Choosing a Guitar

So how did you dicide 'that's the guitar I want to buy?'

It's time for me to buy a new guitar to replace the 25 quid basher I've been twanging for the last 15 years. I've been looking on ebay, trying out various types in music shops, surfing the web. But the more I find out, the less I know.

Harmony Central lists reviews for over a thousand different makes of guitar. I've had a brief go on maybe 10 different guitars in the last couple of years. This is less than 1% of what is available. Realistically, given what's available locally, I'm not going to be able to improve that percentage by much more than a point or two in the near future.

So how have people come to the decision which guitar to buy? Is it really just a case of closing your eyes and jumping? Do other people's views on what is a good guitar count for much, given the differences in playing styles, the differences in individual guitars and the differences in needs? Is buying by mail order a really bad idea?

I guess recommendations must count for something. Maybe defining a bad guitar is easier than a good one.

PS. Are you coming to Wigan, George? There seems to be a small group of us lefties there this time. (as opposed to 3 at the last one, and 1 at the first).

I'm hoping to have a lefty built for Wigan ;O)

...now I was about to answer Steve and say I wasn't intending coming to Wigan this year. However...

Play as many as you can. There's some great guitars that you'll find you just don't get on with. If your looking for electric don't forget a good amp can help an 'average' guitar sound great. Once you've narrowed your choices down compare retail against mail order prices. Maybe ask around here for shops etc.

Then buy a Telecaster.....

I can only echo the last line of the above.