What is the best way for a gigging band to get local exposure?
If you're in a band and you play out right now, it's most likely true you try but ultimately fail to sell anything at shows.
How did I learn to play Paranoid the right way? From a magazine
Above is the cover of the August 1992 issue of Guitar World. I was 17 at the time, and I bought the mag for one reason and one reason only - Tony Iommi was on the cover.
Guitar buyer's remorse
Every guitar player at some point experiences guitar buyer's remorse. It's when you put a bunch of money into a specific guitar only to discover it's not the magical axe you thought it was going to be, and then the sinking feeling sets in of, "Oh, crap.. I spent way too much money on that guitar."
Have I ever experienced guitar buyer's remorse? Yes. But I learned from the experience and know not to do it again.