Re the capo to simulate a shorter neck, I'd presume that if you went more than one, maybe two frets, you'd simulate a uke rather than a guitar.

The post I had ready a couple of hours ago when I lost the 'cat connection while composing doesn't look as great as it did when I wrote it, but what I said follows - what I meant to say maybe ....

A couple of friends who've bought upgrade guitars recently made quite a point that picking a brand name and style is just a starting point. One claimed to have played more than two dozen individual instruments of the same Martin model before he found the "right one" to buy.

He helped another less experienced player with her selection, and insisted on the same sort of trial and error selection. I think I recall that he sent her on at least one 100 mile road trip to try one specific guitar he thought she'd like.

While it may be that this guy just likes playing other people's guitars, the advice to be sure you play-before-pay seems reasonable. The contention that "every guitar has its own personality" may be a little overblown, but seems to have at least an element of truth.

The often recommended step that these two omitted was to take a friend to evaluate what your prospective guitar sounds like to an audience or to others playing with you. John Hardly's comments (04 Mar 05 - 02:03 PM) about compliments on his "not very loud" guitar are not unusual. The one that sounds best to the player may not sound best to others in the vicinity. (The guitar isn't the only source of disagreement between player and audience about how good it sounds, but...)

The "audience test" is frequently omitted because:

1. You have to have a friend whose opinion you respect.

2. You can respect an opinion that doesn't agree with yours, so your friend's "values" should agree with yours - or have known differences that you can allow for.

3. You have to have a friend who won't get too p'd off when you ignore the advice given.

John