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Guitar
Restringing
You pay for the price
of the strings + $10 to string the guitar. A
six-string set can cost up to $8 (electric), $10 (acoustic), $13
(classical), and $30 (bass). Guitar
manufacturers are correct to say that strings lose their
vitality after about 15 hours of play. Who can
afford to change strings that often though? We
recommend a change of strings at least twice a
year. If you do not string your instrument
correctly, it will not stay in tune, sound as good or
sustain as long. It doesn't take a month for the
strings to "settle in" and finally stay in tune like
some say. We bring 30 years of experience to the
job, we'll do it once and do it right.
Rent or Purchase Guitars
Rent-to-own, quality,
Yamaha brand, nylon string classical or steel string
acoustic guitars with repair and replacement insurance
and hardshell case for only $32 a month through
Rieman Music. A debit card, credit card or
cancelled check is required to establish the automatic
monthly payment. There's no need to drive because
Rieman's will send what you to need to any Somers Guitar location. This
exclusive rent-to-own acoustic guitar program and it's
continued success is assured by the excellent care
Somers Guitar students give to their rent-to-own
instruments. Rieman's also sell electric and bass
guitar starter kits and accessories. Call Rieman
Music at 1-800-962-3658 and ask for Ron, the store
manager, or email
ronk@riemans.com.
You have three
rent-to-own options available at any time during the
contract:
(1) Rent-to-own
and receive 20% off the balance due when you are ready
to pay it off.
(2) Rent-to-own
until the instrument is paid off.
(3) Rent
month-to-month with no commitment to buy.
A Good Beginner's Guitar
Come in for a free
1/2 hour before you purchase an instrument. Somers
Guitar will make
recommendations to help you get off to a great start. You
definitely get what you pay
for when buying a guitar or finding a teacher. A good beginner's guitar that is new
costs between $150 to $400 depending on the size, wood
type and quality.
Below are things you should look for when purchasing
your first instrument.
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A good
dealer with excellent service and a qualified repair
person. Do not buy from a
department store or pawn shop. These
instruments are made poorly and may have damage.
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We recommend
beginner's start on a nylon string classical or
electric guitar. Their strings are easier to
hold down. Classicals have wider
string-spacing that promote better finger
independence.
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Correctly size
the guitar to the student. Do they need a 1/2,
3/4 or full-size guitar? Is the guitar body,
fret width, string-spacing, neck height and
length too big, too small or just right? Have your salesperson check these with
the guitar in the hands of your student. A
poorly sized guitar develops bad habits.
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A straight neck
with no warp. Hold the guitar in front of you
and look at the side. Compare the straight
line of the string against the angle of the neck.
It should be straight with no curves. If it has a
truss rod your dealer can adjust the neck to the
proper angle.
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Low action.
A proper neck angle allows the strings to be close to the neck and easy
to hold down.
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Good quality
tuners. They should not be loose or have alot
of play in them when you turn them.
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No cracks where
the neck meets the body or where the bridge attaches
to the guitar top.
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Cloudy looking
finish at the neck joint or the edges of the bridge
may be stress signs or poor quality.
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Don't forget
accessories - picks, strap, footstool, tuner, music
stand, extra strings, cord, amp & capo.
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Shubb brand capos
are recommended because of their quality and ease of
use for kids & adults.
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For more
information see our
"Links" page. Check the
"Before You Buy," "Beginning Guitar," "Dealers," and
"Guitar Care" sections.
Types of Guitars
Classical guitar.
Somers Guitar
recommends classical guitars for many beginners.
This guitar is used in many genres, but is often
associated with classical, flamenco & jazz music.
It looks just like an acoustic guitar without a pick
guard. It's distinguishing marks are a sound hole
in the center of the guitar body and six strings - three
of which are made of nylon. Nylon strings require
about 60 lbs. of pressure to hold the string down and
are much easier to play. They offer a softer, more
soothing sound especially when played with the fingers
instead of a pick. Classical guitars come in 1/2 and 3/4
size for the "little" guitarist and full-size
models for the "big" guitarist. The
wider string spacing on a full-size is perfect for those
with large fingers.
Acoustic
guitar.
This guitar is used in many genres,
but is often associated with old-time country, folk,
gospel, blues, ragtime & Celtic music. It's
distinguishing marks are a sound hole in the center of
the guitar body with a pick guard below and six steel
strings that help to project sound. It's perfect
for intimate settings like the campfire or small group
and can be played with a pick or fingers. It does
not require an amp which is easier on the budget.
Steel strings need 165 lbs. of pressure for a note to
sound which can make it uncomfortable for some to hold a
string down until they develop calluses.
Electric
guitar. This
guitar is used in many genres, but is often associated
with rock, blues, jazz & modern country music.
It's distinguishing marks are a thin body and a
rectangular-shaped magnetic device called a "pickup" in
the center of the body. Electric guitars project a
louder string and body sound through the "pickup" and
into the "amplifier." Electric guitars are well
known for playing "lead" or solos using a pick.
They are usually equipped with lighter gage strings
making them easier to play than acoustics.
Bass
guitar. Bass is used in many genres to provide
the rhythmic and melodic foundation that other
instruments in a band build upon. It is often
associated with bass emphasizing styles like hip-hop,
R&B, rock, blues and jazz. It's distinguishing
marks are a longer neck, pickups and four steel strings
that are larger and wider spaced than those on an
acoustic or an electric guitar. Therefore, the
bass is well suited for those with large hands and
fingers. An amp is required to hear an electric
bass. Bass players can use either a pick or their
fingers to strike the strings with. |
