Just bought a Hofner Ignition Bass from Guitar Center. When I arrived I opened the box and was shocked to see that the bass came in a really nice case. I opened the case and found that they sent me a GORGEOUS Hofner 5000/1 Deluxe bass. So I paid $250 for what I thought was a used cheapo bass and received a work of art. I called Guitar center and they said that if I would keep the bass they would send me some strings. How can they stay in business.
Well, you were honest and done your part. So the only thing to do is laugh and enjoy it. But if it's reported stolen to collect insurance, that could be a problem if you ever resale it.
Amazing concept and bought back a wonderful memory. I took guitar class at Penn State University in 1980 with a 25th Anniversary Stratocaster - only electric in the class. I had to do recitals unplugged. Sounded great to me since I was the only one who could hear it. Oddly, I was the only one in the class impressed with my guitar. Imagine “Oh Suzanna” on an unplugged Strat.
I’d say all that’s great. I particularly agree with the importance of an electric guitar’s unplugged acoustic quality. But once you feel you like the way a guitar plays, there’s a lot of QC stuff you can do. Checking the frets and running your hand up and down the neck to detect any fret sprout or untidy edges is super important. Also, checking the neck/body pocket for how tidy that is, and finally looking and the whole finish of the guitar for any imperfections.
I recall a shop i used to go to all the time. Tried out a bass, and the sales guy asked what i thought. Told him it needed a setup. He got indignant and said "if you want to set up all the $700 basses, go right ahead". I told him to pay me. He walked away. They were not known for great customer service
#2, how it feels, playability - so key. I fantasized my second electric would be an SG, and it took me years to get enough room in the budget to buy one. I had pictures of a cherry red one, read articles about it, watched videos of people playing them, ... Key fact: I'd never held one in my hands! My friend told me he always thought of me as an SG player and I just ran with it. Finally I found a local store that had them and had the money, so I got wifely approval and went to the store to buy that guitar. First one didn't feel right. Huh, weird. Second didn't feel right. OK, went to Epiphone: Didn't feel right! So I sat there and tried to convince myself that I knew they had a different position, you're set up for playing those higher frets, and as soon as I got used to it, I'd be fine, so just get one ... BUT FOR ONCE IN MY MISERABLE LIFE I LISTENED TO REASON! lol "If it isn't feeling right now, are you going to pick this up and play it enough to get used to it?" I asked myself, and the answer was, Nope. So I played a bunch of other guitars and to my utter disbelief I liked the ES-335 semi-hollowbody style. The Gibson felt the best, but I had sticker shock, so I tried playing every other one I could get my hands on to see if I could find a cheaper solution. Thank heaven, I found a used Yamaha SA - never heard of it before, but it felt terrific to play and sounded good too, and for a fraction of the Gibson price. No, it wasn't cherry red and I don't get as many cool points, but I play that thing all the time, and it is always a delight.
I've known people who are too shy to test guitars properly in a shop because they don't think they're a good enough player, but for me the biggest problem is feeling somehow pressured to buy, as though it's a failure to leave empty-handed. That's when I'm most like to distrust my gut reaction to a guitar and convince myself it's right for me when it isn't.
Play it on a strap standing up. Don't just sit on a stool. I love my SG, but it's a whole different feel standing up. And honestly it still bothers me a little.
Buying a guitar is the most overlooked personal experiences there are. Most people put more thought into buying a pair of shoes than a guitar but both are very similar, does it fit, is it comfortable to play, will it go the distance and most importantly does it make you feel good.
I've been a performing musician for 43 years. I've been a miser longer than that. I have NEVER bought any instrument that I didnt inspect every inch of, tune, play loudly and softly unplugged and plugged in, and try meticulously to find a defect or problem with before buying. I refuse to waste money. I never have, and I'm not about to start now.
I played my first 'good' electric I just got unplugged in the store because I didn't want anyone to hear me playing. They offered to plug it in to any amp, or to have me bring mine in so I could hear what it would sound like at home... but I just took the gamble. Bonus to being newer, you don't actually know what's right for you so it's harder to make a mistake. :)
There's also an opposite factor of the #2 mistake (Don't get too swayed by how awesome a guitar looks), which is 'don't get too put off by not liking how a guitar looks'. I went into a shop one time and saw what I thought was an ugly looking strat. I spent 30-40 minutes in the store playing various other guitars. Then I though before I left, I'd go ahead and play that ugly strat just for the heck of it. The guitar absolutely blew me away and I ended up buying it! That was 20 years ago, and I still own that guitar, still love it, and still play it.
My 1st high end guitar was going to be a LP Studio, It was my dream guitar at the time. I asked for one to test, I was more noob than now so I think it had a bad setup, not sure, but it just felt really wrong. I walked away with a Ibanez RG 1570 prestige that day, amazing guitar, it just blew my mind. I still have it to this day. I know now how to make a basic setup on guitars and good thing is that now days even inexpensive import guitars are really well made. Just a few adjustments and they are ready to rock.
Another thing is...If you have an amplifier at home play the guitar with the same or at least a similar amplifier. I you are buying both a guitar & amplifier play them together.
I would like to add to the first point: pay attention to how the resonance feels. Does the body vibrate when you just pluck an open high E string? Feel the headstock too, does it vibrato when you pluck strings? How does the body feel against your body when you play it? after 20 yrs of playing guitar, last time I went to check out (and indeed buy) a guitar, the seller had it all plugged in for me, even having a 2x12 set up in their living room. I only checked if the electronics worked, just played it acoustically. Felt the neck, felt the body against mine, heard the acoustic tone. Felt that the volume knob was in the right place for me, felt that it tuned well. I also saw that the set up wasn't great but: bridge too low and too much neck relief, nothing I don't know how to improve. It was by far the easiest guitar for me to buy. It was also the most expensive. Oh and: it already had a LOT of scratch marks. That told me the guitar had been loved before. Must be a good one then. It is, I haven't played anything else since
I recently bought a guitar because it was beautiful and had been in a case for 2 years after another guy bought it. For 7-10 days I didn't like it. It finally woke up and now has amazing tone.
Playing an electric guitar acoustically is definitely my #1 rule. People deny it, but some guitars just have a "life" to them and many of them are "dead." Was helping a friend buy a Strat for his son. I played a bunch of supposedly identical guitars. I finally tried one that sounded completely different than all the rest. He later told me that he could see how my face changed when I played it. I handed it to him and told him not to let that specific guitar out of his hands until he had bought it and was out of the store.
Life? Dead? Meaningless statements. Tonewood is a myth. Just change the pickups and put a boost pedal in front of the amp and those so-called “dead “ guitars will come to life.
@shanewalton8888 Just because you can't hear it doesn't mean it's not true. If you want to load up your signal path with a bunch of crap, that's your business but not everyone is tone deaf.
@@shanewalton8888there are just some guitars where you can feel the resonance, the body just really moves and it just responds exactly how you want it to. I play classical guitar and this is an extremely important feeling to me because at the end of the day I won’t see the guitar I’m playing cuz I’m looking up. I need it to be comfortable, responsive, light weight, etc. If you play any instrument you can tell when it’s just an amazing instrument. Try a few guitars there’s bound to be one that speaks with you. The problem is that people lust over what the great play instead of finding what they need to get for themselves….
@@kamarienedwards1757 classical guitars are not electric guitars. If an electric guitar resonates, it is a sign of a bad guitar, not a good one. Personally feeling a guitar resonating against your body is meaningless to the listener.
@@shanewalton8888 semi-hollow guitars and hollow body electric guitars wouldn’t be a thing by your logic…. If guitars didn’t resonate the strings wouldn’t vibrate so what are you yapping about? The guitar is just as important to the player as to the listener. How your guitar is set up helps you as a player. All of these small things add up I could give you two of the exact same model guitars and you would immediately find a preference. If you can’t you may just need a little bit more experience
Also tune the guitar or bass to pitch. I've found some stores tune them a half step or more down so it plays nice but tuning to pitch it can play more difficult.
I agree. Strum the guitar amp free. If there is no resonance, put it down. If it’s not comfortable, put it down. I also bring my own tuner and Mustang Micro amp to plug in. That amp is my base sound through my headphones.
"If it’s not comfortable, put it down." Don't totally agree because almost any guitar, regardless of quality, can play comfortably if the setup is adjusted for the way YOU play. That, of course, applies to the strings/nut/saddle/truss rod adjustment. IF the NECK SHAPE is uncomfortable, I agree. Put it down!!!
I wanted a new acoustic so I went round town trying every acoustic in every shop. I had just about given up when some guy played a chord on a guitar and it sounded great but it was a nylon string and I'm not crazy about them. However it had pickups. I tried it out and have never regretted buying it - a La Patrie Concert.
Baxter going full mullet. I was looking at a PRS locally and asked them to lower the action to test it out since they ship a bit high. They did it and I became the proud owner of a McCarty. I think small, private rooms to test is a great idea. Wish more places would do that.
The feel is the most important!With the variety of amps, pedals, replacements pick up around now you’ll always get the guitar sounding pretty much how you want. But if you don’t click with how the guitar feels in your hands you’ll end up not playing it or just selling it for a loss.
All good advice and although I believe it's implied it wasn't mentioned... If yiu find a guitar that "fits the mitt" make sure you take home THAT guitar.. Don't let the sales associate get you a "new one" from the back.. I made that mistake buying my first Strat in 76' and it was the worst guitar I had ever owned..
Bought a Taylor 714ce with electronics that don't really flatter it. It's got this low-mid "wah" that hits my ear wrong. Wish I'd plugged it in at the store. I can mostly compensate for it with my L.R. Bags DI.
Recently returned the last 2 guitars I bought at Guitar Center. Loved 'em both in the store, but when I got home I realized that one wouldn't stay in tune (was hoping in the store that the strings just needed to be worn in), and the other (a newer model) hurt my wrist (this took a month to realize).
I would add that you should play sitting down and standing up because your playing position and perception of getting around the neck will be different. You will also get a better idea of the weight and whether it will work for playing live, and of course how the strap buttons work…or maybe don’t work.
Baxter says he smells the guitar... I wasn't looking for any more guitars, but this Yamaha acoustic came across my radar that I could flip real quick...I think the person who owned it must not have played it but used it for their essential oils instead. Never have I been surprised by a smell when opening a guitar case.
As someone who buys alot of SG’s always play them standing up. I got an LtD viper once and had to return it after 15 minutes because i didnt try it with a strap in the store. Neckdive is a deal breaker and a neck breaker I also never bother playing electrics in the store. I’m gonna do my own setup, and replace the electronics myself. I am only checking that the guitar has good weight and balance
Totally agree with all that is said here, especially playing a guitars unamplified. Every guitar is different, even the same models. Some just sing to you and you know it when you hear it and feel it. Price sometimes has something to do with it but not always. I would say there are really two basic rules. One is never buy a guitar on line. Two is if you are not 100% sure a guitar feels right and sounds right in your hands as you play, and you will know immediately when one does, don't buy it. It's like Harry Potter buying his first wand, it's the wand that chooses the wizard and every wizard, just like every wand, is different. One other thing is carefully checking the tuning right up the neck, a full barr chord should sing beautifully all the way up. This is one thing to check amplified, particularly edge of breakup as "that sound" depends on perfect tuning. Also that it stays in tune. If it doesn't that may be set up issues or it may be an actual problem with the guitar. Either way you don't want to waste your money and time on a guitar that doesn't tune right and stay that way through a session so you should say that to the shop staff, ask them to try to fix it and you'll come back and see if you're happy with it later.
Great advice going on here! As a lefty player in a shop I often will only have one or two options ( typically both are black and low end lol ) so for a long time I was not as selective as I could have been and did buy a few clunkers along the way ( looking at you Dean VX flying V) . Nowadays I won't buy if I cant touch it first ... sure, my hoarding has been diminished but when I do buy it's a keeper.
Great video guys all good points. Since I have been buying my own guitars for about 54 years, I learned not to grab and buy the new product that just came out. Did that once and was disappointed. I dont mail order, did that once got disappointed. When I see a guitar in the store than I'm interested in, I ask to try it out then as you do I strike a few notes and chords unplugged to see if there are any buzzing rattles etc. Then i give it a workout checking head to tail everything keys nut frets neck and pocket ele tronics hardware the comfortably then plug it in and check everything again. Then if everything is great I usually buy it. If not try out another one.
Good to know I am doing the right thing thanks for sharing guys. I have been buying used old Swedish Levin guitars and music stuff from Gear4music pretty much only since years already. Every 5 years or so I decide to watch an good advice video like this, and everytime I do I realise I did right.
Great advice. Only thing is Sam Ash in White plains NY, Manhattan and surrounding areas have closed. There is one guitar center 5 min away. And the only other store sells Knaggs and such at $9000 plus. Not much of a choice other than to buy online and hope for the best.
Its just down to 3 things... does it look good, does it feel good, and does it sound good. If you get 3 out of 3 then get it. But you need to determine if you need it or just want it- and if you already have 5 other guitars that are just like it you probably dont need it! I have a friend who gets guitars all the time and puts the same pickups in all of them
Paying the premium for guitars that have a shop’s overhead added to it almost makes zero sense unless money isn’t an issue for the buyer. A shiny fancy guitar shop equals big price mark ups.
About 20 years ago I bought a beautiful Ibanez, I think it mahogany had gold hardware and the screws in the pickups kept backing out, same with the tuners.. took it to a pawn shop and traded it for a couple.22 rifles. I still want an Ibanez Iceman though.
I go straight to the used section knowing that I get better deals and play better guitars there first! Just my thing but it works. But to their point; play play play then ask questions. Use your phone and check and see specific information about the guitar and if there’s one elsewhere that’s a better deal. 8 months ago I played a used 2003 archtop Godin 5th avenue, and loved it but I passed because the asking price was nonnegotiable. They had a 90 day policy. Six months later I get a great deal on a brand new one (2024) and ordered it… horrible guitar! The 2003 had everything in it that I wanted but the newer one had nothing. Just me but figured I’d share
Comfort and playability - yes very important. Now this will sound like heresy but I always wanted a Strat but never found one that just felt right in the comfort and playability sector. So I never have had one. But I did get a Silver Sky that just feels right and fits me well. Still looking for a perfect Strat but with less intensity. If I should happen upon one, well, we'll see...
I take my Yamaha THR amp with me when I go shopping. This rule #1. Then I know what it'll sound like when I get it home. Then I try out the guitar and if anything seems off to me that me or my dealer can't fix - I put it back. Don't ever buy a guitar based on body style or paint job alone. This is rule 2. Just because you think that blue Les Paul is your "Dream Guitar," doesn't mean it is if you've never had one. Spend more that 10 minutes with it, and look at everything at least 3 times from top to bottom. I've noticed something the the 2nd time or the 3rd more than once. I've put guitars back that I though were "The One," only to find they weren't. It lets all the air out of your balloon, but it saves you money in the long run. Maybe next week is "New guitar day" for you.....
#1 rule: Don't get so excited about a love-at-first-sight guitar that you overlook its shortcomings, or fail to fully evaluate the instrument because you're so in love with it and just want it badly. A lot like people relationships. Do you really want that exotic model that catches your eye to the extent you're willing to take it home and live with it? Back up and take a hard look first. Look at others first. Then, decide.
I once dated a young lady because she was beautiful and very curvey in all of the proper places. After a few weeks I realized that I hated her speaking voice (horrible tone). I moved on.
Honestly, im a Gibson fanboy. My favorite artist growing up all used Les Paul. Thought it was the ultimate. I didn't even want to open my closed up mind. After years of learning and playing at home, I am self-taught. I finally played a nice Fender. It's totally different, but I loved it. So now I try a proper P.R.S. core model. A 2006 artisan II, 4 of 16 from thourobred special ordered, I guess. I buy it used from a bubby in very good condition. Paul Reed Smith himself signed the back plate. Does anybody know if that adds value? It will most likely be passed down. The playability is incredible . Then I tried a Strandberg Boden. Which plays easier than all of them. Very cool guitar. So I have been so closed-minded playing a Gibson that I had no idea. I do love all the mentioned guitars. The core is most expensive by far. The Strandberg second, the Gibson, and then the Fender Strat. I love the sound of all of them, but there is only one I can play standing up. My back is toast. And using my hands all my old ass life, they are hurting. So I play the Strandberg while I stand. Because it weighs nothing and doesn't hurt my hands. And it sounds great. So my number one should be the Strandberg Boden. But I can not just sell the other ones. If you have a bad back and can't play standing for more than 10 minutes with an L.P. I would suggest just trying a Boden. With the fan frets. We are lucky to live in a time where there are great guitars everywhere.
Good advice - thanks! I’m going to make a trip and visit the fine folks at Casino Guitars in October. I’ll see if they have something I can’t live without.
My mistake is buying $270 guitar strings at GC. I go in there out of desperation for a pack of strings and find some awesome guitar for $250 and wind up going home with it😂
Bought a "Vintage" brand "V6 model" Strat type guitar of eBay. Loved the body, electrics, resonance / sound etc BUT hated the shape & feel of the neck ! Never played it, thought big mistake, then eventually bought a thicker, heavier strat neck from "NW Guitars" in UK and now I love playing it. ( also put brass saddles on to it ) So if you are prepared to Mod a guitar some what, then this may be a fine way of getting your "Ideal" guitar at a good price.
Re setup... I have bought/played a lot of guitars over MANY years and never found one that didn't need a setup to get it to play the way I wanted. IOW, needing it to be adjusted is a common thing, regardless of the brand because the setup is based on how YOU play; there's is nothing "correct" about a factory setup it is just what the factory does.
Last year I was in my local shop. The owner sets up all my guitars. He handed me a Yamaha Revstar. Blue with 2 racing stripes. Had he not handed it to me, I never would’ve played it. I had the rare moment of when a guitar chooses you. Walked out, then walked back in and bought it. Been playing for over 40 years and haven’t had too many moments like that.
One of the best guitars I have is a cheaper Yamaha. I bought a Taylor cause it was pretty (and played well) but I kept going back to that store for weeks and played that Yamaha cause is was just lovely. I sold some guitars, then went and got that one on a lark. I ended up selling the Taylor cause I played that Yamaha more. Still have it 7 years later and it wasn't even very expensive.
I remember going amp shopping like 8 years back, this store had a guitar with the same pickups as my main guitar so I grab it off the wall..... Yeah really should've asked for new strings and a neck adjustment for that :P
started a band in 1976 only ever bought 2 new guitars (and one was for my granddaughter) FAR FAR best to buy 2nd hand,,but you need a proper player to help you with that,,,gibson+fenders hold there value better
If a guitar doesn’t have natural resonance, it goes back on the hook. The best resonance electric guitar I have ever played was a CS Heavy Relic ‘No Castor’ Telecaster. I passed on it as it didn’t scream BUY ME. I ended up buying a Fender CS ‘63 Lake Placid Blue, heavy relic, LTD with Wide Range neck pickup and 50s hand wound bridge pickup. Roasted body and neck. It has the best feel and tone of any Telecaster I’ve ever played and is incredibly resonant. I didn’t vibe with the maple fretboard on the NoCaster.
Hey love your videos. They make me want to buy from you for the wrong reasons. But.....I don't care. I'm calling in today about ordering a TS-1 combo. Whether or not you charge TX state sales tax is a factor, but wont necessarily kill a sale. Thank you Casino Guitars and keep up the good work. Love you guys, bless you!
I went into Guitar Center and bought a 1970s Nagoya n-18 for 200.00$, and an Urban limited edition LP studio clone( that's better than the Gibson) for 250.00. In other words, I practically stole those guitars.
Good advice but most of this is irrelevant for a left handed guitarist as we generally have to order online to get exactly the guitar/colour we want or make do with 1 or 2 options in our local guitar shop. We cant try loads of the same model in a guitar shop to see which one suits us.
I smell and lick my guitars too. Lol. Also, with how good the overseas made guitars are getting now, I don’t understand why hardcore brand snobbery is still a thing
Is it reasonable to ask for some bench time to touch up frets when buying a used guitar? I pick up many instruments which are 30 minutes of work from being great. I realize there is only so much margin in the used guitars for the store owners, but many guitars I play could be worth buying if only worked on a bit.
I learned this lesson with Taylor. They look so beautiful most the time but then got a Martin and the sound was so Amazing compared to anything. Now I have 3 martins.
Well, in a younger day I did buy an electric guitar without plugging it in and technically have done that once since, except under different circumstances slightly and would have mattered less if the newer one had pickups that didn't work because then I would have just bought good pickups for it instead of waiting a year to buy basically the exact same guitar with slightly different pickups or something? And I guess I would advise against buying the used one if there's something wrong with it if the new one is not significantly more expensive. And I don't know exactly what makes some acoustic guitars cost SOOO Much. It can't JUST be the NAME BRAND on the headstock right? I guess I could see paying that much for certain acoustics but not really a Telecaster??? I guess if you want a Les Paul, there is not much substitution FOR a Les Paul?
Not all guitar stores have cozy little backrooms and privacy nooks or the right amplifiers and all that. I guess I like having a generous Return Policy rather than a gamble since I don't do my own tech work.
I think everyone has bought a guitar based on looks and that’s what our hero’s played only to find out. That yeah that’s not for ME! Awesome video see you guys at 10
I pretty much always buy my guitars without ever plugging them in. Open, resonant, plays good….likely keeper. Fail on the first two? Check the frets if its a used guitar. Worn frets can destroy tone. Take in your amp if you need to plug it in because thats what you got. Break in…..some get much better over the first few months/years as you play it, some you may never bond with. Guitars are happiest when played so cycle your collection.
What will make me leave a shop: When I am dealing with a sales person and we go through everything of trying it, etc. At that point, if the person I am dealing with tells me "I have to go ask..." then I am done and leave. Same if I take in a trade-in and the boss won't come out but wants the clerk to take it in back without you. Don't put kids at your sales counter who don't know what a proper setup is. Don't waste my time if you can't do the deal. If your boss does not feel worth his time to come out to deal directly with a customer on a USA Gibson, Martin or other high end product and you cant do the deal at the counter, you don't need my business enough.
Smell the guitar. Bought the guitar, brought it back home and it was giving off very strong cigarette odor, even though the guitar was practically brand new. Didn't smell it in the shop. It took a year for the guitar to air off that smell.
Funny enough.. In person I tend to buy the wrong guitar a lot. The ones online.. Seem better buys because Ive been way more deliberate. In a guitar store lots of times the sparkle gets me. Or deals on guitars that seem really good.. but the guitar doesn't jell. Stuff like that. Another lame ass thing I do. If Im not careful Ill try to buy the same guitar basically over and over and over.
Biggest mistake I ever made, when I was like 15 I traded a Peavey T-40 for an Ibanez Soungear because I wanted a 5 string. And bass players wonder why we get made fun of.
I have almost never plugged in an electric guitar before I bought it. Look at it, pick it up, feel it, hold it. I will know in moments. Humbucker sound like humbuckers.
Yep that's what I do, I have a drawer of pickups and like alternative wiring. Need a good guitar, electronics can be changed or modified as desired. Each of my guitars has a purpose, no two sound or feel the same. I mod to suit the guitar and playstyle I use with each one.
I have been playing 55 years. When buying a new guitar, bend a note on every fret of every string to search for dead frets. The note will cut out as you bend it on a dead fret. Stay away from guitars with dead frets.
That's why I don't like buying guitars online, though I have and will again. Sucks when your new 1500 guitar needs a level and crown due to manufacturing. Have had better initial experiences going into stores and finding a good one. Though I can level and crown, it's a bummer and with having to send back multiple guitars till you get a good one the shipping adds up. Though my favorite one now started that way, with work it's now a great guitar.
@tobiusmanning7336 Yes, you're right! Sometimes the limited stock in hand makes you go for a mail order. I have found Sweetwater music usually does a good job checking out the guitar before sending it.
The only place I’ve had issues with guitars needing a setup is used stuff from Guitar Center. But, the charge $75 to do a setup. I do those myself and have done many. But, that price takes advantage of beginners. If it was $40 it wouldn’t be a big deal
Be aware that the $5,000 amp in the shop will sound better than the $300 amp you have at home!
Just bought a Hofner Ignition Bass from Guitar Center. When I arrived I opened the box and was shocked to see that the bass came in a really nice case. I opened the case and found that they sent me a GORGEOUS Hofner 5000/1 Deluxe bass. So I paid $250 for what I thought was a used cheapo bass and received a work of art. I called Guitar center and they said that if I would keep the bass they would send me some strings. How can they stay in business.
Crooked buisness thats how...😂❤🎸
Well, you were honest and done your part. So the only thing to do is laugh and enjoy it. But if it's reported stolen to collect insurance, that could be a problem if you ever resale it.
Keep a record of the interactions just in case you run into trouble trying to sell it if you ever decide.
@@michaelmadron8654 Just keep the email paper trail. It would also implicate whoever made the claim against insurance as a FELONY INSURANCE FRAUD.
Amazing concept and bought back a wonderful memory. I took guitar class at Penn State University in 1980 with a 25th Anniversary Stratocaster - only electric in the class. I had to do recitals unplugged. Sounded great to me since I was the only one who could hear it. Oddly, I was the only one in the class impressed with my guitar. Imagine “Oh Suzanna” on an unplugged Strat.
I’d say all that’s great. I particularly agree with the importance of an electric guitar’s unplugged acoustic quality. But once you feel you like the way a guitar plays, there’s a lot of QC stuff you can do. Checking the frets and running your hand up and down the neck to detect any fret sprout or untidy edges is super important. Also, checking the neck/body pocket for how tidy that is, and finally looking and the whole finish of the guitar for any imperfections.
I recall a shop i used to go to all the time. Tried out a bass, and the sales guy asked what i thought. Told him it needed a setup. He got indignant and said "if you want to set up all the $700 basses, go right ahead". I told him to pay me. He walked away. They were not known for great customer service
#2, how it feels, playability - so key. I fantasized my second electric would be an SG, and it took me years to get enough room in the budget to buy one. I had pictures of a cherry red one, read articles about it, watched videos of people playing them, ... Key fact: I'd never held one in my hands! My friend told me he always thought of me as an SG player and I just ran with it. Finally I found a local store that had them and had the money, so I got wifely approval and went to the store to buy that guitar. First one didn't feel right. Huh, weird. Second didn't feel right. OK, went to Epiphone: Didn't feel right! So I sat there and tried to convince myself that I knew they had a different position, you're set up for playing those higher frets, and as soon as I got used to it, I'd be fine, so just get one ... BUT FOR ONCE IN MY MISERABLE LIFE I LISTENED TO REASON! lol "If it isn't feeling right now, are you going to pick this up and play it enough to get used to it?" I asked myself, and the answer was, Nope. So I played a bunch of other guitars and to my utter disbelief I liked the ES-335 semi-hollowbody style. The Gibson felt the best, but I had sticker shock, so I tried playing every other one I could get my hands on to see if I could find a cheaper solution. Thank heaven, I found a used Yamaha SA - never heard of it before, but it felt terrific to play and sounded good too, and for a fraction of the Gibson price. No, it wasn't cherry red and I don't get as many cool points, but I play that thing all the time, and it is always a delight.
I've known people who are too shy to test guitars properly in a shop because they don't think they're a good enough player, but for me the biggest problem is feeling somehow pressured to buy, as though it's a failure to leave empty-handed. That's when I'm most like to distrust my gut reaction to a guitar and convince myself it's right for me when it isn't.
yup, i don't plug in because i fear that i'm going to sound bad! i don't play that riff that i always play well enough )c:
just be honest and if you don't want to leave empty handed, buy a set of strings, a cable, strap, capo, etc
I bought my amp after only playing one chord. I have no stage fright, thats all I needed to hear
Play it on a strap standing up. Don't just sit on a stool. I love my SG, but it's a whole different feel standing up. And honestly it still bothers me a little.
Get a thick leather strap with suede on the back. That should help a bit.😉🖕✨
Buying a guitar is the most overlooked personal experiences there are. Most people put more thought into buying a pair of shoes than a guitar but both are very similar, does it fit, is it comfortable to play, will it go the distance and most importantly does it make you feel good.
I've been a performing musician for 43 years. I've been a miser longer than that.
I have NEVER bought any instrument that I didnt inspect every inch of, tune, play loudly and softly unplugged and plugged in, and try meticulously to find a defect or problem with before buying.
I refuse to waste money.
I never have, and I'm not about to start now.
I played my first 'good' electric I just got unplugged in the store because I didn't want anyone to hear me playing. They offered to plug it in to any amp, or to have me bring mine in so I could hear what it would sound like at home... but I just took the gamble. Bonus to being newer, you don't actually know what's right for you so it's harder to make a mistake. :)
There's also an opposite factor of the #2 mistake (Don't get too swayed by how awesome a guitar looks), which is 'don't get too put off by not liking how a guitar looks'. I went into a shop one time and saw what I thought was an ugly looking strat. I spent 30-40 minutes in the store playing various other guitars. Then I though before I left, I'd go ahead and play that ugly strat just for the heck of it. The guitar absolutely blew me away and I ended up buying it! That was 20 years ago, and I still own that guitar, still love it, and still play it.
If you want to be happy for the rest of your life...
my wife had the same experience when she met me
Lmao
My 1st high end guitar was going to be a LP Studio, It was my dream guitar at the time. I asked for one to test, I was more noob than now so I think it had a bad setup, not sure, but it just felt really wrong. I walked away with a Ibanez RG 1570 prestige that day, amazing guitar, it just blew my mind. I still have it to this day. I know now how to make a basic setup on guitars and good thing is that now days even inexpensive import guitars are really well made. Just a few adjustments and they are ready to rock.
Another thing is...If you have an amplifier at home play the guitar with the same or at least a similar amplifier. I you are buying both a guitar & amplifier play them together.
I have a tiny riff that I always play before I buy a guitar--i hold an E note for two bars. Perfect, sold! 0:43
I would like to add to the first point: pay attention to how the resonance feels. Does the body vibrate when you just pluck an open high E string? Feel the headstock too, does it vibrato when you pluck strings? How does the body feel against your body when you play it?
after 20 yrs of playing guitar, last time I went to check out (and indeed buy) a guitar, the seller had it all plugged in for me, even having a 2x12 set up in their living room. I only checked if the electronics worked, just played it acoustically. Felt the neck, felt the body against mine, heard the acoustic tone. Felt that the volume knob was in the right place for me, felt that it tuned well. I also saw that the set up wasn't great but: bridge too low and too much neck relief, nothing I don't know how to improve. It was by far the easiest guitar for me to buy. It was also the most expensive.
Oh and: it already had a LOT of scratch marks. That told me the guitar had been loved before. Must be a good one then. It is, I haven't played anything else since
I recently bought a guitar because it was beautiful and had been in a case for 2 years after another guy bought it. For 7-10 days I didn't like it. It finally woke up and now has amazing tone.
Im going to make the trip to Casino Guitars one of these days.
This is the video I will watch again after 10yrs. when I about buy another guitar.
I learned my lesson and I realized that I should bring my guitar strap (and a tuner) when shopping because that's how I play at home.
Playing an electric guitar acoustically is definitely my #1 rule. People deny it, but some guitars just have a "life" to them and many of them are "dead."
Was helping a friend buy a Strat for his son. I played a bunch of supposedly identical guitars. I finally tried one that sounded completely different than all the rest. He later told me that he could see how my face changed when I played it. I handed it to him and told him not to let that specific guitar out of his hands until he had bought it and was out of the store.
Life? Dead? Meaningless statements. Tonewood is a myth. Just change the pickups and put a boost pedal in front of the amp and those so-called “dead “ guitars will come to life.
@shanewalton8888 Just because you can't hear it doesn't mean it's not true. If you want to load up your signal path with a bunch of crap, that's your business but not everyone is tone deaf.
@@shanewalton8888there are just some guitars where you can feel the resonance, the body just really moves and it just responds exactly how you want it to. I play classical guitar and this is an extremely important feeling to me because at the end of the day I won’t see the guitar I’m playing cuz I’m looking up. I need it to be comfortable, responsive, light weight, etc. If you play any instrument you can tell when it’s just an amazing instrument. Try a few guitars there’s bound to be one that speaks with you. The problem is that people lust over what the great play instead of finding what they need to get for themselves….
@@kamarienedwards1757 classical guitars are not electric guitars. If an electric guitar resonates, it is a sign of a bad guitar, not a good one. Personally feeling a guitar resonating against your body is meaningless to the listener.
@@shanewalton8888 semi-hollow guitars and hollow body electric guitars wouldn’t be a thing by your logic…. If guitars didn’t resonate the strings wouldn’t vibrate so what are you yapping about? The guitar is just as important to the player as to the listener. How your guitar is set up helps you as a player. All of these small things add up I could give you two of the exact same model guitars and you would immediately find a preference. If you can’t you may just need a little bit more experience
Also tune the guitar or bass to pitch. I've found some stores tune them a half step or more down so it plays nice but tuning to pitch it can play more difficult.
I agree. Strum the guitar amp free. If there is no resonance, put it down. If it’s not comfortable, put it down. I also bring my own tuner and Mustang Micro amp to plug in. That amp is my base sound through my headphones.
"If it’s not comfortable, put it down." Don't totally agree because almost any guitar, regardless of quality, can play comfortably if the setup is adjusted for the way YOU play. That, of course, applies to the strings/nut/saddle/truss rod adjustment. IF the NECK SHAPE is uncomfortable, I agree. Put it down!!!
I wanted a new acoustic so I went round town trying every acoustic in every shop. I had just about given up when some guy played a chord on a guitar and it sounded great but it was a nylon string and I'm not crazy about them. However it had pickups. I tried it out and have never regretted buying it - a La Patrie Concert.
Baxter going full mullet. I was looking at a PRS locally and asked them to lower the action to test it out since they ship a bit high. They did it and I became the proud owner of a McCarty.
I think small, private rooms to test is a great idea. Wish more places would do that.
In a private room you aren't going to get the reverberation and harmonics from all the other guitars hanging on the walls, either.
The feel is the most important!With the variety of amps, pedals, replacements pick up around now you’ll always get the guitar sounding pretty much how you want. But if you don’t click with how the guitar feels in your hands you’ll end up not playing it or just selling it for a loss.
All good advice and although I believe it's implied it wasn't mentioned... If yiu find a guitar that "fits the mitt" make sure you take home THAT guitar.. Don't let the sales associate get you a "new one" from the back.. I made that mistake buying my first Strat in 76' and it was the worst guitar I had ever owned..
Bought a Taylor 714ce with electronics that don't really flatter it. It's got this low-mid "wah" that hits my ear wrong. Wish I'd plugged it in at the store. I can mostly compensate for it with my L.R. Bags DI.
Recently returned the last 2 guitars I bought at Guitar Center. Loved 'em both in the store, but when I got home I realized that one wouldn't stay in tune (was hoping in the store that the strings just needed to be worn in), and the other (a newer model) hurt my wrist (this took a month to realize).
I figured all of this out trial and error style back in the day. Lots of returns lol
I would add that you should play sitting down and standing up because your playing position and perception of getting around the neck will be different. You will also get a better idea of the weight and whether it will work for playing live, and of course how the strap buttons work…or maybe don’t work.
Loved the advice about unplugged.
Baxter says he smells the guitar... I wasn't looking for any more guitars, but this Yamaha acoustic came across my radar that I could flip real quick...I think the person who owned it must not have played it but used it for their essential oils instead. Never have I been surprised by a smell when opening a guitar case.
As someone who buys alot of SG’s always play them standing up. I got an LtD viper once and had to return it after 15 minutes because i didnt try it with a strap in the store.
Neckdive is a deal breaker and a neck breaker
I also never bother playing electrics in the store. I’m gonna do my own setup, and replace the electronics myself. I am only checking that the guitar has good weight and balance
Totally agree with all that is said here, especially playing a guitars unamplified. Every guitar is different, even the same models. Some just sing to you and you know it when you hear it and feel it. Price sometimes has something to do with it but not always. I would say there are really two basic rules. One is never buy a guitar on line. Two is if you are not 100% sure a guitar feels right and sounds right in your hands as you play, and you will know immediately when one does, don't buy it. It's like Harry Potter buying his first wand, it's the wand that chooses the wizard and every wizard, just like every wand, is different.
One other thing is carefully checking the tuning right up the neck, a full barr chord should sing beautifully all the way up. This is one thing to check amplified, particularly edge of breakup as "that sound" depends on perfect tuning. Also that it stays in tune. If it doesn't that may be set up issues or it may be an actual problem with the guitar. Either way you don't want to waste your money and time on a guitar that doesn't tune right and stay that way through a session so you should say that to the shop staff, ask them to try to fix it and you'll come back and see if you're happy with it later.
Great advice going on here! As a lefty player in a shop I often will only have one or two options ( typically both are black and low end lol ) so for a long time I was not as selective as I could have been and did buy a few clunkers along the way ( looking at you Dean VX flying V) . Nowadays I won't buy if I cant touch it first ... sure, my hoarding has been diminished but when I do buy it's a keeper.
I tend to ask to plug into more than one amp to make sure it’s the guitar and not primarily the amp I’m falling in love with
Np. 6 If anything seems wrong and the seller basically says it will even out. Don't buy. And don't let them pressure you in any way.
Great video guys all good points. Since I have been buying my own guitars for about 54 years, I learned not to grab and buy the new product that just came out. Did that once and was disappointed. I dont mail order, did that once got disappointed. When I see a guitar in the store than I'm interested in, I ask to try it out then as you do I strike a few notes and chords unplugged to see if there are any buzzing rattles etc. Then i give it a workout checking head to tail everything keys nut frets neck and pocket ele tronics hardware the comfortably then plug it in and check everything again. Then if everything is great I usually buy it. If not try out another one.
Good to know I am doing the right thing thanks for sharing guys. I have been buying used old Swedish Levin guitars and music stuff from Gear4music pretty much only since years already. Every 5 years or so I decide to watch an good advice video like this, and everytime I do I realise I did right.
Great advice. Only thing is Sam Ash in White plains NY, Manhattan and surrounding areas have closed. There is one guitar center 5 min away. And the only other store sells Knaggs and such at $9000 plus. Not much of a choice other than to buy online and hope for the best.
Its just down to 3 things... does it look good, does it feel good, and does it sound good. If you get 3 out of 3 then get it. But you need to determine if you need it or just want it- and if you already have 5 other guitars that are just like it you probably dont need it! I have a friend who gets guitars all the time and puts the same pickups in all of them
Paying the premium for guitars that have a shop’s overhead added to it almost makes zero sense unless money isn’t an issue for the buyer. A shiny fancy guitar shop equals big price mark ups.
About 20 years ago I bought a beautiful Ibanez, I think it mahogany had gold hardware and the screws in the pickups kept backing out, same with the tuners.. took it to a pawn shop and traded it for a couple.22 rifles. I still want an Ibanez Iceman though.
I go straight to the used section knowing that I get better deals and play better guitars there first! Just my thing but it works. But to their point; play play play then ask questions. Use your phone and check and see specific information about the guitar and if there’s one elsewhere that’s a better deal. 8 months ago I played a used 2003 archtop Godin 5th avenue, and loved it but I passed because the asking price was nonnegotiable. They had a 90 day policy. Six months later I get a great deal on a brand new one (2024) and ordered it… horrible guitar! The 2003 had everything in it that I wanted but the newer one had nothing. Just me but figured I’d share
Comfort and playability - yes very important. Now this will sound like heresy but I always wanted a Strat but never found one that just felt right in the comfort and playability sector. So I never have had one. But I did get a Silver Sky that just feels right and fits me well. Still looking for a perfect Strat but with less intensity. If I should happen upon one, well, we'll see...
Advice at the end was the best.... "have fun"... if you're not having fun, then you haven't found what ya need yet.
I take my Yamaha THR amp with me when I go shopping. This rule #1. Then I know what it'll sound like when I get it home. Then I try out the guitar and if anything seems off to me that me or my dealer can't fix - I put it back. Don't ever buy a guitar based on body style or paint job alone. This is rule 2. Just because you think that blue Les Paul is your "Dream Guitar," doesn't mean it is if you've never had one. Spend more that 10 minutes with it, and look at everything at least 3 times from top to bottom. I've noticed something the the 2nd time or the 3rd more than once. I've put guitars back that I though were "The One," only to find they weren't. It lets all the air out of your balloon, but it saves you money in the long run. Maybe next week is "New guitar day" for you.....
#1 rule: Don't get so excited about a love-at-first-sight guitar that you overlook its shortcomings, or fail to fully evaluate the instrument because you're so in love with it and just want it badly. A lot like people relationships. Do you really want that exotic model that catches your eye to the extent you're willing to take it home and live with it? Back up and take a hard look first. Look at others first. Then, decide.
I once dated a young lady because she was beautiful and very curvey in all of the proper places. After a few weeks I realized that I hated her speaking voice (horrible tone). I moved on.
Honestly, im a Gibson fanboy. My favorite artist growing up all used Les Paul. Thought it was the ultimate. I didn't even want to open my closed up mind. After years of learning and playing at home, I am self-taught. I finally played a nice Fender. It's totally different, but I loved it. So now I try a proper P.R.S. core model. A 2006 artisan II, 4 of 16 from thourobred special ordered, I guess. I buy it used from a bubby in very good condition. Paul Reed Smith himself signed the back plate. Does anybody know if that adds value? It will most likely be passed down. The playability is incredible . Then I tried a Strandberg Boden. Which plays easier than all of them. Very cool guitar. So I have been so closed-minded playing a Gibson that I had no idea. I do love all the mentioned guitars. The core is most expensive by far. The Strandberg second, the Gibson, and then the Fender Strat. I love the sound of all of them, but there is only one I can play standing up. My back is toast. And using my hands all my old ass life, they are hurting. So I play the Strandberg while I stand. Because it weighs nothing and doesn't hurt my hands. And it sounds great.
So my number one should be the Strandberg Boden. But I can not just sell the other ones. If you have a bad back and can't play standing for more than 10 minutes with an L.P. I would suggest just trying a Boden. With the fan frets.
We are lucky to live in a time where there are great guitars everywhere.
Good advice - thanks! I’m going to make a trip and visit the fine folks at Casino Guitars in October. I’ll see if they have something I can’t live without.
My mistake is buying $270 guitar strings at GC. I go in there out of desperation for a pack of strings and find some awesome guitar for $250 and wind up going home with it😂
I had the same thing happen to me, only it cost me a lot more $1800😂
You guys make my day so much better!
Bought a "Vintage" brand "V6 model" Strat type guitar of eBay. Loved the body, electrics, resonance / sound etc
BUT hated the shape & feel of the neck ! Never played it, thought big mistake, then eventually bought a thicker, heavier strat neck from "NW Guitars" in UK and now I love playing it. ( also put brass saddles on to it )
So if you are prepared to Mod a guitar some what, then this may be a fine way of getting your "Ideal" guitar at a good price.
You mean Baxter Sniffed my Warrior before he gave me the Thumbs Up? What a Guy
Yup! And in his mind he was singing, "Shootin' down the walls of heartache...BANG...BANG..."😎💥💥
Re setup... I have bought/played a lot of guitars over MANY years and never found one that didn't need a setup to get it to play the way I wanted. IOW, needing it to be adjusted is a common thing, regardless of the brand because the setup is based on how YOU play; there's is nothing "correct" about a factory setup it is just what the factory does.
Last year I was in my local shop. The owner sets up all my guitars. He handed me a Yamaha Revstar. Blue with 2 racing stripes. Had he not handed it to me, I never would’ve played it. I had the rare moment of when a guitar chooses you. Walked out, then walked back in and bought it. Been playing for over 40 years and haven’t had too many moments like that.
One of the best guitars I have is a cheaper Yamaha. I bought a Taylor cause it was pretty (and played well) but I kept going back to that store for weeks and played that Yamaha cause is was just lovely. I sold some guitars, then went and got that one on a lark. I ended up selling the Taylor cause I played that Yamaha more. Still have it 7 years later and it wasn't even very expensive.
I remember going amp shopping like 8 years back, this store had a guitar with the same pickups as my main guitar so I grab it off the wall..... Yeah really should've asked for new strings and a neck adjustment for that :P
started a band in 1976 only ever bought 2 new guitars (and one was for my granddaughter) FAR FAR best to buy 2nd hand,,but you need a proper player to help you with that,,,gibson+fenders hold there value better
If a guitar doesn’t have natural resonance, it goes back on the hook. The best resonance electric guitar I have ever played was a CS Heavy Relic ‘No Castor’ Telecaster. I passed on it as it didn’t scream BUY ME. I ended up buying a Fender CS ‘63 Lake Placid Blue, heavy relic, LTD with Wide Range neck pickup and 50s hand wound bridge pickup. Roasted body and neck. It has the best feel and tone of any Telecaster I’ve ever played and is incredibly resonant.
I didn’t vibe with the maple fretboard on the NoCaster.
Hey love your videos. They make me want to buy from you for the wrong reasons. But.....I don't care. I'm calling in today about ordering a TS-1 combo. Whether or not you charge TX state sales tax is a factor, but wont necessarily kill a sale. Thank you Casino Guitars and keep up the good work. Love you guys, bless you!
I went into Guitar Center and bought a 1970s Nagoya n-18 for 200.00$, and an Urban limited edition LP studio clone( that's better than the Gibson) for 250.00. In other words, I practically stole those guitars.
Good advice but most of this is irrelevant for a left handed guitarist as we generally have to order online to get exactly the guitar/colour we want or make do with 1 or 2 options in our local guitar shop. We cant try loads of the same model in a guitar shop to see which one suits us.
I smell and lick my guitars too. Lol. Also, with how good the overseas made guitars are getting now, I don’t understand why hardcore brand snobbery is still a thing
Seriously though, how many guitars does Sean have that are just laying arounf left untouched after couple of weeks from buying ?
I wish I played more guitars before buying. All I knew is I needed to have an SG.
I play my electric guitars unplugged every day, so how they ring and resonate unplugged is very important to me
what do you think about the Fender Tex-Mex tele?
when enthusiasm overrides judgement...
Apparently the Jag-Stang I ordered and purchased through Casino passed your “taste” test before you shipped it to me Baxter!
Is it reasonable to ask for some bench time to touch up frets when buying a used guitar? I pick up many instruments which are 30 minutes of work from being great. I realize there is only so much margin in the used guitars for the store owners, but many guitars I play could be worth buying if only worked on a bit.
7:44 love my Jackson’s lol😂
Luv Sean! He is so Funny! 😜😂💙💙
I think is novel that Baxter is using a laptop and Sean is using the "Old School" notebook.
Great points
OK - now I'm set - probably not but these a few great suggestions.
I learned this lesson with Taylor. They look so beautiful most the time but then got a Martin and the sound was so
Amazing compared to anything. Now I have 3 martins.
Im old school. Used gibsons, a pro luthier setup, and a fender tube amp. New PRS or Taylors not my taste.
Well, in a younger day I did buy an electric guitar without plugging it in and technically have done that once since, except under different circumstances slightly and would have mattered less if the newer one had pickups that didn't work because then I would have just bought good pickups for it instead of waiting a year to buy basically the exact same guitar with slightly different pickups or something?
And I guess I would advise against buying the used one if there's something wrong with it if the new one is not significantly more expensive.
And I don't know exactly what makes some acoustic guitars cost SOOO Much. It can't JUST be the NAME BRAND on the headstock right? I guess I could see paying that much for certain acoustics but not really a Telecaster???
I guess if you want a Les Paul, there is not much substitution FOR a Les Paul?
Not all guitar stores have cozy little backrooms and privacy nooks or the right amplifiers and all that. I guess I like having a generous Return Policy rather than a gamble since I don't do my own tech work.
I think everyone has bought a guitar based on looks and that’s what our hero’s played only to find out. That yeah that’s not for ME! Awesome video see you guys at 10
Sean is dating a Jackson? Janet, Latoya or Paris?
I pretty much always buy my guitars without ever plugging them in. Open, resonant, plays good….likely keeper. Fail on the first two? Check the frets if its a used guitar. Worn frets can destroy tone. Take in your amp if you need to plug it in because thats what you got. Break in…..some get much better over the first few months/years as you play it, some you may never bond with. Guitars are happiest when played so cycle your collection.
What will make me leave a shop:
When I am dealing with a sales person and we go through everything of trying it, etc.
At that point, if the person I am dealing with tells me "I have to go ask..." then I am done and leave.
Same if I take in a trade-in and the boss won't come out but wants the clerk to take it in back without you.
Don't put kids at your sales counter who don't know what a proper setup is.
Don't waste my time if you can't do the deal.
If your boss does not feel worth his time to come out to deal directly with a customer on a USA Gibson, Martin or other high end product and you cant do the deal at the counter, you don't need my business enough.
Great advice 👍
Smell the guitar. Bought the guitar, brought it back home and it was giving off very strong cigarette odor, even though the guitar was practically brand new. Didn't smell it in the shop.
It took a year for the guitar to air off that smell.
Funny enough.. In person I tend to buy the wrong guitar a lot. The ones online.. Seem better buys because Ive been way more deliberate. In a guitar store lots of times the sparkle gets me. Or deals on guitars that seem really good.. but the guitar doesn't jell. Stuff like that.
Another lame ass thing I do. If Im not careful Ill try to buy the same guitar basically over and over and over.
Biggest mistake I ever made, when I was like 15 I traded a Peavey T-40 for an Ibanez Soungear because I wanted a 5 string. And bass players wonder why we get made fun of.
I have almost never plugged in an electric guitar before I bought it. Look at it, pick it up, feel it, hold it. I will know in moments. Humbucker sound like humbuckers.
Yep that's what I do, I have a drawer of pickups and like alternative wiring. Need a good guitar, electronics can be changed or modified as desired.
Each of my guitars has a purpose, no two sound or feel the same. I mod to suit the guitar and playstyle I use with each one.
@@tobiusmanning7336 Amen
Looks is one thing but feel and ergo is another, then there is pink guitars...
Tell ya what, if you get me a plane ticket, I’ll gladly come out there and buy a guitar, probably.
Checks in the mail!
@@CasinoGuitars I’ll be waiting.
If comfort of playability is a factor, Gibson Flying V's would never sell. Just not a guitar that sits on your lap.
Dude on the right puts up 10 fingers in the intro
Run an acoustic through petals and amp or don't buy !
I have been playing 55 years. When buying a new guitar, bend a note on every fret of every string to search for dead frets. The note will cut out as you bend it on a dead fret. Stay away from guitars with dead frets.
That's why I don't like buying guitars online, though I have and will again.
Sucks when your new 1500 guitar needs a level and crown due to manufacturing. Have had better initial experiences going into stores and finding a good one.
Though I can level and crown, it's a bummer and with having to send back multiple guitars till you get a good one the shipping adds up.
Though my favorite one now started that way, with work it's now a great guitar.
@tobiusmanning7336 Yes, you're right! Sometimes the limited stock in hand makes you go for a mail order. I have found Sweetwater music usually does a good job checking out the guitar before sending it.
Looks…Tone….Playability…Price…my criteria for guitar purchasing.
Avoid the mistakes by not buying another guitar.
The only place I’ve had issues with guitars needing a setup is used stuff from Guitar Center. But, the charge $75 to do a setup. I do those myself and have done many. But, that price takes advantage of beginners. If it was $40 it wouldn’t be a big deal
The guitar centers near me almost all the guitars have fret sprout.
Cheetah reference in a guitar video… Baxter is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get! 🐆
More good advice