So you’re in the market for a beginner guitar. It might be for yourself, your kid, a loved one or a good friend. You can quickly look up and buy a cheap instrument from a massive online retailer – think Amazon, Argos (UK), Walmart (USA) and Aldi (EU), or second-hand and classified ad sites like eBay, Gumtree and Craigslist.
But there are some important reasons as to why you should steer clear of buying a guitar, drum kit, keyboard or any other instrument from these websites. While the prices are attractive and the purchase process is straightforward, you don’t know that you’re going to get a reliable instrument. Quite simply, they don’t have your best interests at heart. So what’s the answer?
Here’s why we think you should buy your first guitar from a music shop:
- You get to choose from a wide range of instruments
- They don’t stock rubbish
- You get more for your money
- The experts look after you and your instrument
- They’ll introduce you to the community
N.B. while we’ve written this article based on guitars, the same points also apply to other instruments like bass guitars, acoustic guitars, digital pianos, drums and percussion, and much more.
1. You’ll Get Plenty of Choice
You can buy a generic entry level guitar from pretty much any large retailer – but what about a guitar you’d actually like to look at and play? To state the obvious, buying your first guitar is an incredibly important and exciting step in your musical journey and you’ll want a guitar to continue to inspire you to keep practicing every time you pick it up to play.
When you buy from a music shop, you’re presented with a huge number of options tailored specifically for musicians. You can get a better idea of what you like the look of, what suits your style and feels comfortable. If you’re able to visit a music shop in person, you can feel and listen to the guitar too! This will help you make a more informed choice. Regardless of whether you’re at a shop or just browsing on a guitar shop’s website, the staff will be able to guide you in the right direction with expert advice – more on that later.
2. They Don’t Stock Rubbish!
Not only do you get a wider variety of instruments to choose from in a music shop, but the quality is far, far superior to that of large generic retailers. Music shops are not going to stock guitars simply because they’re made on the cheap. The people who own and run music stores know what they’re buying and take great pride in stocking legitimately good guitars across all price ranges. You’re getting the real deal rather than buying unknown brands or copies.
Reputable music shops stock some of the best brands in the business including Squier, EastCoast, Yamaha, Ibanez, Epiphone and loads more. These guitar builders cater to professional musicians, so you know that you can trust them!
3. You Get More For Your Money
We all love a bargain, and while you might be able to buy a guitar from a larger retailer for around £80, it will almost certainly be terribly made, it’ll barely last a year and there’s a good chance it will put you off playing the instrument entirely.
Spend even a little more at a guitar shop and you won’t regret it. EastCoast guitars are the very best entry level guitars around and their electrics start from just £99. They feel good to play, sound excellent and will last you the entirety of your formal years. The beginner guitar bundles we offer includes everything you need to get started, like a guitar amp, gig bag, guitar stand, strap, picks and a cable at a discounted price.
4. Experts Look After You & Your Instrument
Buying from a music shop is a personal, enjoyable experience that you’ll remember for a long time to come. Whether you pay a visit to the shop itself or shop online, your custom is valued and you’ll always be taken good care of as you get to take your time browsing instruments.
Here at Andertons, all our staff love making music and bring their own specialist knowledge in across every department. You don’t get that from any old shop. You can ask for personal advice and recommendations and take the opportunity to sit with the instruments if you’re there in person. Our experts can play them for you too, to get an idea of how they sound in experienced hands. Let’s say you decide to buy an instrument; it doesn’t end there. It’ll come arrive with you ready to play. You’ll receive all the advice you need on getting started as well as suggestions for accessories and upgrades you might want or need down the line.
If you’ve got any questions or issues, you can always call or pop into the shop. How do I re-string my guitar? How do I connect my keyboard to my computer? Most reputable music retailers like us have friendly teams on hand to deal with any enquiries.
5. They’ll Introduce You to the Community
For many musicians, beginner or veteran, learning an instrument is more than just a hobby. It sounds cliché, but it’s a way of life. When you decide to pick up a new instrument, you become part of a community and when you buy from a music company, you’re sure to get a warm welcome. As a family-run business for over 50 years, it’s how we do things at Andertons Music Co.
This means everything from tips on tuition and finding guitar, piano and drum lessons, to an insight into what’s to come. Local events, big releases, music news, helpful guides and articles (much like this one, we hope!) and more. You’re part of the family now!
Are Second-Hand Instruments Good for Beginners?
Some people consider second-hand instruments to be a viable choice for beginners. The main draw is the price, where the likelihood of grabbing a bargain is good on sites such as eBay and Gumtree.
Although finding a gem is possible, most of the time second-hand starter instruments will be duds. Whether they’ve been left banished in damp-ridden closets for years, or simply mistreated by their owners, there’s always an element of risk when it comes to buying second-hand gear – especially more affordable instruments.
Most beginner instruments are constructed from cheaper materials to keep their costs low, so they can be more susceptible to wear and tear. Of course, we’re not saying that you should avoid second-hand musical equipment at all costs. In fact, we have our very own dedicated second-hand section featuring some amazing gear. However, with cheaper instruments we’d always recommend trying them out before buying!
Andertons Music Co. – The Best Musical Instrument Store in England?
OK, we might be a little biased but whether you’re local to the Guildford & Surrey area or a musician living in Brighton, Bristol or London looking for your first guitar, Andertons is just a short trip away. We’re 45 minutes by train from London and just over an hour in the car from Brighton and the South Coast. You’ll find the best selection of guitars, pedals, amps, synths, drums and more – all at competitive prices with friendly faces to answer your questions. Find out more about our shop opening times and location and plan your visit!
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If you enjoyed reading this, check out the rest of our learn articles. If you want to know more about buying for beginners then head over to our site to browse our comprehensive catalogue!
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