.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it helped!

[@drachnem2385]

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@drachnem2385]

Bought my first one with confidence thanks to you. A Yamaha.

[@AndrewKeeping]

So glad it helped. Best of luck!

[@sandabesednik323]

One question! I have 59, started to play a guitar after a very long pause of 30 yrs ago. What kind of classical guitar you recommand me ? I like to play only on metal strings, the price can go to € 150. Pls, help! My first guitar finished in garbage cos the torsion on the neck, my second guitar was Made In China, it vas very cheap, the body isn't good, concave and I see the gaps on the big bridge where the strings started . I need better classical guitar so please help me ! Thank you!

[@SetYourHandle3]

Thank you so much for the video :)

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're welcome Vladut.

[@yusufamzar5448]

Thanks man..this is very clear. Im thinking of buying a cort acoustic guitar. I will definitely follow these tips to buy them

[@AndrewKeeping]

No problem!

[@krambermillo2541]

This is very helpful. Thank you for the tips. 🙂

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're so welcome!

[@georgehaynes980]

Excellent bunch of tips! I did miss info on how high the action can be

[@Hasmete1]

Thank you SO MUCH!

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're welcome!

[@thangmonsang3337]

Thank a lot sir.

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're welcome

[@ariyanmaroi2634]

thank you for advices. will be going to the shop and talking like a professional guitarist now

[@AndrewKeeping]

Best of luck!

[@katiecnaranjo]

Thank you! This was exactly what I needed to know because I'm going to go look at some guitars tomorrow. I was nervous about not knowing exactly what to look for and paying a lot of money for a guitar that could potentially not be good quality so thank you very much.

[@AndrewKeeping]

You got this! You're welcome. Good luck!

[@noaika5342]

thank you so so much, this helps alot

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it helped!

[@sharanazhar4422]

Thankyou very much for the guidance. I am planning to buy a guitar soon

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're very welcome. Good luck!

[@recabitejehonadab2654]

Thank you.

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're welcome!

[@aekzelbonmaladrigo4336]

Helped a lot

[@AndrewKeeping]

really pleased it helped

[@brianbrazil4426]

Here's something you may have forgotten to mention. If you're getting fret buzz or having tuning problems. The way the nut, between the fret board and the headstock, may not have the string slots properly cut. It affects the height of the strings on the fret board as well as keeping the strings from moving freely when you're trying to tune the guitar.

[@DeshanJayampath]

thank you. hoping to get one soon :)

[@AndrewKeeping]

Good luck

[@parte8854]

thanks you so much

[@AndrewKeeping]

You are most welcome

[@bijankhadembashi1016]

good video! Something that might be worth mentioning is: 1) intonation - if you tune the open string, are the fretted notes in tune? 2) neck - is the neck straight? convex or concave? I'm no expert, i just know these 2 points are somewhat important for an electric guitar (which can be more easily adjusted, so i imagine they are even more important on a classical guitar)

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks for your input Bijan. All good additions.

[@Steve-si8hx]

Check for cracks on the strings also

[@mouadlahjiri6325]

I'm buying protege cordoba c1 any good

[@festushaggen2563]

Agree on all points and definitely check the neck for bows and twists (mostly a used guitar issue). That can be a sign of a big problem and an expensive repair. A warped neck gets an automatic no from me.

[@AndrewKeeping]

Totally agree Pete!

[@knd1986]

Very nice advice. Thank you! :)

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it was helpful!

[@syedusamamanzoor1838]

Thankyou :)

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're welcome.

[@hellomooky]

Thank you for teaching the importance of checking the new guitar

[@AndrewKeeping]

My pleasure!

[@rodrirm]

Nice advices!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it was helpful!

[@acavi7558]

Ty ty ty

[@JimLBon]

Pro tips for a newb like me. Thanks man!

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're very welcome. Good luck!

[@ApertureWarrior]

Thanks for the video man i have agreed to look at a 12 string tomorrow (privately) and not sure if I'm interested anymore so a good check list will let me decide for sure Also a good tip id add, don't take money when you go to look at a guitar You can always come back after if you like it, just stops impulse buys

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks for your tip

[@tomblobasjamescarymccollum1740]

Did you ever make the string video? Great imformative video, by the way!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Coming soon!

[@anushabandi5837]

Thank you for the info. I got my first guitar and need to check it.- Revel RVL-38C-LGP-NT Linden Wood Acoustic Guitar

[@richan288]

wow

[@ashwinidombale7158]

Hey even I bought the same.Would u like to help me ,I have few doubts :)

[@anushabandi5837]

@@ashwinidombale7158 sure. tell me what's the issue?

[@redjj4007]

Thanks. I Want to buy my first guitar and now i know to how to see the quality of the guitar

[@AndrewKeeping]

Best of luck!

[@stephen.ashok2000]

Very helpful

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it helped

[@RTS-7]

very helpful🙂

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fatkitty4207]

Thank you so much i am buying a tanglewood next week i am 14 year old playing two years i am good thx

[@AndrewKeeping]

Fantastic. Best of luck.

[@krisimanasieva422]

I went to a store to buy my first acoustic since I had already had an electric for a year. I had a 530 dollar budget but my dad told the salesman that it was 200 dollars. The salesman gave me a fender beginner guitar and I was too shy to ask to try others guitars and say I didn’t want it. I really regret it, I don’t like that guitar. I’m gonna ask my dad if we could return it and buy a better one, I scared he’s gonna be mad I didn’t speak up. I really hope that I will be able to return it and get a good 500 dollar guitar.

[@AndrewKeeping]

I understand this. It is far more common than you might imagine. Salesmen are looking to sell. I would suggest you try to find the best moment to have the honest conversation with your father. Best of luck.

[@krisimanasieva422]

Andrew Keeping I talked to him about it and he got mad at me. He told me that I don’t deserve to an expensive guitar because I’m not a professional player. I tried to explain that it’s my money and that it doesn’t hurt to have a better quality guitar that I actually like to play. He said that he won’t return it. Meanwhile my brother got a 1000 dollar professional bike even though he’s nowhere near a professional bike rider. I ask my grandmas and mom if I could return it and they said yes but my dad says no and they aren’t in Europe with me right now so that I could go with them.

[@jakaalatas8938]

@@krisimanasieva422 sound's like scapegoat child problem,i can understand your problem.

[@guianmadilar151]

@@AndrewKeeping I

[@welowee7610]

@krisi manasieva Just be grateful with your 200 dollar guitar bro. My first acoustic guitar is just 60 dollar, it stay with me for 18 years and help me create a lot of songs. You can always buy the better one later

[@cernovickmoi7991]

Hi Andrew. Thank you for this advice. I have a quick question: I want to buy my father a guitar, acoustic. In case in the future he would want to replace the steel strings with nylon strings on it, would it be possible to do successfully? Thank you in advance.

[@AndrewKeeping]

It does not work so well that way round, as the pins on the bridge do not hold nylon strings too well. The scale length also does not suit nylon strings and you will end up with intonation problems and lots of fret buzzing. Sorry!

[@WayneS-wh2hv]

Thank you very much for this information. I want to buy a guitar and start learning how to play but I am left handed and would need a left handed guitar. I have been told they are much rarer and because of this are more expensive, which somewhat bothered me right from the start. But that will not discourage me from learning. My main question is, should I start with an acoustic or electric or is it all personal preference and should I start with a cheaper guitar, say less than $300?

[@simonbrown5017]

it is all personal preference! playing guitar is the most rewarding and fun when you're playing songs you know, so look at the songs you like to listen to and see "are these mostly electric guitar with cool riffs? or are they acoustic?" I will say acoustic is nicer when you're by a campfire or outside/want to be quieter, however electric has some cool things you can do to the sound to customize it more! I'd say its easier to get a solid electric for cheaper than a solid acoustic, however i love Orangewood's mahogany guitars, and some you can get for 250 CAD ish, idk what that is USD but its pretty cheap nonetheless!! it may take an extra 100 dollars to "set up" (refret, new bridge, good strings, all the good stuff to get it out of factory quality) but it will be within budget AND very worth it :)

[@davidepaltrinieri3535]

It's a very personal thing. Electric guitar strings are softer and easier to press compared to an acoustic guitar wich for a beginner is very helpfull because it's less tiring. Plus I recently discovered that my guitar teacher is left handed but he plays a "standard" guitar for right handed. Beet thing a beginner can do is go and try out 🙂

[@amritha6187]

He's so generous

[@AndrewKeeping]

You are very welcome.

[@farithrosh]

E

[@mkhidir93]

Really good tips. I'm buying my first acoustic today. Martin GPC11E

[@AndrewKeeping]

Nice!!

[@vishaldeepak2538]

Nice video, when buying how to tell if the action is too high?

[@AndrewKeeping]

If you find it is an effort to press the strings down onto the frets you will feel it is too high. You can see it too. It should just be clear of the first fret by a small amount.

[@jonathanmcguire1019]

I would like to ask a question if you don’t mind. How would you know if a string is too far from the fret?

[@AndrewKeeping]

If you press the string down onto the fret, and it needs a great deal of pressure. That is not good. Also, by the machine heads the string should be very near to the frets without actually touching it. There are exact measurements that you can google, however, this is just an immediate visual guide. Best of luck!

[@eleventwelve1393]

thank you so much! I'm so annoyed with my guitar because from the fifth fret up I have that problem with buzzing of the high e string ;and I never knew why that was, but now I know it's because of raised frets:) Thank god I'm getting a decent guitar soon

[@AndrewKeeping]

Glad it helped!

[@bhobg]

Some good points but I cannot believe you have not discussed intonation here. That is crucial.

[@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23]

Let's HANG him ! You ARE picky, and not just on your Guitar. That was an EXCELLENT Video. .

[@prasannashrestha8406]

Is sigma dmc-ste is a good guitar ??

[@AndrewKeeping]

I am afraid I have never tried one. i shall definitely keep a look out.

[@genuinecomments4008]

Has the nut been slotted properly. I have seen them at different heights

[@AndrewKeeping]

Good point. Thanks.

[@GeoMatRay]

Thanks for the useful information! What is the track at the end called? Where can I find the full version?

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks Nisorgoi Sworgo. The final track is from my work "Albion". The track is taken from my album of original cinematic compositions "Indigenous". open.spotify.com/album/1BTdc1JFbnHp55VoLKKcFW?si=f3C7FnmGRW2MQ1EM50-rdA

[@sandabesednik323]

So good video !! Thank you for your recommandation !! Regards from Zagreb, Croatia, Europe.

[@AndrewKeeping]

You are very welcome

[@rujmichaelgarcia9726]

When i do a bar chord on my guitar it sounds shit but if I do it on my friend's guitar its easy as hell! Whats up with that?

[@mstrxxx0072]

Try to buy Elixir ..

[@hYpE0nmusic]

Eric Rentarou maybe it’s your string size

[@rujmichaelgarcia9726]

@@mstrxxx0072 wtf is elixir

[@rujmichaelgarcia9726]

@@hYpE0nmusic i mean some guy in a guitar store said my strings are really really nice and i doubt him lol

[@drewdavis2392]

@@rujmichaelgarcia9726 Elixir is a (well-thought-of) brand of strings.

[@christinegraceangeles337]

If I buy thru online what should I do?

[@SPotter1973]

Go to a local guitar shop and try different guitar and ask questions when you find find the attributes that you like. Then apply those specs to the guitar that you purchase on line. For instance a strat has a 7.25 arched neck. GOOD LUCK ! ROCK ON GARTH!

[@SPotter1973]

One more thing I have a Tacoma and it is fantastic, it is a lot like a Gibson.

[@elricey8172]

Thank you so much. Am 14y old I just singed in to a music school and I need to buy a guitar

[@diavolosoup1902]

Are you me by ani chance?

[@rayrandom211]

@@diavolosoup1902 are you my classmate(joke). We have a class mate that can play the guitar and is called Daniel.

[@robertclive6824]

Hi can you please tell me which electric guitar will be good for buying, I am looking forward to buy one

[@AndrewKeeping]

I will do a new video on this soon

[@davidpalsterman]

These are very useful tips, thank you ! However, these are not the things I'd do first when trying a guitar for the first time, it would just seem rude and overly confident. Play first to see how it sounds and feels and afterwards you can check if it's built as it must be.

[@oboyy]

It's not rude to check whether a product is as it should be when you are paying a premium, specially knowing some high end guitars leave factories in disastrous shape

[@imthedarknight-8755]

Typically a salesman will understand when you check out the product, nobody would be offended if you looked inside of a car or popped the hood when you went to buy it. You're buying it, you want to buy something you're comfortable with. You can look at a product and not be rude about it

[@suitup2192]

If I play the strings and I press my finger on the middle of the string and not near the metal bar and get a fret buzz. Isit normal or the guitar's problem?

[@AndrewKeeping]

The sound of the string is produced by the string contact against the metal bar (fret). If you press the string down too far away from the fret it will cause the string to buzz against the fret. This is perfectly normal. That's why guitarists are taught to keep fingers close to the frets to save fatigue and produce little/no fret buzz. Good Luck Lucifer.

[@suitup2192]

@@AndrewKeeping alright! Thanks Andrew!

[@farithrosh]

E

[@shivamsehgal3391]

Bro i want to ask one ques...I've bought a new guitar and the guitar is a little fluffy at the back... Will it affect the sound of guitar or it doesn't? Pls help

[@AndrewKeeping]

When you say it's a little fluffy, what do you mean?

[@shivamsehgal3391]

@@AndrewKeeping i mean its kind of bloated

[@AndrewKeeping]

It doesn't necessarily mean it will effect the tone. Are you happy with the sound the guitar produces. That is the most important question. Does the bloating on the guitar loo like it is going to split the wood. Is it warped or just designed that way? Hard to say without seeing it. If you are happy with the sound, don't worry about it. Best of luck.

[@shivamsehgal3391]

Thanks buddy... And i guess I'm happy with the sound but I'm just a beginner so i don't know much and maybe it's made that way because it doesn't looks like it got bloated through outside things.... It feels normal and strong

[@saadlebruh7673]

keeping........keeping what

[@kristofer3096]

You look like jamie lannister lol

[@midnightdreams8136]

kristofer I was thinking more of an Ewan Mcgregor actually.

[@kristofer3096]

@@midnightdreams8136 haha yeah yre right

[@AndrewKeeping]

All very flattering. i'll take that!! Ha ha!