How to make a cheap guitar sound expensive

We have been sold the idea that a cheap guitar can never sound as good as an expensive one. The premium price tag gave the illusion that it must be better because it cost more. While there are valid reasons why a costly guitar bears that price tag, an entry-level guitar can be equally good when used correctly! In this article, we want to share 4 guitarists who reaffirmed the theory of Tone Is In The Fingers. Let’s dive in!

What is the first step to GREAT TONE?

I guess by now you are aware that perhaps the great tone came from great skill on the guitar. What better way to improve your tone than to have someone to guide you on every step? Taking lessons ensures your progress is efficient and effective!

We are a music school in Singapore offering guitar lessons at Upper Thomson Road. Signing up for guitar lessons with us means learning from a team with over 10 years of experience running a successful music school in Singapore. Over the years, we have refined our teaching methods to ensure they are engaging, effective, and tailored to suit students of all ages and skill levels. Our commitment to excellence goes beyond lessons—we organize annual recitals! It provides our guitar students with the opportunity to showcase their progress, build confidence, and experience the joy of performing.

Jack Thammarat proves that Tone is in the fingers

Imagine landing in a foreign country for your guitar performance but your guitar is nowhere to be found. Yup, that happened to Jack Thammarat earlier this November. After landing in India, he was told that his guitar was not on the same plane as him. We are talking about his trusty Yamaha, the one made by the USA custom shop with all the bells and whistles!

Instead of his custom-made guitar, Yamaha gave him an entry-level Pacifica PAC012 for the gig! Which he performed flawlessly! It left fans dropping their jaws and wondering how he managed to do that. The guitar eventually reached him in India but only after the show was over.

John Mayer can make a cheap guitar sound expensive!

John Mayer sounds great on his expensive custom shop guitars but he can also make a cheap guitar sound just the same! This wild moment happened during one of John Mayer’s concerts when a fan got more than he asked for! The fan hoped for a signature on his guitar, but John picked it up from him and started playing like it was his.

Joe Satriani sounds expensive with a cheap guitar!

This is perhaps one of the most legendary videos in guitar history, at least to me. The video shows Joe playing something that is not his signature Ibanez guitar but sounds like he would have on better gear. This video reinforces the idea that tone is in the fingers! Confirming what guitar teachers will often say during guitar lessons! Practice, practice, and practice! Joe Satriani is also famously known as the guitar teacher of the legendary Steve Vai. Guess what…

Steve Vai makes any guitar sounds like his expensive Ibanez Jem

Steve Vai, like many other Ibanez artists, is rarely seen using anything that isn’t an Ibanez. Most of these guitarists are loyal to the brand that has provided tremendous help for their career. However, in this one rare video, we can see Steve Vai playing a Parker Fly that belongs to a fan. These are very different guitars as compared to Steve’s signature model. The weight, balance, feel and tone take some getting used to. Yet, Steve played it like a fiddle.

What is the secret then?

Good techniques, proper guitar lessons, and consistent and effective practice habits are the keys to achieving a masterful tone on almost any guitar. While self-studying the craft is possible, taking guitar classes accelerates your progress. This is akin to why sports have coaches. A coach’s role is to analyse and study how they can help their athletes attain their optimum performance. Well, it is the same for music schools with dedicated music teachers. We have the best interest in helping you or your child get the best out of your music education.

So if you are looking for guitar lessons, consider taking a Trial Lesson with us! I am sure with our decade-long experience, we will be of valuable help to you.

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