comfort and joy

Buying a guitar, I've learned today, is basically Christmas. When the major considerations of cost and utility are satisfied, you're left with two things to consider: comfort and joy. I spent many hours in the acoustic room of Guitar Center, handling instruments and playing them. I walked in there with my Martin fascination still fully beating. Faced with a a dozen options under a thousand dollars, none of them bad instruments by any measure, it still nagged me that I wasn't getting an instrument made in Nazareth, PA. When Matt showed me the Epiphone Hummingbird, there was nothing else that really spoke to me. 

I came into the store when it opened at 11AM because I had a lesson. I wanted to try another teacher because the first guy didn't teach guitar. I felt that I needed someone who could guide me in that way, to improve my playing and also be able to handle all my questions about recording. To start, we hooked up my interface to the monitors and I set up my computer. Then I asked if we could plug in the Hummingbird so I could hear what it sounded like recorded. I played a short number, we listened to it and then discussed the possibilities. This teacher remarked that acoustic instruments will sound different recorded when there's a pick up. I do get the sense that it sounded a lot more like an electric guitar but truthfully, that only excited me and made me feel like a rock star hahaha. But the point was, to capture a more authentic sound on an acoustic, using a microphone is often the preferred way to record. Now here's another concept: try recording it both ways. We could even do that and mix it so one is on the left and the other on the right. Ah, the possibilities.

After the lesson, I settled back into the acoustic room where I noticed that someone had left a cable hooked up to the amp and it was still on. I hooked up and played. I didn't really notice how much time passed in there. People came and went. At some point, a gentleman started playing with some of the Martins. He must have played about three different guitars, sounding amazing on all of them, when I decided that I would try to seek his opinion on the instrument I had hoped to purchase. Luckily, he had some time and was happy to test it out. This resulted in a few minutes conversation, a little education about the place that the Epiphone brand had in the hierarchy of things, the reputation that the Hummingbird held, factories all over the world and in the end, he gave my selection a thumbs up. The decision, at this point, could be made based on which guitar is calling to you. In the end, you buy what you're comfortable playing and makes you happy. Comfort and joy. 

This chance encounter was not only very useful but also felt very much not like it was mere chance. Here was a person, same age as me, with a family, who actually lived in the same town. He had a story similar to my sister-in-law's current partner, musician by trade, had a band, but left the life behind because he got married and had a family. Recently, he said, he decided to pick up his guitar again and his goal was to be able to write one song for his children and he wished me luck on my project. It was a lovely exchange. He also gave me his number (no, we didn't exchange), in case I wanted help with caring for the instrument and things. It was very nice of him. And like I said, that didn't feel like chance meeting at all. While I may never reach out by phone, I suspect I will run into this person again.

After two hours in the store, I thought it was time to make a decision. I did not want to leave without my Hummingbird. I realize that I didn't need to get an amp because I could route the instrument through the interface and use my monitors. If I wanted effects, I could add that during or after recording. But also, for practicing, I don't actually have to hook it up because it's an acoustic guitar. I did need a cable though and now I'm debating what kind of case I should get. I prefer putting my guitar on a stand because it is easier to pick it up and play anytime but if I need to bring it for a lesson, then I do need a case. They had all these in the store, and ultimately, being offered all of these for free if I paid for a protection plan felt like a deal. It was a lot of money but overall, not a terrible price to pay for an instrument I am very happy with and now I have a little security that my investment will be cared for if the unthinkable happened, at least over the next three years. The receipt indicates the repair plan was $95, which is more than the $80 for pro-coverage listed online but, considering that the instrument had a $50 discount, and the other stuff I got, including a strap and some picks, would amount to $84 if I paid for them separately (something that I would not even be offered if I'd ordered online)...  at this rate, they made it worthwhile for me to buy it at the store. 

Sit with me

Playlist Recommendation: Sunrise, Norah Jones