Did Something Catch Your Eye? The Case for Just One More Guitar

It starts innocently enough. You’re running low on guitar strings, you need a few new picks, or you’ve finally decided to replace that lead that only works when you stand perfectly still.

So you pop into Music Bits Company in Alford. A straightforward visit. A sensible purchase. In and out.

Then something catches your eye.

Perhaps it’s the gleam of a resonator guitar. Perhaps it’s a Höfner Verythin electric guitar looking rather too tempting on the display. Perhaps it’s a shape, a finish or a colour you weren’t expecting to fall for on an otherwise ordinary day.

Whatever it is, your carefully planned trip for strings has just taken an interesting turn.

We Don’t Do the Hard Sell

At Music Bits, we don’t do the hard sell. We’re happy to chat, answer questions and help you find your way around, but we’d rather let our instruments speak for themselves.

And, judging by what happens in the shop, some of them are very persuasive.

We see it all the time. Someone arrives for something small, spots a guitar and pauses. There’s a second look. Then a slightly longer look. Then comes the question:

“Could I have a quick try of that one?”

Of course. Although we should point out that “a quick try” is sometimes where the trouble begins.

Not Another Guitar. This Guitar.

There’s an important distinction here. Nobody walks in thinking they urgently need another guitar. They’ve already got guitars. Perfectly good guitars. Guitars they were very happy with approximately ten minutes ago.

But this one is different.

Perhaps the neck feels just right. Perhaps the sound makes you play something you haven’t played for years. Perhaps you strike one chord and immediately want to hear the next one.

Suddenly, you’re not thinking about whether you need another guitar in general. You’re thinking about whether you can bear to leave this particular guitar behind.

That’s a much trickier conversation to have with yourself.

The Negotiations Begin

Once you’ve tried it and fallen in love, the internal negotiations tend to follow a familiar pattern.

“Well, I haven’t got one quite like this.”

“It would give me a different sound.”

“I could always move one of the others on.”

That last one deserves a moment of respectful silence. It’s a lovely idea. Whether it actually happens is another matter entirely.

Before long, the decision has made itself. You came in for strings. You’re leaving with strings, a guitar and the beginnings of a carefully worded explanation.

The Journey Home: Rehearsing Your Lines

Buying the guitar is only part of the adventure. There’s still the journey home, which gives you valuable time to work out how you’re going to explain the new arrival to your partner.

Do you lead with its musical qualities? Explain the gap it fills in your collection? Mention that you were only having a look?

Or do you try the optimistic approach: “What, this old thing?”

We’re not recommending that last one. Especially if it’s still wearing its tag.

Joking aside, there’s something lovely about finding an instrument that makes you genuinely excited to get home and play. That feeling is difficult to put into words, although plenty of guitarists have had a good go at it on the drive back from our shop.

How Many Guitars Do You Need?

It’s a question we hear a lot. Sometimes it’s asked by a guitarist. More often, it’s asked by somebody who shares a house with one.

“Just how many guitars do you need?”

Right then, everybody together. You know the chorus:

“Just one more!”

Preferably said with confidence. Possibly followed by a smile.

Of course, you don’t have to own a roomful of guitars to enjoy looking. You might be choosing your first electric guitar, looking for something different from your usual instrument, or simply discovering what catches your attention. A good browse can be part of the fun without having to end in a purchase.

We Just Put Them on Display

If any of this sounds familiar, please remember our official position: it’s not our fault.

We just put the guitars on display. You spot them. You try them. You decide that the collection has room for one more.

You lot do the rest.

Admittedly, putting an appealing selection of instruments in a music shop does make it rather difficult to walk past without looking. But what else are we supposed to do? Hide them behind the counter?

If Something Has Caught Your Eye, Don’t Leave It Too Long

There is a serious point underneath all this guitar-based mischief. We’ve got a great range of guitars in stock at the moment, but they’re rapidly finding new homes, and many models won’t be back in stock until the new year.

That doesn’t mean you should buy something that isn’t right for you. Take the time to try it, ask questions and decide whether it’s an instrument you really want to play.

But if you’ve already spotted one that keeps coming back into your thoughts, don’t assume it will still be waiting indefinitely. The way things are going, the guitar that catches your eye today might catch somebody else’s tomorrow.

Come and see us at Music Bits Company, 17 High Street, Alford, Lincolnshire, LN13 9DS, or give us a call on 01507 838 448 if there’s something you’d like to ask about.

Can’t Make It to the Shop?

If you can’t make it to our Alford shop, you can still shop online with us at www.musicbits.co.uk and have your order delivered to your door. Browse our acoustic guitars and electric guitars, or explore our guitars and accessories from the comfort of your sofa. If you’re local but don’t have time for a proper browse, our click and collect service lets you order online and collect from the shop instead. We can’t promise browsing from home will make you any less likely to find “just one more”, though.

And if you’re only popping in for strings?

We’ll believe you. At least to begin with.