Monthly Archives: January 2016

Used Instrument Buyers Guide: What to Look For

Playing music can be a wonderful experience, and buying an instrument can be a whole lot of fun. It can also be nerve wracking though, especially if you’re on a budget or looking for something specific.

Shopping for a used musical instrument is often the way to go for beginners and experienced players. After all, there are things on the used market that you can’t get new, and in many cases, the prices are significantly lower.

The fact is that you can buy quality used instruments like electric guitars and electric bass guitars, but you have to know what you’re looking for. You also have to know how to tell the difference between an instrument that’s been cared for and one that’s been left to languish in a storage locker.

Use this guide to help you before you go shopping for the first or next instrument in your collection.

Look for Signs of Wear

It probably seems obvious to veteran musicians or people who know a lot about musical instruments, but when you’re shopping for something used, it is essential to look for any obvious signs of wear or damage. On guitars, you’ll want to inspect the body to look for fine cracks or damage first.

After the body, focus on the neck of the instrument. Does it appear to be straight? When you hold it in your hands, do you feel like the neck is crooked? If so, that could be an instrument that’s best avoided.

Don’t Forget to Play It

Another somewhat obvious suggestion is that you need to play any instrument you’re thinking about buying before leaving the store with it. Even if you’re not an expert player you can learn a lot about an instrument just by holding it in your hands.

Take 10 or 15 minutes to play an instrument even if you’re sitting in the middle of a pawn shop. If you don’t, you might find that you end up with something you really don’t like.

Get Your Instrument Inspected

If you’re spending more than $1,000 on a used instrument, having a luthier check it out is an excellent choice. They’ll be able to tell you about potential tuning issues or problems that a used instrument might have.

You won’t be able to spot everything with your naked eye, so an expert opinion can be very helpful.

Tips for Renovating an Old House

The idea of buying and renovating an old house is exciting for many homeowners, but the reality can be quite different. Although old houses are often full of character and lovely architectural details, they can be a nightmare when it comes to renovation. Here are five tips to consider before you start renovating.

1. Know Your Limitations

It may be tempting to purchase and renovate an 18th century Victorian fixer-upper, but don’t tackle a difficult renovation that exceeds your budget. Look for a house with minimal structural problems to keep costs down, and keep your renovation budget in mind. It helps if you’re handy, so you can do some of the work yourself.

2. Look for Clues

Some old houses come with original features still in tact, but many have been stripped of their original charm. Many older homes have been subdivided or completely renovated to reflect a more contemporary look with open floor plans and modern features. Look for clues that show how the house looked in its original splendor, then try to duplicate the original charm and character.

3. Hire the Right Help

When your look for renovation contractors like electricians, plumbers and painters, don’t hire someone who has no experience working in older homes. There’s never a one-size-fits-all solution in old houses, so choose workers who have experience in old house renovations. If you buy a 1910 Craftsman bungalow, make sure you hire contractors who are familiar with old wiring, plumbing and finishes.

4. Find Good Resources

In most cases, interior features in old houses were custom made to fit specific spaces, so custom-made replacements will usually offer the most authentic look. If you find good resources, custom items like cabinets, hardware, moldings and lighting may be less expensive than stock items right off the shelf. With good resources, you can create details that complement the character of the house.

5. Restore Original Details

With an old, historic home, think restore, not redo! In old houses, doors, windows, and bathroom tubs and toilets are often non-conventional sizes. Before you rip out doors, windows or bathroom fixtures, try to restore them first. Old houses settle and shift over time, so replacing original details with new parts can be a big problem.

If you love the idea of renovating an old house, you can find home remodeling contractors today who are experts in old house renovations.

Big Names in the Music Industry

If you are into music, you probably have heard about xkey by now. There are also many other big names in the music industry, and you can read about all of them all over the Internet. If you are curious about any of them, feel free to check the above link which will take you to a website that allows you to browse hundreds if not more of products that every musician should find interesting.

Useful Makeup Tips

Most women enjoy wearing makeup and for many of them the quality of their makeup is of utmost importance. If you are one of such women, you will be thrilled to learn those tips and tricks that can make the whole experience of wearing makeup a lot more enjoyable.

1. Clean your skin thoroughly before applying any makeup. I know that this might sound obvious, but way too many women are in such a big hurry every day in the morning that they don’t put any emphasis to how their skin looks like. Your skin is like a canvas on which you paint makeup. Take care of it and it will pay off in the long run.

2. Choose organic makeup over any other kind of makeup. It is proven that the best organic makeup can leave your skin rejuvenated and refreshed while low quality makeup is a lot more likely to contribute to acne and other skin conditions. Choose your brand wisely and you are on the right track to ensuring that your skin always looks smooth.

3. Choose quality foundation. Whether or not to use foundation is not a matter of choice. Most makeup artists agree that the type of foundation you choose to use can make or break your face. If you are about to go on a date or attend a gala, you might want to use foundation to hide your skin imperfections for longer up to even a few hours at a time.

4. Don’t be afraid to blush away! Blushes will make your skin appear to be lively and healthy. If you never blush, consider this to be an important tip. Even if your skin is very dark, it is still possible to make it blush with a little bit of makeup, especially if you choose to go for the organic type.

Exceptional Guitars

I usually blog about a variety of topics on this blog, but one thing I would like to talk today about is the topic of music including this warlock guitar. When you spend a lot of time on the Internet just like I do, you get to see all sorts of things. You see various guitars, and once you see them you might not be able to forget about them that easily. You simply need to have one of those.

Clothes for Men and Women

To me, January is this time of year when I like to shop. I have done the majority of my shopping during the month of December due to a huge number of sales in various online stores, but I strongly believe that the month of January might be even better to get my hands on some Large Leather Handbags as well as shoes. The New Year celebrations might be already over, but nobody said that the time for partying and having fun is over as well.

I am always interested in some handbags, jewellery as well as various accessories including shoes for men and women and clothing for men and women. I simply always like to have many of such items in my wardrobe in case I want to party, or if I simply want to go out shopping and want to look elegant.

When it comes to the colours I might want to choose to wear in January, the colour red is definitely my favourite one. With the weather being rather cold and windy lately, I came to the conclusion that wearing something bright is definitely the way to go. This is why I am always on the lookout for something that can make me noticeable in the crowd such as red shoes, yellow jacket, or orange trousers. I want my wardrobe to reflect my mood, and by wearing something that is very colourful I have a chance to do so.

If you feel like you are in the mood for some shopping, consider clicking on the above link. It will take you to a place that will completely change your wardrobe. Instead of complaining that you have nothing to wear on a rainy day you might consider shopping at this particular website and buy yourself an outfit that will make you feel better about yourself.