Guitar

I am become cliche. 10 weeks ago the local technical college Canberra Institute of Technology in Belconnen started up its 2nd term adult education courses. It's called Lake Night Learning and there's quite a few interesting courses to choose from. The college is somewhere over the back of the picture.

Anyway. Flavia noticed they have beginner's guitar lessons. I thought that sounded like fun. So Flavia organised everything and next thing the first lesson is a day away, and I'm asking "should I take a guitar along?" My brother has left an electric acoustic guitar here on permanent loan. But, it was way old when he bought it 20 years' ago second hand and it now gives the same noise a cat might if you shaved the cat, placed an electric hair-dryer in its rear and threw the ensemble in a swimming pool.

Week 2 saw self, mum, Flavia and the kids all traipsing around Canberra to find a guitar.

Here is the low-down. We tried Better Music which are based in Philip, on the south side. They had a pretty impressive selection, were friendly, and generally made an effort to explain what was going on to a rank beginner. I can't remember the assistant's name, but he really made an effort. It was the first shop. We were on a mission.

Pirana music was just down the road. We went there, and the difference was astounding. Basically some teenager looked me over, decided I wasn't worth it, pointed to one acoustic guitar and said something like for beginners they're all pretty much the same, this will do you. Rude staff makes for no sales in my view. Don't care how many trendy tee-shirts you can hang on the wall.

Finally, we drove to Pro Audio in Fyshwick. As we arrived I was thinking "it's very late, we'll not get anywhere here." so so wrong. Walked in and the shop owner comes over to show us everything. This one here, built by this group here, not a great guitar, good entry level. Left us alone. Came back have you heard this one that was hiding over there? No? Here, try it. Don't worry, just keep listening. People are packing up. He's coming and talking with us about how the guitars are made, which ones are actually mass produced which ones work better. Finally, we settled on one guitar which was about twice what we'd originally planned to pay. We happily bought the guitar. I completely recommend these guys!