About Chad Hancock Expertise Acoustic and electric guitar construction and repair, wiring, set-up, and general knowledge. Also expert in live sound reinforcement including P.A. setup, speaker selection and installation, mixing, etc. I have a bit of experience in studio and home recording, though I would not call myself an expert. When it comes to guitars, however, I am The Man.
Experience Guild certified Luthier, 20 years production guitar restoration and repair, 15 years live sound mixing, tours with many national acts, many CD credits
Organizations Guild of American Luthiers, ASCAP, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees local 51
Education/Credentials Apprentice with Dan Douglass 3yr restoration and repair, Owner ABAL guitar manufacture 2yr, B.S. Mechanical Engineering TX A M '92
Expert: Chad Hancock Date: 6/7/2007 Subject: buying a good guitar
Question QUESTION: hi, i am thinking about getting a new acoustic guitar, i bought a cheap one for when i began incase i didnt get on with it, but now i have found that i love it and i want to buy a better guitar. The problem with my present guitar is that the neck is quite wide and so i struggle with cords. I am thinking of a price range of around £150-80ish but i dont really know how to tell a good guitar when i see one!
ANSWER: Hola Jenny,
Thank you for such an excellent question, and I’m very happy you are sticking with the guitar! It is my belief that playing the guitar makes one a better person, clears acne, cures gout and can actually make you taller- so I think you’ve made an excellent choice!
In order to better answer your question, I need just a few pieces of info first- hope you don’t mind. You said the neck is too wide to be comfortable etc., what type of guitar do you currently have? Is it a nylon string classical (does the neck meet the body at the 12th fret)? And, what style of playing are you shooting for, that is, rock, classical, Russian folk tune –you get my drift.
With this info I will be able to much better tell you what you should look for in your price range.
Awaiting your reply,
Chad
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: hi again urmmm i dont think the guitar i have is a classical, it has a dip in the body and no pick guard and it doesnt have nylon strings. i play assorts at the moment but mainly rock but im still trying and discovering different types!
Answer Hello again Jenny!
Sometimes this format is like talking on a SLOW telephone! I appreciate your patience- I know waiting for answers can get frustrating sometimes- but I promise the wait is worth the info!
OK, let me clarify my last a bit- What I’m looking for really is the reason why the neck is uncomfortable- here are some reasons for it-
The size of the guitar (yep- standard western steel string acoustics come in many different sizes)
The type of guitar-(classical for instance has a very wide flat neck-but we know yours is not a classical)
Your size- are a tiny person- with tiny hands- UH—or a big person with tiny hands—that would be odd-but funny.
Is your axe standard with just a big wide neck- some makers design stupid things- I know- I’ve done it.
That should give you a better idea of what we need to know to size a guitar to you-cause I can’t see you—you type big, but you could be itty-bitty- so long story long—
1. I need the model # and brand of your current guitar- that will tell me what is uncomfortable for you.
2. Tell me your approximate size-petite, regular, jumbo, giantess…
3. Solve it quickly by snapping a photo of you holding the guitar- (Be sure to pose like a rock star- you should learn impressive poses early)
4. Also tell me your approximate geographic location- I’m an American-therefore ethnocentristic and not to bright- are you the UK or New Zealand- that way I can price a good one for you.
See, a telephone would be SOO much faster- guitarists are usually pretty lazy- did I mention that?
Hear from you soon,
Chad
