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Howdy DM,

  Sounds like they did indeed try to pull on on ya there!  The good news is that you can file a complaint not only with the Manager of the store, and the Home office of the company they represent (If they are a chain), but here in the States we have those good old folks down at the local Better Business Bureau.  If they also happen to be members of the Independent Small Business Association, you can file a complaint with them as well.  I was a member of the ISBA, and one of the nice things about them is they assist disputes with Binding Arbitration.  You send your complaint to one of their Mediators, and they make a judgement based on fair and proper business practices.... veeerrry consumer oriented, and generally will follow up on complaints with speedy results and a class for the proprietor on Ethics!

  Pitch a Bitch, and see what happens.  If they make it good with you, Right On!  If not, never darken their doorstep again and write a letter to the Editor of the local rag (newspaper) to warn off others.... if it's true you can't be sued for Libel!

Take Care;
Doug

Hi Doral, and Welcome to Chordie!

  Electric/Acoustic, or just Electric?  If you have an A/E, you might be able to get away with changing over IF the pickup is piezoelectric.  But if your guitar is Electric and fitted with any kind of magnetic pickups, you are stuck with steel... and steel especially for electric guitars, as other alloys may not be detected by the pickups.

  As another option, you might want to have the action checked on your guitar, as electrics usually require much less pressure to properly fret than acoustics.... unless the action is too high.  Another option is switching to a lighter gauge string which needs less tension to bring up to pitch.  You might also be pressing too hard.  I know that sounds strange, but really you only have to apply as much pressure as is needed to get the string onto the crown of the fret wire, not clear through the neck.

  One thing to note here is that nylon strings are much larger in diameter than the equivalent steel and if you are digging the steels into yourself, the nylons would surely be worse.  Like the difference between a grain of sand in your shoe and a rock.

  There is an easy way to check your action:  Capo the first fret and check clearance at the third.  Then capo the 6 fret and check the 12.... a business card is about .024" thick and should slide between the strings and fret wires without too much effort.  Actual clearance is usually considered good at .021" at both locations, but anything over .013 without buzzing is acceptable.  Over .024 should be adjusted by a competent technician.

  There may be others with thoughts on this as opinions vary, but hopefully you will find value in all of them.

  Visit often, keep playing and don't be shy we're all in this together.

Take Care;
Doug

Not too bad Russell!

  But buddy you gotta get one of those "afro" wigs and maybe get real skinny to do Lyle Lovett impersonations.  LOL

  Good Job.... just one question though, why did you and Julia Roberts split up anyway?

Take Care;
Doug

Tony Rich Project cover of "Nobody Knows It But Me"

  R&B but nicely done rendition of this old tune by Kevin Sharp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CA2Pi4gYxQ

Enjoy;
Doug

Hello Ken,

  I think that here in the "colonies" we just randomly rejected stuff that came from the UK out of spite (hangover from the Revolution and all).  In Europe dates are in Day-Month-Year, and we do it backwards because it has always been so, although we have mellowed through the generations and decipher the alternatives anyway.

  Driving on the Right or Left I think was the result of some Auto manufacturer trying to avoid stepping on someone else's Patent (?) but it does make sense to pass oncoming traffic on the side you are sitting on, as the natural tendency is to keep your head as far away from the point of impact as possible.  When driving on narrow un-lined roads fewer collisions are a good thing.... so why do we still kill so many on the highways annually?  Even though there are four or more lanes divided and all going the same direction?

  Here in the States, there are a few "Traffic Circles" (Roundabouts), mostly in the Eastern States, but there are a few cropping up here in the West also.  Supposedly to improve the flow of traffic.... more of a "bottleneck" actually.  Mine is a University town and we have a large Foreign Student Population, so at least some drivers get around them easily..... the majority are clueless and have trouble getting in and out without threatening life and property (mostly the natives).  I'm thinking that is is cheaper to sweep up broken glass than install traffic lights.

  Then again, while I'm on a rant here.... We will let anyone drive it seems!  last time I was down at the Department Of Motor Vehicles to renew my license, there were a couple of fellows at the counter next to me explaining to the clerk that "I must go with my friend to take the written part of the test to translate the questions.".  Oh Yeah, we will even let folks loose on the streets who cannot even READ the Road Signs!  Only In America!!

  Now on the money thing... Pound Sterling was the value of a pound of Silver, and the note was supported by reserves of the metal.  The American Dollar is supported by reserves of Gold.  We however had a bunch of Silver in the ground, and when the value of Silver on the American market dropped to around two cents an ounce, President Roosevelt ordered the Silver mines closed and backfilled.  For awhile there were Dollars backed by Silver Reserves and marked "Silver Certificate".  A large number of the old Silver Mines have never been reopened, because the costs of resuming operations exceeded the value of the metal therein.  Gold is still the International standard of commerce, but the metal never moves around.... only the paper representing it.

Hope that was all "clearer than mud".

Take Care and Rest Easy;
Doug

Hi Ranthalas and Welcome to Chordie!

  This is likely the right place for your question... but it might be helpful to know which model Epi we are talking about here.  Just guessing, but my first suspect is a set-up problem.  I'm thinking at the nut end as you said that the sound improves when the string is fretted... perhaps the nut is cut too wide, too deep or off angle, but it could be as simple as a tall fret wire.  A Luthier will likely find it right off and be able to correct the issue without too much trouble, so having it checked is a good start.

  Chordie is the best place on the web for folks beginning, and for those of us who are continuing our education musically.  So once again Welcome Aboard and hope your new guitar and you form a long and lasting friendship.

Take Care and don't be a stranger;
Doug

Pleased to meet you RFA Colin, and welcome to Chordie!

  Merchant Marine then?  I've a couple friends shipping oil up and down the coast from Alaska.... good jobs them.  Well other than the long times away from home..... rough seas, and nasty weather....  perhaps well paid would be better put.

Welcome Aboard & Take Care;
Doug

Hi Wayne,

  Don't forget to introduce her to Chordie as well..... so we can straighten out any confusions you may instill. LOL

  Googletalk is another option with video conferencing capabilities, so you might be able to do some face to face teaching (depending on your connection speeds).  400 miles is just a nanosecond away these days!

Take Care;
Doug

Even a "cheap" guitar can be good if properly set-up.  I would have whatever guitar you wind up with checked and the action/neck adjusted first off.

It is so much easier to make progress on an instrument that doesn't fight you all of the time.  In the beginning it is all about motivation, the fewer barriers in that direction, the more likely you will persevere.

Take Care;
Doug

The "old" standard used to be to play with nails on classical (nylon strung) guitars and pads on steel.  The thinking being that steel would cut into and shred your nails.  I do both on both, but am blessed (?) with tough fast growing claws.  My other half gives me grief when I'm grinding away on mine and she's whimpering about always having to trim off her torn and chipped edges.

Tried the Alaska picks for awhile, but didn't feel the strings as well, better than metal for sure!  Acrylics are good for repairs and getting by until a damaged nail grows out, but prolonged use will do serious damage to the nail and the nail bed by depriving it of moisture and air. If you've seen a horse with hoof rot.... something like that.

Take Care;
Doug

Congratulations!

  Now that that's over with.... are you planning on continuing your education?.... or taking a little time off to gather yourself before deciding?  The reason I'm asking is I have one getting out next year and not sure what the thinking is in that direction for others in that age group.  I'm not one of those "pushy" parents, and I took a couple years off to settle down before going on. 

  Your input here on Chordie has been valuable and appreciated, surely you will be successful in what ever you do.
So go out there and "set the world on fire"!

Take Care;
Doug