(Okay, so the pic is old... I don't have hair that long, or sport a beard anymore. It was the best pic I had with my guitar in hand, so don't razz me, okay?!)

Dan Cross Your About Guide to Guitar That's right, fellow babies! Now you can call and interact one on one with your very own About Guide to Guitar. If the "Talk to Me Now" logo is displayed, it means I should be available to field your guitar related questions. Although I might not know everything you're looking to learn about guitar, chances are I should be able to help in some way.

If you're interested in calling, these are areas I should be able to help you with:

• Guitar Playing Advice - I've been a private instructor for many years, and I like to think I am able to communicate guitar concepts clearly to others. Whether it's a question about scales, technique, or suggested songs to learn, I should be able to give you some assistance.
• Guitar Buying Tips - I've bought many guitars in my day, and have a pretty good idea of how to deal with sales people, and what to look for (or avoid) when buying an instrument. I also have several thoughts on which guitars are good buys for beginners.
• Songwriting Help - I have done a lot of this with students past and present, and all seem to genuinely appreciate the help. I can only offer you my personal opinions on what works and what doesn't, but my instincts are good, and my melodic sensibility is strong. I can also offer suggestions for tweaking your chord progressions, melodies, etc., if you're stumped.
• Finding Guitar Info on the Web - I've spent a lot of time combing the web, finding the best guitar resources out there. Chances are, if you have a guitar-related question, there's a website out there that answers your question. I'll do my best to point you in the right direction.

Here are some areas that I probably won't be able to help you much with:

• Guitar Repair - Although I tinker a little, I'm definitely not an expert in this area. Try using the Guitar Repair Shop to see if you can get your problem answered.
• How Much Your Guitar is Worth - Again, not my area of expertise, and even if it was, it's impossible to accurately gauge the worth of an instrument without examining it.
• Specific Gear Questions - I don't know about the delay settings on (for example) a Korg A-3 effects unit, although I might be able to find info on the web for you. There are so many types of guitars, and so much gear out there, I just don't have the time or ability to know about all of it.

If you think you have a question that I might be able to help you with, or just want to chat to your About Guide to Guitar, feel free to call. This service, run by Keen, charges on a per-minute basis.