6 Tips to Help You Purchase a Guitar

1. COMMITMENT
     Before you start learning guitar, be sure you understand the level of commitment
that you are prepared to invest into the instrument. Playing guitar takes time and work, you will not be a virtuoso overnight. Guitars can be expensive and the level of dedication you plan to invest in the instrument should play a vital role in choosing your guitar.

2. MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON THE PURPOSE OF THE INSTRUMENT
     If you are a beginner and just learning to play the instrument, your purpose will
be quite different from an intermediate or advanced guitarist who is adding to their collection.
Determine your particular situation and purpose for the guitar you will purchase.

3. BUDGET/PATIENCE
     Many aspiring guitarists have wandered into the local music store only to be overwhelmed by
the vast choices and different price ranges of guitars. As with any purchase, pre-planning and
understanding your budget is critical. Prices for electric guitars range from a few hundred dollars
to tens of thousands of dollars. If you are serious about playing the guitar, selecting your instrument
will be one of the most important decisions you make. Be sure to take ample time during this stage
of the process. Alas, patience is more than a virtue when selecting your guitar.


4. BE OPEN-MINDED

     Almost indubitably, you will find players who are over-opinionated about different guitar manufacturers.

Whether it be positive or negative, that opinion may be unjustified and/or inaccurate.  "(Insert brand here) is the best/worst. guitar. EVER!!!!" Be wary of statements like this. Due to the inconsistency of components, instruments should be judged on an individual basis. Many manufacturers build both high and low quality instruments. Avoid buying beginner instruments online, as you cannot inspect these instruments for flaws.

5. GET PRO HELP
     It is a good idea to take the time to visit a music store in your area. Retail guitar shops will be more than happy to help you understand what to look for when buying an electric guitar. Get several opinions if you are new to guitars. Most guitar outlets will have seasoned players on staff who will be happy to impart their experience and wisdom. Ask questions. Find out what you need to consider when selecting an electric guitar. Getting several opinions in this area will shed light on the overall picture and will be very beneficial information when it comes time to buy.

6. PLAN FOR ACCESSORIES
     Once you have made the right guitar purchase, be sure to have additional items on hand that will be
vital to the process of learning. You will need an extra set of guitar strings, some extra picks, a tuner/metronome, and a stand for your guitar. It is also very important to purchase some beginner books that include chord charts, guitar tab and chord progression exercises

Cymbal Care via DrumJunction.com

Tough But Delicate: Cymbal Care-
How to Keep Them Looking New!

Proper cymbal care is often overlooked...which is interesting since a good bit of care goes into protecting drums. And rightly so, drum shells and heads are easily dented and scratched.

...but what about the cymbals?

The answer probably lies in the nature of the instrument. METAL THAT IS HIT WITH A STICK. They're made to take the abuse right? Yes and No. A lot of effort goes into creating the look and sound produced by each cymbal. Casual neglect or harsh treatment can degrade these features before you realize it.

So what do you do about it? There are several but simple steps you can take. The first is...

Cleaning

Enemy #1 is finger prints. It's a given that setup/teardown activities and playing techniques will bring hands into contact with your cymbals. Although our hands "look" clean, they contain oils that can cause damage if not cleaned off properly or quickly enough.

The best cymbal care for finger prints is a cleaner specially designed for your cymbals. Instructions provided by the cymbal company (and possibly the place you bought them) will specify which one is safe.

There are several types of cymbal cleaners on the market, and each use a slightly different approach. For example, one type should be rubbed on and allowed to dry completely before wiping off. Another type is sprayed on and then wiped off immediately.

Choosing a Cleaner

Do you have "sheet bronze (stamped)" or "bell bronze (cast)" cymbals? This matters because bell bronze cymbals have the metal buffed to shine while sheet bronze models usually get their finish from a lacquer coating.

Cleaners for most bell bronze cymbals use mild cutting agents. These quickly remove oils and dirt build-up. Just be careful not let this type stand in a concentrated form. It should be spread quickly.

Here are a few tips on applying cleaners to bell bronze cymbals:

• For pastes-use two cloths. One for applying and one for removing. Be sure to use the clean portion of the cloths as you go.

• Go with the grooves. you should rub in the direction of the grooves to ensure all the metal is covered and to prevent buildup.

• Work in small sections. Due to the cutting nature of the cleaners, spots can form if it isn't spread evenly as soon as it is applied.

Keep This in Mind

Don't let the type of cymbal you have (cast/stamped) determine the amount of care you give. Both require good hygiene!

Many cleaners have chemicals that are harse and can irritate your eyes, lungs, and skin. So please wear protection when handling them.

Protect the area you work in with an old towel, painters drop cloth, or similar covering. The residue of material removed from cymbals can make a mess.

Transport

For some drummers, cymbals will stay on the stands most all the time. But for the rest of us, they are transported to other locations for practice or performances.

When setting a cymbal down, don't rest it on its edges unless it is in a cymbal bag that has dividers in it. The dividers should be a non-abbrasive material and cover as much of the metal surface as possible.

Some cymbal packs come with a bag as a "bonus". Be sure it is of good quality with padding and dividers. A good quality bag costs only about $50. Compare that to replacing one cast cymbal? OR an entire set.

If you're serious about protecting your investment of professional quality cymbals (that could be worth $1,000+), one of best case you can get is rigid in design.

When it comes to handling your cymbals, if you're not the one who will be setting up or tearing down your kit, be sure you train the person who does- yeah, like we all have roadies ;-)

Face it, no one is going to care about your instrument as much as you. Ultimately YOU are responsible for their care. Instructing your helpers about finger print issues, edges awareness, and cloth placement between cymbals will do wonders for maintaining those gems!

Godin Redline 1

   The Godin Redline 1 is a sleek, fast, aggressive guitar geared towards hard rock/metal players.  Godin focused on simplicity with this particular model. It features a single EMG 81 and a single volume knob.

    EMG pickups have become synonymous with metal and hardcore, and the 81 model in the bridge of the Redline assists in the reasoning. When tuned to standard tuning, the EMG 81 provides excellent clarity at high gain levels, with powerful attack and punchy response. The Redline's 16" radius is flat and fast, which is great for string skipping or sweep picking.

    Personally, the Redline shines when detuned.  When tuned in Drop C (CGCFAD, low to high) or Drop B(BF#BEG#C#) the guitar sounds full and thick without becoming muddy. Tremolo picked chords retain clarity, while leads cut through the mix with ease.

   My only complaint with the Redline is the brightness of cleans, as they tend to be harsh and piercing.  Overall, The Godin Redline 1 is a great guitar, designed with metal players in mind.

Here's a quick review of the specs:

24 fret, 24 3/4 " scale
16" radius
1 11/16 " nut width
Indian Rosewood fingerboard
Hard Rock Maple neck
Silver Leaf Maple body w/ Poplar wings
String Thru Body Bridge
Bound Flame Maple Top w/ Trans. Amber Finish
Bridge position active EMG 81 humbucker
single volume pot

Check back for reviews of the Ibanez RG350M, Peavey Vypyr Amps, and lots more!!!

WELCOME!

Welcome to The Gear Guru.  The goal of this blog is to provide you with reviews of new and classic musical instruments and accessories.  All new gear reviewed will be available at King Music Co. in Brownwood, TX.  King Music Co. was founded in 1946 and remains one of central Texas best sources for gear, repair, and general music knowledge.  We have a great group of reviewers, each with their own specialty, that will cater to specific styles ranging from jazz to country to heavy metal and everything in between.  Be sure to check back in to see if we've reviewed your favorite gear!