Giving a guitar as a gift can be extremely rewarding. It’s also one of the most difficult gifts to get right. Guitarists are incredibly particular about the type of guitars that they play. They want the right brand, the right model, and the right finish. Heck, they also want the right year of production, the tonewoods, the right weight, and the list goes on. While you can take a deep dive into our Buyers Guide for more info, this short article should help get you up to speed quickly if you are low on time!
Luckily, giving the perfect guitar is still possible, and we’re here to help.
Ways to select a guitar as a gift:
- Buy THE ONE they want
- The world’s greatest gift card
- Ask a friend
- How will they use the guitar?
- Create a custom masterpiece
Buy THE ONE they want
The easiest way to ensure your present is a hit is to give them THE GUITAR they have their heart set on. Ask any guitarist at any time, and they’ll quickly fire off their dream guitar in surprising detail. And if you live with your guitarist, you’ve probably already heard them going on about the guitar’s specs and tone.
The important thing to remember is that every single guitar has its own sonic signature and feel. This is true of electric guitars but is especially applicable to acoustic guitars. So, the guitarist in your life won’t be talking about the “kind” of guitar they want, they’re talking about a particular instrument.
The more particular your guitarist is, the faster and easier shopping for them can be. Just grab the one they want. But you’ll want to act quickly. If the guitar sells, there will never be another one exactly like it.
The world’s greatest gift card
If we’re all honest, we weren’t always tuned in when our guitar-playing comrades went on and on about their dream instrument. That’s ok! It’s almost impossible to get the perfect guitar as a surprise gift, anyway. The only surefire way to hit the jackpot is to get as close as possible and let them do the rest.
When it’s time to make the purchase, make sure the seller has a convenient exchange policy. If it’s a physical retailer, let the salesperson know your situation. They’ll help you find an excellent guitar for the recipient to unwrap. And if it’s not the right one, they can always exchange it for the guitar of their dreams.
Note: You also can’t go wrong with an actual gift card.
Ask a friend
Every guitarist out there has a guitar-playing friend who shares their passion. They likely have a great idea of the acoustics and electrics that keep your guitarist up at night. As long as you can trust them to keep a secret, ask them! They should also be able to help with guitar strings, straps, guitar picks, and any other stocking stuffers that will complete the gift.
How will they use the guitar?
Whether you reach out to a friend or talk to a sales associate, you’ll want to know how the gift’s recipient will use the guitar. Does the player perform onstage? Do they record? Will the guitar live in a case at home, or will it be toughing it out on the road? All of these things are essential in selecting a guitar as a gift.
For example, a fingerstyle acoustic guitar player who mainly plays at home will most likely want an instrument crafted from solid tonewoods that sounds terrific when unplugged. Conversely, an acoustic player who competes with a full band on stage may prefer a guitar made with our more durable and great-sounding EcoTonewood layered construction.
Create a custom masterpiece
There’s no better way to give a guitar as a gift than a one-of-a-kind, custom instrument. While the price of entry is higher, you get to work with expert guitar builders, choose the materials, and add unique elements to something your guitarist will treasure for a lifetime.
It’s never been easier to design and purchase a custom guitar from Breedlove. You’re always welcome to visit us at our Bend, Oregon, Custom Shop. Or check out our fun and inspiring online custom guitar builder. It walks you through the entire process.
It can be done
It’s true that selecting a guitar as a gift can be daunting, but hopefully, we’ve given you a few ways forward. From grabbing “The One” right off the rack to getting comfortable with an exchange, asking a friend to crafting a one-of-a-kind, you have more options than you might think. Besides, anyone who gives a guitar as a gift has already won the day.
