1) Buy the best -- avoid brands with advertisements and everything carried in Audiophile, JB Mart, Perfect Pitche, TMS, Lazer etc. ( I repeat this because I would consider them the Toyotas of Musical Instruments and nothing else)
- at some point, agree ako dito. ![Smiley :)](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/haha.png)
2) Always looks for the person or ear behind the product your buying -- if its a group of engineers forget it even if its says Marshall
- meron naman reliable dito na pwedeng humingi ng advice (para sa akin) ![Smiley :)](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/haha.png)
3) You don't need more stuff in terms of looks, style or COLOR but you NEED a lot of the good sounding stuff which is rare!!!
- tama, aesthetics lang naman yun. kumpara nalang natin sa chix na nagkakagusto sa guwapong douchebag na may ferrari na kotse, tapos yung mga mababait na mukhang singaw nasa friendzone ![lol :lol:](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/haha (2).png)
4) Avoid Youtube because its never accurate compared to how the piece of equipment translates in terms of feel.
- tama! compression sucks ![eek :eek:](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/beat_brick.png)
5) Subscribe to Tonequest Report because they limit your scope to the good sounding stuff and I have tried their recommendations which beats any recommendation on this forum!!!
- going to subscribe soon, may fee ba to? ![Smiley :)](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/haha.png)
6) Have other experts with better ears and experience than you select your equipment instead. This way the ego is deflated by someone in authority.
- agree ako dito except for the "select your equipment" part. ![Smiley :)](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/haha.png)
7) Conversely, it is dangerous to keep selecting equipment based on your visual and physical specifications and requirements. Use Feel and Sound instead.
- nagkaroon na ako ng bad experience na ganito (noong high school pa and non music related gear). since then nagreresearch na ako bago ako bumili ![Smiley :)](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/haha.png)
![Cool 8)](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/matrix.png)
Again, don't buy amps and guitars unless they cost US$3k and above. I know that I have said this before but it does indeed reduce purchases.
- Kung may budget naman, why not? Kung wala, make most of what you have. ![Smiley :)](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/haha.png)
9) Buy US made and European guitars and Amps. I know that I have said this before but it ALSO reduces your purchases. The US and Europeans have higher standards with regards to good sounding audio gear -- I say more so than the Japanese.
- "no comment" made in south korea kasi gitara ko, hahahaha! ![lol :lol:](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/haha (2).png)
10) Don't believe any major brand endorsement by successful artists. Just remember than the manufacturers who produce the best sounding equipment do NOT have the money to pay the endorsement fees of the big artists. They are too busy trying to produce magical sounding equipment one at a time.
- Graphtech endorser here, they don't pay me but I believe in the quality of their products ![Smiley :)](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/haha.png)