STARTING SOUND

This right here is one of the biggest decisions that you will make as a guitar player. Here are some deciding factors on what kind of guitar you might want to focus on when purchasing your guitar.

1. Are you wanting to play electric guitar or acoustic?

2. Are you planning on being on a worship team as a passion?

3. Are you filling a need or pursuing a hobby?

4. What’s your budget?

One thing I learned when starting out, is that you most likely will not get your dream guitar, at first. My dream guitar was a Gretsch White Falcon. The beauty and tone of that guitar had my attention to the point where I was always watching YouTube videos and watching Michael Guy Chislett of Hillsong UNITED play songs like “From The Inside Out” and “Hosanna”. I even purchased a knock off look alike called “The Colonel” by Jay Turser guitars. Sadly, but gratefully, my first electric guitar was from Target. 

Yes, I started my musical career with Target products, but great things come from small places! So don’t feel bad about having to tone down your vision of what guitar you want to start out with. Though I do recommend, don’t start with Target or Walmart products!

Here are a few answers to my deciding factors:

1. Electric can start you out as rhythm or background guitar, but you can move onto playing lead guitar with practice and experience. Acoustic some what limits you to primarily rhythm, but if you’re a singer, acoustic guitar would be a great tool to have while leading worship. 

2. If this is your passion, educate yourself on what kind of guitar will suit you and your team, visit your local music store and begin to ask questions, or talk to your worship leader. Find a guitar that’ll be of use for years to come.

3. You might not want to go out and spend a large amount of money if you are only filling a need. My suggestion would be to find a friend or another member on the worship team whom you may be able to borrow equipment from. Or, if you are willing to purchase a guitar, go really cheap. But not too cheap, make sure you purchase with quality.

4. Budget seems to be the strongest factor for most. If you got the money, have at it! But if you have a tight budget, there are some ways to find quality gear. Search online for guitars within your price range, read reviews and watch videos on how they sound. Try them out in store (if you can) to see how they feel and if you connect with the guitar. Also, used gear can be found at reasonable prices and with tremendous finds, check there first. The final decision on what guitar you walk out with is based on your judgement. 

Here are a few lower budget suggestions:

-Lighter Tone-

Squier Bullet HH Stratocaster 

Squier Affinity Series Telecaster 

-Heavier Tone-

Epiphone Les Paul Special I and II

Epiphone Les Paul Express
Here are some with a higher budget:

Fender Standard Telecaster

Epiphone Dot Archtop

Gretsch G25425 Electromatic Jet Club

I hope this was of some assistance in seeking out your first guitar! Or perhaps this has helped you out with making an addition to your rig, let me know with comments or with questions if you have any.

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-AO