Online Guitar Shop :: How To Guides :: Electric Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitars:: FAQs

Get Musical is a brand new website that is dedicated to getting people from all musical backgrounds, ability, and experience to do just as the name indicates… Get Musical. Our extensive range of products caters for all, from beginners to aspiring rock stars alike. We have strong links with many local, up and coming bands, and are extremely proud of our commitment to local music of all genres.

Get Musical is part of a large, well established musical instrument group (Thompson and Newman Ltd) who have over 45 years experience in the musical instrument business.

Our experienced and helpful staff will do all they can to ensure that your dealings with Get Musical are fast and professional. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

2. What kind of warranty do I get for the products I order?

As all of our products are brand new, you get the full 1 year manufacturer’s guarantee. In addition to this we offer a 14 day money back guarantee on all products. In purchasing online you get the same rights as everyone else.

For more information on refunds or replacements please see our returns section.

3. What can I do if I don't like the delivered good?

Under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000, you have the right to return any unwanted items within 7 days of receiving them. At Get Musical however we offer you a 14 day money back guarantee. This is providing that the item is returned in the same condition that it arrived to you in. This right is lost as soon as the item is used or any sealed goods have been opened and cannot be resold at a later date by Get Musical. The refund will be processed within the 30 days following the return of the good(s).

If you wish to return an item please see our full returns conditions.

4. Do I have to bear the cost of the return myself?

My item is faulty/Get Musical has sent me the wrong good(s)

If your item arrives faulty or develops a fault within the warranty period we will refund you for any postage charges you incur. Please note we only cover the cost for normal economy shipment and not express or courier services. Please see our returns section for full details.

Changed my mind about an order

We offer a 14 day money back guarantee which exceeds the minimum guidelines set out by the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000.

If you decide to return an item/order because you have changed your mind or no longer require the good(s), you do unfortunately have to bear the cost of the return. Please see our returns section for full details.

5. What can I do with faulty equipment?

Please contact us on 0845 054 3646 or e-mail us. We will then email you a returns form which you will need to complete and return with the damaged or faulty goods to:

Returns Department

Get Musical

Farningham Road

Crowborough

TN6 2JJ

As soon as the goods are received and inspected, we will repair or replace at our own discretion. All replaced items will be returned to the customer free of charge, however for any items that Get Musical find to be non-faulty, postage charges will apply.

Please see our full returns policy before returning any items. Unauthorised returns cannot be accepted.

6. How can I contact you by phone, or e-mail?

Feel free to contact us using the telephone on 0845 054 3646 (office hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday).

Alternatively you can e-mail us with any general enquiries.

7. How do I contact you if I have a question about my order?

When we have processed the order we will send you an order confirmation e-mail containing the order information. If you still require further assistance please e-mail us and quote your order reference number. Alternatively please call us on 0845 054 3646 (office hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday).

8. Who do I contact for praise, criticism, or feedback?

All feedback whether positive or negative is taken seriously in order for us to keep improving our service. We appreciate hearing from all of our customers so please feel free to get in touch. You can e-mail us or call us on 0845 054 3646.

9. How secure is it to order online?

Security is one of our main priorities. We work hard to ensure that any information you supply us with is safe. We guarantee that all of your data will be treated securely and confidentially. Under no circumstances will your data be passed on to a third party.

Our payment systems are powered by Protx, one of the safest payment processors around. All payment details are encrypted using 128 bit encryption. They are not held in clear text in any part of the site.

If you have any more questions relating to your privacy please see our Privacy Policy or call 0845 054 3646 (our office hours are Mon-Fri 9-5).

10. How long does shipping my order take?

This depends on your location and which type of service you request. Typically UK mainland orders arrive the next working day (providing the order is placed before 2pm) but this is not guaranteed. We do offer a guaranteed next day delivery however this service is not free.

Please see our Delivery Information page for further details.

11. Do you deliver to overseas or to offshore UK destinations?

Yes we do! Get Musical can deliver to any UK or EU destination. Unfortunately due to the costs involved we have to charge for this service. Please see our Delivery Information page for further details.

12. How can I track my order?

You can track your order by visiting the Business Post website (our carriers). On this website you will be able to track your orders by entering your order consignment number in the relevant box. Please click here to be taken to the order tracking page.

13. How can I pay?

We accept the following credit and debit cards:

Visa
Mastercard
Visa Debit
Delta
Solo
Maestro

Please not that were are unable to accept American Express or Diner’s Club cards.

It is also possible for you to pay by cheque. If you wish to pay by cheque please select this option at the checkout stage. We are unable to release the goods to you until your payment has cleared however, which typically takes up to five working days.

14. Are there any fees, extra charges or minimum order quantities?

NO. We do not charge hidden fees for any order no matter how large or small.

15. Do I have to pay Value-Added Tax (VAT)?

Yes. All orders are subject to UK VAT at 17.5% which is already included in our prices. This applies for European orders as well.

16. Am I Liable for Import Tax?

No. As you are within the EU your orders will not be subject to import tax.

17. Which Carriers do you work with?

We work with the Royal Mail and with Business Post Ltd.

18. Can I have the goods sent to a different address?

Absolutely! Many of our customers get their goods delivered to their place of work for convenience reasons. Or if you are buying a gift for someone then you may like to send the surprise package to them direct. All you have to do is change the delivery address (please make sure the billing address is the same as your card’s registered address though).

19. Are the goods insured during transport?

The goods are insured during transport. We advise that you check all goods when you receive them. We ensure that we take great care when we pack your new goods but are aware that once they leave our warehouse anything can happen. If there is obvious damage to the goods, please inform the carrier and contact us as soon as possible.

20. Are the products checked before being delivered?

Yes! All of our stock is subject to strict quality checks once we receive it from our suppliers. In addition, all electronic products are tested before they are dispatched.

21. Who do I go to if I need any technical advice or if I am having problems with an existing product from Get Musical?

Here at Get Musical we have an in-house guitar expert. If you have any problems don't hesitate to get in contact with us here and we will pass on the query to him. If any problems cannot be resolved in this manner we will speak to the manufacturers on your behalf in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion. We want all of our customers to enjoy shopping with us and we will go that extra mile to ensure your happiness.

22. How can I subscribe to / unsubscribe from your mailing list?

When you sign up for a Get Musical Account you are given the option of signing up for our mailing list. We advise all customers to do this as we are constantly working on great offers for all our customers. You can also sign up from the link on the homepage.

If you wish to unsubscribe from the list you should email us and we will remove you from the list.

23. Can I order by telephone?

Yes, you can! If you would prefer to order by phone please call us on 0845 054 36 46 during office hours (Mon-Fri 9-5), or leave us a message and we will call you back.

24. The How To... Guides.

Choose from the guides below:

Choosing Your First Guitar

How Do I Restring My Guitar?

How Do I Tune My Guitar?

How To Pick Correctly

Some Good Warm Up Exercises

How Do I Play Chords?

Choosing Your First Guitar

With literally thousands of makes and models of guitars out there the best place to begin is to decide on what type of guitar you want. Deciding whether you want to play acoustic, classical, electric or bass guitar can be difficult but most people will base this decision on the type of music they want to play or are influenced by. We will give you a brief explanation of each guitar, highlighting the similarities and differences between them. Please note: if you are left handed you will need to purchase a left handed guitar (unless you’re prepared to do a ‘Hendrix’ and play a lefty upside down!).

Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic guitars are so-called because they use only acoustic methods to project the sound produced by the strings. Electro-acoustic guitars combine traditional acoustic methods with electronic amplification, producing the traditional acoustic sound at an increased volume.

The size, shape and also material of an acoustic guitar’s body will determine the way in which the sound board vibrates, which affects the tone of the sound produced.

Check out our excellent value Bismark Acoustic Guitars if you’re looking for a high quality beginner acoustic.

Classical Guitar

Because of their place of origin, classical guitars are often referred to as Spanish guitars. The classical guitar’s most characteristic physical feature is the use of nylon strings in the treble string positions.

Nylon strings have a much lower tension than steel strings and give the classical guitar a unique, varied and rich colour palette.

Classical guitars also have more space between the strings and often have wider fingerboards than other guitars. This satisfies the technical demands made upon the left hand due to the polyphonic nature of most classical guitar music.

The size and shape of the classical guitar has remained almost standard for over 100 years.

Our Bismark Classical Guitars offer outstanding value for money. Anyone looking to learn to play the classical guitar should definitely check them out.

Electric Guitar

The electric guitar is traditionally associated with rock music, but is also hugely popular with blues, country and jazz players. The versatility of the electric guitar means it can be used in almost any type of music.

Electric guitars use ‘pickups’ to convert the vibration of the strings into an electrical current, which is then amplified. Many electric guitarists use effects pedals to achieve various tonal effects, before the signal is fed into their amplifier, making it a hugely versatile instrument.

The electric guitar is a great instrument for a beginner to learn on. In just a few hours most people can play basic familiar tunes. Our range of Bismark Electric Guitars includes everything the beginner needs to start playing.

Don’t forget to check out (and listen to) some of our excellent value effects pedals too!

Bass Guitar

Bass guitars are similar in appearance to an electric guitar. To the untrained eye they can look like the same thing. There are a few minor differences between the two though, which we’ll explain here.

Firstly, bass guitars typically feature 4 strings (sometimes 5+), which are tuned one octave lower in pitch than the 4 lower strings of an electric or acoustic guitar.

Bass guitars also feature a longer neck and a larger body than electric guitars.

The bass guitar’s role in music is to provide the low-pitched bass line or bottom end of a track. Basses can also be used for soloing, although this is more common in blues, funk and jazz than it is in rock music.

Owing to the fact that it only features 4 strings, the bass is a relatively simple instrument to learn. Our Bismark Starter Bass Packs are a great place for any beginner bassist to start.

How do I restring my guitar?

There comes a time where every new guitarist has to replace his or her strings for the first time. Our restringing guide aims to make this as simple as possible for you. We’ve broken our guide down into the manageable chunks below:

Why do I need to change my strings?

When do I need to change my strings?

What type of strings do I need?

How do I change my strings?

Why do I need to change my strings?

Unfortunately no guitar strings will last forever. Over time your strings will gradually lose their tone and fail to stay in tune for long durations. Moisture and salts from your fingertips build up on the strings causing an oxidation reaction which results in corrosion of the strings. This is visible as rust on your strings. Due to the nature of the reaction, the more you play your guitar, the sooner you will need to replace your strings.

Guitar strings are also prone to snapping or breaking from being overplayed or over-tightened. When you snap a string we recommend that you go ahead and replace all of the strings on the guitar. This is because mixing and matching new and old strings can result in some unpleasant tones. As mentioned above, strings gradually lose their tone due to corrosion, so fitting a brand new single string to a guitar with 5 older strings is not recommended. Of course this will depend on how long the strings have been on your guitar for, but it is generally recommended that you replace all your strings in one go.

If you find that you are snapping your strings quite regularly you may wish to try using a heavier gauge. This may take time to get used to but you should find that you break your strings less frequently.

When do I need to change my strings?

Every guitarist is different, so there is no definitive answer to this question. As a guide, those that play for several hours on a daily basis will probably need to restring their guitar every couple of weeks.

As soon as you notice any deterioration in the sound quality produced by your strings you should look to replace them.

Personal preference plays a large part here, so if you think your strings sound or feel bad, change them.

You can prolong the life of your strings by wiping them down after every use. Our D’Andrea Polishing Cloth is ideal for this. Taking care of your strings in this way will reduce the effects of corrosion and oxidation. We also recommend using string cleaners and lubricants such as our D’Andrea String Cleaner.

What type of strings do I need?

The type of string you use will depend on several factors including: the type of guitar you own (Acoustic, Classical, Electric and Bass), the sound you want to create and most importantly, what you’re most comfortable with.

Acoustic Guitar

If you’re purchasing your first set of strings we recommend that you start with a light set such as a 012-054 gauge bronze wound set, such as our Martin M140 Light Bronze set. These are an ideal starting point, and in time you will be able to decide whether you need a heavier or lighter gauge. A useful tip is that the higher the gauge, the deeper the sound produced. Generally, the higher gauges are more difficult to fret, particularly for beginners. By starting with a light gauge you will be able to build up your finger strength slowly and move onto heavier strings when you are ready.

Classical Guitar

Classical string sets are typically made up of 3 nylon strings and 3 steel strings. We recommend you start with a normal tension set such as our Snarling Dogs Classical Strings.

Electric Guitar

As with the acoustic guitar, if you are purchasing your first set of strings you should start with something light such as a 009-042 gauge set. Our extra light D’Angelico Hot Nickel Concept strings are a great place to start. Most players start out with an extra light set so that their fingers can gradually build up the speed and strength required for those tricky solos.

Bass Guitar

Before purchasing bass strings it is recommended that you check the scale of your bass. You can do this in 3 easy steps:

Take a marker pen and mark the lowest gauge string (the thinnest string) at the nut (the piece of plastic in between the head and the neck).

Next you need to remove the string from the guitar by loosening the machine head.

Measure from the inner edge of the ball end (the end found at the bridge, furthest from the head) to the pen mark you made. See the table below:

Your Measurement	String Type
Up to 32"	Short Scale
32"-34"	Medium Scale
34"-36"	Long Scale
36"-38"	Extra Long Scale

Bassists typically start out with a 040-095 gauge set and progress upwards from there. Obviously the heavier the string, the more bassy the sound. We recommend Snarling Dogs Light Bass Strings for beginners, as an inexpensive, high quality string.

How do I change my strings?

The method for restringing your guitar will depend on the type of guitar you own (Acoustic, Classical, Electric or Bass). To remove old strings most guitarists simply loosen and pull them out through the bridge. Some guitarists just cut the strings, however we don’t recommend this as it puts a sudden strain on the neck of your guitar. Once you’ve removed your strings follow the steps below.

Acoustic Guitar

1. Remove the bridge pin on your bottom string by using the notch on your string winder. If you find that the pin is stuck, try slackening off the rest of the strings, reach inside through the sound hole and push the peg out from the rear. Bridge pins can break so be careful and always have a spare available.

2. Once the pin is removed push your new string through the hole in the bridge and replace the bridge pin firmly. You will need to align the channel in the pin with the string.

3. Pull the string upwards (away from the bridge) so that the ball-end rests nicely on the underside of the bridge.

4. Thread the other end of the string through the nut and the capstan, leaving a couple of inches of slack before winding. Use your index finger to guide the string and ensure that the new wraps form under the hole in the capstan.

5. Next you need to remove the excess string by bending it down towards the headstock and using a set of wire cutters.

Classical Guitar

1. Take the end of the wound bass string with the loose winding and thread it backwards through the bridge. Bring the end round and under itself to form a knot.

2. We recommend that you repeat this step to provide a much stronger anchor for your string.

3. Thread the other end of the string through the nut and through the hole in the capstan.

4. Bring the end round and under itself so that it locks against the capstan when you begin to wind.

5. Use your index finger to ensure neat wraps as you wind the string. Make sure that you wind the string towards the headstock so that you maintain as straight a line as possible through the nut.

6. Repeat the process for the remaining strings.

Electric Guitar

1. Remove your old strings by posting them through the bridge towards the back of the guitar.

2. Insert your new string through the back of the guitar and out through the hole in the bridge.

3. Thread the string through the nut and measure about 2 inches after the relevant machine head before cutting the string.

4. Post the string through the hole in the post and kink the string before you begin winding.

5. Use your index finger to guide the string as you slowly wind it. This will ensure that all wraps are tight and will prevent your strings from slipping out of tune.

Bass Guitar

1. Before you begin restringing you will need to check whether your strings go through the bridge and body, or just the bridge of your bass.

2. Pull your new string through the bridge or body of your guitar and ensure that it is fully through before you lay it on the nut.

3. Pull the string taught and wrap it around the tuner until there is about an inch left.

4. Examine the wraps of string on the tuner. They should not overlap.

5. Bend the end and poke it into the center of the tuner. Make sure not to put the tip in before wrapping if possible, as doing this will twist the string and can lower its integrity and sound quality.

6. Hold the end in the tuner and turn the key until it begins to pull tight. Bring it in close to tune; a final tuning will be performed after all strings have been unstrung and restrung. There should be at least two complete wraps present on the tuner, but still no more than you can fit on without overlapping. The new string should sit on the bass just as the old one did.

7. Replace the rest of the strings following the previous steps.

How do I tune my guitar?

For the complete beginner, tuning a guitar for the first time can be a difficult task. You risk snapping strings or sounding terrible if it’s done incorrectly. We’ll help you get it right first time!

We recommend that your purchase a tuner, rather than attempting to tune by ear. We recommend the IT-10 Tuner as an inexpensive, reliable tuner.

You should always tune up, and never down to a note. If a string is too high in pitch, take it down below the pitch of the note you’re tuning to, stretch the string (see below) and then tune up.

To stretch your strings you need to lift it up 1-2cm away from the fret board, from the 12^th fret. Be careful not to pull too hard or you may snap the string. Stretching your strings in this manner will prevent your strings from slipping during tuning.

Tuning by ear can be tricky and generally should only be used to tune a guitar that has already been tuned to concert pitch, or thereabouts. Remember, when tuning your strings, turn the machine heads slowly!

1. Play the 5^th fret on the 6^th (Low E) string and tune your open 5^th string until it sounds the same as the fretted A note. Always play the fretted note first and then the open string being tuned.

2. Next play the 5^th fret on the 5^th string and tune up the open 4^th (D) string until it sounds the same.

3. Repeat the above step for the 4^th and 3^rd strings.

4. Next, fret the 3^rd string at the 4^th fret and tune the open 2^nd string until it sounds the same as the note being played (B).

5. Finally, play the 2^nd string on the 5^th fret and tune the open 1^st (High E) string until it sounds the same as the note being played (E).

See the video below for some excellent guitar tuning tips!

How To Pick Correctly

A strong picking technique is necessary for you to progress your guitar playing. The following video offers some excellent tips to help you improve your picking technique.

Some Good Warm Up Exercises

Warm up exercises are essential if you're about to embark on a long hard practice session! The following video demonstrates how to warm up properly before playing, along with some exercises you can practice.

How Do I Play Chords?

These are the basic chords that most guitarists will learn before anything else. Learning these dozen or so chords will open up a world of possibilities for you as a guitarist. Many classics have been written using just a handful of the following chords, so master them and you'll really begin to get somewhere with your playing!

Watch the following video and then take a look at the chord diagrams below!

Using Chord Diagrams

Diagrams of guitar chords are an essential tool for all guitar players, from beginner to advanced. They are a simple way to visualize exactly how to finger chords on the guitar fretboard.

Diagrams of guitar chords can be used as a tool to learn new chords, chord progressions, and the rhythm parts of songs.

The ability to understand and use chord diagrams does not require the ability to read musical notation. This greatly simplifies the process of learning to play the guitar, and is a big reason why the guitar is such a popular instrument.

A chord diagram visually illustrates how to form a chord, and can provide additional musical information. The low E (thickest) string is on the left, and the high E (thinnest) string is on the right. The horizontal lines are the frets. The thick solid line at the top of the box represents the nut of the guitar.

The basic chord diagram is one of the single most useful aids to learning guitar, or to play new songs. Using chord diagrams, you can learn to play songs pretty quickly, without knowing anything about theory or how to read music.

You should be able to quickly translate what you see in a chord diagram to actually fingering the chord on your guitar. At first it may be tough to make this connection, but it will come with practice.

Some Basic Chord Diagrams

Practice the basic chords using the following chord diagrams.

C Major	D Major
D Minor	E Major
E Minor	F Major
G Major	A Major
A Minor	B Major
B Minor

If you find these videos useful and you’d like more playing advice, or would like to learn how to play some ‘real’ songs, we recommend you visit Bob’s Guitar Lessons. There you will find loads of tips and tricks for improving your playing, and many videos that show you how to play some classic tracks.

We’d like to say a big thanks to Bob for allowing us to use his videos on the site. We hope you’ve found them useful and we hope to add to them very shortly to offer even more advice for beginners.

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