The neck of my guitar seems to be twisted. I want to adjust the rod myself. Which way should I move, right or left?

If the dip is insufficient, turn the rod in counter-clockwise. If the dip is too great, turn the rod clockwise. Adjusting the rod must always be used with great care and should be done little by little. Keep in mind that it only helps for small alterations. It is highly recommended that the guitar be sent to a shop or a professional repair man to get an overall inspection and for better results.

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I’ve just read that the two guitars of the same brand and model number are sometimes not in the exact same conditions. Is this true?

Just like anything else such as automobile, stereo, or electronics, guitar is no exception--not all items can be made 100% identical. The same brand guitar may be in different condition than others or turns out to be defective after it leaves from the factory. It's important, therefore, to review the manufacture's refund and product guarantee policy before you buy an guitar. Most top brand guitar manufactures such as Ibanez, Gibson, and Fender stand by their words and quality and they are more than welcome to learn if some guitars they made turn out to be defective. It helps them to take an appropriate action. If not certain about their policy, send them an inquiry. For their home pages, visit at: http://www.sixstringsmusicpub.com/other-sites-compiled-by-six-strings-music.htm  Or, check with your guitar shop. Most conscientious guitar stores will exchange guitar if the problem is apparent.

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When I plug in my cord to an amp, it doesn't make any musical sound at all! I only get this real loud and annoying buzzing.

If the output socket of the guitar is loose, that could well be the cause of the buzz. But, first, try again with a different cord (preferably with a brand new one). If it still buzzes, either your guitar or amps is the cause. So, next try your amp with other guitar, if it buzzes, the amp must be the cause. If the buzz stops, take your guitar to the shop and have them fix the plug.

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I bought a six-string acoustic guitar. Guitar strings that came with it are getting really old. What kind of strings should I get?

First of all, you need the strings made specially for an acoustic guitar. Although various kinds of guitar strings are presently available, there are roughly three types of strings: soft, medium, hard. The main difference among them is tension. If you've just started out, try the soft or low-tensioned strings. Ask the store clerk and he/she can show you several of them. Afterwards, experiment with other tensions and brands and compare the sounds, feels and playability.

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I recently bought an ES-175 and my thumb sticks to the back of the neck like glue. I'm used to playing unfinished maple necks on solid-body guitars.  Is there anything I can do to allow more free vertical movement without damaging the finish on the guitar?

This probably has to do with the finish. Many ES-175 users feel natural with the original finish while some people may experience unnatural touch. There are a wide range of materials used for guitar finishes. Some are suitable for all guitars, some are not. For instance, some synthetic finishes are suitable only for use on electric guitars, since they can have very adverse effects on the tone of acoustic guitar. While applying the finish, one small mistake can lead to stripping off several applied layers of finish and starting all over! Therefore, it'd be best to consult with a guitar repair shop first and select the finish most appropriate to your guitar and tailored to your preference and needs. It may be also a good idea to contact the guitar manufacture, in your case, at: http://www.gibson.com 

Alternatively, instead of dealing with this sensitive and subtle finish issue, many pros quite commonly just exchange the neck with the one he/she feels most comfortable with or has been using.  

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