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Check out the following products on eBay. It has an enormous inventory of just about anything you could want!
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 Ibanez CS9 Stereo Chorus pedal Japan made black label and no reserve $1.04 (2 Bids) End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 19:31:05 PDT |
 Incentive Japan Rock Music Guitar Scratch Sticker $1.60 End Date: Monday May-28-2012 17:43:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.60 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 NOS Genuine Fender Squier Japan 80s Volume Knobs $1.00 End Date: Thursday Jun-7-2012 13:58:25 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1984 Fender Japan Vintage JV 62 RI Strat Stratocaster Pickguard Screws $0.99 End Date: Monday May-28-2012 17:53:26 PDT |
 1980s Fender Japan Gotoh Vintage 2 7 32 Size Strat Stratocaster 57 62 RI Saddles $0.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 18:48:33 PDT |
 1980s Relic Fender Japan Vintage 2 7 32 Size Strat Stratocaster 57 62 RI Saddles $0.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 18:54:13 PDT |
 1980s Relic Fender Japan Vintage 2 7 32 Size Strat Stratocaster 57 62 RI Saddles $0.99 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 17:06:09 PDT |
 1980s Relic Fender Japan Vintage 2 7 32 Size Strat Stratocaster 57 62 RI Saddles $0.99 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 17:18:08 PDT |
 1980s Fender Japan Gotoh Vintage 2 7 32 Size Strat Stratocaster 57 62 RI Saddles $0.99 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 18:10:52 PDT |
 1980s Relic Fender Japan Vintage 2 7 32 Size Strat Stratocaster 57 62 RI Saddles $0.99 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 18:36:40 PDT |
 5 Pickboy Classic LUMINOUS Picks Teardrop 075mm GLOW IN THE DARK Made In Japan $4.75 End Date: Thursday Jun-7-2012 13:28:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Domo Domo kun Classic Guitar Sticker Kawaii Japan Live Action TV Arms $2.99 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 20:38:58 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 VINTAGE TEISCO IBANEZ GUYATONE KENT VOLUME TONE V T KNOBS JAPAN MIJ $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 21:38:07 PDT |
 VINTAGE 60s TEISCO VOLUME KNOB JAPAN KAWAI MIJ $0.99 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 21:48:16 PDT |
 1987 FENDER SQUIER STRATOCASTER MIJ NECK PLATE WITH BUSHING SCREWS STRAT JAPAN $0.99 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 19:03:32 PDT |
 1950s Clicker Noisemaker Japan Western Cowboy With Guitar Motif $3.95 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 17:05:28 PDT |
 Japan Stamps 2003 Letter Writing Day Bear On Guitar $4.95 End Date: Thursday Jun-14-2012 18:05:23 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1980s Left Handed Fender Japan Gotoh Strat Stratocaster Tele Telecaster Tuners $0.99 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 17:46:05 PDT |
 Vintage Humbuckers Made in Japan 1970s MIJ single coil $1.25 (2 Bids) End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 15:06:24 PDT |
 DISNEY ROCK N ROLL MICKEY MOUSE DANCING WITH GUITAR JAPAN PIN CUTE $3.99 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 23:53:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 5 Pickboy Guitar Pick 100mm Japan Flag Rising Sun $4.51 End Date: Wednesday Jun-6-2012 1:46:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.51 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 X Japan Hide yellow guitar pick Jpop Jrock visual kei $5.99 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 3:53:32 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 X Japan Hide black guitar pick Jpop Jrock visual kei $5.99 End Date: Tuesday Jun-19-2012 14:56:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1990 Ibanez RG550 Original String Tree Japan Project Parts Guitar $5.00 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 0:49:06 PDT |
 Pikachu Guitar Pick Necklace Pokemon Poke Japan Anime Homemade Silver Dog Tag $4.95 End Date: Tuesday Jun-5-2012 2:02:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 2 Boss FX Pedal Knobs Taiwan Japan $3.95 End Date: Monday Jun-11-2012 19:28:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Domo Domo kun Rock Star Magnet Kawaii Japan Kitchen Fridge Punk Guitar Music $4.95 End Date: Tuesday Jun-12-2012 19:15:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1 JACKSON DINKY GUITAR CHROME CONTROL KNOB WITH SET SCREW UNUSED CONDITION $3.99 End Date: Monday May-28-2012 21:09:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Ibanez Black Neck Plate Fits Strat style Guitars Made in JAPAN YE693BK $4.99 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 8:54:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Geisha Girl Retro Japan 25 GUITAR PICKS PIC1070 Plectrums FREE SHIPPING $6.99 End Date: Friday May-25-2012 19:23:30 PDT |
 Japan Kamikaze Flag Japanese 25 GUITAR PICKS PIC1014 plectrums FREE SHIPPING $6.99 End Date: Friday May-25-2012 19:35:08 PDT |
 Vintage Pig Salt Pepper Shakers w accordion guitar Made in Japan $6.99 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 11:27:40 PDT |
 MASAYOSHI TAKANAKA Super Live Japan guitar jazz fusion funk BREAKS $2.99 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 12:16:38 PDT |
 X Japan silver guitar pick Jpop Jrock visual kei $5.99 End Date: Wednesday Jun-6-2012 18:55:27 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 CD Classic Guitar Vol 1 China Japan Korea Asian $6.99 End Date: Thursday Jun-7-2012 8:35:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Lot 10 068uf Chiclet Capacitor Bass Guitar Japan 068 $7.24 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 14:19:46 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.24 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Aerosmith Tom Hamilton tour guitar pick picks Japan Tour $4.25 End Date: Monday May-28-2012 5:35:57 PDT |
 Chrome Gotoh Electric Guitar Bass Steel Dome Knob Gotoh Japan $3.49 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 2:00:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Gold Gotoh Electric Guitar Bass Steel Dome Knob Gotoh Japan $3.49 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 2:01:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Cosmo Gotoh Electric Guitar Bass Steel Dome Knob Gotoh Japan $3.49 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 2:01:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Black Chrome Gotoh Electric Guitar Bass Steel Dome Knob Gotoh Japan $3.49 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 2:01:24 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Lot 10 022 Vintage 70s Chiclet Capacitors LP SG Japan $7.50 End Date: Friday May-25-2012 5:07:48 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 VINTAGE IDEAL GUITAR BOTTLE CAP OPENER KEY METAL MARKED JAPAN BARTENDING $5.00 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 19:59:58 PDT |
 Charvel Made in Japan Owners Manual Case Candy Booklet $4.00 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 21:36:33 PDT |
 Lovers in Japan Coldplay Song Piano Guitar Sheet Music $3.99 End Date: Friday Jun-22-2012 10:37:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 YELLOW GUITAR SALT PEPPER Shaker 3 1 2 Japan Good $4.99 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 16:40:46 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1983 Fender Japan Strat Stratocaster Tele Telecaster Tuners Tuning Machines $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Monday May-28-2012 17:49:44 PDT |
 Kiss tour guitar pick picks Eric Singer Farewell Tour 2001 Japan $5.00 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 19:10:21 PDT |
 Beer Stein Young landy playing guitar made in Japan $3.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-20-2012 17:28:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Fender 62 Japan Jaguar Tremolo Arm Chrome w White knob $8.28 End Date: Friday Jun-15-2012 11:53:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $8.28 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1999 Fender CIJ Japan 57 Vintage Reissue Stratocaster OUTPUT JACK Strat Chrome $5.52 End Date: Wednesday Jun-6-2012 10:00:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.52 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 BOSS FS 5L Made in Japan $0.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 18:52:26 PDT |
 Ibanez Chrome Neck Plate Fits Strat style Guitars Made in JAPAN $6.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 14:12:07 PDT |
 1975 SIGMA GUITAR LEAVES JAPAN IT STOPS AT OUR PLACE CF MARTIN GUITAR PRINT AD $5.99 End Date: Tuesday Jun-5-2012 16:30:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Mij Japan Stratocaster system 1 tremolo spanner wrench $6.99 End Date: Thursday Jun-14-2012 19:41:28 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Geisha Girl Retro Japan 25 GUITAR PICKS PIC1070 Plectrums FREE SHIPPING $8.99 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 14:42:45 PDT Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 JAPAN VINTAGE GUITAR TUNER $9.00 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 18:14:58 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 HARD ROCK CAFE OSAKA JAPAN GUITAR DOUBLE NECK PIN $6.99 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 8:33:28 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 MEGADETH Guitar Tab UNITED ABOMINATIONS Lessons CD Tablature riffs solos Japan $4.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-2-2012 12:48:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Guitar Player Magazine June 81 Japan Guitar Superpower $6.95 End Date: Friday Jun-8-2012 9:33:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Fender Japan Jazzmaster Jaguar Tremolo Arm 0264261000 $6.48 End Date: Friday Jun-8-2012 10:02:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.48 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 VINTAGE JAPAN CERAMIC GUITAR MUSICIAN FIGURINE $3.99 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 15:59:11 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Ibanez TS 9 TS 808 Japan vintage replacement switch $9.95 End Date: Monday May-28-2012 20:09:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 10 Pickboy Classic LUMINOUS Picks Teardrop 075mm GLOW IN THE DARK Made In Japan $9.95 End Date: Thursday Jun-7-2012 13:25:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 HARD ROCK CAFE PIN TOKYO JAPAN BLACK GUITAR W RED ROSE $9.95 End Date: Monday Jun-18-2012 16:47:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Fender Japan Vtg Series Jaguar Jazzmaster Reissue Rhythm Circuit Slide Switch $5.99 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 11:53:42 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 WOMAN OF THE DUNES 1964 JAPAN Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 17:36:52 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Mount Fuji Japan Photograph Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 21:58:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan Woodblock Woman w Makeup Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:29:45 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan Woodblock Tatsuta River Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:29:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan Woodblock Autumn Leaves Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:30:00 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan Woodblock Artist Geisha Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:30:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan Retro 60s Swanky Bistro Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:30:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan Geisha Girl Tea Retro Ad Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:30:27 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan 1960s Swinging Couple Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:30:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan 1960s Mod Resting Woman Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:30:42 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan 1960s Funny Fat Cook Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:30:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan 1960s Animals Television Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 23:30:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Condom Japan Talking Sea Lion Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-2-2012 1:59:58 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Condom Japan Silly Monkey Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-2-2012 2:00:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Condom Japan Funny Cartoon Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-2-2012 2:00:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Condom Japan Cute Bears Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-2-2012 2:00:21 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Condom Japan Colorful Fun Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-2-2012 2:00:28 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Condom Japan Affectionate Lady Coin Mint Guitar Pick or Pill Box MADE IN USA $9.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-2-2012 2:00:36 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Japan Kamikaze Flag Japanese 25 GUITAR PICKS PIC1014 plectrums FREE SHIPPING $9.99 End Date: Thursday Jun-7-2012 7:32:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 LOUDNESS THUNDER IN EAST PINUP PRINT AD Japan vtg 80s Heavy Metal Guitar $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-8-2012 21:43:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Fender Japan Jazz Bass Pickups $5.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 14:01:31 PDT |
 VINTAGE CELLULOID RED GUITAR UKELELE UKE CHARM MUSIC JAPAN $8.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-6-2012 16:24:03 PDT Buy It Now for only: $8.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE JAPAN SUPERPOWER JEFF BERLIN 81 $6.27 End Date: Tuesday Jun-5-2012 7:40:14 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.27 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Real Fender Japan MUSTANG Tremolo Vibrato Arm White Tip $7.99 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 11:40:41 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 NOS Stewart MacDonald 3 way tele switch made in japan gold contacts with knob $7.05 End Date: Tuesday Jun-12-2012 17:53:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.05 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Eric Singer Farewell Tour KISS BLACK Guitar Pick Japan 2001 $10.79 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 18:52:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: $10.79 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 X JAPAN Guitar Tab Lesson Software CD + X JAPAN $7.95 End Date: Saturday Jun-9-2012 19:32:58 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 10 Pickboy Guitar Pick 100mm Japan Flag Rising Sun $9.00 End Date: Tuesday Jun-12-2012 15:25:23 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 HARD ROCK CAFE PIN TOKYO JAPAN KILLER DESTROYER GUITAR $10.95 End Date: Monday Jun-18-2012 17:09:07 PDT Buy It Now for only: $10.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Hard Rock Cafe Pin Ho Chi Minh City 55492 Soccer Player Guitar Series Japan $8.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 19:20:37 PDT |
 2 Genuine Fender Japan Mustang Black Bridge Pivot Screws 0035563000 $6.99 End Date: Wednesday Jun-6-2012 10:13:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1982 WESTONE JAPAN TECHNOLOGY GUITAR PRINT AD $7.99 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 6:21:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1984 ARIA THE DIAMOND HEAVEN SENT FROM JAPAN GUITAR PRINT AD $7.99 End Date: Friday Jun-15-2012 18:06:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
You can also check out Amazon for information on Japan Guitar.
 Guitars, the Tsumura Collection Sale Price: $182.19  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days  |
 X Japan Blue Blood Guitar Tablature Book Sale Price: $74.80 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Guitar Atlas Japan (National Guitar Workshop) Book & CD (Guitar Atlas; Guitar Styles from Around the Globe) List Price: Sale Price: $9.37 You save: $5.58 (37%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Kyser 6 String Capo, Black List Price: Sale Price: $14.00 You save: $10.95 (44%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 IK Multimedia AmpliTube iRig Sale Price: $15.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones List Price: Sale Price: $148.50 You save: $50.50 (25%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Rush: Guitar Anthology Series (Authentic Guitar-Tab Edition) List Price: Sale Price: $20.68 You save: $4.27 (17%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Vox amPlug AC30 Guitar Headphone Amp List Price: Sale Price: $37.20 You save: $18.80 (34%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Game Freaks 365's Wii Review Guide List Price: |
How To Buy An Electric Guitar For Under $200
So you've decided to take the plunge and buy a new, beginner electric guitar. Well, you are in luck because there are a ton of decent electrics under $200. The problem is deciding just which one to buy! But if you go in armed with a bit of knowledge and patience, you'll find the right instrument.
These days, you can get an electric guitar cheaper than ever. Most of the under-$200 guitars are made in China, Korea and Indonesia. Guitars made in the US, Japan and Mexico are usually more expensive, and usually higher quality. That's not to say the cheaper guitars are all poor quality instruments. It is surprising how much guitar you can get these days for under $200.
Buying a guitar is a two-step process: 1. Deciding which guitar you want. 2. Making sure the guitar is a "good" one.
Step one: This is the fun part. Go to your local music store and look around. Even if you can't play, or only know a few chords, ask the clerk if you can sit down and strum each guitar. Just park yourself in the cheap electric corner and go to town. There are a few things I think about when deciding which guitar to buy. First, how does it feel when you hold it? I personally love the way the strat-style body feels. The Les Paul body type, on the other hand, is a little heavy and cumbersome for me, though the SG body is wonderful. When you find one that feels good to hold, then test the action. How hard is it to press the strings down when playing? Maybe the strings are too high off the fretboard, or they could be too low. Again, even if you are a beginner, you may be surprised to find one guitar that just feels right.
Step two: Once you've found the guitar that feels good, now you need to get a little bit technical and decide if the guitar is "a keeper". Since we are buying a cheaper, mass-produced guitar, it's logical that some of these guitars coming off the line will be dogs, and some will be gems, and most will fall somewhere in between. By "dog" I mean a guitar with an obvious flaw like a bowed neck, loose parts, etc. You can hold the end of the neck in your hands and sight down the edge of the fretboard and compare it to the high e string (which is a perfect line) to see if there is any bend in the neck.
If you know someone who plays guitar, invite them along to take a look at the guitar with you. Then play it to make sure it sounds OK and everything works. Plug it into an amp and test each pickup. If it's a two pickup model, then switch to the pickup near the neck and play, then center, then rear. You shouldn't hear any buzzing or humming. If you do hear any electrical noise ask the clerk or try a different guitar. Then play some chords and listen for strings buzzing against the frets. If you hear a little fret buzz ask the clerk about it. They can "set up" the guitar for you and adjust out fret buzz, and set the action (string height) where it's comfortable for you.
Step two might be a bit daunting for a newbie guitarist--sort of like someone who can't drive trying to pick out a car. Finding the right color is easy, it's the test drive that's a bit tricky.
Again, cheap guitars are not bad at all. You've just got to get the right one. A friend of mine bought a cheapy acoustic that was one of the richest sounding guitars I've ever played. He went to every guitar store in town and played all of the guitars in his price range. Most people get step one right, but totally miss step two.
What about buying from the internet? Well, with an established company like Fender or Gibson, I'd say go for it. Their quality is well known. But with cheapy, mass-produced guitars, buying from the local guitar store is paramount because you can check it out before you buy. You don't want to get stuck with a guitar that won't stay in tune or sounds crappy or both. You can avoid this headache buy actually holding the guitar and playing it before you buy. If you buy a cheap guitar online you are rolling the dice.
One more thing: on the first trip to the guitar store don't bring any money. You want to make several trips to different stores and play as many guitars as you can. Again, even if you don't play but one chord, then sit down and play that chord on every cheap electric in the place. Eventually you'll get a good idea of what you like and don't like. Then there'll be less chance a month later of being disappointed in your purchase. It's OK to fall in love, just play the field a bit before committing.
If the guitar passes the test in step two, and you've done your due diligence and checked out a few other stores, then you are ready to buy.
About the Author
Rand writes articles about GNU/Linux, interesting recipes, and guitars, just to name a few. His sheet metal site, aluminumbendingbrake.com has a ton of great info about aluminum bending brakes and other sheet metal brake knowhow.
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