Bought my first guitar today! My good friend Tim Brannigan (been a rock star since the '70s) helped me pick it out. I figured my going into Sam Ash or Manny’s on W. 48^th St would be like my going to a car garage without a man (and yes, that pisses me off to even write).

He explained to the sales guy that I was looking for a beginner's guitar on a budget. Tim sat and started playing the first one the guy brought out. He thought it was fantastic, and quite affordable. He tried another and didn’t like it at all. He thought I should get the display one since it was worn in already. I wanted one that hadn’t been touched (and the display had a knick on the back).

So, they brought out a new one and it was more beautiful that the first. The cheaper guitars no longer use plywood, this Washburn is made out of a rich African wood.

Now I have to learn to play it. Took ukulele lessons a couple of years ago, but this is a whole ‘nother beast.