What to Check Before Buying a Guitar
- Action (string height) — Low and even action means easier playing. Press strings at the 12th fret — the gap should be around 2–3mm.
- Neck straightness — Look down the neck from the headstock. It should be straight or have a very slight bow. Sharp bend or twist = reject.
- Tuning stability — Turn the tuning pegs and strum. Each string should hold its pitch for at least 30 seconds.
- Fret ends — Run your hand along the fret edges. Sharp, poking fret ends = poor quality control.
- Intonation — Play an open string, then the same string at the 12th fret harmonic. They should sound the same note (one octave apart).
⚠️ Avoid guitars under ₹2,000 from online marketplaces. These are unplayable toys. High action, terrible intonation, and they break within months. Spending ₹1,500 extra on a proper starter guitar saves months of frustration.
Online vs Music Store Purchase in Delhi
For first-time buyers in Delhi, visiting a music store — Fancy Music House in Laxmi Nagar, or shops in Lajpat Rai Market — is strongly recommended. You can try the guitar, negotiate, and spot defects. Online is fine once you know what you are looking for, but a bad first guitar can kill motivation before you even start.
At Amazing To Learn, we help all new students evaluate their guitar during the free demo class. Bring your guitar (or potential purchase) and we will tell you honestly if it is suitable or needs adjustment.