What to Look For When Buying a New Instrument: 4 Established Musicians Share Their Insights
I asked professional musicians what things to look for when buying a new instrument. Their answers were incredibly insightful and may help you avoid buying something you don't need.
Buying a new instrument can be very confusing! With so many brands and models available it is easy to feel overwhelmed.
I asked professional musicians what things to look for when buying a new instrument. Their answers were incredibly insightful and may help you avoid buying something you don't need.
Erich Andreas
Erich Andreas is a PASSIONATE guitar player and teacher. Since 2006, guitar students have known him online as YourGuitarSage, where they have watched his videos over 115 million times! Over 700,000 students have enrolled in his classes.
He also wrote a #1 Best-seller book on Amazon (Guitar Mastery Simplified).
Magesh, Musicngear: How important is the type/brand of instrument for a beginner?
For the beginner guitarist, the brand or type of guitar is less important than just having a guitar that is easy to play. Since the beginning guitar player oftentimes doesn't know how a guitar, that is set up properly should feel, they may struggle with strings that are too high or a guitar that is not set up optimally.
If you have a guitar buddy who's been playing for a while and can feel the guitar to verify that it is not difficult to play, that will help ensure that frustrations are kept to a minimum.
Alternatively, you could make sure to have your guitar set up properly by a professional luthier. I HIGHLY recommend this.
Is there anything you recommend for new students buying an instrument if their budget is small?
Budget, feel, and sound are the three words in order of importance when funds are low but the desire to learn guitar is high. My recommendation is to play many guitars that are within your budget so that you can learn what the differences are between different instruments.
Also, it doesn't hurt to play some instruments outside of your budget to again see if you feel or hear any differences. However, try not to be moved by brand names or price tags. More often than not, they psychologically sway players into guitars that may not be the perfect fit for them.
As you are playing different instruments, some will feel more at home to you than others. That said, many adjustments can be made on guitars to make them to your liking. String gauge, neck adjustment, bridge, and nut adjustment are all things that a professional luthier can adjust to make the guitar perfect for you. Oftentimes this can be done under $75 and is usually overlooked unfortunately because it's oftentimes the biggest variable as to whether a guitar plays nicely or not.
If the guitar does not sound good to you, you probably won't pick it up that often. There is no “right" sound. It simply comes down to what sound YOU like. Especially for the beginner, there's plenty of time to buy other guitars and upgrade later.
Budget, feel and sound are the mantra that you should repeat and stick to when upgrading your instrument
If a student has been playing for a few years and is looking to upgrade their instrument, what factors are important?
Realistically, you can take everything that I said in the last answer and apply it here. Budget, feel and sound are the mantra that you should repeat and stick to when upgrading your instrument.
However, I will add that if you plan on playing this instrument for your whole life, think about upgrading to something that you're going to love in 20 or 30 years from now.
Do you have any tips for maintaining the longevity of an instrument?
Absolutely! Making sure that your guitar is not exposed to extreme weather elements is crucial. That's especially true for acoustic guitars since the inside of the acoustic guitar is unfinished and therefore is unprotected from arid or humid conditions. 45 to 55% humidity is considered an acceptable range for acoustic guitars.
Conversely, many humidifier products can go inside the guitar case or better yet in the sound hole of the guitar so that you can keep it out on a stand. I highly recommend those. Temperature can also affect a guitar so make sure you don't leave your guitar in a hot car or extreme cold.
I also prefer having my guitars looked over by a professional luthier once a year for adjustments and intonation, string change, and cleanup. Yes, you can do these things yourself if you learn how through videos or books, but I find it best to leave the majority of that work to someone who has a lot more experience working on guitars than me.
Is there equipment that you always take with you on a gig or a recording session?
These days, I always bring my Kemper stage with various pedal controllers like volume and wah-wah. Extra strings, capo, various guitar picks, slide, and Ebow help to round out texture requests. I usually have an assortment of guitars also.
Of course, every recording session is different, so I usually ask the producer or band what the end goal is and that will help me determine what equipment to bring.
What projects are you currently working on?
I'm currently working on a project called, "Gabriel the Bull". I've been in dozens of bands over the decades and am most proud of this particular project.
If Def Leppard had a baby with the old spaghetti Westerns, that would be Gabriel The Bull. I use a 1959 Gretsch 6120 guitar that is soaked in lots of spring reverb and delay. There are three guitars in the band, two nylon strings, and myself on the electric. Bass and drums complete the ensemble along with some incredible stacked harmonies.
It definitively is the most fun I've ever had playing in a band. You have to check it out!
Connect With Erich Andreas / YourGuitarSage
Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Website
Connect With Gabriel The Bull
Instagram / YouTube / Website
Jack Handyside
Jack Handyside is a UK-based guitarist and educator currently situated in Birmingham. Graduating from Goldsmiths University of London in 2018, Jack has a wealth of experience performing as a sideman with Folk, Jazz, and Classical music outfits to name a few.
From performing on the French TV network TF1, to opening for NWA's DJ Yella in 2017, Jack has a wide and varied experience on stage. Jack can also be seen performing in various Jazz combos as a sideman and leader exhibiting original repertoire alongside traditional Jazz standards.
How important is the type/brand of instrument for a beginner?
I believe there are two sides to this answer. On the one hand, I’m a big believer that a quality, top-brand instrument can help a beginner feel more at ease when starting. Good quality tools can inspire you to sit down to play more regularly and often feel a bit easier to play.
On the other hand, I started with a very cheap nylon string guitar and when the time came for me to get a better quality instrument, I felt like I could appreciate it a little more after having a bit of playing experience under my belt.
Ultimately, if you’re passionate about wanting to learn the guitar it shouldn’t matter too much what brand or type of guitar you’re playing on. The entry-level guitar market is highly saturated and there are loads of very good quality instruments that can offer you what you need in those first couple years as a beginner.
Is there anything you recommend for new students buying an instrument if their budget is small?
I’d recommend going to guitar stores and sitting with a guitar until you find what’s comfortable for you. Getting to grips with how an instrument feels is an important first step to knowing which one feels right for you.
Acoustic guitars have a range of different body shapes from Jumbo, and Dreadnought, to Parlour. It’s worth sitting with the different body styles to figure out which one feels most comfortable for you. Electric guitars are also the same and there are lots of different shapes and sizes to choose from.
Nylon-stringed classical guitars are often the default for beginners but they can present issues as the neck is very wide and isn’t friendly if you’re trying to get your first few chords down. But others don’t mind this fretboard shape and prefer the feeling of gut strings to steel.
It’s an intuitive process, but you’ll know what feels good once you’ve sampled a couple of instruments. This is true for intermediate and advanced players looking for new guitars too. Goldilocks didn’t have a guitar, but I’m sure she would’ve tried 3 or 4 before she found the one that was just right!
Buy something inspirational and aspirational. Something that makes you want to sit down with it for endless hours, but an instrument that also encourages you to practice and improve your skills
If a student has been playing for a few years and is looking to upgrade their instrument, what factors are important?
Whenever I’ve bought a new instrument it's always felt like an investment in my future self. Whether you’re buying a new guitar for the first time or upgrading your current instrument for something more shiny, I think there are a few questions that you can ask yourself to determine what suits your musical needs best.
Guitars have characters of their own. A Fender Stratocaster has a completely different sound profile and character to a Gibson 335. Both are remarkable instruments that would sound great in the right pair of hands, but it’s worth spending some time learning about how electric guitar models differ from one another to help you narrow in on the right model for you.
In this sense, knowing a little about the different kinds of pickups that exist (humbuckers vs single coils vs P90s) can be pivotal in helping you find the tonal character that you’d want from your new guitar. Of course, it’s quite important to have an idea about what style of guitar playing you’ll mostly be working on! If you’re a blues player or rock player some guitar models will be more appealing than others.
But if you’re a budding jazz guitarist or fingerstyle acoustic guitar player your guitar needs might be a little more particular and it’s worth checking out the kinds of instruments that your favorite players use as a starting point.
Versatility has always been an important factor for me as I like to play lots of different styles of music and I’d recommend buying an instrument that you can easily find 3 or 4 different tones from. Comfort and neck shape are also crucial factors to consider as you’ll be sitting with this instrument for hundreds of hours once you commit to its purchase! Buy something inspirational and aspirational. Something that makes you want to sit down with it for endless hours, but an instrument that also encourages you to practice and improve your skills.
Do you have any tips for maintaining the longevity of an instrument?
Absolutely! Making sure your guitars are generally kept in room temperature environments and away from radiators or extreme cold is standard practice. Even though the wood used to create a guitar doesn’t belong to a tree anymore, the natural materials of the instrument still live, breathe, and change with age, temperature, and usage.
It’s also important to keep your strings fresh and oil the fretboard from time to time, but I’d definitely recommend finding a guitar technician who can keep your instruments in top condition. Around 7 or 8 years ago, I had all of my instruments set up and maintained by a fantastic guitar technician and luthier called Peter Allen. Peter has made sure that my instruments are always in the best condition and remain consistent and easy to play.
Peter has given me a lot of great tips over the years for making sure that my instruments stay healthy and in top form. There’s usually a lot of physics and mathematics involved when he explains the specifics, but he likes to emphasize that making sure your instrument stays in tune allows the neck to maintain its setup parameters.
Guitars like to be played also, and over time they start to mould and adapt to your playing style! The more that you sit down to show them love you’ll start to notice them becoming more comfortable to play. Lastly, I have to give credit to a saying I got from my dad: “If you take care of it, it’ll take care of you”.
Is there equipment that you always take with you on a gig or a recording session?
Yes! For the past year, I’ve been using a DAngelico Deluxe Mini DC which has made recording and writing sessions much easier. It offers the option of coil splitting between humbuckers and single coils so I can get two separate pickup sounds if a song requires a different character or tone.
I used to have a much bigger pedal board on gigs, but in recent years I’ve narrowed down my board to a few versatile pedals that I can get all my sounds from. Line6 HX Stomp is the ultimate tool for me as it means I can use amp simulators through a monitor system and leave the real amp at home! I also use a volume pedal, Source Audio Ventris for all of the ambient reverb sounds one could dream of, and finally a tuner.
What projects are you currently working on?
I feel like 2024 will be a fun and exciting time for me! At this current time, I’ve got a few irons in the fire. A few studio projects are being released this year that I’ve had a role in writing and performing on.
In February/March, I’m looking to finally release a collection of 4 original songs for guitar and saxophone as part of a small EP I’ve been writing for almost 2 years now. I’m gearing up for a series of shows with The Ben Dwyer Xperiment along with some other bands I’ve been working with over the past year.
Finally, I have some tentative plans to start writing a guitar method book also, but it would be helpful to find more hours in the day to do this!
Connect With Jack Handyside
TikTok / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube
Jacob Randall
Jacob Randall is an in-demand drummer/percussionist in the New Zealand music scene. He received his first drum kit when he was 3 and has been playing daily since, winning multiple drum competitions, and enjoying learning from the greats.
He is now a full-time musician splitting his time between recording and playing live. Fluent in a range of styles, he enjoys jazz, classical percussion, Latin, and rock.
How important is the type/brand of instrument for a beginner?
I don’t think type/brand is important for starting out, as long as it doesn’t hinder the player. If the components stay where they’re supposed to, if the pedals aren’t dodgy and the sound doesn’t annoy them then they’re good to go.
I have a small-sized beginner kit worth roughly $250 that I use for little gigs and it sounds great and has held up really well. The thing that makes it sound good is that I put good skins on it, it’s not always the value of the kit itself so don’t let your budget hold you back from starting if you’re a beginner.
Is there anything you recommend for new students buying an instrument if their budget is small?
Option 1: I would have a look at the second-hand market. If you have a teacher or a drummer you trust who can help you look you should be able to find something quite decent within a range of price points. Old drums are always cool too as they often look unique, the wood has aged and they have a nice patina and sound.
Option 2: These days beginner kits are quite adequate. The drums and hardware should be fine, the only thing that will not be up to the same standard are the cymbals that come with them as they feel and sound like they’re made out of pressed tin as opposed to being more musical. If the budget is tight, I’d go with the cheapest drums I can get, put on good skins, and upgrade the cymbals as soon as you can afford to. If the budget is completely rock bottom, gaffer tape can make a world of difference to both skins and sometimes some cymbals.
I don’t think type/brand is important for starting out, as long as it doesn’t hinder the player
If a student has been playing for a few years and is looking to upgrade their instrument, what factors are important?
I would upgrade in this order: Cymbals, snare, pedals, throne, drum shells, remaining hardware. In my mind cymbals are most important because you can’t change their sound like you can a drum so it’s important to choose these carefully, I would suggest looking at what cymbals your favorite drummers play for ideas of what to try.
Next important is the snare as it’s the drum you’ll likely be playing the most. If anyone is going to recognise your sound it will be from the snare drum.
Pedals are crucial because if you have a smooth pedal it will mean you can play what you’re attempting without the pedal actively working against you. One size doesn’t fit all so it’s good to find one that fits your playing and you enjoy working with.
Drum thrones I want to put higher up the list as they can affect your posture and your back which are well worth protecting. A two-hour gig on a bad stool can make it feel like hell and take the fun out of the whole night. Try as many as you can as there are lots of different types and materials and finding one that once again works for you instead of against you can make the whole experience better.
Drum shells are left to the back end of the list because they are easy to make sound good with different skins as they’re not as essential to upgrade. BUT, they are fun to collect and pick and choose for specific gigs or sounds you’re trying to achieve. My advice is to collect as many as possible as space and budget allow because drumming should be fun.
The remaining hardware doesn’t have a huge impact on your playing or sound unless it’s falling over mid gig but having higher-quality pieces is nice to work with and gives you more security.
It’s not always the value of the kit itself so don’t let your budget hold you back from starting if you’re a beginner
Do you have any tips for maintaining the longevity of an instrument?
Oil everything that needs oil, don’t over-tighten anything if it can be avoided, dust your instrument, enough dust if it’s mixed with dampness and time, can make your metal parts pit and rust eventually.
Is there equipment that you always take with you on a gig or a recording session?
If I don’t take a full kit because there’s one there I don’t mind working with, I always take the things I want to sound and function well… like snare, cymbals, bass drum pedal, the usuals. But on top of that in my bag, I always have good ear plugs, a bass drum anchor (you wouldn’t believe how many bass drums that thing has stopped sliding away!), and small spare parts that can often be missing from house kits or loaners.
What projects are you currently working on?
My band King Oyster is about to be releasing a single in February, which I’m very much looking forward to.
I’ll be doing a bunch of sessions, some in the studio and some remote work from my home studio. I’ll also be doing a bunch of fun gigs here in Wellington.
I’ll be posting all of my projects/sessions and general daily playing on Instagram if you want to follow along with what I’m up to.
Connect With Jacob Randall
Instagram
Lewis Partridge
Lewis Partridge aka 'The Ninja Drummist' is an in-demand session drummer/teacher from the UK.
He has thousands of followers on Instagram and YouTube.
His instructional drumming videos can be seen on his website.
How important is the type/brand of instrument for a beginner?
We all start somewhere and there's nothing wrong with a budget-level kit, if that's all you can afford. My first kit was certainly nothing to write home about, but it started my journey. Having said that, I often advise my pupils to try to go with a reputable brand, as they need something that will last a few years at least.
Is there anything you recommend for new students buying an instrument if their budget is small?
Again try, if your budget allows, to go with a reputable manufacturer. Most companies have a decent lower-end, affordable model that makes for a great starter kit, that should last years of practicing and performing.
I always advise pupils to try things out before buying as it takes time to figure out your tastes
If a student has been playing for a few years and is looking to upgrade their instrument, what factors are important?
I've learned from my previous purchases. Everything I didn't like about my old kit, I made sure I addressed with my new kit. Also, understanding the different sonic properties of different shell materials is important.
I always advise pupils to try things out before buying as it takes time to figure out your tastes etc. I've always preferred the way I sound on Birch shells, but that doesn't mean it works for everyone! Just because your favorite drummer uses a certain piece of equipment, doesn't necessarily mean it will suit the way you play too.
Invest time in figuring out what best suits you!
Do you have any tips for maintaining the longevity of an instrument?
Always keep an inventory of spare parts! Avoid keeping the instrument in extremes of hot or cold temperatures. Service and clean your hardware and shells once every so often.
Is there equipment that you always take with you on a gig or a recording session?
Aside from the obvious essentials, I also keep a "survival kit" in my stick bag. Spare cymbal felts, hi-hat clutch, drum keys, various nuts and bolts, etc. A list of things I've either lost or broken over the years!
What projects are you currently working on?
My online tuition and educational resources at the moment. It's been great to share my knowledge with drummers all over the world!
Connect With Ninja Drummist
Instagram / YouTube
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
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