When marketing my guitars and speaking to prospective buyers of my guitars and services, I always like to talk to them about golf as well. Already, you're saying “what’s this guy talking about and maybe he’s selling the wrong products”, but, if you think about it there are a lot of great comparisons.

A great example is if you were to go out and get golf lessons. Well, in my case being shaped somewhat like a refrigerator with a neck, and being tutored by someone who is 6’2” and 185 lbs, while they might be good and correct in their golf theory, perhaps they may not be adapting the skillset to your body style. The same holds true with a guitar. If you have a smaller frame, and you purchase a large “dreadnought” acoustic guitar, you may not even be able to get your arms around it, let alone play it with any level of comfort.

The same conventions apply in terms of quality equipment, both with a guitar and with golf. Have you ever heard the term “All clubs, no talent” in golf? Well, that’s about where I fall with that game. The same holds true for playing the guitar as well. If you are brand new, you do not need to go and purchase a Gibson, Les Paul, or any real high-quality guitar, as, at a beginner level it’s difficult to appreciate the nuances that such an instrument provides. On the flip side of the equation is equally devastating. Going out to purchase the cheapest guitar you can find is usually not wise either. Such a purchase will no doubt, put a bad taste in your mouth about your new hobby of guitars. A “cheap” guitar will not be set up correctly, nor will you have the ability to get it set up correctly because of its level of build. The end result is you will not be able to get “good sound” from your instrument, the strings will be most likely set too high (action), and your fingers will hurt like hell. The bottom line, you will not have a good experience and most likely reconsider your new hobby. Perhaps in both cases, like most things in life, a proper balance between price and quality needs to be found.

I market my guitars all over the United States, but, sell quite a few right here in my hometown of Tucson, Arizona. When I have an opportunity to market my guitars locally, I like to invite the prospective buyer over to my studio. I like the buyer to discuss with me what he’s trying to accomplish, and what type of music he enjoys playing. I will then take the guitar that he or she may be interested in and let them mess with it. It’s got to fit like a glove, and they have to want to sit down and play it. So, this, “getting acquainted” period is very important. I will put on a couple of backing tracks and let them play along with an accompaniment. If they are not experienced or timid, I will ask them to give me a song they like, and I will walk through it with them first personally. This is the favorite part of what I do, which is to watch someone fall in love with an instrument.

More often than not, they like the instrument in which they were originally interested, sometimes, however, their musical objectives are not in line with what they are trying to purchase. For example, if they are into Jazz, a “Telecaster Type” guitar may not be the right fit. Perhaps a “335” or an Ibanez Artcore, but in the end, it’s all about your customer forming a bond with their instrument.

Golf and Guitars so have a lot in common. In both instances, you have to develop a personal connection to your instrument (whether it be a set of clubs or a guitar). Once that connection is made you are well on your way to a great hobby!

If you have any questions or comments, please send me a note. If I can be of assistance to you, please let me know. Please check our our website at:

www.southwestacousticproducts.com.

LET’ S CONNECT!