Got my first (and only) Guitar from a mom and pop place - Albemarle Music in Elizabeth City, NC. Small town -- I think there are only 3 music stores. Also where I go for my lessons until I get beyond the basics.

Finally able to snag a pic of the shop (outside at least) -

stvnford, Cool. It's good to give mom and pop stores your business. What guitar and gear did you buy?

My wife bought me a Jay Turser 200D with a Tiger Eye finish. (http://www.jayturser.com/jt-200d.php)

I picked up a Marshall MGD10CD amp and medium quality cable.

Right now I'm using Cool (medium - .75) picks. I need the extra grip as I'm recovering from a bad injury to my right wrist and forearm.

I don't have much else except for a carrying case that I use to take my guitar back and forth to lessons.

My teacher (who's been playing for 25+ years) was quite impressed with the JT-200D. She liked the sound, tone and quality -- especially when she found out how much we paid for it.

I'm still playing stock strings but think it's time to get some decent ones next time I'm at the shop.

Speaking of the shop - I'll grab a picture or two next time I'm there and post it.

That is one sexy Turser! Those are good guitars. Congrats! I'd recommend picking up a metronome when you get a chance. Those are a must have. My first mistake when learning guitar is not using a metronome.

Thanks for the suggestion. Got one :) built into my tuner. Music and timing shouldn't be an issue as I've played musical instruments since grade school -- total of about 25 years.

Just figuring out how to finger notes with only one hand has been the toughest thing so far -- and those darn low notes.

Yeah, on those rare occasions I buy new I try to buy from local mom & pops.

That Turser is nice, next step eventually will be an amp upgrade, but no hurry. Hope that hand injury gets better!

Where ever I get the best deal is usually where I buy from. I've bought guitars from eBay, mom and pop stores, Guitar Center, Sam Ash, Wildwood Guitars, Centre City Music, Matt's Music, other guitar forum classifieds, gBase, and other places. Amps from the same types of place. It really just comes down to price and service (and the dealer's reputation if buying something like a guitar across the Internet.

Any store that has fair deals. I've bought from the Mom and Pop shops, big stores like Long & MacQuade and smaller businesses as well. Also, I've used online forums and eBay of course along with kijiji/craigslist.

A nice little place up the road called Alpha Music. Beats the hell out of my Guitar Center.

guitar center or sam ash:)