Don't be fooled!!!
So you out there, in the shops hunting a new guitar. They are all shinny, and your looking for the one your favorite guitar hero is playing. You want to buy it because thats what he plays. Stop: don't do it. Find the guitar thats right for you. And what does that mean:
1. Forget the name on the headstock, who gives a crap, the name does not always mean a great axe
2. Try them out when there is no crowd. Its hard to try out a guitar when the store is full of other shredders.
3. Research before you go into a music store and have a reasonable idea of what you want at what price.
4. Salesman are liers ( not always) but mostly.
5. The guitar will have problems. I have never seen a new guitar that does not have issues. Usually the frets are not seated. That means they rock( move up and down a bit) and this will affect its playabilty.
6. Most shops will set up you new guitar for you. Don't trust it. Go to a luthier for your setups its worth the extra bucks.
7. Don't get sucked in. Price does not mean a better guitar. I have played cheap mexican tele's on the road for years, and I have made alot of money with them. Playing the most expensive Jackson or Gibson will not make you a better player. I have played tons of shredder rock on a tele: yes a telecaster.
8. Buy used, better price, more realistic.
Just a question for the shredders: how many of you dip you pickups in hotwax, and do you know why you should?