Re: I went to Guitar Center...
I went in there with a few ideas in my head to try out; an ES-339, a Jeff Beck Strat if they had one (they didn't), a Blacktop Tele, a PRS NF3 perhaps, but never in a million years would I have thought about an SG.
I tried a couple of 339's and as much as I like the format, the finish on the neck just seemed sticky and they weren't particularly easy to play. Whilst I'm sure it would have cleaned up OK, they really did look and feel like Gibson had been having an off day in the spray booth.
I tried a black LP Traditional - sounded OK, but too heavy for my playing preferences.
It's Paul's suggestion that I give the SG a go. I'd said I didn't really get on with guitars with a middle p/u and it was already clear that I wanted to go for something rather lighter, so out the SG came. I think I've only ever played one once and that must be in excess of 20 years ago. I knew about the slight shift in playing position and when I first put it down on my knee and felt the headstock lurch towards the floor, I thought there was no way I'd walk out the door with it. However, a little adjustment in playing position, I worked out how to keep it where I wanted and started playing. I really like the tone it's got and it was set up near perfectly with fresh strings on it. The frets are smooth which makes bends a treat and it feels alive. The only thing it will need will be a slight adjustment to the nut slots to cut them a touch deeper - I do that to everything anyway.
As for GC themselves, they couldn't have been better if they'd tried. Their service was first rate with helping me out with the guitar and other assorted oddments I collected from them. And they went to extraordinary lengths to secure me a cab back to my hotel - I ended up waiting nearly 2 hours before one showed. Absolutely not their doing, more a feature of life in Austin when SXSW is in town. What's more, the guys at the front desk were more than happy to chat away and keep me entertained whilst I waited.
There are plenty more stories from this place, but I'll save that for another time when the trip is over.
