What should i look at when buying a guitar?

There are many different guitar companies that offer many different features.
The most important thing is to find a guitar that sounds good not plugged in.
Meaning the guitar is built acoustically well.
When looking for a new guitar, i usually hit a single string and grab the bottom of the guitar.
If the guitar vibrates you know you have a live one!
That being said. I find many players worry way too much about the profile of the neck or the width of the nut.
Even before they get a chance to hear the guitar through an amp.
I am sorry but this is a big mistake when looking to buy a guitar!
If the guitar sounds good it will compensate for the feel or colour.
It takes all of two minutes to get used to a different profile neck or different string spacing.

Learn to control the guitar rather than letting the guitar dictate how you play on it.
After all it is a guitar, and you are the player. You should have the upper hand.
Of course higher end guitars will give you pretty much all in one.
A great feel and sound.
Avoid making this mistake and missing out on a great sounding instrument all because the nut width isn't like your other guitar.
You will be amazed with what is out there. Keep an open mind when looking for a guitar and you might find a special one...



Finding that special tone.

Buying a new amplifier and finding the right one that really compliments your
sound and playing can be difficult.
Many people don’t know where to begin or what to use.
When i approach an amp i never tried. I like to start by setting the amp as
flat as possible. Meaning the bass/middle/treble set to 12 o'clock.
Use a guitar that you are familiar with the way it sounds. This way you will
recognize what the amp is contributing to your sound.
Most amps do one thing really well. You will either find you like the clean channel
better than the gain channel or the other way around.
Myself personally i rather use an amp with a clean sound i like and then
push the amp’s gain channel with gain/distortion pedals.
I find this way to have more control over my sound and i can choose how much
sound i want coming out of the pedal in relations to the amp. 

If you are looking for an amp with a great distortion sound.
Keep one thing in mind when trying one out.
They do sound better when turned up! With that being said.
Start off by turning the gain to at least 8. Now start rolling the volume knob up.
( if the amp has a master volume put it on 5 )
Once again start with the bass/middle/treble at 12 o’clock.
You can start by shifting the frequencies around until you get
the sound you like.  Once you tweaked the amp at a low volume
and you like what the amp has to offer. Now you need to hear it when
turned up.
Here is a very important tip. When turning up the volume on a tube amp,
make sure to back off the gain knob as you turn the volume knob up.
By doing so. You are only bringing up the volume, and not over saturating the amp
I hope you will find this column useful on your next amp purchase and please feel free to
drop us an e mail or request for our next column.