[Starbuck]

Hey I'm just looking for validation I guess. But it seems to me that the gear industry as a whole caters exclusivley to men. Not that there aren't more men playing guitar than women, however I'm SO tied of being forgotten, ignored (except for the up and down) or just plain disrespected cause I could not possibly know anything about guitars and their makers. When I bought my Taylor GSRS, I shopped around the GTA and not once did anyone approach me about what I was looking for, with no exceptions every salesperson approached my husband to ask "what do you play man"? He had heard my complaints about such things on numerous occasions, but was completely surprised to see it first hand. I actually had one guy hand me a Gibson Dove saying "Sheryl Crow plays one of these"

I rarely buy guitar mags cause mostly they are crap, but sometimes it's nice to read about new gadgets and gizmos and for the most part I don't have anyone to talk to about such things. I just bought guitar world and I'm so sick of the half naked models on the inside who could not possible know a thing about playing guitar, at least not with nails like those. I know all you men out there enjoy the occasional eye candy but....

Anyway, sorry I'm a bit long winded, but if there are any of you out there who work in a music store, please don't assume that the women coming in are shopping for their Husbands or their sons...

 

[kat_]

I second everything you just said.

 

[Jeff Flowerday]

The average age of a Guitar World reader is 16 so half naked women makes sense as a marketing tool. Unfortunately the other magazines do it as well. Silly concept to sell any guitar product for sure.

That said it makes us men look for a second at least, otherwise we might not pay attention to the add at all.

The last time I checked, I don't think the acoustic guitar magazine allows any of those types of adds. Might be a good alternative for you to check out.

 

[Starbuck]

Right you are, and I am an avid reader of GW acoustic. The music stores however? That is another story. Like I said, only occasionally do I like to check out the new gear....

 

[Mooh]

What she said.

Back in the mid '70s there was a huge outcry at Guitar Player Magazine about the use of women in advertising to sell guitars to men. Seems worse now. Besides all that, I don't think there are any more female players per capita either. There are some great role models, but not so may followers it seems.

www.kateschutt.com for one role model.

Peace, Mooh.

 

[Hamm Guitars]

What about guitars themselves? Is there anything noteworthy in the design of the guitar that makes them more comfortable or appealing to female players?

I once made a strat for my old girlfriend as a Christmas present that had a slightly smaller than usual body, but I'm not sure that it was all that important thinking back though.

 

[Robboman]

100 to 1? At least?

Firstly, I know your thread was titled "Ladies, what do you think?", and I am a man last I checked... but I'll chime in anyway.

This is no excuse for lacking professionalism from any salesma.. uhh, sales-person, but I think you may have REALLY understated that part about how there's more guys playing guitar than girls. Having worked in a music store in the past, and having sold many a guitar during that 3 or 4 year period, I honestly can't remember EVER selling one to a female guitar player! Closest I got was selling beginner guitars to moms for their male children. Maybe it was just me and I have no idea if there's industry stats on this to prove me wrong, but from my personal experience it seems that men must outnumber women by 100 to 1 or more when it comes to guitar players. I've never understood why it's such a male-dominated thing.

So if a man and a woman walk in together and the sales-person assumes that the man is the guitarist, 99% of the time it would be the correct assumtion. I'm sure female sales-persons would make the same wrong assumption.

The lesson - Never 'assume', it makes an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'!

 

[Jeff Flowerday]

I've never understood why it's such a male-dominated thing.

We think playing it will help get the ladies? :rockon2:

 

[Michelle]

Hey Roboman, I saw your edit info, funny!

It's not only guitar stores Starbuck, you must get this anytime you enter the traditional male 'domain'. Auto parts, bldg supplies, etc. Happens to me all the time. They too assume you're picking up something for the man and have absolutely no concept or understanding of what_it_is. Some guys act pretty weird when a female shows her smarts/talents in these areas.

There is a lot of misunderstanding and stereotyping towards what is gender-related, gender-specific, or gender-appropriate throughout our societies. Anyone who deviates from the norm can be labeled 'deviant' or viewed with suspicion, or worse. It works both ways of course with different results/implications, this is dangerous territory for some.

Certainly though, there are not a lot of female guitarists. What's the #1 reason guys take up the guitar? There hasn't been much role-model type influence towards females until recent years. Certainly there is/was parental pressure to abide by perceived gender norms, "this is not something women do". For me, the first time I saw/heard a bass player in a rock band live I dug it and decided that is what I was going to do. Suzi Quattro impressed me later on but I never liked her music much, I just liked her outfits.

The shape definitely has an impact Andy, for me anyway, I prefer smaller, solid bodies. (oops)

:wave:

 

[Marnacious]

I say it's time to start a revolution. :sport-smiley-002:

 

[jane]

Honestly, I haven't really had this problem much, except for the one time I went into a guitar store and the salesperson pointed me to the acoustic guitars room without asking me what I was looking for. A lot of my interests are in fields that are very male dominated too... mathematics (22 guys and 2 girls in my class), planes and guitars/basses!

 

[Starbuck]

Firstly, I know your thread was titled "Ladies, what do you think?", and I am a man last I checked... but I'll chime in anyway.

Ooops! Sorry Robboman, I was not trying to exclude you gentleman. Just wondering if there was anyone else out there with the same problem. Not to mention it's refreshing to get other womens opinions for a change on the subject.... Being in a male dominated Industry (Logistics/transportation planning and dispatch) has made me grow a somewhat thick skin and I generally do not offend easily. However, when I approach a sales person for advice and they talk to me like I'm a moron who knows nothing... I do get a bit offended. Even when I was buying my Taylor one guy had the audacity to turn to my Husband and ask him what the budget was. We left and they lost a hefty sale and possible life long customer. We bought from the 1st store to approach me directly and they even matched the lowest price we found! Now it's the only store I go to...

 

[ne1roc]

Different art/hobbies attract different genders. If I walked into a ballet store with my wife looking for some ballet slippers, I think they would approach my wife first?

Personnally, I think your skin is too thin. Who cares about the sales person.
Next time any salesperson igores you, make him feel like a piece of shit. Complain to the manager, and you'll get a great deal.

 

[kat_]

What about guitars themselves? Is there anything noteworthy in the design of the guitar that makes them more comfortable or appealing to female players?

I once made a strat for my old girlfriend as a Christmas present that had a slightly smaller than usual body, but I'm not sure that it was all that important thinking back though.

With full size acoustics I notice my right shoulder hurts if I play for more than about 3 hours without taking a break. That could just be that I'm not used to the size. I can usually adjust the strap and find a comfortable spot. Electrics and classicals are small enough.

 

[adamthemute]

 

[Jeff Flowerday]

I know you are kidding but come on...

 

[adamthemute]

Well, if that actually offends someone I pity you.

All in good fun!

 

[Ripper]

Well, if that actually offends someone I pity you.

All in good fun!

Hey it's not that it is necessarily offensive, but it does perpetuate the idea that items for ladies need to be all cutesy etc. By doing so, it helps keep the idea alive that there is one thing for a man and a different one for a woman.

 

[laristotle]

The lesson - Never 'assume', it makes an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'!

I like John Travolta's line in 'Broken Arrow',
"Assumption is the Mother of all F**k-ups".

 

[Starbuck]

Thin skin? Nahhhh!

Personnally, I think your skin is too thin.

Has nothing to do with thin skin Dude, it's the fact that as a female I object to someone handing me a guitar because "This one is pretty" I was just opening up a discussion to see if it was just me so to speak. I realise that it takes a long time for things to come around, but thankfully, the times they are a changin!