Need some help or advice buying a guitar?  Read on!

What type of guitar do I need?

The best type of guitar to start learning on is a steel string acoustic guitar. A good beginners guitar can cost from as little as €100.00 upwards.

Well-known brands include Aria, Fender, Yamaha, Tanglewood, Epiphone & Takamine. If you have tons of money to spend, try a Taylor, Martin, Guild or Lowden.

Look for a guitar that sounds nice, looks good and is easy to play–if you have a friend who plays, bring them along to help and advise you.

The sales people in your local music shop are very experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to picking the best guitar for a beginner. Don’t be afraid to ask their help and advice. It should go without saying, but steer away from toy shops that sell toy guitars. It’s always a false economy.

I’m left-handed. What should I buy?

Left-handed people learn to play on the same guitar as right-handers. Don’t be tempted to buy a left-hand guitar–you may regret it in years to come. For the details, click here

Can you supply me with a guitar?

Yes. If you are unsure of buying a guitar, or are just too busy to get to your local music shop, you can order a guitar when booking your place on the course, and have it supplied at the venue when you arrive. The supplied guitar is a Yamaha F310 and costs €149.00. You can arrange to make payment for the guitar at the first class.

Where is a good place to buy a guitar locally?

There are many excellent music shops in the west of Ireland. Feel free to go in and try a few different models, and be sure to ask the sales people for their advice.

Back2Music, 30 Abbeygate St, Galway. 091-565 272   Contact: Pat & Ruth Cunningham.
Full range of instruments, amplification, accessories & sheet music.   

Claddagh Musical Instruments, Craft Centre, Spiddal, Co. Galway.  091-504 799   Contact: Paul Vignoles.
Guitars, bodhrans, flutes, accordians, fiddles, whistles, cd's tapes & videos.

Clareen Banjos, Sleiveaun, Clarinbridge.  091-796156   Contact: Tom Cussen.
Specialists in all fretted instruments. www.banjos.ie

Collins Music Shop, Castle Street, Castlebar.  094 9022701  Contact: Tess Collins.
Electric and acoustic guitars, books and sheet music, strings, capos and tuners.

Kieran Moloney Musical Instruments, 17 High Street Galway,  091 56 64 88  Contact: Kieran Moloney.
Makes, repairs and sells quality guitars, mandolins and bodhrans.www.moloneymusic.com

Modern Music, The Cornstore, Middle St, Galway.  091 563 113 Contact: Mike McMahon.
Stockists of Yamaha, Roland, Peavey, Fender, Takamine, Premier & Pearl.   

The Music Store, New Antrim Street, Castlebar.  094 90 26166  Contact: John or Pat Gibbons.
Musical instruments, professional P.A. systems, full range of accessories. 

Opus II St  Contact - Michael Nichols - 091-500 300 Sheet music specialists, music books, exam books, guitars, keyboards, percussion instruments and a full range of accessories. 

Powells Four Corners William St Galway 091-562 295
Range of guitars and other instruments, accessories, specialists in sheet music and music books.