Why do my finger tips hurt so much when I play guitar?

When you first learn to play the guitar whether it's an electric or an acoustic you can expect some pain and dis-comfort for awhile(especially with an acoustic guitar) until the tips of your fingers start to callus(get harder).The more you practice/play the faster your finger tips will get used to it.Some folks prefer the gentle approach by learning on a classical guitar because the nylon strings are much more forgiving.You can also try some extra lite gauge strings,this will help some.I remember when I started out "on acoustic" and  learned the open "d" major chord.Ouch! I thought I'd never get it! But with time,persistence and regular practice the pain slowly went away.I believe a lot of beginners give up for this very reason! I still to this day get a little pain if I play for a long period of time,but it's because most of the time I use medium gauge strings which are thick like barbed wire,but with great tone!

Don't give up!

regards,
stringz6

My Taylor 410 with Ovangkol back

I bought this guitar at a local music shop.Price paid around $700.Previously owned but in "new" condition(a trade in).Solid sitka spruce top and solid Ovangkol back and sides(Ovangkol, for those that don't know is very similar to rosewood, but a bit brighter in sound)Indian Rosewood headstock is striking!Ebony fretboard and bridge.Mahogany neck is slim and very easy to play.That's one of the things I love so much about Taylor and Alvarez guitars,especially if you have small hands like me! The hard Taylor case that came with it is beautiful also,kind of an alligator skinned look,but the soft material scratches easily,so watch out! Also,for some reason my "g" string always is the first to break,I haven't figured that one out yet though...I dropped a Fishman humbucker in the soundhole,which actually makes the guitar sound even brighter which is good or bad depending on what music or style i'm playing.Overall,it's a wonderful guitar in my collection that I love to play...Can't buy these new anymore,but you can still find them online,price unknown.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77km5FPV0qA

keep strumming,
stringz6

My Alvarez Masterworks MD-70

A fantastic guitar for the money! I believe I paid about $700 and change,but you can now find these for considerably less online... Western cedar "solid" top,rosewood back and sides,abalone around sound hole,maple bindings,very warm sounding guitar,not bright(which is my personal preference)The neck is very easy to play also.Beware! The satin top scratches easily! Mine came with a gig case(soft shell case).It works for me,and it's kinda cool,has alot of pockets and a built in hydrometer to monitor moisture.I play this one regularly!  Great for strumming or fingerstyle also...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXbaJBPWiU4

*note: They don't sell this model with electronics,but you can have a nice sound-hole pickup installed or under the saddle transducer and/or a strap pin installed for playing while standing(I had both mods done) The pick-up I use on this guitar is an LR Baggs M1(I love it)

regards,
stringz6

My strings lose intonation and get dirty fast!!!

Anybody that plays on a regular basis knows that even if you buy coated strings (which will cause you a few bucks more)they will eventually become dis-colored,sound flat,lose intonation(wont be able to tune properly),etc...Here are some basic tips that I have found to help extend the life of your strings...

1.Wash you hands every time before you play (this will remove dirt and oils which will corrode your strings faster

2.Try to get into the habit of wiping down your strings every time your done practicing for awhile

3.I use the WD-40 pen,which I believe helps slow down the oxidizing process.There are other products on the market to try,but this is the only one I have looked into so far

*Depending on how much you practice/play,these simple steps should prolong the life of your strings.I can usually get about 3 weeks out of mine.

Regards,
Stringz6