Low-quality Guitars: It seems fitting that while we ended the pros with cost, that we start the cons with quality. There are some “bargain” guitars out there which are almost guaranteed to be the reason people stop playing. Low-quality guitars are harder to play, don’t stay in tune as long, and make new players think that they’re the reason everything they play sounds wrong. Guitar teachers cite poor-quality guitars as the number one reason students quit the instrument.

Poor Music Theory Knowledge: Most guitar lessons are informal. Unless you’re taking music as a school subject, the expectation is that all you need is to play a few songs. And most guitarists become competent players without ever learning to read sheet music, and without ever learning the finer points of music theory. If your only goal is to play other people’s songs, then this isn’t much of an issue. But if you want to write music or pursue a career in music, a lack of theoretical knowledge will hurt you.

Volume: If you’re playing an electric guitar through a decent amplifier, then volume won’t be an issue. But if you’re an acoustic guitarist without and amp, you will most likely not be heard when playing outside or in a group.

Tougher to Join a Band: Guitars might form the backbone of most modern rock bands, and they are a staple in jazz, pop, and most other genres. But, guitarists are everywhere, and when forming a band, you will have no shortage of guitarists who want to audition. By contrast, a double-bass player will have their choice of bands to join.

Regular Maintenance: Maintaining your guitar is cheap, but never-ending. When playing a lot, your guitar will need new strings at least once a month. Every two to four months (depending on where you live) you’ll need to oil your fretboard and clean your frets.