Jul 16

Rent or buy a guitar? A comprehensive guide for beginners!

Have you ever wondered whether it's worth buying or renting a guitar? Not sure whether your hands are too big or too small to learn to play the guitar? Then you've come to the right place! Read this blog post and find out more about how to get your perfect guitar.

buying and renting a guitar — Rent or buy a guitar, that's the question!

Interview with Patric Birrer, owner of MYGUITAR.CH, the guitar hire service for beginners in Switzerland. Patric runs his business from Uster and is himself a successful concert guitarist and trains guitar teachers at the Kalaidos University of Music.

Should I rent or buy a guitar right away?

Renting makes sense if you are not yet sure how long you will be playing or if students are still growing. Then you should certainly change the scale length (vibrating string length, i.e. the size of the guitar) every one and a half to two years. But it's also a question of money. A good quality guitar costs a little more and is one reason why guitar students stick with it and don't stop playing after 30 days in frustration. Renting one for a few francs a month makes sense here!

What are the advantages of renting?

The size of the guitar can be adjusted on an ongoing basis and is therefore always right for the student. This is important because it is really difficult to learn to play with a guitar that is too big. Beginners quickly become frustrated and sometimes stop playing far too early. If you are no longer growing, you can also buy a guitar. However, you should take your time and play the models you are considering first. At MYGUITAR.CH you can get professional advice and will quickly realise which model you want.

How do I find out which size is the right one?

Generally by contacting the guitar teacher or directly at MYGUITAR.CH. In primary school we go from 58 scale (second graders) to 61 scale and sometimes in 5th or 6th grade to 63 scale. In pre-school we still have 41 and 46 marks. In the upper school and for adults, the full scale with 65 cm vibrating string length. Of course, these assignments can vary depending on hand and body size, which is why it makes sense to seek advice.

An overview of the scales:

Size of the guitar	String length	Age
4/4	63 - 65cm	Adults, upper school
4	59,5 - 64,4cm	Primary school
1/2	53 - 54,7cm	Primary school, middle school
1/4	42,2 - 48,7cm	Preschool, middle school
1/8	39,7 - 41,0cm	Preschool

Does the size of the hands play a role in the choice of guitar?

The construction method is decisive here. The body size and the string spacing of the guitar are the most important factors. If you tend to have wider fingers, you should choose a model with comfortably wide string spacing. The opposite is true for narrow fingers. The spacing between the frets can also vary. However, modern instruments are usually built to fit all hands. Small hands are therefore no reason not to start playing the guitar.

What do children need to consider when renting?

In addition to the right scale length, you also need to know whether you are left or right-handed. MYGUITAR.CH offers you the opportunity to look at both instruments with your guitar teacher for the price of one and then decide which side you want after a month. Left-handers usually play the other side and need a special instrument. Sometimes, however, the instrumentalist feels comfortable playing the guitar with a normal guitar.

What is the rental offer for children?

For 14.95 per month (no clauses and no minimum terms) MYGUITAR.CH rents out the best guitar for the respective scale length including a transport bag for lessons. For example, we offer a different model for the 58 scale length than for the 61 scale length, etc.

How do I get my guitar?

Visit MYGUITAR.CH and rent your guitar or come to our shop in Uster and choose a guitar from the various models at your leisure. We are also happy to advise you by phone or email.

What other accessories do I need?

Certainly a pick, so that you can play a "strumming pattern" on the guitar and very often a footrest for the correct position of the guitar. A capo, i.e. a clamp for the strings, is certainly also an advantage after a few weeks of practice.

Can I buy the guitar after I have rented it?

MYGUITAR.CH will offset all rentals paid during the first six months against a later purchase. Even if you don't buy the same instrument and decide in favour of a slightly better/more expensive guitar, for example.

Are there different models for beginners and advanced users?

Yes, there are many models and possibilities. MYGUITAR.CH mainly works with Duke and Cuenca, depending on the scale length. For the smallest scale lengths, we recommend LaMancha, which is also recommended by the EGTA. However, Duke and Cuenca are slightly better in terms of price and quality. A good guitar with a great sound, where the strings have the right distance to the fingerboard and against themselves, simply makes a big difference and is worth it!

What do I have to do when I take the guitar out of the box for the first time?

When shipping, the strings are loosened to prevent tension damage during transport. So you have to tune the guitar and crank up the pegs about 5 turns of the hand. There are free apps for tuning the guitar that can be downloaded to your mobile phone.