Watch This Before Buying A New Guitar

Here are some tips I have learned to help you buy a good guitar.
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[@Dram1984]

I always commit to practicing more before buying a new guitar. 90% of the time I find getting better and learning a couple new songs makes the desire for a new guitar disappear.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Well, yeah. 😂 if ya can’t play nothing matters.

[@toddmoore2324]

"Watch this then go buy a new guitar" is what I read. Lol. Cheers, Jeff! Cheers all!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Lol!!

[@rsv2828]

Awesome! Thank you so much for talking about this issues on guitars, other people talk about other issues like bridges,nut, frets etc… But those can possibly be fix.But the issues you talk about are most of the time not fixable and very important to look for.

[@michaelpeterson4406]

What a great way to start a Saturday Jeff! Thank you for your gifts!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you for being here!!!

[@GUITARSGIZMOS]

Thanks so much Jeff. This is coming from invaluable experience and it's really kind of you to share. Cheers, Thor

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks man!!

[@Bustad74]

I'm in the market for a new guitar. This is super helpful advice! Thanks so much!

[@mrAbelaAbela]

Thank you for your precious advices Jeff ! Yesterday I bought a custom shop stratocaster with just a dead note bending the G at 14th, not completely dead but with less sustain than the others fret. It was just a crazy sounding instrument with a beautiful neck and finish so I bought it!

[@zososhep]

ALL great tips Jeff! I am so incredibly fortunate to have found my #1 guitar 22 years ago! One of the managers at a local music store with whom I got along with great told me about a new PRS model coming out that he knew I would really dig. So on 11/22/00 (yes I even remember the date-such a gear nerd!) I went to his shop and played this incredible PRS Singlecut. It literally came from the PRS Factory to me as he didn't let anyone else know it had arrived in his shop so no one else ever laid hands on it. Within 5 minutes he was filling out the paperwork(while I kept playing of course) for me to buy because I just knew this was the one!! The interesting thing is I played the next 8-9 PRS Singlecuts that came into his shop and I wouldnt have purchased any of them. There was just "Something" about the one I bought...and it has remained my #1 guitar ever since-countless gigs, rehearsals, open jams-thousands & thousands of hours I have put on this guitar and nothing has come close to replacing this as my #1 for me. I am fortunate to now own 4 PRS Guitars but my #1 always gets the most play time!!(sorry for the long post!). Peace...

[@JeffMcErlain]

Great when you find the “lifer”.

[@RedMercuryBluesBand]

Good show Jeff.... points that were new to me - dead or weak spots- flimsy neck....thanks

[@jeffreyreid7036]

Thanks for the sound advice....

[@ricklodewell6012]

Thank you! Great advice.

[@emily_the_studd]

I really appreciated your video lesson. Thanks for the good material! I hope I make you proud when I start checking those guitars more thoroughly with my new acquired knowledge!

[@JeffMcErlain]

You are welcome Emily!

[@krisyoungsteadt9139]

Great info. Right on the money!

[@carlospellot2426]

Another Excellent & Informative Video. Love that Strat so much I might get a similar pickguard for mine.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Oh cool! Love the tort guard. Check out Spitfire guards for the coolest tort guards!! Pricey but amazing.

[@michaelsingley5641]

Agree on the occasional dead notes on some of my guitars. Only one I have with no dead notes is my 2006 Black Les Paul Custom. Every note up and down the neck is juicy. Rings out loud and clear when you strum it unplugged. 🐐

[@jakeadams-wilson7697]

Great video. Very helpful!

[@RodCat_Guitar]

Dang brother, you're getting better every time i hear you! You were already great... That opening sounded sweeeeet!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Well thank you. 🙏🏻

[@figueiredomarcelobe]

100% matching with my thoughs about guitars, I also did a lot of bad choices before make similar conclusions!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Great minds

[@tnvalleyyoga7122]

Good advice, I wish I had known this from the start.

[@DevanSabaratnam]

You've inspired me to buy another guitar Jeff.... 😄 Love your work, and love the Matt Berry snippet that you snuck in there too! Keep playing on!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Hey!! Does Sam know? Thanks my friend! Let’s catch up!

[@ruannlarson2412]

This video is very informational. But overwhelming for a beginner but I'm earmarking this for reference.

[@endezeichengrimm]

I've bought (and later sold off) guitars with fretboards that were too tall. It was impossible lower the bridge without the strings buzzing out. So, they were impossible to properly set up. They all had the luminlays, so that's worth checking for.

[@jackschijven8219]

Very very practical. Thanks.

[@fivewattworld]

So concise and right on the money!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you my man! Learning from the best. (That would be you.)

[@stratnut]

This is great advice, thank you. I have owned a fair few guitars and do most of the checks you mentioned. However, I never have done a dead spot test. Guess I've been lucky in not having a guitar with dead spots. I will do that test when I next buy

[@JeffMcErlain]

That’s great. I’ve had 2 with those problems before I figured out what it was.

[@user-wp2ej5mn4c]

Thanks great info

[@BITESIZEJONES]

Nice video. I couldn't agree more. Love what you buy is rule #1. I've purchased 3 guitars through Reverb. No issues, and great players. 2014 R8 1973 Gibson SG Standard 2018 American Original 50s Telecaster.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Excellent!!!

[@randyupchurch1899]

...Thank-you Sir for this actually thought-out,non-sales-promoting,information...Much-love from a true "Strat-Cat",born the same year as Strat's!!!...Much-love from Southern Illinois...

[@garyslash7552]

This Les Paul of yours is great!

[@TheMinorFallsTheMajorLifts]

Seeing the Toast of London reference makes me a lifetime subscriber to this channel 😊.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Well, well, well.

[@jimruppel476]

Very informative video Jeff. I'm wondering how much of it applies to acoustic guitars.

[@ianbrinckman7256]

That was very useful cheers Ian from Tasmania

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks Ian!

[@jasonbay1421]

Late to the party, but one thing I do on a hard tail is play an open low E and bend the G 1.5 -2 steps and listen for the low E to stay in pitch.

[@michaelblaney4461]

I'm a bassist but I can't find a guitar that I really like . I mainly like J basses I tried the fender offset body Jaguar but I didn't like any of them . Buying a bass is a easier process for me. I agree with your process for testing instruments I've stumbled onto that too.

[@jamesemerson4102]

I do similar tests on a new guitar. A few times though, I've had a guitar that was extreeeemely resonant when not plugged in, and LOUD, but then had no depth to it when plugged into an amp. I had this happen with a Tele I put together and I knew the pickups were amazing pickups. I was so excited because the guitar was so loud and resonant and the body was light, but the tone didn't hold together very well and it didn't have that extra depth I was looking for. I just never know these days. Some guitars just sound ridiculous and I can't tell why 🤣

[@michaelcope9501]

I did not know that info about dead notes. I assumed the cause was only due to unleveled frets. Didn’t know it could also be irreparably caused by bad resonance. Very cool thing to know going forward.

[@JeffMcErlain]

It can be frets but the dead spots have a different kind of sound. To test you raise the action and if it doesn’t go away, then you know.

[@jimmyparris9892]

Before you buy a PRS singlecut, check for a dead note on the the fifth fret, G string. The note is C. Try the C note in every position on the fretboard. It's true, PRS guitars are very consistent.

[@stratman9449]

oh yes Jeff....totally agree with you on your views re guitar purchase......only buy the guitar that you're attracted to....and do the necessary checks....and yes...life is too short to play bad guitars....😅...but that goes for many other things too....

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Good tips for sure! I never buy guitars as an investment, but I’ve sold a lot that I shouldn’t have, as they turned out to be investment grade. Example is the Travis Bean I bought in 1980, for $300, including an amp. Then I stupidly sold it for the same price a year later because it was so heavy. Now I see them in the $3-4k range. Lol, but everything else you said was true; I rarely mod anything nowadays.

[@joehan877]

Could you do your guitar collection reviews?

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

I take this video as permission to shop for another guitar! Thanks.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Why else do you think I made this video?

[@markblend2079]

I'm not sure if anyone will see this. I liked your presentation. Some pretty good hints. I've been lost buying guitars for sixty years. Most people go out to buy a guitar for a present and come back with one, other than professionals like your self. For years my go to guitar was an 80 something Korean Squire, but they day came when I was going to buy an American strat. I went to the store and I played Spanish instrumental music. I played four Deluxe models and bought the best one. I was so stupid, because I didn't know that Deluxe models were actually larger, and it was made real well. When I got home I couldn't play the bar E on the fifth fret with the Chuck Berry/ Johnny Rivers moving base line to the 7'th, my hands were too small. What is the best way to test finger size. Some Teles have strings which are very close, may be too close so that they touch other strings than intended. Can you get around this? This has draw backs in the area of bending. What about all of those neck types C,V, R, flat and curved. What a jungle! I like strats, but I also like the old Gibson neck that was on the ES125 and the SG. Can fret leveling help the dead note? What are the odds. I had a very famous luither work on my first year ES347. It didn't go well in my opinion. Sometimes people just do what you ask, you are the boss, and they don't tell you other things that might make your guitar better, or if you suggest something that you shouldn't do they won't say no, and sometimes they may believe that a capacitor like a bumble bee makes no difference. I spent 1500 on that fix? Also some guitars were wired slightly different to have an out of phase bite, and changing the wiring can result in changing the character of the guitar. Please say something about hand size and string closeness and bending.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Hello! Hand size can be an issue and nut width for sure. Some of the late 60s Gibson ES models had narrow necks and I don’t care for them. So yeah once again, you have to try a number of guitars to see what works for you. Also a dead certainly can be a high fret, the way you can tell is to raise the action to see it is stops. If not, probably a dead spot. Once you know what yo look for you can hear the difference. But yeah for me too, lots of trial an error to find what suits your playing and physiology.

[@jackschijven8219]

My eye fell on a Duesenberg. According to the available information they are high quality and very consistent. Like you said, though, I first have to feel how it sits. But it als fits your thought to favoring a quality guitar that costs a bit more and that is also beautiful and has its own character. What are your experiences with this brand?

[@howardcunniffe8738]

I love playing guitar. It's been my favorite instrument since I was 9 years old. I only have 2 guitars. I have a DG-9 Fender acoustic and a 1968 Thin Line Squier Telecaster. Don't feel I need another guitar. In my own opinion, I feel the best way to buy a guitar is going to a store and play it before you buy it. ( a lot like you mentioned) Get a feel out of it so you know it's the right guitar for you. Buying a guitar on the internet I would not do. You can't play it before you buy it. If the guitar gets damage on the way to your house, who holds responsibilty ? You the buyer ? The company you bought it from ? OR the mail carrier ?

[@aminahmed2220]

What a great video have a good weekend

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks and you too!

[@djb3545]

Nice Video Jeff! How do you feel about Pleking? Is there a store or tech you like getting guitars from?

[@JeffMcErlain]

Plecking is excellent but not necessary IF you have the right guy doing the work. I send my guitars to Holger Notzel at www.scruffsvintageguitars.com/ He’s a great friend and does amazing work. Locally in NYC I go to 30th St guitars. Great work as well.

[@djb3545]

@@JeffMcErlain thank you!!

[@jamescarlucci9867]

Great advice!!! Would you consider Music Man/Ernie Ball guitars a consistent brand? Like the JP or Steve Morse for example..

[@JeffMcErlain]

I would. Great guitars.

[@jamescarlucci9867]

@@JeffMcErlain Thanks..awesome channel by the way..

[@jeremyisaac1354]

I've watched many of these types of videos over the years and they are great. However there is one thing always missing and it drives me nuts. No one ever discusses how to find the right neck, and scale length to fit one's unique hand. Some players have larger hands and can play any scale they want. But I do wonder how many people have started on a Strat style guitar and have given up because it was to hard for them and they didn't know about other scale lengths and neck carves. It has taken me years to figure out what kind of guitar I need and no one makes it.

[@bbrotherton6345]

Aside for the obvious fact that "it's all in the hands", what amp were you using with the red ES-335? Incredible tone!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks! Two-Rock Bloomfield Drive!

[@TheBhannah]

This is great advise !

[@picksalot1]

The longer the notes sustain on the guitar, the more likely you'll enjoy playing it because you can do more musical things on it and it will be easier and more fun to play.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Yes!!!

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

I have always begged new players to not buy really expensive gear right out of the box or don't start buying tons of pedals before you can even play. I've found they never listen. I once had a new player telling me about all the pedals they had and I said "how many songs can you play" and they paused and said "like maybe 3" and I said "so you've got more pedals than you even know songs" and they were like "...man I get what you're saying..." There's no shortcuts kids. Period. I'm sure that's a lesson we've all probably had to learn the hard way at one point or another.

[@joesphbegley3088]

McErlain, a good Northern Ireland name !

[@misterknightowlandco]

Yeah the buying online thing sucks. I used to buy and sell online but it’s such a pain in the ass. I can’t tell you how many times reverb or eBay forced me to accept returns even though they got it exactly as advertised. I can’t tell you how many times they had it for a week, didn’t like it and damaged it on purpose to force a refund. I even had buyers admit it and rub it in my face. I’m never buying online again unless it’s from somewhere like Sweetwater or Guitar center.

[@JeffMcErlain]

It’s the Wild West out there.

[@optilude]

Out of curiosity, what pickups are in the double humbucker Strat?

[@JeffMcErlain]

Lollar Imperials regular wind.

[@optilude]

Oh cool. :) I’m about to put a pair of those pickups into a partscaster inspired by seeing/hearing yours on KZbin (it used to be an HSS strat but that configuration just didn’t do it for me). I mean, it’s not going to be custom shop quality (and it has a rosewood fingerboard and it’s shell pink…) but I do really love the sound you’re getting out of that thing.

[@JeffMcErlain]

@@optilude I’m sure it’ll be great! Hope it turns out to be what you want !!

[@optilude]

@@JeffMcErlain It is great! Those pickups sound incredible in a Strat. I put a Free-way switch in it wired to coil split in the "top bank" and they also split surprisingly well.

[@Angus.Maclean]

But most quality guitars (and perhaps vintage) hold their value and may go up. Better than other artistic professions/hobbies...No one will buy a visual artist's used paint (unless they are buying the painting).

[@jeremiahfiek5495]

I own 40 guitars, and I'd do GOOD to play "Mary had a little lamb". After days of practice. They call people like me "Equipment Junkies"

[@forresta65]

Probably get crucified for it, but I have an epiphone les paul gold top standard that is just great quality and wonderfully resonant. Every time I see it I want to pick it up and strum it.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Nope! A good guitar is a good guitar no matter the cost. If it gets you to pick it up then that’s all that matters.

[@forresta65]

@Jeff McErlain it's a joy to play. Thanks for your great videos

[@JeffMcErlain]

@@forresta65 🙏🏻

[@peteralerich5085]

Sell the ones you like. Keep the ones you love.

[@limpindug]

+1 bud a lot of great advice. Your right guitars are like snowflakes, no two are the same. Everything together makes it's voice..thanks for your time and effort bud. 👍👍👍🥃Respect to you mate.

[@JeffMcErlain]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@briandevitt6903]

Going to wake the wife to tell her I'm going guitar shopping tomorrow, Jeff said so.

[@JeffMcErlain]

I’m Jeff McErlain and I approve this message.

[@canesd]

"I never missed those guitars that were just ok." 😶 Hey wait a minute. Those guitars were not just OK!! They're AWESOME.

[@JeffMcErlain]

lol. You did get two excellent ones!

[@extraplush]

Well, if Steven Toast says so…

[@JeffMcErlain]

Yes! Yes! YES!

[@J.C...]

I keep thinking I'm still new at this but then I remember I'm about to hit THREE YEARS that I've been playing! Woohoo! I told myself before I ever bought one that I wouldn't become one of those people who never touch their guitar after 3 months. Thank God I don't have to worry about that any longer because I won't ever quit playing. Most of this stuff is meaningless to a new player imo. It doesn't become "important" until the forums fill their heads with what's supposedly important and what, isn't. I was a new player just a couple 9f years ago. Im pretty sure I have a better Idea than someone who hasn't been a new player for 30 or 40 years. This stuff isn't important to new players. Not until people tell them it's supposed to be important.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Sure. Of course clearly this isn’t a beginners guitar video, can’t be everything to everyone. But like anything person’s hobby/ profession the more you get into it the more important the tools become. They do make a difference to ME and when it comes to the instruments I choose that’s all that matters. Also if you know some of these things early on, you may have a guitar that’ll last you your whole life. Congratulations on the 3 Year mark!!!!

[@eddiejr540]

I know people that collect all kinds of things…and its an obsession, they can never get enough…but its ok because they’re “collectors”…but when it comes to us and our guitars, it seems we are ridiculed and made fun of if we have more than one…I just don’t understand this mind set…just leave us and our guitars alone already!!!!!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Amen Brother!!

[@johnmac8084]

No, you only need one guitar Jeff. Only one more 😀

[@rayfabris2512]

Great info I've played strat guitars then I got my first Gibson les Paul last year I have to rest my right 🖐 lol differently I'm adjusting because I love the way it plays and sounds

[@JeffMcErlain]

Yeah. That’s a thing I discovered with my first Gibson too!

[@rayfabris2512]

@@JeffMcErlain hey thanks I was just practicing when I got a thing on my phone lol my kids know what that is oh notification 🔔 but I can play guitar 🤔