The Top 10 Things I Consider When Buying an Electric Guitar! (with playing!)

The video covers my Top 10 Requirements When Buying an Electric Guitar!

This video takes a look at my top 10 things I look for when buying an electric guitar. This question came up a lot on live streams and I thought I would address it in one video (with some guitar playing too).

This list is based on my own personal tastes and it will vary from person to person. I am interested to see what you look for too so please comment below and let me know.

In this video, I cover everything from neck size, pickups, tone, and much more!

-
(Links to Sweetwater, Thomann, Amazon, B&H, Artist Guitars, and Walmart are affiliate links.
-

#guitars #intheblues #guitarist #fender #gibson ‎

This YouTube channel participates in Affiliate programs. These programs are designed in a way for the channel to earn an income by using the links provided in the description or pinned comment section. Please note: Not all links on this Youtube channel are affiliate links.

[Bushradical]

Great Vid Shane. Totally agree about the treble bleed volume mod. Its just so much more usable when you can turn down the volume and keep the high end.

[intheblues]

I always talk about ticking the boxes when it comes to guitars ✔ - Here's what I look for! Let me know what you look for when it comes to electric guitars. Hope everyone is doing okay! ✔ Edit: Gretsch is the exception to the fake f-hole rule! It doesn't look too bad on those, lol...

[davidknipe]

Another important thing to me is price... it can tick all the boxes but if it’s so expensive I’m scared to leave the house with it then it’s a no, pretty much rules out 90% of Gibsons. When you can get a decent guitar for a lot less paying for a name is crazy... I’m happy to pay $2ooo ish but over that you’re not really getting that much better actual playability... maybe just a logo and a nice grain on the top

[ransombaggins]

Good list. The only “bunch of switches” guitar I love is the Jazzmaster. Apart from that, simple is best for me. As for frets, the only vintage frets I love are vintage tall.

[nepabum]

Always loved the PRS headstock. Looks great.

[hutchfromba]

Thank you Shane. Your videos are informative & well produced. You have a wonderful channel. I think the best guitar one on YouTube. Blues On....💙

[Craig_Fussell]

🤙🏻🎸🎼Great video and intro man! You’re really rockin’ these days! I think for me since I play at home for a hobby, these are my top 4:
1) Gotta like playing it - if it feels good (quality, balance, neck)...it makes me want to practice!
2) Sounds significantly different from others I own. (Pickups, configs, etc.)
3) Do I like the look? (Color, shape...really subjective)
4) Price - it’s a hobby, so I’m not gonna take out a second mortgage 😉

[shaunw]

It's so true about '52 reissue frets; they're made of butter! I've played mine everyday for 9 years, at home, I don't gig, but like every fret from first to the 17th has been flattened to some degree, not like ruts or depressions, but looks like they have been ground with a Dremel ! I'm still happy with it for now but when the time comes, I like the tall vintage style on one of my Strats, so that's what I'll go for.

[michaelcrosby]

Thank You. I appreciate the increased video output in these times.

[jamalabdul]

The main thing I look for in a guitar is is it a lefty!!!🤣🤣🤣 Although I own three right handed Strats, I prefer to buy left handed guitars lately. Just easier to set up and play. As far as Fender guitars, I love the vintage specs of Stratocasters and Telecasters. Something about them I just find comfortable and just good looking.😁 For a humbucker style guitar my Flying V is the perfect guitar for me!! Full access down the neck and a killer tone!! As I continue my musical journey, I find that quality is way more important than quantity ( outside of having a Strat or three.... or or....🤣🤣😜). Having guitars that feels good in the hands and inspires you to play is the greatest check off anyone’s list. Cheers!!🎸🎸🎸🎵🎼😁

[tdunster]

I used to think a 12" radius was a must. So we put it to the test - I couldn't pick correctly the radius of any of the guitars I played. Changes in neck profile, thickness, nut width, and general set up make it near enough to impossible.

[andrewtonkin]

Agree with pretty well everything you say here, but for me particularly the weight. I have an amazing Ibanez Les Paul copy from the lawsuit era. Brilliant to play, but weighs a tonne. Played a gig recently with it and my back hurt for about three days. Got two nice light guitars and they have now become my go to guitars for almost everything.

[eddiejr]

The PRS “wide-thin” neck is one of the best feeling necks I’ve ever played...and NO jumbo frets...I need to feel the wood on the fret board...but we all got our own quirks!!!!

[danielhartman]

Hey Shane. I have a PRS Custom 24 SE in tobacco Sunburst. I love it plays and sounds Fantastic. But mine has a Roasted Maple fretboard. I love this guitar. Rock on

[juanfichtl]

I took my PRS SE Standard to a luthier to get the neck sanded and refinished and now it's pretty much my favourite guitar.

[bobainsworth]

I was out of breath at the end of that! Speed talk. Still interesting.
I bought a telecaster kit and it is pretty good. The first neck was not quite straight but they replaced it and it is now fine. The pickups are ok, quite loud. I had the top bout shaved to make it a double cutaway. One of my favourite guitars.

[checkpointcovid]

#4 Light weight guitars. If you're looking for this try a Guild Starfire II. Light as a feather.

[bubbafang]

So in agreement with weight, I was always into my Ernie Ball Stingray and its a HEAVY bass guitar, now I love my Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass, shoulder surgery equals wising up for me I guess LOL Great video and love your work to share with all of us.

[Deteroblix]

Being a lefty, often times we only have online pictures of the actual guitar to go by before buying. That said, the two most important things I do is zoom in as close as I can and look at the nut. You can instantly tell if the guitar nut slots are cut well or poorly. Also, I do the same on the bridge saddles to see how they're intonated. Often they're maxed out with no room to adjust. Not a deal breaker, but an indicator. I also do my best from pics to see the string spacing from bridge to nut....not always easy to tell. If a used guitar, I often ask them to send a close up pix of the nut and first few frets to see fret wear. That's what I look for.

[tombain]

Another great video Shane always informative, interesting and upbeat presentation. I am a very modest "intermediate" enthusiastic player. Even though inexperienced I can tell straight away by the neck comfort playability and basic tone if I will be happy longer term. Looks are important too. And I guess they are the ones we veer towards to want to pick it up in the first place, I have two electrics Tele with a sticky neck bit hummy in some mains environments which I love tonally and does all need or want. A Strat that doesn't have a sticky neck is silent tonally is the business with modern frets, not so beautiful. But that's not a dealbreaker. Both in great condition. I think I need to pick up some older beat up less attractive guitars, there must be some jems I haven't looked at or seen yet. I looked at some modern Teles recently Mexican and USA not cheap. But the necks were fitted with Jumbo frets, not well dressed, I didn't bother to plug them in. I knew what I had were just better, Strats a Mex, the Tele a 72 USA Custom. I have a nice Faith acoustic which I have to pic up every time I look at it. So call me superficial. Cheers