Electric Guitar Buying Guide for the Beginner

Posted on June 30th, 2008 in art by art-world

Electric Guitar Buying Guide for the Beginner

By: Ek Lucktong

So, you?re looking to buy your first electric guitar for yourself, or perhaps a gift for a young budding musician. Buying your first guitar can seem like a daunting task. With so many different brands and models available today it can be difficult to decide which guitar to purchase. Here are some helpful tips to help you make the best choice.

I can?t stress enough how important it is for new guitar players to start out with a good quality instrument that is easy to play. Electric guitars, in general, are easier to play than acoustic guitars because of their lighter gauge strings and lower playing action. They require much less hand strength to fret the strings and are much easier on beginner?s uncalloused fingers. A quality guitar will assure maximum comfort and ease-of-play while beginners are starting out. Otherwise, young players can easily get discouraged with an instrument that is hard to play and painful on their fingers.

For consistency in quality I would recommend sticking with a well-known brand name guitar rather than a cheap knock-off or reproduction. Spend a little more money to invest in a quality instrument. Many of the bigger guitar brand names will offer affordable lines of guitars specifically targeting beginners. For example, the Fender guitar company offers their Squire line of guitars. The Gibson guitar company has their Epiphone guitar models. These guitars look and play like their more expensive counterparts but are much more affordable, often hundreds to thousands of dollars less. Other popular brands such as Ibanez, Jackson, BC Rich, Gretsch, and many others offer lower-end affordable models alongside their premiere models. Good brand name guitars will also hold their value should you ever want to sell them.

Consider buying a used guitar. Unlike computers or electronics used and older guitars don?t become obsolete. You can find some fantastic deals on lightly used guitars that may have some light cosmetic signs of wear but will perform just as well as a new instrument. Some people even feel that a used guitar has been ?worn in? and will play even better than a new one. Most of these guitars will have already been set up properly and ready for play.

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Another great option in guitar value is to consider Factory 2nd and refurbished guitars. These guitars may have slight cosmetic blemishes or factory repairs that prevent them from being sold as new instrument. They usually sell for significant discounts from their new counterparts. Besides minor blemishes you are practically getting a brand new guitar.

Seek the advice of someone you may know who plays guitar. Most experienced players will be familiar with the various brand names and can help guide you in your decision. Guitarists love to talk about guitars, and this is a great way to get some honest advice without the pressure of the salesman pitch.

Follow these tips and you?re sure to find an affordable, great quality guitar that will provide you with reliable performance and music for years to come. Visit http://www.2ndstringguitars.com/ for the best value in new and used guitars, factory 2nds, and refurbished instruments at cheap guitar prices.

E. Lucktong

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/music_and_movies/article_849.shtml
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The Most Overacting Actors: Take a Little Drama Off The Top

Posted on June 29th, 2008 in art by art-world

The Most Overacting Actors: Take a Little Drama Off The Top

By: Jennifer Jordan

There are people in life who are exceptional actors, actors who could make you believe just about anything. Then, there are actors who aren’t necessarily horrible, but their tendency to overact makes them about as believable as the Easter Bunny. Take myself, for instance, I am an overactor. I can’t appear in front of an audience without overacting. I can’t even stretch the truth without being completely dramatic. For me, it’s a shame: I like to be on stage?.and I really like to lie.

I am not alone in my tendency to overact. Our television and movie screens are filled with overacting men and women (and sometimes dogs (seriously Benji, let’s tone down the whimpering)), overacting actors who take drama and make it a little too dramatic. The following is our list for the Most Overacting Actors, those who need a script for a chill pill.

David Caruso, CSI: David Caruso was good on NYPD Blue (good for all five minutes he was a cast member), but there is just something about his role in CSI that makes me want to slip him a Xanaz. With his deep voice, perpetually sunglassed face, and a tendency to speak a little too slowly and articulate a little too much, Caruso makes CSI raise the intensity level. But, then again, maybe that’s the point.

Vincent D’Onofrio, Criminal Intent: Like David Caruso, I have really liked Vincent D’Onofrio in his previous work (Mystic Pizza forever, Vinnie), but he maintains a very obscure quality on Law and Order: Criminal Intent. In scenes where he is undercover as a married man, he comes across as gay, in scenes where he is supposed to pretend he is on the criminal’s side, he comes across as patronizing, and in scenes where he is supposed to be happy?well, frankly, ya just can’t tell. He nearly appears to be one emotion, all the time.

Tom Cruise: Hopefully, he can handle the truth. It isn’t that I think Tom Cruise is horrible at acting, he just doesn’t make certain roles all that believable. Well, that and he plays seemingly the same guy in most of his films. He’s fine in movies like Top Gun or Risky Business (i.e.

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Oh well, at least he always has Scientology to fall back on?or whatever.

William Shatner, Star Trek: Though I absolutely love him in Boston Legal, he makes this list for his role in Star Trek. Sorry Willie, you’ve been beamed up. In this science fiction series, he became known for narration laden in drama and odd, long pauses???????.yes, kind of like that. Though this overacting is often parodied, you have to give Shatner credit: his acting style thrives in comedic roles and he looks pretty darn good for his age.

Keanu Reeves: First of all, let me apologize to all the Bill and Ted lovers out there. You’re right, that movie was, in a word, excellent. In fact, I believe that was one of Keanu’s best jobs as an actor. I don’t assert this because he gave a heartfelt performance or because the role he played was on par with Jack Nicholson’s Randle Patrick McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. I say this instead because it was one role where he wasn’t overwhelmingly stoic; it was a role that made him real. Did we believe that he was a high school slacker about to be sent to military school? Yes. Did we believe he was “the one” who could save the human race from slavery? Uh, not really

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/music_and_movies/article_882.shtml
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