1. Get Comfortable with the Guitar

Before you even play a note, it’s important to get a feel for the guitar’s size, shape, and weight. Comfort is key, especially if you plan to play for long periods.

What to Do:

• Sit and Stand with the Guitar: Hold the guitar as you would while playing. Make sure it feels comfortable both when sitting down and standing up with a strap. Pay attention to the weight—does it feel manageable for extended playing?
• Check the Body Shape: The body shape should fit comfortably against your body. If you’re trying an acoustic guitar, see if the size of the body suits your posture. For electrics, check how the guitar balances.
• Test the Neck Profile: Run your hand up and down the neck. Different guitars have different neck profiles—some are thick and rounded, others are slim and flat. Choose one that feels comfortable in your hand.

2. Inspect the Guitar’s Build Quality

The overall construction and build quality of a guitar are crucial to its durability and sound. Take a close look at various components to ensure everything is in good shape.

What to Inspect:

• Body and Finish: Check the guitar’s body for any visible imperfections like scratches, dents, or uneven finishes. The finish should be smooth and consistent, without any bubbles or cracks.
• Neck and Fretboard: Look down the neck to check for any warping or twisting. The neck should be straight and true. Also, inspect the fretboard for evenness and the quality of the frets—there should be no sharp edges or uneven heights.
• Hardware: Examine the tuners, bridge, and pickups (on electrics) to make sure everything is securely fastened and operates smoothly. Wiggle the knobs and switch to see if they feel sturdy.

3. Check the Guitar’s Action and Playability

The action of a guitar refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. It’s a critical factor in how comfortable the guitar is to play.

What to Check:

• String Height: Press down on the strings at the first fret and the 12th fret. The strings should be close enough to the fretboard that they’re easy to press down without buzzing, but not so close that they rattle against the frets.
• Play a Few Chords: Try playing basic chords like G, C, D, and E across the neck. Pay attention to how the guitar feels—are the chords easy to form, or are the strings too hard to press down?
• Fret Buzz: Listen for any fret buzz as you play up and down the neck. If you hear buzzing, it could mean the action is too low or the frets aren’t even.

4. Test the Guitar’s Sound Quality

Now that you’ve checked the comfort and playability, it’s time to see how the guitar sounds. Each guitar has its own unique tone, and this is where your ears come into play.

What to Listen For:

• Acoustic Guitars: Strum a few chords and play some single notes. Listen to the guitar’s resonance and sustain. The sound should be clear and balanced across all strings, with no dead spots or overly bright or dull areas.
• Electric Guitars: Plug the guitar into an amp and test it at various volumes and with different settings. Check each pickup individually by switching between them. Each should offer a distinct tone—listen for clarity, warmth, and any unwanted noise like hum or hiss.
• Tone and Volume Controls: Adjust the tone and volume knobs while playing. The changes should be smooth and noticeable. If the controls crackle or don’t seem to affect the sound much, it could indicate an issue with the electronics.

5. Evaluate the Guitar’s Intonation

Intonation refers to the guitar’s ability to stay in tune as you play higher up the neck. Poor intonation can make even well-played notes sound off-key.

How to Test Intonation:

• Tune the Guitar: Start by tuning the guitar as accurately as possible using a tuner.
• Check the 12th Fret Harmonic: Play a harmonic at the 12th fret (lightly touch the string directly above the fret wire and pluck). Then, play the same note fretting at the 12th fret. These two notes should sound identical. If the fretted note is sharp or flat compared to the harmonic, the guitar’s intonation may be off.
• Play Octave Chords: Test intonation further by playing octave chords up and down the neck. The notes should ring in harmony; if they sound out of tune, intonation adjustments may be needed.

6. Test the Guitar’s Tuning Stability

A guitar that constantly goes out of tune is frustrating to play. Test the tuning stability to ensure the guitar can hold its tuning well.

What to Do:

• Bend Some Notes: Play a few notes and bend the strings up a full step. Check the tuning after each bend to see if the strings stay in tune.
• Use the Whammy Bar (if applicable): If the guitar has a tremolo system, use the whammy bar and then check the tuning. A well-made tremolo should return the strings to pitch without detuning them.
• Retune and Play: After playing for a while, retune the guitar. If it needs significant retuning, the tuners or nut may not be functioning properly.

7. Consider the Overall Feel and Connection

Finally, pay attention to your overall connection with the guitar. This is often a gut feeling—does the guitar inspire you? Does it feel like something you want to keep playing?

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• Do I Enjoy Playing This Guitar?: The guitar should feel enjoyable to play. If you’re struggling to get comfortable or don’t like the sound, it might not be the right one for you.
• Does This Guitar Fit My Style?: Think about the style of music you want to play. Does this guitar suit that style, both in sound and playability?
• Can I See Myself Growing with This Guitar?: A good first guitar is one you can grow with as you improve. It should be versatile enough to handle different techniques and genres as you develop your skills.

Conclusion: Take Your Time and Trust Your Instincts

Testing a guitar before you buy is a crucial step in finding the right instrument for you. By following these steps, you’ll be able to thoroughly evaluate the guitar’s comfort, build quality, playability, sound, and overall feel. Don’t rush the process—take your time to find the guitar that speaks to you.