Fear and Inadequacy in the Guitar Shop...

[AndyR]

^  Big plus to that Bob.

Nowadays I'm checking the guitar out - do the tuners work, any blemishes that will p1ss me off in a day or so when I notice them, definitely I try every single string every single fret (that never sounds musical ) for buzzing or whatever...

Obviously I play it a bit as well - and I tend to play for longer if I'm falling in love with it (that's probably how they know I'm about to buy ) - but my mind is in "checking out the geetar" mode, not playing mode.

[Tony W]

Interesting thread, and great timing.

4 months ago, I decided that if I were to get serious about playing, I'd need a suitable acoustic. The one I had was crap, thought I didn't know how bad it was at the time.

I picked 4 guitars that I was interested in, and played them all. I was awful, and knew it. I couldn't tell if a guitar sounded good or bad, so I grabbed on of the virtuosos in the shop, and asked him to play everything I picked out. I purchased my Ibanez based on how he played.

Today.... I happened to be in the neighborhood of a Guitar Center. I was looking for books - not guitars... An employee asked me if I were looking for anything in particular, I asked "do you have any Fender 60's Classics around" They had one. I looked 15 feet up the wall, and there it hung in all its glory. The thing was priced $300 (US) cheaper than I had seen online. My decision was made. I didn't buy a book.

Normally I wouldn't do this, but I asked for a cable, plugged into an amp, and let my 48 All Star training take over. Sure I missed a few notes, but fortunately I didn't hit any bum notes. My confidence started to grow when a few people stopped an listened. This was completely out of character for me. Normally I would have shirked into the background.

It was truly an enjoyable experience. I'm sure the other patrons probably thought I sucked, but they stopped and listened in lieu of running away.

I blame 48 for this impulse purchase by the way.

[Flash Harry]

I find it always helps to have someone else to blame when you've just bought another guitar. The number of times I've been held up at gunpoint and forced to buy a 12 stringer or a nice spruce topped acoustic isn't funny. The police can never find the mugger. 

[I.am]

 This is a really good thread! I avoid trying out stuff too, but I'm kind of heartened to hear that so many others feel the same way. Why do we feel like that? Maybe - for me anyway - its an ego thing where I don't want to look stupid, but isn't that really stupid in and of itself? Perhaps the ego needs to be put aside. Buts its only with music stuff. I mean, if I'm trying out a new toaster, I'm hardly gonna get all gunshy about thrashing the overheat function - I don't actually try out toasters lol, but, you know what I mean?

[The Reverend 48]

I blame 48 for this impulse purchase by the way.

Your more than Welcome...I take full responsibility for your excellent purchase

[Tony W]

I blame 48 for this impulse purchase by the way.

Your more than Welcome...I take full responsibility for your excellent purchase

Are we Bill and Ted now?

[OsCKilO]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIEr5aNWNgs

I wouldn't even try and play anything if these two were in there before me.....

[OsCKilO]

The police can never find the mugger. 

They look for the "mug" first..........


Usually it's me......

[guitarron]

I find it always helps to have someone else to blame when you've just bought another guitar. The number of times I've been held up at gunpoint and forced to buy a 12 stringer or a nice spruce topped acoustic isn't funny. The police can never find the mugger. 

that guy has been spotted in the metro Detroit area-i've fallen victim
never seem to get a good look at him

[Saijinn Maas]

I find it always helps to have someone else to blame when you've just bought another guitar. The number of times I've been held up at gunpoint and forced to buy a 12 stringer or a nice spruce topped acoustic isn't funny. The police can never find the mugger. 

that guy has been spotted in the metro Detroit area-i've fallen victim
never seem to get a good look at him

That's funny... Because my wife has no problem scaring him away!