Thanks for all your comments on this ☺🙏... so many of you saying 'just take you own tuner' well yes I should have done that but I didn't because I was thinking about other things like cameras and audio and filming and getting over my guitar shop phobia and making a film this week. Next time I will try to remember the tuner, but in this instance I did not have one and because of my anxiety was simply not able to relax and just tune it by ear. That's what this film is about.
@theguitaristas I thought you might have been wearing the ray ban meta camera shades at first. You did well col it's good to push oneself out of one's comfort zone be easier next time.👍
Great video as always Colin but why should you have to take your own tuner to a Guitar shop? It's like self-serve checkouts. Suits the retailer to get the customer to do the work for them.
For the record, I would happily watch a Guitaristas video called "Cruising to PMT in a Porsche Boxster S" without you having to play a single thing on a guitar.
Its not just you Colin Its proper stress and you feel self conscious.... Many years ago I wanted a Fender USA Sambora Strat, drove a couple of hours, to try one out, got the guitar in my hands and asked for a tuner, shop worker sneered at me as he handed me the tuner. He got told to shove his not inexpensive guitar and tuner up his hoop. Found a more accommodating dealer and they got the sale
Why would you tune by ear when you can do it perfectly with a tuner? I can tune by ear but still HEAVILY prefer using to tuner to ensure its perfect. Sad they judged you
That would have had a Floyd Rose and SHOULD HAVE BEEN in tune unless someone @ that store wasn't doing their job . Anyone who works in retail should have been told "customer knows best". I'd do anything to guide a potential customer toward a sale that makes a satisfied customer . There's your next "repeat customer " . Nobody should feel awkward playing in a music store , or asking for a tuner when trying out a guitar . Cheers !
I understand your pain. Whenever I go to a store to test a guitar, there are always an attendent who is a "guitar hero at nights" shows off his skills on the guitar that I may buy. After he is done I don't even want to play that guitar anymore. What about that?
When I worked at a shop years ago I would spend all my free time tuning guitars. It can be the difference between a sale and someone just walking away.
Plenty of good free tuner apps for your phone, Col. I really enjoyed this episode, I know that stretch of road very well. Looking forward to your next "outing" !
Also most modeling amps and multieffects pedals all have built in tuners . It’s almost hard to find something without a built in tuner! If all else fails carry one of those little pitch pipes that I used to have to use when I started out in the 80’s. That was advanced tech back in those days!;)
You are not alone Col, I f**kin hate going in guitar shops and stopped doing so years ago. I just buy online. Get it in your comfort zone, set it up for yourself, plug it into your own amp and play it. If you don't like it send it back. Simple.
I bought a vox amp a few years ago from a shop here in Dublin without ever playing a note through it. The really nice sales guy handed me a decent prs se, showed me how the amp worked, and then I asked him to play while I listened, as is my phobia of playing in guitar shops. Played a show to over 4000 people the other night, absolutely no problem... but strumming a single chord in a guitar shop?... nope, that made me sick. I applaud you Col for not only facing this fear... but also taking cameras... and then showing us... that took a lot of heart, well done. 👏 I look forward to watching you progress through this journey, you did great, and I'm certain you'll improve massively with this phobia in a very short amount of time. And finally, that first piece you played clean with the LP? Absolutely beautiful, and utterly Peter Green-ish to my ears. Cheers Col. 👍
Best way to test a guitar "shop"... Always ask to try the guitar highest up on the wall, just to see what kind of attitude ya get from the sales peeps. Most don't want to climb the latter because they think you won't, or can't afford to purchase those out of reach guitars. NO BAD ATTITUDES IN MUSIC STORES ! It's music !
As a side note, I love how a large section of road will be closed for eternity if a central barrier is damaged, whereas at Gallow Corner flyover, it's always been the motoring equivalent of medieval jousting.
@@bighes100You have to make a very quick turn off a busy dual carriageway into that “gap” and that’s if nobody else is trying to reverse out to get back onto the busy dual carriageway.
I enjoyed this outing, Col - thanks for taking us along and sporting your cool shades and Gibson T-shirt. My Princeton 68 won’t break-up below 5, so I always use an OD. That LP was a beaut….
This is my favorite guitar show. Because you always keep it real. This is of my favorite episodes. Suddenly I don’t feel so alone in the world. The exact Same thing happens to me. Guitar store anxiety. And it’s ridiculous. I’m not trying to impress anyone, I just get flustered. I think it’s all the back ground noises of guitars and drums. I wouldn’t even go to guitar stores at all, but it’s a catch 22 fearing I might miss out on the guitar deal of a lifetime. I sound like I’m crying, I’m not. I live a very, very content life of reclusiveness and tranquility. With my big beautiful 17lb cat Angus. I also get that same issue shopping for clothes when I am forced to. If there’s chicks around the dressing rooms I leave. Maybe it’s a fear of public humiliation getting it stuck in my zipper and flopping around on the floor like a gasping fish. Been known to happen. That’s why I only wear online store AC/DC shirts and Levi’s. Button fly, homie. A man needs to be safe.
Glossophobia (the fear of speaking in public or in front of groups) is real and I think it translates easily over to guitar playing in public as well. While on a vacation in Europe I drove 3hrs out of country to Zamora Spain just to try a Maybach 58 Lester. When I got there the store had e few people in it, and the sales guy was trying to be helpful and suggesting what amps to play thru. I ended up getting a bit flustered and just managed to strum it unplugged for a few minutes and then left empty handed.
Totally relate to that Col. My trick is to ask for a microphone so I can sing as well. It’s amazing how quickly they find a little private corner of the shop where nobody goes and you’re left all on your own 🤪
No clean, except intermittently, otherwise play acoustic. Electric guitars are for distortion! Play guitar and have fun! We all have varying ideas about what fun is.
It's not just you Colin. Once you're over the hump in life and your bucket is full of scraps you run out of patience for nonsense. What we should be doing is asking the staff to take the guitar down and tune it up and bring it to the amp room. Make them earn their money. Like when you go to a proper shoe shop and the salesperson loosens the laces and takes the tissue paper out of the toe before they hand it to you to try on.
Here in NZ finding a new guitar at the shops that's actually brand spanking new is not easy. The punters at music shops test drive them to death, so by the time anybody buys them, they are already a bit road worn. The guitars are never set up properly either. But they still charge brand new prices for them. I just landed a used Gibson Explorer from Japan. Looks like it was a shop demo guitar. Used, but super mint and newer than pretty much anything I have ever seen in NZ shops. My only other experience of something that seemed so new was ordering a Gibson Hummingbird from Sweetwater when I was in the USA. It seemed like it came direct from their warehouse and had not been test driven even once. Absolutely pristine. I bought it to sell back home in NZ where the same model costs much more than US peeps pay. I sold it used 'as new', much cheaper than the NZ new price, yet still made a few bob (win, win for both the seller and the buyer).
I always feel self conscious in guitar shops, I haven't been playing long but still need to be sure I'm buying the right guitar, it's so difficult to decide objectively in that situation.
I'm so glad you shared this, Col. Your honesty and integrity is key to the great content of your channel. Whenever I listen to you play, I enjoy it. Even when you're not feeling a guitar and your playing reflects that, it's still great. And great you include it. I wish I could play as well as you and the guitar shop anxiety is real. I always get it. All the best, mate (beverage = coffee, snack = a salt a vinegar corn thing!)
I prefer the honest videos to the ultra edited stuff - makes them believable. My local PMT (Leeds) has loads of gear to play with but like you I hate going in there!!! Keep ‘em coming.
That my local and when I asked does this have a 7.25” or 9.5” radius and the guy said “well it doesn’t really matter the radius isn’t that noticeable” £1200 and it matters to me, needless to say I walked out and haven’t been back. Blows my mind there isn’t a proper guitar shop in Leeds, given its central location.
they should just mount a giant tuner display on the wall. i have a tuner app running on my computer at home at all time. i can see it from anywhere in the room.
As you say, it's nerve wracking enough without having to worry about having a tuner at hand . Shops need to make it an easy and private matter of testing expensive products before you part with hard earned money . I play mandolin mostly these days and in my local shop there isnt even a secluded spot to go and test them out . Thus I've bought a couple of duds online . Enjoyed the video Colin as always
Thankyou for sharing this - I found it deeply comforting to see someone - with far more guitar playing skill, knowledge of guitars and equipment and experience of playing in the public eye (albeit in their comfort zone) - go through almost exactly the same feeling of discomfort I have felt in guitar stores. I must admit I did fast forward to the actual store footage, but would be happy to watch more videos like this. Perhaps this could be a mini series on how to overcome that discomfort and make the most of our time in store? Some comments suggest it's easier to buy a guitar online try it out at home and then send it back, but if you are close to a guitar superstore it seems a waste not to make use of that. Why are we intimidated or nervous? It's not a performance. No one cares how good we are on guitar. The stores presumably want to shift gear. The sales assistant may well be able to play amazingly, but ultimately they are working in a shop which will go out of business if it doesn't sell enough guitars.
But Colin, no matter what you do or ecen if it gets botched up, we still are with you because you're just being you, no overriden radio speaking tone, just as you are, it's refreshing. Cheers and a happy weekend for ya
I dont think ppl realise that social media isnt just about useless 20 second clips, and just how many ppl want to see others "not get to the point" and go in depth on stuff and get there when ya get there. Its why rick beatos 2 hour interviews pop off, with many ppl, myself included, commenting "make these interviews 5 hours"
You went from a 5000 pound guitar to 169! LOL. This was a really fun episode. I loved the driving bits especially. Those new cameras seemed to work just fine. I totally understand this guitar shop stress. That's why I buy so many guitars sight unseen. Then I take a bath if I don't like it.
Who knew that watching you driving the a127 would be just as fascinating as watching you take apart guitars. Yet here we are! 😊 Essex trunk roads are just the best 😂
PMT used to be called professional music technology, its my local guitar shop, I bought my Les paul there. The main problem with all guitar shops is that they are always so bloody hot inside !
Most cars I have ever seen in that car park! Only ever popped in a couple of times when I used to have to work over that way. Never felt overly comfortable in that store. Only ever tried an accoustic once, but after an odd look from the sales guy, put it back & later bought the same make & model elsewhere. Looked at the electric guitars on later visits, but never felt the urge to try. Don't miss the A127 either.
Jaysus, Colin! £5000?? My good Gods man, you might have every cool Squier, a couple decent Fenders and an Epiphone -WAY more fun - AND a trip to Jacksonville Fl (USA) next winter!
you sat at 25:00 and the talk of tuners and what not I have felt the same way in every guitar shop. almost depressed and when I leave I'm wondering what I was doing out there in the first place. Than later angry at myself for not having just done the thing.
Well I already knew I was a hardcore guitaristas’ fan, but if I hadn’t done, this would have proved it! Completely sympathise with all your stress and anxiety, there have been times when I have not been able to take the volume pot above zero 😂. The cabins in modern shops help, because they briefly allow you to think no one can hear you, but you know they can really. I’ve also had the tuning struggle, when I’ve suddenly become unable to tune by ear and after five minutes of struggling I’ve been too embarrassed to ask for a tuner, not least because of the sweat running down my face. I’m a bit better these days, but it’s been a long road! 😂 Looking forward to the next outing!
This video is spot on. Good to know im not the only one. Nothing wrong asking for a tuner. You want to know how it feels at pitch, so tuning by ear is not the same.
You're not alone Colin, I get more stage fright about playing in the store than I ever did doing a solo gig live lol - at least you had the stones to plug in an amp , it's been decades since I've done that in a store . Anyway , great film as always - cheers!
Hi Colin! I was in Bermuda this past week and didn't get a chance to see this video until this morning. I too always dreaded finding something to play when in a music store! Now I teach in a studio in a music store, so I have gotten over this fear by having to face it daily! Considering the stress, you managed. As you know, I really enjoy your videos--your personality and viewpoints are wonderful. Cheers!
Love the ' real ' element of your content, Colin . Im an ok player but still get flustered trying out guitars in shops . Fuck knows why ..no one is taking any notice .... but there we are 😊
Tuning can be a pain in stressful situations. One time at a party someone pulled a cheap acoustic out of the closet and it was drastically out of tune. Gave it to me and said I hear you play guitar 🥴 Surprisengly I figured it out though. I enjoyed you getting out and about with the camera! How did you get out of that parking lot? Jeez that was a tight spot.
bang on Colin, very anxiety inducing trying out guitars at a shop especially when your average at it like me, i ended up downloading a tuner app to my phone so i don't have to worry about the tuner issue. head up sound like a learning experience, thanks for sharing.
Doesn't matter if your "average"..nobody really cares..its in your head..I've been playing over 20 years and love seeing and talking with "average" players when I'm at a music shop..there's no reason to have anxiety
Good to see you knocking around my manor and I think you should do more guitar safari videos. I think guitar shops don't like giving tuners because a lot of punters will nick them. There are plenty of good free tuner apps you can get on your phone so you don't have to ask for one. On a none guitar topic I would love to see a video on what motorcycles you have, just being a nosey fellow biker.
Agreed. While I have no issue playing on stage, I hate guitar shop buying. At most I'm just going to check the neck shape in the hand before buying online. If I buy from the shop, they look at you funny when you say you don't want to plug it in to try it. Nah. I know what pickups sound like.
Life is a journey, when you get to the destination it’s THE END. Thank you for offering a glimpse of your life’s journey. Enjoy the ride. This is from a 72 year old guitar picker lovin’ every minute.
I remember when stores wanted people to come in and shop. Employees were friendly & helpful, they wanted you to have a pleasant experience so that you would come back. They actually wanted to sell their products, and appreciated your business.
Nice to see something different. Especially, in our online world, where you think the "thing " is in the real shop, but it's not. It's in our heads, online we buy cheaper, we select the best, we like it. At least, what we sell to ourselves. For most of us, guitaristas, we heavily rely on YT, and better guitar players recommendations. And it's totally ok, we never will play those guitars as much as professionals. Just enjoy, what you have. Nice video, more like this!
Not the easiest place to get relaxed guitar shop's. I think I'd be same col self obsession would be off the chart packing a camera set up and if you don't settle it's never a good idea to buy, nice to know it's not just me feels that way. I've just this morning took delivery of my Ltd epiphone es 345 and it's a stunner. Thanks for your time and effort col 😊
Hey buddy thank you for taking us along. Your Channel is fun to me,you're a very personal kind of guy,feels like we know you. It was very cool seeing what guitars you guys have hanging in a shop. I gotta say,the variety looked very good. Also noticed a stack of boxed Marshall amps...I'd like a go at that lol. I live in the Florida Panhandle, Okaloosa County USA. Left Gainesville Florida (Tom Petty Allman Brothers Don Felder of Eagles) to name a few are all from the area so guitar shopping is great 👍 👌 there. Not so much here. Take care
Yeah it's a real shame, it was always my nearest 'big' guitar shop. I remember it when it was Nevada and we used to do a trip there every year or so which was always a fun day out even if we didn't buy anything. I played through my first Orange half stack in that building!!
@@rocket69218 yes, I remember it as Nevada music too. I was worried when they sold it to pmt, that it would lose that independent personal touch, but it didn’t. Now my nearest is my mate steve in cosham or andertons in Guildford. Then there’s guitar guitar in Epsom, which is not too far
PMT pretty good shops which ever one you go to generally also really like Glasgow for Kennys and guitar guitar which have to say is my favourite. I always take a tuner with me since a similar issue Colin, the guy in the shop tuned the guitar and first chord I played it was off. Last trip guy tuned a guitar for me handed over and again I thought this just aint right. Got my tuner out and every string was tuned sharp. Some are better than others but wish if they are going to tune it for a customer, use a tuner :) Enjoyed the vid mate so keep these ones coming!
More Safaris, please. I enjoyed cruising around in your Boxster. Guitar store playing anxiety is real. I've gone so far as bringing a headphone amp. One time I unabashedly blasted out my crappy playing in Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI when trying out a tiny Vox amp. There was a older guy in the room checking out a Les Paul. When my brother and I left the room, he said "That was Bob Seger in there playing that Les Paul." So, I had accidentally performed in front of Bob Seger. Glad I didn't realize it at the time, or I would have fallen apart.
As a lefty, I've never been in a shop with one I could try, so my embarassment comes from having to try second hand guitars at the seller's place. You're right about not thinking straight, especially if you like the look of a guitar.
I don’t want to start an argument about one guitar shop vs another (though this probably will), whenever I try a guitar in Andertons I am usually handed a headstock tuner.
Important to remember that most guitarist are just hobbyists that play a bit, know some stuff, don't know a lot of other stuff. I think everyone feels that way in shops. I think cash converters helped me get over it somewhat, I just started going in with a tuner and treating all the local spice addicts to Everlong whether they liked it or not. There's always something that throws me in nice shops though, trying a guitar after a child prodigy has just played Eruption on it.
The great Guitarista spotted outdoors...😂 stick a clip on tuner in your pocket Colin, yes it's a stress out....Great video as always, Thanks mate..Best channel on TH-cam !!
The Porsche Boxster certainly delivered a perspective. And for me, as a UK-to-US transplant, driving down the left carriageway, passing those classic 1950s houses - that was nostalgic. But you are right: playing with guitars in a guitar shop, anywhere I have ever been, is not a particularly pleasurable experience. But it should be. You sweep all those guitars in there, and that is salivating. Surely that is a kid-in-a-candy-store experience. But, in reality, it is not relaxed. They are trying to make it relaxed, but it isn't. Obviously, guitar strings react to atmospherics. You can try this at home. Every guitar you pick up will be somewhat out of tune if the weather changes, which it does even in the desert, believe me. I don't know if it is just the paranoid conversations in your head when you enter a music store, but it is never a "way-hey-heh!" experience. Never! Somehow you feel rushed, and you feel judged, and you have to ask for everything that will enhance your experience. I think guitar shops need to get some consultancy from IKEA. They know how to maximize an experience. And then the old guy trying to tune a guitar by ear. Every old guitar guy claims to have perfect picture, then they blow your B and E strings because they are an octave out. Never fails! I don't know how guitar shops need to be redesigned ... but they do need to be redesigned. They need to be fun. They need to integrate the guitar, plus the pedals, plus the amp experience. There is a limit to how many of us want to have 20, 30, 40 guitars, but that is your market, or rather it is me as your market. I play clean and I know every guitar has its own sound. And that is what I want. And, for any new guitar, I want to know what it can do in a really creative setting. I want to try lots of stuff, and the payback is that I'm actually going to buy a new (to me) guitar once or twice a year. And a guy who is going to buy a guitar from you every year has to be your ultimate customer. So, somehow, guitar shops have to make the shopping environment more fun. And I'm serious about IKEA. IKEA knows how to put you in that environment in which everything makes sense. Converted to guitar shops, this would mean that you would have an array of pedals, and an array of amps, and any guitar you want to plug into that array, and you play; you just play. That would be my ideal - a bunch of play rooms - any guitar, any setup, and, yes, a tuner. I've never experienced that, so any old pawnshop is as good as any old guitar shop. And, I think, that gives guitar shops no advantage.
Great comment and perspective, I was thinking about this today and its trues that for many of us the whole experience in these stores is pretty uncomfortable 🤷♂️
I would imagine that a lot of borrowed tuners go missing in guitar shops. I have found, as an acoustic player, when asking to try an electric the assistant will plug in and run off some blistering run before handing the axe to you in a "follow that" fashion. When asked to try an acoustic they barely look up from their magazine pointing roughly in the direction, saying "on you go". Maybe we need to bring a tuner and a plectrum along to a shop visit and have made a short list of things to play ( I can't remember any songs I play without having a setlist with me ). I also find it difficult to play seated, or without a strap as I mostly stand up; something else to bear in mind.
That was a fun video and I could listen to that car's roar the whole day. The cameras are quite good and the microphone was crystal clear, to my ears. I'd be interested in more of these videos.
G'day Colin, Thanks for another great video. Please arrange more guitar/amp/pedal shop safaris. In Aus, I've never come across a guitar shop without a method to tune their guitars. The guitars are either done at the start of the day, a staff member tunes it before I try it, or there's a tuner available. Some of those tuners have been miserable, but they're available. There's always a selection of amps available, & plenty of picks too. The big problem I've had in many shops occurs when I tell them that I have a few MIJ Fenders - once they hear that, they don't even bother showing me the Mexican, Chinese, American, or CS guitars. So now, if I want to find out about Fender guitars, I have to ask them about Gibson guitars first. Anyhow, keep up the good work. See you next week Andrew BTW, I had to give away my Squier Tele last month, as well as a solid state amp. Since then, I've bought a replacement Tele, a replacement amp, plus an extra MIJ Tele. Now that's a new gear fail... LOL
Hello Colin, Experimental, I love it, it’s good to get out. I was half expecting an Alan Partridge incident with a traffic cone. You, explaining to a traffic police officer... “I was experimenting with some cameras for my TH-cam channel”.....Yeah, always a tricky situation with guitar shop guitars being out of tune. Should never be the case. I suspect maybe some disgruntled customer detuning all the guitars. Funny, but not if your buying a guitar. You need to get out more. A trip to Andertons perhaps.
Seeing you driving out and about in the sports car reminded me of James May in one of their Top Gear specials where they do a trip and film somewhere far. Fond memories watching those. Also I’m a big fan of PMTV because of Dagan haha.
Really enjoyed this one Colin, you're a character! Reminded me of watching top gear 😆 With trying guitars in the shop we've all been there, you're dealing with so many variables, guitars that might not be well set up, unfamiliar amps, strings that might be dead... The filming on top of it for the first time probably didn't help. I thought the les through the princeton sounded really good for what it's worth. Hope to see more of these guitar adventures 👍🙂
That was refreshing. I well understand the apprehension in your experience with the camera at the shop.. on your return home my old ears we're picking up the noise outside your ride. Made it hard to understand what you were saying. Always enjoy your videos.lookink forward to this time next week.
Thanks for all your comments on this ☺🙏... so many of you saying 'just take you own tuner' well yes I should have done that but I didn't because I was thinking about other things like cameras and audio and filming and getting over my guitar shop phobia and making a film this week. Next time I will try to remember the tuner, but in this instance I did not have one and because of my anxiety was simply not able to relax and just tune it by ear. That's what this film is about.
@theguitaristas I thought you might have been wearing the ray ban meta camera shades at first. You did well col it's good to push oneself out of one's comfort zone be easier next time.👍
@@theguitaristas no worries col
I cant play in front of anyone at all. I just freeze up. Even at home when im practicing, just cant do it.
Your saying that this film is ALL about not being able to relax due to anxiety?
Dude same here. But when I get in the car, I ask myself: wtf I’m doing here let’s go back and enjoy it ! And try not to spend too much lol !
Great video as always Colin but why should you have to take your own tuner to a Guitar shop? It's like self-serve checkouts. Suits the retailer to get the customer to do the work for them.
For the record, I would happily watch a Guitaristas video called "Cruising to PMT in a Porsche Boxster S" without you having to play a single thing on a guitar.
Knew it was a Boxster.
You mean “Cruising to PMT in a Porsche Boxster S without a tuner”.😊
Thanks for checking in out, Colin.
I could watch anything you put up on the channel, always looking forward to Fridays. Enjoy your weekend!
Same here. I just like hanging out with Colin. 👍
I just hate trying guitars in a music store...I also get performance anxiety because I forget 90% of what I know to play.
I’ve been here too…. You’re not alone lol….
I learn so many other things at home and then I get to a guitar shop and can only play Vicarious
I'm at the point where I get a feel for it, a few runs, some chords, see how it plays, and that's it.
Every time! It’s crazy really coz we’re all probably sat there feeling the same thing! 😂👊🏻👍🏻🖤
Its not just you Colin Its proper stress and you feel self conscious....
Many years ago I wanted a Fender USA Sambora Strat, drove a couple of hours, to try one out, got the guitar in my hands and asked for a tuner, shop worker sneered at me as he handed me the tuner. He got told to shove his not inexpensive guitar and tuner up his hoop.
Found a more accommodating dealer and they got the sale
Why would you tune by ear when you can do it perfectly with a tuner? I can tune by ear but still HEAVILY prefer using to tuner to ensure its perfect. Sad they judged you
That would have had a Floyd Rose and SHOULD HAVE BEEN in tune unless someone @ that store wasn't doing their job . Anyone who works in retail should have been told "customer knows best". I'd do anything to guide a potential customer toward a sale that makes a satisfied customer . There's your next "repeat customer " . Nobody should feel awkward playing in a music store , or asking for a tuner when trying out a guitar . Cheers !
I understand your pain. Whenever I go to a store to test a guitar, there are always an attendent who is a "guitar hero at nights" shows off his skills on the guitar that I may buy. After he is done I don't even want to play that guitar anymore. What about that?
Every store seems to have one, must be a requirement! 😂
100%
When I worked at a shop years ago I would spend all my free time tuning guitars. It can be the difference between a sale and someone just walking away.
Not to mention grubby strings, nothing worse when you're looking at pricey guitars and the strings are gunjy
Plenty of good free tuner apps for your phone, Col.
I really enjoyed this episode, I know that stretch of road very well.
Looking forward to your next "outing" !
Also most modeling amps and multieffects pedals all have built in tuners . It’s almost hard to find something without a built in tuner! If all else fails carry one of those little pitch pipes that I used to have to use when I started out in the 80’s. That was advanced tech back in those days!;)
You are not alone Col, I f**kin hate going in guitar shops and stopped doing so years ago. I just buy online. Get it in your comfort zone, set it up for yourself, plug it into your own amp and play it. If you don't like it send it back. Simple.
I bought a vox amp a few years ago from a shop here in Dublin without ever playing a note through it. The really nice sales guy handed me a decent prs se, showed me how the amp worked, and then I asked him to play while I listened, as is my phobia of playing in guitar shops. Played a show to over 4000 people the other night, absolutely no problem... but strumming a single chord in a guitar shop?... nope, that made me sick.
I applaud you Col for not only facing this fear... but also taking cameras... and then showing us... that took a lot of heart, well done. 👏
I look forward to watching you progress through this journey, you did great, and I'm certain you'll improve massively with this phobia in a very short amount of time.
And finally, that first piece you played clean with the LP? Absolutely beautiful, and utterly Peter Green-ish to my ears. Cheers Col. 👍
Coll - I get exactly the same way in guitar shops. Sensory Overload! Thanks for sharing you experience with us. You're not alone that's for sure!
Morning from the US 😃 great field trip enjoyed the real world video 😎✌️
Best way to test a guitar "shop"... Always ask to try the guitar highest up on the wall, just to see what kind of attitude ya get from the sales peeps. Most don't want to climb the latter because they think you won't, or can't afford to purchase those out of reach guitars.
NO BAD ATTITUDES IN MUSIC STORES ! It's music !
@JacobS-q7cWhat the fuck are you on about? You've left at least 3 weird nonsensical replies on this video...
As a side note, I love how a large section of road will be closed for eternity if a central barrier is damaged, whereas at Gallow Corner flyover, it's always been the motoring equivalent of medieval jousting.
🤣👍
What doesn’t help the anxiety of playing is the anxiety of trying to park at PMT Romford before you’ve even set foot in store!
How the heck did he even get out of there?!
Yeah if that's a big store spaces are pathetic lol
@@bighes100You have to make a very quick turn off a busy dual carriageway into that “gap” and that’s if nobody else is trying to reverse out to get back onto the busy dual carriageway.
I enjoyed this outing, Col - thanks for taking us along and sporting your cool shades and Gibson T-shirt. My Princeton 68 won’t break-up below 5, so I always use an OD. That LP was a beaut….
Love your car, Colin. Thanks for having the balls to be honest about being out of your comfort zone and doing it anyway. Good episode. Thanks!
What model of car is it..?
Just saw the part - Boxster S from a quarter century ago.
Got the Cuppa & Biscuits , Lets go 👍☺
I feel you - I have started carrying a clip-on tuner with me to shops.
This is my favorite guitar show. Because you always keep it real. This is of my favorite episodes. Suddenly I don’t feel so alone in the world. The exact Same thing happens to me. Guitar store anxiety. And it’s ridiculous. I’m not trying to impress anyone, I just get flustered. I think it’s all the back ground noises of guitars and drums. I wouldn’t even go to guitar stores at all, but it’s a catch 22 fearing I might miss out on the guitar deal of a lifetime. I sound like I’m crying, I’m not. I live a very, very content life of reclusiveness and tranquility. With my big beautiful 17lb cat Angus. I also get that same issue shopping for clothes when I am forced to. If there’s chicks around the dressing rooms I leave. Maybe it’s a fear of public humiliation getting it stuck in my zipper and flopping around on the floor like a gasping fish. Been known to happen. That’s why I only wear online store AC/DC shirts and Levi’s. Button fly, homie. A man needs to be safe.
Glossophobia (the fear of speaking in public or in front of groups) is real and I think it translates easily over to guitar playing in public as well.
While on a vacation in Europe I drove 3hrs out of country to Zamora Spain just to try a Maybach 58 Lester.
When I got there the store had e few people in it, and the sales guy was trying to be helpful and suggesting what amps to play thru.
I ended up getting a bit flustered and just managed to strum it unplugged for a few minutes and then left empty handed.
Totally relate to that Col. My trick is to ask for a microphone so I can sing as well. It’s amazing how quickly they find a little private corner of the shop where nobody goes and you’re left all on your own 🤪
🤣👍
lol, I'm trying this.
Excellent!! 😂😂
You should play clean more often. That was lovely.
😊🙏
Clean is mean. Ask Wes.
No clean, except intermittently, otherwise play acoustic. Electric guitars are for distortion! Play guitar and have fun! We all have varying ideas about what fun is.
@@dragan4658 nah, nothing beats a fender on the neck pickup with a bright and loud clean channel + some nice reverb!
@mmonkeyman1403 many beg to differ. Gibson or Epiphone for a couple of examples. Like I said we have varying preferences.
It's not just you Colin. Once you're over the hump in life and your bucket is full of scraps you run out of patience for nonsense. What we should be doing is asking the staff to take the guitar down and tune it up and bring it to the amp room. Make them earn their money. Like when you go to a proper shoe shop and the salesperson loosens the laces and takes the tissue paper out of the toe before they hand it to you to try on.
Here in NZ finding a new guitar at the shops that's actually brand spanking new is not easy. The punters at music shops test drive them to death, so by the time anybody buys them, they are already a bit road worn. The guitars are never set up properly either. But they still charge brand new prices for them.
I just landed a used Gibson Explorer from Japan. Looks like it was a shop demo guitar. Used, but super mint and newer than pretty much anything I have ever seen in NZ shops.
My only other experience of something that seemed so new was ordering a Gibson Hummingbird from Sweetwater when I was in the USA. It seemed like it came direct from their warehouse and had not been test driven even once. Absolutely pristine. I bought it to sell back home in NZ where the same model costs much more than US peeps pay. I sold it used 'as new', much cheaper than the NZ new price, yet still made a few bob (win, win for both the seller and the buyer).
I always feel self conscious in guitar shops, I haven't been playing long but still need to be sure I'm buying the right guitar, it's so difficult to decide objectively in that situation.
Refreshing change for a video. I enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to do it 🙂. From N.C. USA
Very valid point about the stress of the guitar shop. I feel less anxious playing live myself
I'm so glad you shared this, Col. Your honesty and integrity is key to the great content of your channel. Whenever I listen to you play, I enjoy it. Even when you're not feeling a guitar and your playing reflects that, it's still great. And great you include it. I wish I could play as well as you and the guitar shop anxiety is real. I always get it. All the best, mate (beverage = coffee, snack = a salt a vinegar corn thing!)
I prefer the honest videos to the ultra edited stuff - makes them believable. My local PMT (Leeds) has loads of gear to play with but like you I hate going in there!!! Keep ‘em coming.
That my local and when I asked does this have a 7.25” or 9.5” radius and the guy said “well it doesn’t really matter the radius isn’t that noticeable”
£1200 and it matters to me, needless to say I walked out and haven’t been back. Blows my mind there isn’t a proper guitar shop in Leeds, given its central location.
they should just mount a giant tuner display on the wall. i have a tuner app running on my computer at home at all time. i can see it from anywhere in the room.
Yes that would be simple and perfect solution 👍
As you say, it's nerve wracking enough without having to worry about having a tuner at hand . Shops need to make it an easy and private matter of testing expensive products before you part with hard earned money . I play mandolin mostly these days and in my local shop there isnt even a secluded spot to go and test them out . Thus I've bought a couple of duds online . Enjoyed the video Colin as always
Free Boss tuner app for your phone. Really good, very easy and always with you...
They should totally have a tuner on the wall or something in practice rooms like that, imagine if you were a beginner!
“Yeah I know, I’m out of context”, sums me up perfectly!
Thankyou for sharing this - I found it deeply comforting to see someone - with far more guitar playing skill, knowledge of guitars and equipment and experience of playing in the public eye (albeit in their comfort zone) - go through almost exactly the same feeling of discomfort I have felt in guitar stores.
I must admit I did fast forward to the actual store footage, but would be happy to watch more videos like this. Perhaps this could be a mini series on how to overcome that discomfort and make the most of our time in store?
Some comments suggest it's easier to buy a guitar online try it out at home and then send it back, but if you are close to a guitar superstore it seems a waste not to make use of that.
Why are we intimidated or nervous? It's not a performance. No one cares how good we are on guitar. The stores presumably want to shift gear. The sales assistant may well be able to play amazingly, but ultimately they are working in a shop which will go out of business if it doesn't sell enough guitars.
But Colin, no matter what you do or ecen if it gets botched up, we still are with you because you're just being you, no overriden radio speaking tone, just as you are, it's refreshing. Cheers and a happy weekend for ya
I dont think ppl realise that social media isnt just about useless 20 second clips, and just how many ppl want to see others "not get to the point" and go in depth on stuff and get there when ya get there. Its why rick beatos 2 hour interviews pop off, with many ppl, myself included, commenting "make these interviews 5 hours"
You went from a 5000 pound guitar to 169! LOL. This was a really fun episode. I loved the driving bits especially. Those new cameras seemed to work just fine. I totally understand this guitar shop stress. That's why I buy so many guitars sight unseen. Then I take a bath if I don't like it.
This was close to my own heart, Colin. Playing in a guitar shop is like being in an exam. Horrible experience, even when in one of those cubicles.
Who knew that watching you driving the a127 would be just as fascinating as watching you take apart guitars. Yet here we are! 😊 Essex trunk roads are just the best 😂
Absolutely love the clean playing Colin. Thank you.
Love that clean LP tone through that Fender. I thought you did a smashing job here. Loved this. Felt included.
PMT used to be called professional music technology, its my local guitar shop, I bought my Les paul there. The main problem with all guitar shops is that they are always so bloody hot inside !
Most cars I have ever seen in that car park! Only ever popped in a couple of times when I used to have to work over that way. Never felt overly comfortable in that store. Only ever tried an accoustic once, but after an odd look from the sales guy, put it back & later bought the same make & model elsewhere. Looked at the electric guitars on later visits, but never felt the urge to try. Don't miss the A127 either.
Jaysus, Colin! £5000?? My good Gods man, you might have every cool Squier, a couple decent Fenders and an Epiphone -WAY more fun - AND a trip to Jacksonville Fl (USA) next winter!
I wish my car sounded as good as your when going up through the gearbox.
Films like that are a bit of a change. It was like going out with a mate looking at guitars. Great fun.
you sat at 25:00 and the talk of tuners and what not I have felt the same way in every guitar shop. almost depressed and when I leave I'm wondering what I was doing out there in the first place. Than later angry at myself for not having just done the thing.
Just get a free tuning app on your phone..or just tune it to the top string
Yes, do more of this, you are doing great and you are not alone having guitar shop anxiety 😅.
Just continue with your excellent content.
Well I already knew I was a hardcore guitaristas’ fan, but if I hadn’t done, this would have proved it! Completely sympathise with all your stress and anxiety, there have been times when I have not been able to take the volume pot above zero 😂. The cabins in modern shops help, because they briefly allow you to think no one can hear you, but you know they can really. I’ve also had the tuning struggle, when I’ve suddenly become unable to tune by ear and after five minutes of struggling I’ve been too embarrassed to ask for a tuner, not least because of the sweat running down my face. I’m a bit better these days, but it’s been a long road! 😂 Looking forward to the next outing!
This video is spot on. Good to know im not the only one.
Nothing wrong asking for a tuner. You want to know how it feels at pitch, so tuning by ear is not the same.
You're not alone Colin, I get more stage fright about playing in the store than I ever did doing a solo gig live lol - at least you had the stones to plug in an amp , it's been decades since I've done that in a store . Anyway , great film as always - cheers!
Hi Colin! I was in Bermuda this past week and didn't get a chance to see this video until this morning. I too always dreaded finding something to play when in a music store! Now I teach in a studio in a music store, so I have gotten over this fear by having to face it daily! Considering the stress, you managed. As you know, I really enjoy your videos--your personality and viewpoints are wonderful. Cheers!
Love the ' real ' element of your content, Colin . Im an ok player but still get flustered trying out guitars in shops . Fuck knows why ..no one is taking any notice .... but there we are 😊
Tuning can be a pain in stressful situations. One time at a party someone pulled a cheap acoustic out of the closet and it was drastically out of tune. Gave it to me and said I hear you play guitar 🥴 Surprisengly I figured it out though. I enjoyed you getting out and about with the camera! How did you get out of that parking lot? Jeez that was a tight spot.
The Black LP sounded rather Peter Green in a quiet phase of underway❤
I'm not much of a Les Paul guy, but that custom sounded ace!!!!
bang on Colin, very anxiety inducing trying out guitars at a shop especially when your average at it like me, i ended up downloading a tuner app to my phone so i don't have to worry about the tuner issue. head up sound like a learning experience, thanks for sharing.
I’m exactly the same. Staff don’t help either, usually.
Doesn't matter if your "average"..nobody really cares..its in your head..I've been playing over 20 years and love seeing and talking with "average" players when I'm at a music shop..there's no reason to have anxiety
Good to see you knocking around my manor and I think you should do more guitar safari videos. I think guitar shops don't like giving tuners because a lot of punters will nick them. There are plenty of good free tuner apps you can get on your phone so you don't have to ask for one. On a none guitar topic I would love to see a video on what motorcycles you have, just being a nosey fellow biker.
i would have NEVER put that 17:08 DoomMetal Lord looking beast down for
sigh
..... for that 20:50
Agreed. While I have no issue playing on stage, I hate guitar shop buying. At most I'm just going to check the neck shape in the hand before buying online. If I buy from the shop, they look at you funny when you say you don't want to plug it in to try it.
Nah. I know what pickups sound like.
Colin, I always love your videos and indepth content, from across the pond Michigan 🇺🇸 .. keep on jamming strings n gears.
Your exactly right music shops should have a in there test rooms a tuner and maybe a looper . Cheers
Life is a journey, when you get to the destination it’s THE END. Thank you for offering a glimpse of your life’s journey. Enjoy the ride. This is from a 72 year old guitar picker lovin’ every minute.
Cheers man! 😁👍
I remember when stores wanted people to come in and shop. Employees were friendly & helpful, they wanted you to have a pleasant experience so that you would come back. They actually wanted to sell their products, and appreciated your business.
Nice to see something different. Especially, in our online world, where you think the "thing " is in the real shop, but it's not. It's in our heads, online we buy cheaper, we select the best, we like it. At least, what we sell to ourselves. For most of us, guitaristas, we heavily rely on YT, and better guitar players recommendations. And it's totally ok, we never will play those guitars as much as professionals. Just enjoy, what you have. Nice video, more like this!
Nice work! I was getting some Top Gear vibes with the camera in the car!
I was wondering where Hammond was on his bike, I knew Clarkson was already at the store though. I guess that makes Colin James May. lol
Not the easiest place to get relaxed guitar shop's. I think I'd be same col self obsession would be off the chart packing a camera set up and if you don't settle it's never a good idea to buy, nice to know it's not just me feels that way.
I've just this morning took delivery of my Ltd epiphone es 345 and it's a stunner. Thanks for your time and effort col 😊
Hey buddy thank you for taking us along. Your Channel is fun to me,you're a very personal kind of guy,feels like we know you. It was very cool seeing what guitars you guys have hanging in a shop. I gotta say,the variety looked very good. Also noticed a stack of boxed Marshall amps...I'd like a go at that lol. I live in the Florida Panhandle, Okaloosa County USA. Left Gainesville Florida (Tom Petty Allman Brothers Don Felder of Eagles) to name a few are all from the area so guitar shopping is great 👍 👌 there. Not so much here. Take care
The Portsmouth one closed down a couple of months ago.
The staff in there were excellent, shame it’s gone though
Yeah it's a real shame, it was always my nearest 'big' guitar shop. I remember it when it was Nevada and we used to do a trip there every year or so which was always a fun day out even if we didn't buy anything. I played through my first Orange half stack in that building!!
@@rocket69218 yes, I remember it as Nevada music too.
I was worried when they sold it to pmt, that it would lose that independent personal touch, but it didn’t.
Now my nearest is my mate steve in cosham or andertons in Guildford.
Then there’s guitar guitar in Epsom, which is not too far
PMT pretty good shops which ever one you go to generally also really like Glasgow for Kennys and guitar guitar which have to say is my favourite. I always take a tuner with me since a similar issue Colin, the guy in the shop tuned the guitar and first chord I played it was off. Last trip guy tuned a guitar for me handed over and again I thought this just aint right. Got my tuner out and every string was tuned sharp. Some are better than others but wish if they are going to tune it for a customer, use a tuner :) Enjoyed the vid mate so keep these ones coming!
That black Maybach with the Bigsby and P90’s is cracking! ❤
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your videos. They’re good fun and educational…!
Thanks for the ride along. I enjoyed the waffles and guitar talk. Have a great weekend.
On the road 1,700 in 24 hours. Missed last week ill see this one tomorrow morning but I wanted the help the algorithm. Cheers
I always bring a strap because I'm not flat in the front anymore and guitars slide off my lap! Enjoyable vid Sir!
More Safaris, please. I enjoyed cruising around in your Boxster. Guitar store playing anxiety is real. I've gone so far as bringing a headphone amp. One time I unabashedly blasted out my crappy playing in Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI when trying out a tiny Vox amp. There was a older guy in the room checking out a Les Paul. When my brother and I left the room, he said "That was Bob Seger in there playing that Les Paul." So, I had accidentally performed in front of Bob Seger. Glad I didn't realize it at the time, or I would have fallen apart.
As a lefty, I've never been in a shop with one I could try, so my embarassment comes from having to try second hand guitars at the seller's place. You're right about not thinking straight, especially if you like the look of a guitar.
I don’t want to start an argument about one guitar shop vs another (though this probably will), whenever I try a guitar in Andertons I am usually handed a headstock tuner.
Cool video! Safari day...love it!
I was hoping you’d run into Dagan and have a legendary jam. Thanks for taking us along, regardless!
One day I hope!… and his roadie will tune the guitars for us 😂👍
Got my nibbles and ready to go…. I’m buckled up! :)
Important to remember that most guitarist are just hobbyists that play a bit, know some stuff, don't know a lot of other stuff. I think everyone feels that way in shops. I think cash converters helped me get over it somewhat, I just started going in with a tuner and treating all the local spice addicts to Everlong whether they liked it or not. There's always something that throws me in nice shops though, trying a guitar after a child prodigy has just played Eruption on it.
😆👍 I shall try cash converters safari next!
The great Guitarista spotted outdoors...😂 stick a clip on tuner in your pocket Colin, yes it's a stress out....Great video as always, Thanks mate..Best channel on TH-cam !!
The Porsche Boxster certainly delivered a perspective. And for me, as a UK-to-US transplant, driving down the left carriageway, passing those classic 1950s houses - that was nostalgic.
But you are right: playing with guitars in a guitar shop, anywhere I have ever been, is not a particularly pleasurable experience. But it should be. You sweep all those guitars in there, and that is salivating. Surely that is a kid-in-a-candy-store experience. But, in reality, it is not relaxed. They are trying to make it relaxed, but it isn't.
Obviously, guitar strings react to atmospherics. You can try this at home. Every guitar you pick up will be somewhat out of tune if the weather changes, which it does even in the desert, believe me. I don't know if it is just the paranoid conversations in your head when you enter a music store, but it is never a "way-hey-heh!" experience. Never!
Somehow you feel rushed, and you feel judged, and you have to ask for everything that will enhance your experience.
I think guitar shops need to get some consultancy from IKEA. They know how to maximize an experience.
And then the old guy trying to tune a guitar by ear. Every old guitar guy claims to have perfect picture, then they blow your B and E strings because they are an octave out. Never fails!
I don't know how guitar shops need to be redesigned ... but they do need to be redesigned. They need to be fun. They need to integrate the guitar, plus the pedals, plus the amp experience.
There is a limit to how many of us want to have 20, 30, 40 guitars, but that is your market, or rather it is me as your market. I play clean and I know every guitar has its own sound. And that is what I want. And, for any new guitar, I want to know what it can do in a really creative setting. I want to try lots of stuff, and the payback is that I'm actually going to buy a new (to me) guitar once or twice a year. And a guy who is going to buy a guitar from you every year has to be your ultimate customer.
So, somehow, guitar shops have to make the shopping environment more fun. And I'm serious about IKEA. IKEA knows how to put you in that environment in which everything makes sense. Converted to guitar shops, this would mean that you would have an array of pedals, and an array of amps, and any guitar you want to plug into that array, and you play; you just play. That would be my ideal - a bunch of play rooms - any guitar, any setup, and, yes, a tuner.
I've never experienced that, so any old pawnshop is as good as any old guitar shop. And, I think, that gives guitar shops no advantage.
Great comment and perspective, I was thinking about this today and its trues that for many of us the whole experience in these stores is pretty uncomfortable 🤷♂️
I would imagine that a lot of borrowed tuners go missing in guitar shops. I have found, as an acoustic player, when asking to try an electric the assistant will plug in and run off some blistering run before handing the axe to you in a "follow that" fashion. When asked to try an acoustic they barely look up from their magazine pointing roughly in the direction, saying "on you go". Maybe we need to bring a tuner and a plectrum along to a shop visit and have made a short list of things to play ( I can't remember any songs I play without having a setlist with me ). I also find it difficult to play seated, or without a strap as I mostly stand up; something else to bear in mind.
That was a fun video and I could listen to that car's roar the whole day. The cameras are quite good and the microphone was crystal clear, to my ears. I'd be interested in more of these videos.
“In my time of dying” so appropriate background music…never too old, get whatever you want fella’
G'day Colin,
Thanks for another great video. Please arrange more guitar/amp/pedal shop safaris.
In Aus, I've never come across a guitar shop without a method to tune their guitars. The guitars are either done at the start of the day, a staff member tunes it before I try it, or there's a tuner available. Some of those tuners have been miserable, but they're available. There's always a selection of amps available, & plenty of picks too. The big problem I've had in many shops occurs when I tell them that I have a few MIJ Fenders - once they hear that, they don't even bother showing me the Mexican, Chinese, American, or CS guitars. So now, if I want to find out about Fender guitars, I have to ask them about Gibson guitars first.
Anyhow, keep up the good work.
See you next week
Andrew
BTW, I had to give away my Squier Tele last month, as well as a solid state amp. Since then, I've bought a replacement Tele, a replacement amp, plus an extra MIJ Tele. Now that's a new gear fail... LOL
Hello Colin,
Experimental, I love it, it’s good to get out. I was half expecting an Alan Partridge incident with a traffic cone. You, explaining to a traffic police officer... “I was experimenting with some cameras for my TH-cam channel”.....Yeah, always a tricky situation with guitar shop guitars being out of tune. Should never be the case. I suspect maybe some disgruntled customer detuning all the guitars. Funny, but not if your buying a guitar. You need to get out more. A trip to Andertons perhaps.
Get a tuner app on your cell phone Sir!!!
Yeah feel exactly the same in guitar shops. Thanks for the video
Jam sounded a bit like “Debris” by The Faces, what a lovely song
Awesome job as always and the car is badass! Was nice to see a bit of your area. Never been out of the states.
One thing I always do is bring a tuner with me whenever I go to buy a guitar , I know what you mean playing in guitar shop .
Nothing wrong with this kind of excursion in the future, enjoyed it. Don’t like going into guitar shops myself unless I really have too.
Loved this episode! My guitar shop always has tuners available for the customers to use. Don’t be too hard on yourself, Colin!😊
Seeing you driving out and about in the sports car reminded me of James May in one of their Top Gear specials where they do a trip and film somewhere far. Fond memories watching those. Also I’m a big fan of PMTV because of Dagan haha.
Really enjoyed this one Colin, you're a character! Reminded me of watching top gear 😆 With trying guitars in the shop we've all been there, you're dealing with so many variables, guitars that might not be well set up, unfamiliar amps, strings that might be dead... The filming on top of it for the first time probably didn't help. I thought the les through the princeton sounded really good for what it's worth. Hope to see more of these guitar adventures 👍🙂
Nice to see you out and about at your advanced age,😀😀
That was refreshing. I well understand the apprehension in your experience with the camera at the shop.. on your return home my old ears we're picking up the noise outside your ride. Made it hard to understand what you were saying. Always enjoy your videos.lookink forward to this time next week.