Where to start
Buying your first electric guitar should be exciting, not overwhelming. We help students in Chorley and Brinscall choose their first instrument all the time, and the truth is that the “best” guitar is simply the one that feels good in your hands and makes you want to keep playing. Here is how we would talk it through with a friend.
Start with the music you love
The style of music you want to play points you towards a shape and a sound. A Stratocaster-style guitar with single-coil pickups gives you bright, jangly tones that suit pop, blues and indie. A Les Paul-style guitar with humbuckers is thicker and warmer, perfect for rock and heavier music. There is no wrong answer, so follow the songs that made you want to play in the first place.
What to check before you buy
- Playability. Hold the guitar and press a few strings. They should sit close to the neck without buzzing, so it does not hurt your fingertips to press them down.
- Weight and size. Younger players often get on better with a smaller bodied or short-scale guitar. If it is too heavy or too wide, practice quietly becomes a chore.
- Tuning stability. Tune it up and play for a few minutes. A decent guitar holds its tuning rather than drifting flat every couple of minutes.
Do not forget the amp and extras
An electric guitar needs a few companions: a small practice amp, a cable, a clip-on tuner, a strap and a couple of spare sets of strings. A modest amp with a headphone socket is brilliant for home, especially if you share walls with neighbours or want to practise once the children are in bed.
Buy local if you can
We always suggest visiting a music shop in Chorley or nearby Preston so you can hold a few guitars before deciding. Trying them in person tells you far more than any spec sheet, and the staff can set the guitar up so it plays nicely from day one. If you spot something secondhand, bring it along to a lesson and we will happily check it over for you.
Then the fun begins
Once you have your guitar, the quickest way to fall in love with it is to learn a song you actually like. Our guitar lessons in Chorley are one-to-one and built around the music you enjoy, so you are playing real songs sooner than you think. Book a lesson and bring your new guitar along.