Of course the music store staff sometimes can be helpful in choosing your musical gear, however only YOU who knows what is best for you. But the lousy ones just try to make a sale and ignore your real need for a specific tone. The failure to get the right guitar according to your music and playing style will lead to endless search for the better guitar (which actually happened to me once). So here is my 2 cents for helping you to get your dream guitar within your budget range:
1. Know your musical style
Some musicians are very determined about the type of music they are playing, and some others are more flexible in playing various styles of music. In general, the musical appreciation and aptitude tends to grow from the time people pick up their first instrument until they master the instrument. I used to play a lot of Rock and Heavy Metal music when I was so much younger. Now I'm more attracted to Soft Blues and Jazz. There are good reasons why guitars are built in may different ways, and of course, sound differently. By knowing the style of music you are most inclined, you can select the right type of Guitar, for instance:
- Semi Hollow Body is good for Jazz and Blues
- Solid Body with single pickup is good for Twangy Blues licks or Funk styles
- Solid Body with humbucker is good for Rock and Heavy Metal
- Solid body with a set neck is good for solo that requires long sustain
Of course, no one will blame you if you decide to use solid body with humbucker added with hairy trash metal distortion to play traditional blues, however to people who are accustomed to specific/vintage tones for certain music style, it will sound inappropriate.
2. Know your playing style
For the same music genre, guitarists can play their instruments in many different way possible. Some people like to bend so much and some others just play flat. Some like the high action because their fingers are quite strong and others have weak finger and still want to play fast. In may guitar instrument review this is commonly addressed in the "Playability". Don't be fooled by the magazine's review that make you change your purchasing decision because the reviewer put low rating in the playability category. My advice is: get your ass to the music store and try it yourself. I made this mistake, so I don't want this to happen to you.
The review in the Guitar magazine will say that the Fender SRV signature is not comfortable to play since the reviewer has weak fingers or under-developed techniques. But Stevie Ray (and maybe some other guitarist who purchased the signature guitar) never complained. He still sound superb even though he use heavy string gauge. Here is some hints:
- If you have weak fingers and still want to play fast, use low action and lighter string gauge
- If you want a fat tone and have strong fingers to bend, user heavier string gauge and higher action (for clear tone and eliminate buzzing)
- If you want a fat tone, weak finger, don't expect to bend the string too much
- Etc, I think by now you understand the logic
Before we move on to Effects, I think it's important for you to know the tone you like best since it will also determine your buying options for Amplifier and the type of pickup you are looking for in the guitar. If you like a twangy crispy sound, look for a good single coil pickup positioned in the middle or neck of the guitar. If you want a fat sound, get humbucker pickup.
Based on my experience buying second class (i.e., semi-professional) guitars, I have learned that the wood also plays important role in shaping the guitar sound. Thick wood will provide better sustain. My advice is for you to buy the guitar that sound the best for you (if you can afford it) right after you try it. No two guitars are built the same way. Even two guitar with the same model will not sound the same because the wood is unique. They have gone through a long and their own unique process for drying, shaping, etc. Remember, the wood was once a living thing too!
