What do YOU like to play in a guitar shop?

-Just out of curiosity, what do you play in guitar shops when you're trying out new guitars? I'm assuming you check over the instrument first, run a few scales etc...



I guess I'm just asking if you have a riff or even a whole song you enjoy playing to get a "feel" for the guitar you're considering. Personally, I believe playing a song in your favorite style is an important consideration too...your thoughts? Personally, I can't stand the show-offs that enjoy forcing their awful renditions of "Smoke on the Water" on the rest of the customers...or players that think if you don't have incredible chops, you're not a good guitarist.I prefer to go into the sound proof room and play some simple classical selections. Even if it is a tricked out electric, I find this tells me the most about the instrument.

This also tells me if the instrument is gong to need adjustment. It is surprising how many instruments have never been adjusted for perfect tuning.i typically do the things that i use the most in my playing. i run scales and sweep pick a lot, so i see how that feels/sounds on the guitar im playing. i also play the harmonics to see how strong they are. i also like to check what about the guitar is physically limiting, like, sometimes the bottom horn restricts your wrist wen playing wide stretches on the higher frets. besides that, i jam on some power chords between all the pick ups to hear how different they sound. and i always check the sustain, which is best to do just by holding that guitars highest note.