How to buy a guitar in the UK (without getting overwhelmed)

There are more guitars, brands and variants on sale than ever, and it's easy to get lost comparing specs online. This guide is about the buying itself: where to buy, what to check, and how to make sure the guitar you take home is one you'll actually want to play.

“My number one tip: try a few models in person, then get your guitar set up properly, either by a guitar tech or by learning to do it yourself. A good setup can make a good guitar great.”

1. Work out your real budget

The guitar is only part of the cost. Unless you already have them, you'll also need an amp (or an audio interface to play through a computer), a cable, a strap, a tuner and a gig bag or case. Leave some money for a professional setup too. It's the cheapest upgrade there is.

2. Brand isn't everything

A famous name on the headstock doesn't guarantee a great guitar, and a cheaper brand doesn't mean a bad one. Two guitars of the same model can even feel different from each other. What matters is how the guitar feels in your hands and sounds to your ears, which is why trying before you buy matters so much.

3. Try before you buy

Specs can't tell you whether a neck suits your hand or a body is comfortable for an hour of playing. If you can, go to a shop and try several guitars, including some you weren't planning to buy. Pay attention to:

• The neck: thickness and shape. Does your hand feel relaxed or strained?
• Weight and balance, sitting down and standing on a strap.
• The sound through an amp similar to yours, not just the shop's best one.

“I once owned a Fender Vintera '50s Telecaster that looked stunning, but its neck didn't suit me for long sessions. Trying it for longer before buying would have told me that.”

Once you know which model you want, check what it costs at other UK retailers. You can then buy it wherever suits you best, including the shop that let you try it.

4. New, B-stock or used?

New

The simplest option, with the strongest legal protection (see below) and a manufacturer warranty. You pay the most for it.

B-stock

Ex-display guitars, customer returns or items with small cosmetic marks, sold by retailers at a discount. They often still come with a warranty, so check the details. B-stock can be one of the best-value ways to buy.

Used

The cheapest way to get a better guitar, from second-hand websites, marketplaces, shops or friends. You get less protection, so check the guitar carefully and pay safely.

Direct from the manufacturer

Some brands sell directly through their own websites. It's worth checking, but compare the price with retailers, who may be cheaper.

5. Checking a used guitar

• Neck: look down it from the headstock. It should be straight or very slightly curved, not twisted.
• Frets: look for deep grooves or flat spots under the strings, especially at the first few frets.
• Playability: play every fret on every string. Listen for buzzing or notes that cut out.
• Electronics: try every pickup setting and turn every knob. Crackles can be a simple clean, but check.
• Tuning: does it stay in tune after a few minutes of playing (and bends)?
• Paperwork: ask about its history and whether there's proof of purchase, and search the serial number online.

6. Think about upkeep

Some guitars need more looking after than others. Acoustic guitars, hollow-body electrics (like an Epiphone Casino) and semi-hollow guitars are more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. They can need more regular adjustments, and sometimes a humidifier in winter. Solid-body electrics are the easiest to live with.

7. Pay safely and know your rights

Buying from a shop or online retailer

You're well protected. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a guitar must be of satisfactory quality and as described, and if it's faulty you normally have 30 days to reject it for a refund. Buy online and you also normally get 14 days from delivery to change your mind (Consumer Contracts Regulations).

Buying from a private seller

You have much less protection: the guitar only has to be "as described". So check it carefully, and pay in a way that protects you:

• In person: see it, play it, then pay.
• Online: use the marketplace's own checkout, or PayPal Goods and Services, which includes buyer protection. Never use "Friends and Family" with a stranger.
• Avoid bank transfers to people you don't know. If something goes wrong, it's much harder to get your money back.
• Credit cards give extra protection on purchases between £100 and £30,000 (Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act).

If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is.

8. Get it set up

Most guitars, new or used, aren't perfectly adjusted when you get them. A setup adjusts the neck, string height and tuning accuracy so the guitar is easier to play and sounds right all the way up the neck. A guitar tech can do it for you, or you can learn to do it yourself with a few basic tools. Either way, it's the single biggest improvement you can make.

9. Choosing when to buy

Prices move. Retailers run sales through the year, and the same guitar can cost noticeably different amounts from one week to the next. Undertuned will track UK retailer prices and flag genuine price drops, so you can tell a real bargain from a normal price.

Not sure which guitar to start with? Read the best electric guitars under £500.