Craig Scott
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2019
- Messages
- 10
This story is a few years old now but in my opinion one worth telling.
Back in 2012, I had a Yamaha acoustic guitar, I can't remember the model (are they APX or something?). It wasn't the greatest but it did what I needed at the time. I walked into the local guitar shop simply to buy some new strings for the Yam. But as ever, the draw of all the lovely new acoustics that were hanging up on the wall was beckoning me over.
I pulled up a stool and started to noodle about with one. At this point the salesman came over and asked what I was looking for. "Some new strings" I said, at which point he smiled and gave me a reassuring nod of the head. That sort of nod that any guitarist would give you when he/she knew fine well that GAS is always lurking close to the surface and that it would be rude not to try out some new guitars - not that I'll be buying one, honest.
Anyway, he brought over 3 guitar stands and told me, if possible, do not look at the names on the headstocks and work my way through the guitars until I had 3 left, then play those 3 until there was one left that "spoke" to me.
The wall was adorned with Taylors, Gibsons, Martins, Fenders, Seagulls, Takamines and an assortment of others that I had never heard of before. I had been in many times before so I knew what makes they had on display, but I did not know where each one was hanging on the wall. So I spent the next couple of hours picking up guitars and systematically working my way through them with the 3 guitar stands repeatedly exchanging models.
Eventually, I had 3 guitars left that seemed to be the ones that worked for me - still unaware of their make. After another lengthy session alternating between the 3 guitars I had one left. The guitar that felt right, was the easiest to play, had the best feeling neck and action and above anything sounded fantastic.
That guitar was a Freshman FA400D. Needless to say, I walked out of the shop there and then with that guitar and still have it now. Every time I pick it up she blows me away with the tone.
My point to this story is, I thought that was a great way to choose a guitar. I, along with many others can become a little obsessed with the name on the headstock. If I had been choosing a guitar I would have probably skipped straight past the Freshman to the big name guitars simply because I had never heard of a Freshman. Even after listening to the Freshman I bet I would still subconsciously think that the Taylors and Martins sounded better just because...well they are Taylors and Martins, so surely they have to be the best, don't they?
So if you are in the market for a new guitar and lets face it, who isn't, try using the above methods. Granted it would be a little harder with electric guitars because the Tele, Strat, PRS, LP etc each have their unique individual looks but you get my point.
You may just be surprised by the outcome.
Back in 2012, I had a Yamaha acoustic guitar, I can't remember the model (are they APX or something?). It wasn't the greatest but it did what I needed at the time. I walked into the local guitar shop simply to buy some new strings for the Yam. But as ever, the draw of all the lovely new acoustics that were hanging up on the wall was beckoning me over.
I pulled up a stool and started to noodle about with one. At this point the salesman came over and asked what I was looking for. "Some new strings" I said, at which point he smiled and gave me a reassuring nod of the head. That sort of nod that any guitarist would give you when he/she knew fine well that GAS is always lurking close to the surface and that it would be rude not to try out some new guitars - not that I'll be buying one, honest.
Anyway, he brought over 3 guitar stands and told me, if possible, do not look at the names on the headstocks and work my way through the guitars until I had 3 left, then play those 3 until there was one left that "spoke" to me.
The wall was adorned with Taylors, Gibsons, Martins, Fenders, Seagulls, Takamines and an assortment of others that I had never heard of before. I had been in many times before so I knew what makes they had on display, but I did not know where each one was hanging on the wall. So I spent the next couple of hours picking up guitars and systematically working my way through them with the 3 guitar stands repeatedly exchanging models.
Eventually, I had 3 guitars left that seemed to be the ones that worked for me - still unaware of their make. After another lengthy session alternating between the 3 guitars I had one left. The guitar that felt right, was the easiest to play, had the best feeling neck and action and above anything sounded fantastic.
That guitar was a Freshman FA400D. Needless to say, I walked out of the shop there and then with that guitar and still have it now. Every time I pick it up she blows me away with the tone.
My point to this story is, I thought that was a great way to choose a guitar. I, along with many others can become a little obsessed with the name on the headstock. If I had been choosing a guitar I would have probably skipped straight past the Freshman to the big name guitars simply because I had never heard of a Freshman. Even after listening to the Freshman I bet I would still subconsciously think that the Taylors and Martins sounded better just because...well they are Taylors and Martins, so surely they have to be the best, don't they?
So if you are in the market for a new guitar and lets face it, who isn't, try using the above methods. Granted it would be a little harder with electric guitars because the Tele, Strat, PRS, LP etc each have their unique individual looks but you get my point.
You may just be surprised by the outcome.
