First guitar cost my sainted Mother about $20.00. The action was so high that it hurt my hands to play it. I was about 13 years old. My instructor had a beautiful Country Gentleman that he let me play while I was with him. I knew I would never have one of those, so I quit playing for 3 years.

LESSON: Parents, buy a decent guitar if you want the kids to learn. They hold their value well enough that you can sell it later and recoup most of your investment if you take care of it and the child doesn't like it.

My first real guitar was an Epiphone FT-79. I believe they called it The Texan. It was cherry red with a sunburst finish. I loved that guitar, but had to pawn it to eat. I would love to have another of these just for posterity sake.

All the best,

Mick