Billybunter's Guitar thread

[billybunter]

Hi folks. I'm a self confessed "gearhead" have been for many years. Have 30 odd guitars & quite a few amps/effects etc. Was wondering if anyone else likes to spank a wooden plank when not spanking the fleshy one:)

[rotobott]

I'm no expert,but I believe the technical name is guitar string.

[Bovon]

BB - Oh yes. You'll have one or two joining you, no doubt. Me too, but later. Note the Av.

[charliedog]

I have about 15 or 20 guitars around here and about 27 years of playing.

[billybunter]

My main weapon of choice is Rickenbacker. Just love their jangle. Especially through a vox ac30. Just thought it would be great to exchange stories/tips etc. Oh, and tunings. LOL.

[eelcat]

I have a Hagstrom H II N from the early 70's.
Can't play for peanuts though....and I'm left handed :)
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/eelcat/pod-god.gif

[tabler]

Hey Bells, nice Guitars mate, why dont you just re-string them (it worked for Jimi)

I'll put my Guitars on soon

[billybunter]

You can buy lefty rics on ebay, but they are more expensive. As tabler says do a "jimi"

[billybunter]

Would also like to hear from anyone musical out there, drummers, bass players, keyboardists etc. Hey maybe we can form a VEF band!

[elton dong]

Come on guys lets get real..........lol
http://img164.imagevenue.com/loc1123/th_01108_78a4_122_1123lo.jpg (http://img164.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=01108_78a4_122_1123lo.jpg)

[eelcat]

Come on guys lets get real..........lol
http://img164.imagevenue.com/loc1123/th_01108_78a4_122_1123lo.jpg (http://img164.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=01108_78a4_122_1123lo.jpg)

Excellent!!
Now has anyone got one of those cricket bat bass guitars and an electric drum, then well be in business :)

[laughingelk]

As I like the 70s girls, my Hank Marvin signature Strat I like most.

And for country & ragtime fingerpicking, the Baby Taylor is the best guitar I've ever played. Originally designed as a travel guitar, playing her is like capo on 3rd fret without the bassplayer and the vocalist being forced to change key.

[billybunter]

The last axe I bought was a Gretsch Electromatic Golden Sparkle. When Fender bought them over they started producing a budget range called electromatic. Highly recommended folks, and it has the Bigsby Tailpiece.

[Bovon]

This is what I'm currently walking around my Gaff
Wearing over my shoulder.

http://img265.imagevenue.com/loc584/th_33201_Tele-Now_123_584lo.jpg (http://img265.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=33201_Tele-Now_123_584lo.jpg)


And I remember playing a Fender Tele for the 1st time -
Jeeezuz, the Weight!!

[charliedog]

most of my junk...

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm95/s4cabriolet/100_1610.jpg

[silver sparkle]

I am and always will be a telecaster man,I have at the moment a 2001 designer series from the corola factory 1 of only 200 made,its the best tele I have ever had, I love the four way switch which gives it proper balls.

[Bovon]

CD - Fak me! That's an impressive rack!

[Basser]

i got a fender marcus miller jazz bass which i play with three bands. had it 11 years absolutely love the thing. i also have a michael kelly acoustic bass which is lovely too.

[fleetwood77]

http://img194.imagevenue.com/loc39/th_36980_03060903534321_123_39lo.jpg (http://img194.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=36980_03060903534321_123_39lo.jpg)ht tp://img25.imagevenue.com/loc775/th_36988_040709202803_123_775lo.jpg (http://img25.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=36988_040709202803_123_775lo.jpg)htt p://img203.imagevenue.com/loc148/th_37008_040709202908_123_148lo.jpg (http://img203.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=37008_040709202908_123_148lo.jpg)

[charliedog]

CD - Fak me! That's an impressive rack!

thanks Bov...I've loved guitars since I was 12 and some kid at sleep away camp rocked out to Crazy Train on a tennis racket.

Here is one of my favorite pieces that missed the group photo:

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm95/s4cabriolet/100_1228-1.jpg

[Shooterwrestler]

Ahh for me fellas I have an old 71 Gibson SG.
I love it.
Got a balls to the wall tone.

[Johnny Bravo]

I have been playing around trying to learn bass for a few months but not with too much success. I have an Epiphone EB0 3/4 scale bass and a Marshall bass amp, but I don't use the amp very often as my fingering is not that good yet, and I get a lot of string noise as a result of bad technique. I'm still building strength in my fingers and trying to get the technique for plucking right. It's not as easy as it looks, but I've learned three or four songs and a couple of bass licks.

Six strings are way beyond me.

[billybunter]

I spent this afternoon setting up my '65 360 ric. It was a nightmare! Might sign up for a proper guitar tech course. Still playing really well for an old lady. The big debate between guitarists has always been, should you take all the strings off and restring or do it one by one. My opinion is that taking them all off is ok if you restring right away. Leaving it for a day or two will damage the neck. Another myth is that you must detune if flying or posting a guitar.

[charliedog]

I spent this afternoon setting up my '65 360 ric. It was a nightmare! Might sign up for a proper guitar tech course. Still playing really well for an old lady. The big debate between guitarists has always been, should you take all the strings off and restring or do it one by one. My opinion is that taking them all off is ok if you restring right away. Leaving it for a day or two will damage the neck. Another myth is that you must detune if flying or posting a guitar.

If I'm changing a full set, I always remove all the strings, clean out the fingerboard and restring.

[brianwp]

most of my junk...

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm95/s4cabriolet/100_1610.jpg

Isn't that a Gibson L6s there? I had one of those back in the late seventies. I loved that little guitar! Fast! All kinds of sounds. Send me that one. :p

[charliedog]

Isn't that a Gibson L6s there? I had one of those back in the late seventies. I loved that little guitar! Fast! All kinds of sounds. Send me that one. :p

the yellow one is a Les Paul Special double-cutaway (bound neck and seymour duncan pickups). the sunburst is a Les Paul Double Cutaway Studio (with seymour duncans). The body is chambered so it isn't heavy. The yellow one is solid.

I also have a chopped up early 60's SG (like Pete Townsend's but without a bound neck) but it's in pieces and I have to figure out what to do with it.

One day, I'll find a Les Paul Standard in tobacco-burst with a few tiger stripes (like Duane Allmans) and will be buried with it when I die.

[Johnny Bravo]

Try flatwound strings on a short scale bass - less string noise and an authentic Sixties sound.
Easier on the fingers too.

Thanks for the advice. A mate is a pro bassist and her hubby has a shit load of vintage guitars. I think it needs setting up properly, but carting a bass around to their place on a train is a bit of a pain in the balls.

I'll try the strings though.

[billybunter]

I've just bought an Epiphone EA-250, made by the Matsumoku company in Japan 1972. Anyone else have one or played one??

[charliedog]

What does it look like - I may have had one.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm95/s4cabriolet/ea250.jpg

I've heard good things about older Epi's. I've played a few newer ones and thought they weren't made too well.

[charliedog]

here's some other pics:


3 Alvarez-Yairis (CY-127CE, WY-1 12 string, DY-62C)

These guitars practically play themselves.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm95/s4cabriolet/100_1133-1.jpg


Guitars:

Mexican tele with Strat neck and Duncan Antiquity pickups, Mexican tele, Warmoth custom, Fender P-bass, '93 Fender strat plus with Dimarzio Virtual Vintage pickups, '84 Fender Strat plus with Dimarzio pickups, '89 Fender Strat Plus with Seymour Duncan pickups, '97 Gibson Les Paul Special Double Cutaway with Seymour Duncan p90s, '98 Gibson Les Paul DC Studio with Seymour Duncans


Amps: '87 Marshall Mini-stack (2553B, 4x10 and 2x12), '70's Fender Bandmaster head, POS Stage head (removed from a combo), Marshall JTM-60 head.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm95/s4cabriolet/100_1205-1.jpg

[mellowyellow]

I have 3 electric guitars, not many but fine ones, a '74 US strat, cream coloured, black plate and maple neck, a 1979 ES-335 dot neck, natural finish and finally a '59 ES-330 which has a sublime feel but the neck is twisted slightly but beyond repair. And I still have the Japanese steel-string that thought me how to play as a mid teenager in the late 70ies.
The Strat and the 335 both urgently need maintenance but I have been postponing that as these are my only guitars to do gigs with (not a pro anymore but still have been playing significantly the last 6 years).

And off course I make all that noise with mesa boogie :-)

Nice thread btw!

[mellowyellow]

Isn't that a Gibson L6s there? I had one of those back in the late seventies. I loved that little guitar! Fast! All kinds of sounds. Send me that one. :p

I had one too, early eighties, black with a very sleek and long neck, two octaves as I recall it, and lots of sound options. I traded it for a cherry red LP Standard which is also history. I now play a fender strat instead...

[tabler]

I have a 1962 pre CBS strat in blonde to which I have fitted a maple kneck, a 1974 Gibson Les paul Custom Goldtop (which I find too heavy for me) a 1982 standard telecaster which I use for bottlekneck and a fairly new telecoustic which I love.
I play through 2 Vox AC30's but I also have an Orange 100watt head through 2 Marshall 4x12 cabs.
What I wish I still had is my 1964 Futurama (made by Hagstrom) which I sold when I got married:(
Oh just remembered I also have a Martin 12 string but my Brother has a lend of it at the moment.

[billybunter]

Sorry for the late reply folks. Yes it's just like the above pics. Mine has the bigsby style tailpiece.

[kananga]

http://thumbnails7.imagebam.com/3654/709c8436531286.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/709c8436531286/)

I have one of these. Being a bassist I prefer acoustic instruments and have a few, as well as a fretless and a fretted Jazz Bass.

[billybunter]

I've hooked up my 100w HI-WATT to my AC30. The missus told me to turn that racket down. LOL!

[brianwp]

I have a 1962 pre CBS strat in blonde to which I have fitted a maple kneck, a 1974 Gibson Les paul Custom Goldtop (which I find too heavy for me) a 1982 standard telecaster which I use for bottlekneck and a fairly new telecoustic which I love.
I play through 2 Vox AC30's but I also have an Orange 100watt head through 2 Marshall 4x12 cabs.
What I wish I still had is my 1964 Futurama (made by Hagstrom) which I sold when I got married:(
Oh just remembered I also have a Martin 12 string but my Brother has a lend of it at the moment.

And a Martin! Hmmm. Tell you what, Eric, I can help you out here. See, I had all my guitars stolen, including an American made Lone Star Strat. But these days, I couldn't afford a plastic ukelele. So...since that Les Paul is too heavy for you, well, I'll take it for you. This way, everybody wins! No...don't thank me, this is what friends are for. PM me and I'll send you my address. I'll even pay shipping costs! Yeah, I know, but that's just the kind of guy I am!

[billybunter]

I had a 70s les paul in wine red. But I smashed it one night while drunk:( I have an 80s LP but the 70s one played better inho.

[tabler]

And a Martin! Hmmm. Tell you what, Eric, I can help you out here. See, I had all my guitars stolen, including an American made Lone Star Strat. But these days, I couldn't afford a plastic ukelele. So...since that Les Paul is too heavy for you, well, I'll take it for you. This way, everybody wins! No...don't thank me, this is what friends are for. PM me and I'll send you my address. I'll even pay shipping costs! Yeah, I know, but that's just the kind of guy I am!

Hmmmm, its a kind offer, maybe if you threw in the plastic ukelele (what colour is it) it might sway me;)

[brianwp]

You got it!

[tabler]

You got it!

As long as the plastic eukelele is pink, its a deal!
Get your arse over here and pick it up:p

[kananga]

Tabler I'd be tempted to lend you my 'Recording' in lieu of your kind offer to Brian, however Recordings are larger than a standard Les Paul, so probably heavier as well. A friend of mine had a Goldtop in the seventies and I remember it being heavy, just how heavy by comparison I don't recall,
Probably negligable compared to the average Fender Jazz Bass.

[mellowyellow]

A friend of mine had a Goldtop in the seventies and I remember it being heavy,

Those LP's are heavy, I owned a 2nd hand cherry red LP Standard from '86 to '90 and then traded it in for a 70's U.S. Strat for that very reason. The LP sounded great but I was just fed up with all that weight 4 nights a week...

[brianwp]

I didn't mind the weight so much, kinda like playing a piano. But they're making them now with hollowed out bodies, for less weight.

[donnalangtonukmode]

My cherry red fender precession special bass. All brass fittings,
with an active phase switch that boosts the treble and volume. Plus
it takes a wee square battery. Love this bass & it loves me ;)

http://thumbnails15.imagebam.com/3938/0ee0f739374819.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0ee0f739374819/)
Photo taken years ago into a curved mirror

[The_D]

I've been playing for going on 30 years now. Played professionaly during most of the 90's while living in Germany. Was on the road quite a bit... UK, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain once or twice.

I had up to 25 guitars and about a dozen amps at one point... right now, I'm back to the basics. A couple of really good guitars and a solid, great sounding combo amp, with a Line 6 M13 stompbox modeler on the ground. Easy to setup, easy to dial in GREAT sounds, and fun to play!

I'm trying to get back to the "pro" level again... commitments here at home are making it hard, though.

[kananga]

My cherry red fender precession special bass. All brass fittings,
with an active phase switch that boosts the treble and volume. Plus
it takes a wee square battery. Love this bass & it loves me ;)

http://thumbnails15.imagebam.com/3938/0ee0f739374819.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0ee0f739374819/)
Photo taken years ago into a curved mirror

http://thumbnails19.imagebam.com/3940/2536e239391003.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2536e239391003)

I have a passive Jazz bass special (the fretted one at rear). Which I feel the same way about.
An old (ex) girlfriend once used it to smash up my VCR.
She's long gone, but the bass (repaired at her expense) remains.

[brianwp]

My cherry red fender precession special bass. All brass fittings,
with an active phase switch that boosts the treble and volume. Plus
it takes a wee square battery. Love this bass & it loves me ;)

http://thumbnails15.imagebam.com/3938/0ee0f739374819.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0ee0f739374819/)
Photo taken years ago into a curved mirror

DLUKM, that's the way to go, as far as I'm concerned. The Precision is a classic bass, meant to be manhandled! I like that candy red color too, but you don't look anything like your avatar!

[headlessbill]

Waheeyy..!!!...My FAVOURITE subject..(Well..OK....my SECOND favourite subject..!!!)....

Me.....2 Strats..(One just like buddy's..)
A lovely Squier(Japanese) Tele...(Black...Tortoiseshell scratchplate..seymour duncan pups)
a 1978 Ibanez Artist
Lovely Yamaha accoustic
and my favourite..but in desperate need of a refret now 'cos it's been gigged to within an inch of its life....an Ibanez Blazer..just a cheapie I bouth for £175.00 in 1981....but it was my faithful gigging guitar for years.......
My 'Buddy' strat now has that dubious honour..!!

Amps..??.....Blackface Fender Twin Reverb...or a nice Laney VC 30...

used to use 2 beautiful early 60's AC30's which in my opinion will never be beaten for sound....but they both died unfortunately!!!!.....

and last but not least...the best invention ever...that wondeful little Boss stage tuner...!!!!....

35 years on from my first gig....I still can't give it up..!!!....LOL

What a great thread......brilliant to see so many of you with such enviable collections....

Oh...By the way..if anyone has a Rickenbacker 620 they need to sell to me cheap....;-)..that is my next dream guitar!!!!!

[donnalangtonukmode]

http://thumbnails19.imagebam.com/3940/2536e239391003.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2536e239391003)

I have a passive Jazz bass special (the fretted one at rear). Which I feel the same way about.
An old (ex) girlfriend once used it to smash up my VCR.
She's long gone, but the bass (repaired at her expense) remains.

The bitch! :D:D
The scorn of a woman is nothing compaired to a scratch on the things we love;)

[kananga]

Waheeyy..!!!...My FAVOURITE subject..(Well..OK....my SECOND favourite subject..!!!)....

and my favourite..but in desperate need of a refret now 'cos it's been gigged to within an inch of its life....an Ibanez Blazer..just a cheapie I bouth for £175.00 in 1981....but it was my faithful gigging guitar for years.......


I have a friend that had a 'morone' coloured Blazer around that time, it was very nice. I prefered it to many strats.
I was one of the first in Aust to buy the TU-12 Boss tuner, back when they were cheap.
Had it disappear at a pub gig. Used to share it with this guitarist in an occasional band, beside my regular gig.
I wouldn't want to think he stole it from me, but I'll never know. He said it was a punter.
Don't use anything in the way of effects, besides a compressor and a chorus mostly for fretless bass.

[headlessbill]

My Blazer is a nice 'sparkle red'.....I really should get it refretted & back into action it is a great guitar...

The Boss Tuner is absolutely invaluable...!!!..and as for letting anyone 'share' mine..LOL...No Way....

Effects I tend to use.....in this order ;-)....in to out....

Tuner
Boss Compressor
Boss Super Overdrive
Ibanez Digital delay.....

There's so much I'd love to buy & try out...but unfortunately...money is a bit scarce as with everyone at the moment.....Someone mentioned the Gretsch Electromatic guitars earlier...I have to say...I quite fancy one of those myself.....just so's I can imagine I'm Eddie Cochran..!!..LOL

[mellowyellow]

I've been playing for going on 30 years now. Played professionaly during most of the 90's while living in Germany. Was on the road quite a bit... UK, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain once or twice.............I'm trying to get back to the "pro" level again... commitments here at home are making it hard, though.

I thought I was reading my own story, almost the same, except for living in Germany that is. Playing everywere in the late 80ies/early 90ies and a nice chance to travel quite a bit. Then, unfortunately that band broke up.
After that, while having a straight job for health insurance purposes, then also started to play in a weekend band, still a lot of fun and double income, but not nearly as much fun as that first band. And no more travel, because of the straight job.
Now they all started families and we hardly ever meet anymore, much less playing gigs. To make matters worse the club scene nowadays is Deejay-domain and supermodel territory and no one is interested in live-bands anymore.

[billybunter]

My missus keeps warning me NOT to buy anymore gear, but the internet makes that hard! I'm eyeing a fender vibro king amp at the mo. She will say: "sure you have all those amps!" Women they just don't get it. I say the same thing about her shoe collection, but she insists that shoes are "necessary" Well guitar gear is also. BTW I whispered that:D:eek:

[mellowyellow]

My missus keeps warning me NOT to buy anymore gear, but the internet makes that hard! I'm eyeing a fender vibro king amp at the mo. She will say: "sure you have all those amps!" Women they just don't get it. I say the same thing about her shoe collection, but she insists that shoes are "necessary" Well guitar gear is also. BTW I whispered that:D:eek:

Fortunately I don't have that problem: One Mesa Boogie amp, One vintage strat, Two Gibson thinlines (ES335 and 330), and a small case with cables and effects. That always worked for me for the past 25 years and I never needed more. Just needed a little more monitor on bigger stages. And it fits in a normal sized car. And my girlfriend is cool with that (small size matters?). But indeed women sometimes just don't get it :-)

[mellowyellow]

....used to use 2 beautiful early 60's AC30's which in my opinion will never be beaten for sound....but they both died unfortunately!!!!.....



What did you do? I thought they where unbreakable!

[headlessbill]

What did you do? I thought they where unbreakable!

Poor storage for 3 years when they weren't being used I'm afraid..!!!...:(

Both came out totally knackered....:mad:......

Still......the Blackface Twin Reverb is a cracker:rolleyes:

[brianwp]

My missus keeps warning me NOT to buy anymore gear, but the internet makes that hard! I'm eyeing a fender vibro king amp at the mo. She will say: "sure you have all those amps!" Women they just don't get it. I say the same thing about her shoe collection, but she insists that shoes are "necessary" Well guitar gear is also. BTW I whispered that:D:eek:
Yeah, I know what you mean, bill. The wife and I went shopping the other day, and I picked up a twelve pack and put it in the buggy. She said "put that back, we can't afford it now"! Then later she picked up a $20 jar of face cream and put it in the buggy. So I said "what the hell, we can't afford my beer, but we can get $20 face cream"? So she says, "well, it makes me look beautiful". So I said "why the hell do you think I get the beer"? Cleanup on aisle nine.

I think the best sounding amp I ever had was an old Fender Bandmaster amp, tube, with a separate 2x12 cabinet. It was really great for blues, natural distortion. But I've had Sunn's, Marshall's, Vox, Fender Twins, Kustoms, Crate, Peavey, etc. I've had LP's, SG's, L6's, Peavey's, Strats, etc. My last Strat was an American made Lone Star Strat, but it got stolen. So now I'm down to an old, beat up, well, I don't know what it is. It's a Tele copy, made with some Fender parts, here and there. But I'll tell ya, it's got the fastest, thin neck I've ever had on a guitar! The Gibson L6S was fast, too, but it really didn't have anything on this old girl!

[headlessbill]

Actually....the amp that I've had the most fun playing through....& unfortunately only ever when I've been able to hire one in....I've never actually owned one...is a Marshall JCM900 top & 4 x 12 Cab......Oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....that is fantastic..!!!.......not terribly versatile.....so not an ideal 'jobbing gig' type amp....but the sound is amazing......

still wish I had those AC30's though....;-(.....LOL.....

Also got my eye on those reissue Danelectro's...cheap as chips and pretty cool looking.....might be worth the wrath of the 'missus' and get a 12 string...!!.....what do you think guys..!!...LOL....Take my life in my hands...!!!!!

[tabler]

Hey HB, google paul rose+danelectro+youtube I promise you wont be disapointed;)
Sorry just looked again, its an atom ray not a Danelectro

[headlessbill]

Hey HB, google paul rose+danelectro+youtube I promise you wont be disapointed;)
Sorry just looked again, its an atom ray not a Danelectro


Ah well.....I may as well chop my fingers off now..!!!...LOL

Pass me that Axe Eugene....:rolleyes:

[brianwp]

I don't know about these days, but years back Danelectro was crap! Of course, it may be better now, I don't know.

I really loved the old Vox amps...I never had an AC30, but I remember the Cambridge Reverb, the Essex Bass, and of course the Super Beatle. I almost fainted the first time I saw one of those! I also liked those Vox Teardrop guitars! Cool, man!

[tabler]

I was in Scarborough at the weekend, walked past a guitar shop and stopped dead in my tracks. I spotted a Spongebob squarepants guitar, amp and ukelele in the window.
I was so tempted:D

[headlessbill]

They make a Spongebob Drum kit too..!!..Kids size..But...Hey...How Cool would that be...!!!!!......

Now...If Only They'd make a 'Squidward Tentacles' trombone..!!..I could die happy!!!!

[kananga]

..Now...If Only They'd make a 'Squidward Tentacles' trombone..!!..I could die happy!!!!

Got me thinking about an old interview with Suzi Quatro I read when a teenager, about why she plays bass... (It vibrates!)

Now if they'd build a bass with a female orifice in back, you could dispense with the strap for ZZ Top style windmill spins and hour upon hour of joyful playing.
It'll move, when it gooves.

It'd need a Phat body though.. hmmm maybe a 5-string, whats a low B feel like?

[headlessbill]

Now if they'd build a bass with a female orifice in back, you could dispense with the strap for ZZ Top style windmill spins and hour upon hour of joyful playing.
It'll move, when it gooves.

It'd need a Phat body though.. hmmm maybe a 5-string, whats a low B feel like?

Bloody Pervert..!!!....LOL

Of course ....the ideal Bass for that would be a 'slapper'.....:rolleyes:

[kananga]

Like the 'burst finish bellsmyre49. Although both my basses are black (easy to touch up chips, etc).
I 'do' a fair bit of wood work so it's no surprise I admire...http://thumbnails15.imagebam.com/4002/48268440013176.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/48268440013176).
Maybe next time.. at the moment I have to look for another amp head.

[kananga]

Of course ....the ideal Bass for that would be a 'slapper'.....:rolleyes:

Unfortunately 'Slappers' as you call 'em, should have minimal pick-ups, like a Musicman Stingray ..
and what self respecting muso doesn't want lotsa pick ups?

Found some funky axes here.

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://tedcrocker.com/boss.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tedcrocker.com/gallery.html&usg=__AmRodcbG7rbcyqc1USNVWyw_P0Q=&h=1014&w=466&sz=81&hl=en&start=83&um=1&tbnid=w86508SP5aRaNM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=69&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dexotic%2Bcustom%2Bguitars%26ndsp%3D20 %26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLJ_enAU326AU326%26sa%3DN%2 6start%3D80%26um%3D1

This could well be turning into BlondiBeesbadassbassbashers thread.
Watchout you skinny string driven things! Wait 'till we get to the 90's

[headlessbill]

Unfortunately 'Slappers' as you call 'em, should have minimal pick-ups, like a Musicman Stingray ..
and what self respecting muso doesn't want lotsa pick ups?

Found some funky axes here.

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://tedcrocker.com/boss.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tedcrocker.com/gallery.html&usg=__AmRodcbG7rbcyqc1USNVWyw_P0Q=&h=1014&w=466&sz=81&hl=en&start=83&um=1&tbnid=w86508SP5aRaNM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=69&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dexotic%2Bcustom%2Bguitars%26ndsp%3D20 %26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLJ_enAU326AU326%26sa%3DN%2 6start%3D80%26um%3D1

This could well be turning into BlondiBeesbadassbassbashers thread.
Watchout you skinny string driven things! Wait 'till we get to the 90's


Ah Ha..!!!..I thought that'd confuse ya....

You see...up here in chilly old Britain.....a 'slapper' is a girl of dubious virtue....:rolleyes:....
I was sort of making a bit of a play on words.....LOL......

albiet a very poor play on words...!!!

I'll go home now then...!!!!!

[billybunter]

Today's axe of choice is the Gibson Explorer. Had to restring though, been that long since i'd played it.

[kananga]

Ah Ha..!!!..I thought that'd confuse ya....

You see...up here in chilly old Britain.....a 'slapper' is a girl of dubious virtue....:rolleyes:....
I was sort of making a bit of a play on words.....LOL......

Yes. I'm aware of the double entendre... and I still say a slapper should have minimal pickups :D

Billy, love those Gibsons, particularly necks and tones. Very nearly bought one when I got my L.P.
U2's The Edge went the other way http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uFQ2gPDMnA
Fender really hit on something with the strat' body shape though. Beautiful design

[mellowyellow]

Okay, here some pics of my babies. Why one pic for each guitar? Because I only have one stand at this time, I lost one the other day after doing a gig...



http://img104.imagevenue.com/loc122/th_23341_Copy_of_DSC00068_122_122lo.JPG (http://img104.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=23341_Copy_of_DSC00068_122_122lo.JPG )http://img268.imagevenue.com/loc142/th_23342_Copy_of_DSC00065_122_142lo.JPG (http://img268.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=23342_Copy_of_DSC00065_122_142lo.JPG )http://img215.imagevenue.com/loc35/th_23345_Copy_of_DSC00066_122_35lo.JPG (http://img215.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=23345_Copy_of_DSC00066_122_35lo.JPG)

[mellowyellow]

What year is the Dotneck 335?

I bought her 2nd hand in 1987 and it must be early eighties. It was a very common guitar during the eighties and it was a remake of late-fifties models, I believe.
The neck is slightly too wide for me: I'm fine while playing jazz but when my left hand needs to pull up strings all the time it will be exhausting and that's where the Strat ('74) comes in handy.

[billybunter]

I managed to track down a Schecter (pete townshend) Saturn Goldtop. The baby sings!! Anyone else play Schecters?

[billybunter]

I've been annoying the missus today, by bringing out guitars I haven't played for a while. Got a Gibson Firebird smoking through a AC30 at the mo.

[kananga]

Found this on youtube a while back.
Then I forgot what it was called, and found I'd failed to bookmark.
Just rediscovered it and would like to share it with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2BOApUvFpw

Just love the first piece.
Any fans of Michael Hedges (R.I.P.) style should like this.

[Basser]

anybody know about "dual" truss rods?

i bought a michael kelly acoustic bass last year - nice instrument btw, fantastic value for money - and when i went to adjust the truss rod this weekend it was locked solid. wouldn't budge an inch. i'm not sure if it's just jammed and needs some WD40 or if it's something to do with this dual action truss rod. what's dual about it? why is a dual one different to a normal one? any ideas?

[billybunter]

I'm not an expert, but Rickenbackers have two truss rods, and I attempted to adjust one of my rics and made a balls of it. Then I spent some time researching. Dual truss rod guitars mean you can adjust upbow & backbow. Plus they adjust clockwise instead of anti/counter clockwise on single truss rod guitars. If the allen screw is so tight that you can't shift it I would take it to a guitar repair shop. It should not be seized.

Hope i've been of some help mate.

[Basser]

i thought as much - i reckon it's knackered. i hate having to pay people to do stuff like this!!

cheers for the advice

[xerxes10]

Another guitar player from a chilly Scottish town(the biggest one). Been playing for roughly 30 years. Jazz/Blues/Rock with some finger-style Jazz and Folk on acoustic.

My gear list:
'83 Strat - Two knob model with 2X Schaller single coils and a DiMarzio HS-2 in the neck and a Fender TBX tone control.
Early nineties Kramer Pacer Custom II
'96 Epiphone SG
'02 Taylor 315ce
Yamaha FG-410

Marshall JMP1
Peavey Classic Series 60/60
2X Marshall 1X12's
Rocktron Intellifex
Roland GR-50 guitar sythesizer
Boss FT-2

[svea4]

I sold a lot of my gear on ebay the last weeks (a Peavey Classic, Fender Frontman 65, TASCAM GA-30, Fender G-DEC, Fender American Deluxe Strat, Fender Strat Mexico, Ibanez Gio, Squier Deluxe Strat Hotrails...)

I left up with this gear and for the moment I don`t need more (more talent maybe:))

Squier Deluxe Pearl White Stratocaster SSS

http://thumbnails10.imagebam.com/5226/c15c3152253267.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c15c3152253267/)http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/5226/06f01f52253271.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/06f01f52253271/)http://thumbnails20.imagebam.com/5226/83fc0d52253274.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/83fc0d52253274/)


Jamvox


http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/5226/e8421052253292.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/e8421052253292/)http://thumbnails13.imagebam.com/5226/4090ba52253290.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/4090ba52253290/)

Notebook


http://thumbnails10.imagebam.com/5226/a2f90a52253269.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/a2f90a52253269/)


AKG K530

http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/5226/b6411c52253295.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/b6411c52253295/)


Plecs

http://thumbnails22.imagebam.com/5226/0e00b852253284.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0e00b852253284/)


and this

http://thumbnails20.imagebam.com/5226/b8ed0c52253580.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/b8ed0c52253580/) http://thumbnails22.imagebam.com/5226/b91e1b52253582.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/b91e1b52253582/)

[kananga]

http://thumbnails18.imagebam.com/5243/f09a4552421671.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f09a4552421671) http://thumbnails18.imagebam.com/5243/cb939c52421672.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/cb939c52421672) http://thumbnails.imagebam.com/5243/80dbc452421673.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/80dbc452421673) http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac17/blondifan/boese038.gif

Jes keeping this thread open! :)

On a seperate note, svea4 hope you haven't lost your fingers or fallen under the spell of some woman with a tin ear and bottomless pockets?

[billybunter]

oK i've bought a new axe. Well new to me. Think Jimmy Page...yes the double neck SG, only it's an epiphone one. But it's still cool. Got it on ebay, the missus was all picture no sound at first, then she said "you are a pratt" LOL!

[tabler]

Strangely enough billy, I bought one today as well, I bought an arctic white Gibson Les Paul Studio with gold hardware (I know, I know, I have said elsewhere on this thread that I found them heavy) but heres the thing that I couldnt resist...it has a maple neck, I have never seen a Gibson with a maple neck and it is beautiful with this colour scheme, I just couldnt resist it, and I couldnt believe the price at £799.
I cant wait for delivery. By the way I got it from Guitars UK if anyone wants to have a look.

www.dv247.com/guitars

[charliedog]

Strangely enough billy, I bought one today as well, I bought an arctic white Gibson Les Paul Studio with gold hardware (I know, I know, I have said elsewhere on this thread that I found them heavy) but heres the thing that I couldnt resist...it has a maple neck, I have never seen a Gibson with a maple neck and it is beautiful with this colour scheme, I just couldnt resist it, and I couldnt believe the price at £799.
I cant wait for delivery. By the way I got it from Guitars UK if anyone wants to have a look.

www.dv247.com/guitars


Sounds like a major departure from the usual Les Paul, even the Studio models. They are all glued-in necks. Is this one a bolt on neck?

[kananga]

Sounds like a major departure from the usual Les Paul, even the Studio models...

I was looking at a photo of this earlier and noticed it has 'dot' fret markers, like the ones on some 335's etc, as opposed to the usual rectangular pearl inlays.
I had a friend who won an ebay bid on a similar fretboard arrangement, ten or so years ago. I remember he stated they were very rare at the time.
The particular one he bought was an early custom 'job' for someone.

[tabler]

Hi charliedog just looked at the ad again, its a glued in solid Mahogany neck with a Maple fretboard.:)

[tabler]

I havnt 'got' it yet but for my birthday next week I have told my partner (she did ask) I want a 5 string bluesgrass style Banjo and book/DVD to teach myself to play. So fingers crossed!:)

[billybunter]

Did anyone clock the PRS at 25 grand??!!

[tabler]

Did anyone clock the PRS at 25 grand??!!

I saw that billy,...fancy it?:D

[karloschaos]

Lefty '78 Precision, Lefty 4003 Rickenbacker, Ashdown EVO500 head, Peavy 4 x 12 Cab. Loud as fuck & perfect for those sound like Lemmy / J J Burnel times in my life. Also as a Hawkwind fan I'm getting into synths big time & currently own a Korg MS2000, Korg Wavestation & a Roland JP8000. Space wibbles to the max.

[tabler]

Thank you for that post karloschaos, I hope you Thanked the people that have influenced your musical taste but I doubt it somehow.....dont really do Thanks do you?:)

[karloschaos]

Thank you for that post karloschaos, I hope you Thanked the people that have influenced your musical taste but I doubt it somehow.....dont really do Thanks do you?:)

Sorry tabler, I'd always thought that this forum was all about contribution, no matter how small. Reading something & then automatically doing a THANKS takes up serverspace in my opinion. Don't get me wrong here, I'm always grateful for every single poster on this beat the bollocks off every other forum forum, but I've always thought if you are truly grateful for a post then you should take the time to compose a message of thanks with an indication of why the post meant something to you.. Just hitting the THANKS button seems a little bit obligatory & almost a point scoring thing to me. It's an opinion that could be discussed at great length I'm sure but I hope that my take on it isn't taken in a negative way by all of the people that make this place what it is. Peace, Love & Chaos to you all.

[tabler]

Hmmm ok, 4 years on this forum with more free porn that you can shake your dick at and to not thank anyone?
After 4 years on here you dont know the rules about 'posting, thanks?

[billybunter]

Sorry tabler, I'd always thought that this forum was all about contribution, no matter how small. Reading something & then automatically doing a THANKS takes up serverspace in my opinion. Don't get me wrong here, I'm always grateful for every single poster on this beat the bollocks off every other forum forum, but I've always thought if you are truly grateful for a post then you should take the time to compose a message of thanks with an indication of why the post meant something to you.. Just hitting the THANKS button seems a little bit obligatory & almost a point scoring thing to me. It's an opinion that could be discussed at great length I'm sure but I hope that my take on it isn't taken in a negative way by all of the people that make this place what it is. Peace, Love & Chaos to you all.

Hitting the thanks button saves space, that's why it's there. Yes I could wax lyrical all the time, but THAT would waste space.

[karloschaos]

Point taken guys, I hang my head low in apology.

[brianwp]

Actually, all you guys, just hitting the thanks button is the best way you can show your appreciation to a fellow member. As soon as you look at a member's info, you can see how much he was appreciated, and how much he appreciated his fellow members. In Tabler's case, as you can see, he has shown his appreciation over four times as much as he's received! That's a generous spirit, from a productive member. Perhaps we should all show more appreciation to each other for our efforts!

[tabler]

Anyway my new guitar came yesterday and I am over the moon with it, especially as it is a lot lighter than my 1972 custom and it is stunning in its livery of arctic white with gold hardware. The maple neck is fantastic....I knew Gibson would make a good job of it.:cool:
The guitar currently has pride of place in my sitting room where it will remain until my partner gets fed up and tells me to shift it.:rolleyes:

[brianwp]

Anyway my new guitar came yesterday and I am over the moon with it, especially as it is a lot lighter than my 1972 custom and it is stunning in its livery of arctic white with gold hardware. The maple neck is fantastic....I knew Gibson would make a good job of it.:cool:
The guitar currently has pride of place in my sitting room where it will remain until my partner gets fed up and tells me to shift it.:rolleyes:

Ah, lets avoid any trouble. Send the old 72 Custom to me. I'll give it a good home, and you won't have to worry about it anymore. That's a plan.

[kananga]

.... In Tabler's case, as you can see, he has shown his appreciation over four times as much as he's received! That's a generous spirit, from a productive member. Perhaps we should all show more appreciation to each other for our efforts!

I always felt personally that the 'right' to thank somebody should be itself like kind of earned..
Initially I tried to keep my thanks down to around half of what I've been thanked for. (just a self depreciating Aussie thing).

But after so many posts by tabler and your good self, that ratio is out the window, in less than a year.. (off topic again, and does it matter?)

........... Rock on!! Dudes http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac17/blondifan/headbangerwithguitar.gif

[tabler]

Just thought I would let you know I have just ordered a fender FB54 5-string banjo from the same site as I have just bought my Les Paul. Now I'm going to look for a tutorial DVD/book to teach myself to play.

[3827715]

Hi guys just picked up a new 339 with the thin neck, outstanding guitar,happy boy :)

[slimOl55]

Love the humour and hard work you guys put in this forum BUT...

guitars or girls - we love to see the pictures ! I cannot resist a picture of

something loved and cherished, and yes, I'll get my wife to dig out my

guitars for a photo session.

VB regards

slimol55

[billybunter]

Just thought I would let you know I have just ordered a fender FB54 5-string banjo from the same site as I have just bought my Les Paul. Now I'm going to look for a tutorial DVD/book to teach myself to play.

It's not that difficult Tab. I play a bit of claw hammer on mine. I recently bought a refurbed 1972 Wurlitzer on eBay. From memory it came from Yorkshire;) so having fun boogieing on it and annoying you know who:D

[doc sunggles]

hi no where near anything like being able to play but i have a fender stratt copy and a cheap amp will be starting lessons soon with a guy called terry alan i believe his name is ive had the guitar for years so its about time i learnt to use it i think i will have to restring it no doubt - i had hoped to be able to plug it in and play like angus young lol lol ha the tricks the mind play eh ?

[billybunter]

hi no where near anything like being able to play but i have a fender stratt copy and a cheap amp will be starting lessons soon with a guy called terry alan i believe his name is ive had the guitar for years so its about time i learnt to use it i think i will have to restring it no doubt - i had hoped to be able to plug it in and play like angus young lol lol ha the tricks the mind play eh ?

Never be discouraged mate. I'm self taught, and the best advice I can give is download a chord chart teach yourself some simple open chords like A C G D. Then listen to a record/cd of an artist you really like and try to play along. Or google their guitar chords/tabs and do the same. You will have sore finger tips and be frustrated, but you have to practise, practise, practise!

Good Luck!;):)

[tabler]

:thumbsup:You know billy I would love to have a jam with you, next time I'm working in Northern Ireland (I have a few clients in Belfast to visit) I'll stick a guitar and my new banjo in the back of the car and drive over instead of fly. I'll email you later!:cool:

[N4cer]

i have only 3 guitars a fender 1992 strat mint con maple neck, with kinman woodstocks 7 way harness, for that hendrix clapton, knopler vibe. 2002 les paul sunburst, with burstbucker pups. and a fender kingman, good accoustic for the price has a strat neck and headstock and cutaway with a 5 band pickups. good for clapton unplugged solos, like old love and layla.

[kananga]

I always liked the original studio orchestrated version of this Blackfeather (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X0JO1btpRw&feature=fvw) piece, which uses the fifth mode for the melodies, in a similar way that "Killing an Arab" by the Cure does.

Imagine my surprise when I found the guitarist John Robinson (http://www.milesago.com/artists/Blackfeather.htm), advertising private tuition in a music paper around 1977.

The album "At the Mountains of Madness" the studio version of which "Mango's Theme" was originally from, is still unreleased on C.D and is an Australian classic
Turns out John is a really nice guy, and will answer any questions personally in the Youtube comments section.

[brianwp]

:thumbsup:You know billy I would love to have a jam with you, next time I'm working in Northern Ireland (I have a few clients in Belfast to visit) I'll stick a guitar and my new banjo in the back of the car and drive over instead of fly. I'll email you later!:cool:
Oh, fuck the banjo, Tabs, nobody wants to hear that mess...:rolleyes:

[kananga]

Oh, fuck the banjo, Tabs, nobody wants to hear that mess...:rolleyes:

I couldn't agree more brian.. Ten years ago I lost my "biatch" to a banji boy.
Thing is the 'dude' used to take it to blues club jam nights. WTF? :confused:

http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/5462/eb0db654610706.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/eb0db654610706)

[brianwp]

Just messin with you, tabs.

[dbailey]

I cant play a note but my youngest son who stil lives at home can play.

He has a Squire Strat copy korean made and 15 years old

A Gibson Les Paul Studio in faded brown. He is getting a bit of fret buzz on this and hasnt worked out a way to solve it.

A Tanglewood electroacoustic.

He plays from tab and learns riffs from all the greats, Led Zep, Floyd, Guns 'n roses, The Who, AC/DC, Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hendrix, Skynnrd, Green Day and many many more.

I am very proud of him and the best time we have together is when he lets me sing along to the Floyd stuff, I would do the Zep stuff as well.....but.....you know.......Plant's vocal range......testicular hernia stuff!!

[billybunter]

I cant play a note but my youngest son who stil lives at home can play.

He has a Squire Strat copy korean made and 15 years old

A Gibson Les Paul Studio in faded brown. He is getting a bit of fret buzz on this and hasnt worked out a way to solve it.

A Tanglewood electroacoustic.

He plays from tab and learns riffs from all the greats, Led Zep, Floyd, Guns 'n roses, The Who, AC/DC, Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hendrix, Skynnrd, Green Day and many many more.

I am very proud of him and the best time we have together is when he lets me sing along to the Floyd stuff, I would do the Zep stuff as well.....but.....you know.......Plant's vocal range......testicular hernia stuff!!

The fret buzz can be a matter of adjusting the "action" I could explain how to do this, but you might be better looking at an online video or taking it to a guitar shop. Most Gibson/Epiphones have a "tuneamatic bridge" which means you can fine tune and probs.

[dbailey]

The fret buzz can be a matter of adjusting the "action" I could explain how to do this, but you might be better looking at an online video or taking it to a guitar shop. Most Gibson/Epiphones have a "tuneamatic bridge" which means you can fine tune and probs.

Many thanks billybunter.

It would be much easier if he had bought it at a store in the UK but to save many hundreds of pounds we bought it on vacation in the USA. Not only are Gibsons cheaper over there, at the time there was a 2$ to the £1 exchange rate. It was also the shop loss leader on offer that month so it ended up costing around £300 as opposed to £1000 here give or take.

The Studio model is quite a bit lighter and hasn't got the polished cap on the body. It has only just started buzzing on a couple of frets and strings.

We spend quite a lot of time driving around and we have been to some great music stores.

Ed Roman's Guitars in Las Vegas was amazing and we even met Ed himself who has hand built guitars for Eric Klapp (Clapton), we aslo like Guitar Centres and have been to these in California and Florida. Fro memory the Les Paul was bought at Georges Music in International Drive in Orlando Fl.

If you ever get the chance those American Music shops are a great place to lose half a day.

[charliedog]

taking it to a guitar shop.

a good guitar tech is worth his weight in magic fairy dust.

I have one locally and I would trust him with my life.

[3827715]

Should you ever need a guitar tec in Birmingham UK, Trev at the PMT music store is very good and old school, also Birmingham has one of the best amp tecs in the country his name is phil at a company called Pacific Amplification
Please note friends & mod this is not advertising its just passing on the good will :)

[kananga]

from old school to just how lazy can a guitar dude be? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j60MeiDQAc&feature=related)

[dbailey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yskgccMi8Fg

My lad has one of these and it seems to do everything.

As ever, he bought it on a holiday in the USA and we just flew it back within the baggage allowance.

[headlessbill]

from old school to just how lazy can a guitar dude be? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j60MeiDQAc&feature=related)

A mate of mine has just taken delivery of one of these...he thinks it's brilliant...

I would have to be VERY convinced !!!!!!....

If you can't tune the bloody thing yourself then things must be pretty bad...!!!

And..EXPENSIVE..!!..Wow....Very!

[kananga]

... If you can't tune the bloody thing yourself then things must be pretty bad...!!! ...


I would guess they'd have their place if you're playing around with alternate tunings and not using more than one guitar, but then it should be part of you're act ..ala "I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes" by Ten Years After - where Alvin Lee detunes by an octave in the context of the song and does a bass solo, before retuning again, in the song.

If they made them for bass ... that'd be really sad!, fine tuning in a song is usually a piece of cake, not that they ever seem to go out of tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yskgccMi8Fg

My lad has one of these and it seems to do everything.

As ever, he bought it on a holiday in the USA and we just flew it back within the baggage allowance.

It's good to see that Pod are making a floor unit these days.
A guitarist in a band I was in was trying out one of the early Zoom multi-effects and he let me have a play with it.
Out of the box it seemed better set up tonally for bass and was fun, although I generally just use compression and a chorus for fretless.
I still have 1/2 dozen old stomp boxes, mostly Bosses for guitar and an old MXR flanger.

[brianwp]

You play a fretless, Blondifan? Bully for you!

[kananga]

You play a fretless, Blondifan? Bully for you!

I actually used it as my practice instrument, saving strings on my fretted Jazz bass for performance, which 'bassically' was a doddle after learning everything fretlessly. Slapping is a lot easier with frets.
There were a few things in a couple of bands that I used fretless for (chordal stuff sounds better, particularly with a chorus effect), but mostly fellow band members would feel more at home if I broke a string and had to use my fretless 'spare'.

You virtually have no excuse for being out of tune on a fretless, until you play an open string.
This chick I used to play with went ape sht on a strat whammy once and wound up god knows where (A wasn't 440).
Then had the audacity to ask what was I playing .. she soon sucked it all back when we played a few open notes.
Following her was a chore.. although she was high and I was pissed.

[brianwp]

from old school to just how lazy can a guitar dude be? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j60MeiDQAc&feature=related)

I don't know...I know what you mean, but that automatic tuning looks pretty nice. I like playing some slide and open tuned stuff. I have a good ear, and I can tune a guitar no problem, I've never really needed tuners much. But I hate seeing a guy tune his guitar for five minutes between songs...that's just not professional. It would be nice to go from standard to open G in a few seconds. Sure, I could do it myself, but I think the audience would appreciate it more if they didn't have to sit and wait for me to do it. This last summer I went to a place in St. Augustine to see Sam Pacetti, a great acoustic player. But he moved to Virginia, and some other guy was there. Well, he had a couple of guitars there, so he tuned each one, endlessly, then adjusted his mike, and the sound, and his stool, and so on and so on for about twenty minutes, at which point me and my friends said "fuck this" and left. I've been around the block, played some clubs in NYC, and I'll tell you, they wouldn't put up with that crap. You'd be out on your ass in a hurry. Dig? Groovy.

[kananga]

The trick for staying in tune seems to be leaving your instrument out of it's case in the venue for as long as possible, to get climatised.
I know a lot of guitar players change strings before every gig. I don't, even with guitar I tend to only change when necessary.. (bit like my underwear :D)

I must admit I was probably thinking of Hendrix from the "In the West" album, where he goes through the strings once, then says 'There's your tune up, hope it wasn't too long?" :thumbsup:
Still, Hendrix was probably 40% Stratocaster himself :confused:

On a side note have a guitarist mate who saw Devo live a while back and swears that one of the guys never tuned and was technically out of tune, but seemed to play perfectly ..
But it wouldn't be my mates first "tall tale". ;)

[headlessbill]

The trick for staying in tune seems to be leaving your instrument out of it's case in the venue for as long as possible, to get climatised.
I know a lot of guitar players change strings before every gig. I don't, even with guitar I tend to only change when necessary.. (bit like my underwear :D)

I must admit I was probably thinking of Hendrix from the "In the West" album, where he goes through the strings once, then says 'There's your tune up, hope it wasn't too long?" :thumbsup:
Still, Hendrix was probably 40% Stratocaster himself :confused:

On a side note have a guitarist mate who saw Devo live a while back and swears that one of the guys never tuned and was technically out of tune, but seemed to play perfectly ..
But it wouldn't be my mates first "tall tale". ;)

Without a doubt..I use Stats exclusively....get the sound check done & out of the way....and then leave the guitars exactly where they are...if you take them back to the dressing room they will without a doubt go out of tune.....and then all you need is the magical little BOSS Stage Tuner in your pedal board & your set for a beautifully in tune..(It Says Here;)) performance..!!

And as for changing strings.....I bought three sets 4 months ago with a plan to change them......and...ahem.......they are STILL in my gig bag..LOL.....

[brianwp]

Well, I guess besides leaving your guitar out of the case you could keep it in tune, or just don't play it at all. Hendrix was terribly out of tune a lot of the time, probably because of those new strings, not to mention the whammy bar. New strings sound great, but they suck for keeping in tune. I guess I'm more like headless bill, I tend to change strings as little as possible. I even change my underwear more than that. I don't know about you guys, but I tend to beat the shit out of my guitar, and new strings would only make it sound that much more out of tune.

[dbailey]

This last summer I went to a place in St. Augustine to see Sam Pacetti, a great acoustic player. But he moved to Virginia, and some other guy was there. Groovy.

USA's oldest town and in Florida

Have you ever seen Creed? I believe they were from Near Orlando

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eUSsbd9924

[tabler]

I expected to be tuning my new Les Paul loads at first but no, its really staying in tune and the damn thing is so robust I have given it a right good thrashing. Oh and I have just bought an electronic tuner from lidel for £7-99!:)

By the way, the Fender banjo I ordered from the sames site as my Les Paul is out of stock and is not coming until the end of December!:mad:

[dbailey]

Is it worh starting a thread about quality online retailers of boys toys such as guitars, headphones etc that are reliable and give good service?

and possibly allow some stinker posts for places that should be considered as not first choice?

[-Lucifer-]

I got a Bruce Wallace accoustic/western gitare,
a Höfner electic gitare &
a Squier Fender-Stratocaster.

http://www.myupload.dk/showfile/r36779169dd9.jpg

[brianwp]

USA's oldest town and in Florida

Have you ever seen Creed? I believe they were from Near Orlando

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eUSsbd9924

No, I've never seen Creed. But I have a story..once in St. Augustine, Sam told a story about how he and his manager went to a party that Scott Stapp was at. He was talking to people, just soaking it up, about how great he was, (like he used to stand with his arms outstretched like he was Christ on the cross)..so Sam's manager walked over to him and said.."wow, good band. Aren't you the guys that try to sound like Pearl Jam"? So Stapp got all pissed and told them..."don't you know who I am?", and wanted to fight with the guy. So they just left, laughing.

[kananga]

No, I've never seen Creed. But I have a story...

Kind of reminds me of a mate who was at a party many years ago in Sydney, when Chris Bailey of Aus band the Saint's started big noting himself...
To be fair they did have some success here in Aus and a little overseas, but I could never stand them.
It shames me that they are Australian.
To me they were like a really bad version of the Stooges without any of Iggy's charisma.
I like a lot of guitarist Ed Kuepper's solo stuff though - totally different.
Kuepper named one band The Aint's which shows he has some humour.
Although really neither of them can sing.
At least while being an aquired taste, Ed's likeable (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QLlaLcHec4&feature=related)
Is it worh starting a thread about quality online retailers of boys toys such as guitars, headphones etc that are reliable and give good service?

Ah yes! Back on topic. My vote would go to Australia's "Pro Audio (http://www.proaudio.com.au/)".
Haven't dealt with them for a while but they used to mail out an unbeatable mail order catalogue.
They also used to have generic bass strings as good as Rotosound for about half the price.
Of course American instruments will be cheaper in the U.S.
Your dollar is worth about two of ours also :(

[welderman]

Here's My collection of "Air Guitars"...

http://img185.imagevenue.com/loc403/th_84666_stand_123_403lo.jpg (http://img185.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=84666_stand_123_403lo.jpg)

[karloschaos]

Here's My collection of "Air Guitars"...

http://img185.imagevenue.com/loc403/th_84666_stand_123_403lo.jpg (http://img185.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=84666_stand_123_403lo.jpg)

Are they the original pickups on the one 2nd from left?

[welderman]

Are they the original pickups on the one 2nd from left?


Due to limited usage..Everything is as good
as the day i invented it...

[kananga]

Due to limited usage..Everything is as good
as the day i invented it...

For some unknown reason this reminded me of a former guitarist/bandmate who, if ever feeling the need to fine tune between songs used to quip into the mic - "It was in tune when I bought it" :)

[nevermind]

Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds)

http://img186.imagevenue.com/loc171/th_42762_zeppelin460_123_171lo.jpg (http://img186.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=42762_zeppelin460_123_171lo.jpg)



Jimmy Page collection (all guitars are original)
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt276/flaming_01/guitars_1.jpg

From left t right:
Danelectro (1959) - The famous black & white Danelectro guitar has probably been in nothing other than 'DADGAD' tuning for around 35 years. Famously used in early Zeppelin shows for Page's solo numbers Black Mountain Side and White Summer,
and later of course on Kashmir and In My Time of Dying.



Jimmy Page collection (all guitars are original)
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt276/flaming_01/guitars_2.jpg

From left to right:
Fender Stratocaster - This Fender 'Strat' is a 'Buddy Holly' type, two-tone sunburst, maple-neck. Manufactured in the late 1950's, it is a Jimmy Page back-up Strat. It was last seen at Glastonbury '95 onstage with Robert Plant. It was used on In The Evening.
Fender Telecaster - Jimmy has always had a soft-spot for Fender Telecasters since his early days in The Yardbirds. This is a 1966 maple-neck fitted with a Parsons White Stringbender. The basic sound obtained when using this device is a fair approximation to a pedal steel guitar. Gibson Les Paul (1958) - Guitar heros are closely identified with their guitars. This '58 Gibson Les Paul is one of the most famous guitars in rock hisory. It is Jimmy's favourite and the one featured in most Zeppelin stage shots.



Jimmy Page collection (all guitars are original)
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt276/flaming_01/guitars_3.jpg

From left to right:
Gibson Everly Brothers - This is an original 1960's all black Gibson Everly Brothers acoustic. Every musician has a particular instrument that they like to play around the house for relaxation, and most of us have a faithful old retainer for that purpose. Jimmy, lucky chap, has this one.
Gibson E55 blonde - The first of two hollow body Gibson jazz-type guitars, the E55 Blonde was brought out for Deathwish and is pretty standard. Unusually though, both these E55 guitars are fitted with light gauge strings, (like all of Jimmy's guitars) which doesn't seem like a good idea for a hollow body jazz guitar. The E55 Blonde sports three P90 pickups.
Gibson E55 Switchmaster sunburst - The Gibson E55 Switchmaster has highly figured timber in a nice shade of sunburst and is fitted with three PAF's as standard. Again, it is strung with light gauge strings.
Martin D28 - The Martin D28 (below) is famed as the acoustic used for the recording of Stairway to Heaven. It was also Jimmy's first choice guitar for countless live acoustic performances - noteably That's The Way, Going To California and Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp.

[nevermind]

Some of my guitars..

Taylor
(25 anniversary limited)
http://img197.imagevenue.com/loc940/th_48582_DSC00240_123_940lo.JPG (http://img197.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=48582_DSC00240_123_940lo.JPG)



Dieter Hopf &
little Taylor
http://img132.imagevenue.com/loc502/th_48555_03012009417_123_502lo.jpg (http://img132.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=48555_03012009417_123_502lo.jpg) ......... http://img198.imagevenue.com/loc709/th_48568_18122009686_123_709lo.jpg (http://img198.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=48568_18122009686_123_709lo.jpg)
.................................. Closeup Hopf rosette

[st4bilo]

My baby:

http://thumbnails8.imagebam.com/6044/bb0dec60437931.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/bb0dec60437931)


it's a Fender '96 American Lone Star Strat

We have an awesome collection of guitars, here in the VEF !

[tabler]

Yeah wouldnt it be cool to have a VEF band? loads of us play Guitar, Blondifan plays bass,...cant remember anyone mentioning drums.

That reminds me of an old band joke, What do you call a guy who hangs around musicians?....A drummer!:D

[fleetwood77]

That reminds me of an old band joke, What do you call a guy who hangs around musicians?....A drummer!:D

How do you tell there's a drummer at the front door?


The knock keeps speeding up!

[brianwp]

I had a drummer once, Jim Jam, but we called him 'the dentist", cause he did too many fills...

[kananga]

Did you hear about the time the bass player locked his keys in the car?

It took two hours to get the drummer out. :)

[RyderKnightley]

I've heard similar jokes where the banjo player is the butt.

How do you know that there is a banjo player at the door?
He tries every key before coming in.

What is the definition of a gentleman?
Someone who can play the banjo, but doesn't.

[kananga]

I just found a video of this astounding piece http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/fiddlemike/?action=view&current=Tico_Tico_-_Duo_Siqueira_Lima.flv on my hard-drive, which I downloaded on the 1st of December from god knows where?

As it's an adult forum here, I'm wondering if their chemistry extends to the bedroom?
(hey, a guy can dream ;))
What really surprised me is the parts that she picks which he frets and visa versa..

[fleetwood77]

I found a site that gave manufacturing dates for Gibson guitars , you just put in the model number and the serial number. Turns out what I thought was mid 60's is actually a 1962 ES345. So it never goes out the door again!

http://img143.imagevenue.com/loc576/th_67412_091221_034449_123_576lo.jpg (http://img143.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=67412_091221_034449_123_576lo.jpg)

[kananga]

I found a site that gave manufacturing dates for Gibson guitars ...

Hi Fleetwood. Do you mean this site? http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx

I checked my Les Paul Recording number and got ...
"Your guitar was made at the Kalamazoo or Nashville Plant , USA approximately in: 1970, 1971 or 1972"

Which is sorta what I figured.. Geez, must be time for a new one, huh? ;)

[fleetwood77]

Hi Fleetwood. Do you mean this site? http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx

I checked my Les Paul Recording number and got ...
"Your guitar was made at the Kalamazoo or Nashville Plant , USA approximately in: 1970, 1971 or 1972"

Which is sorta what I figured.. Geez, must be time for a new one, huh? ;)

Yes that's the site.

It was very specific with some of my guitars - it dated an SG I have to "Nashville 10th Sept 1979"

[mellowyellow]

Dumb, Dumber, Drummer :-)

q:How do you call a drummer that broke up with his girlfriend?
a: Homeless!

[mellowyellow]

One I heard many years ago:

A guy walked in a shop and asked the shop-assistant: "Hi, I like a set of Marshall Strings and four Mesa Boogie picks... and while you're at it, my Roland amp sounds a bit dull, do you have two Ibanez tubes? And by the way, when do you expect that new Gibson Telecaster model?"
The shop-assistant asked him: "You must be a drummer, right?"
The guy replied: "yeah, but how can you tell?"
"because this is a shoe-store!"

But seriously, where would all people in this thread be without a drummer? Thanks guys

[mellowyellow]

Q - While at a party, how do you recognize a guitarist?
A - Because he'll tell everyone


Q - What's the difference between a drummer and a pizza?
A - The pizza can feed a family of four


(Drummer being interviewed during an audition):

"Okay, tell me about the best gig you've ever had".
"Well, that time they clapped so hard, they almost broke their handcuffs".

[mellowyellow]

St. Peter's is checking ID's at the gate of Heaven. He asks a man, "What did you do on Earth?" The man says, "I was a doctor."

St. Peter says, "Okay, please go right through those pearly gates. Next please! What did you do on Earth?"

The next person says, "I was a school teacher." "Go right through those pearly gates. Next! And what did you do on Earth?"

The third man admits, "I was a drummer."
"Okay, Go around the side, take the service door, up the freight elevator, through the kitchen... Next!"

[st4bilo]

Backstage announcement:

"All musicians and the drummer on stage please!"

[mellowyellow]

A Bass player is travelling to Africa. After landing, he hears drums. "Flight attendant, I hear drums; is there a special ceremony"?
"Drums good", she says.

In the taxi, the bass player once again hears drums and asks "I hear drums again, what is going on?"
"Drums good", the taxi driver replies.

Finally, at the hotel, the bass player is just about to ask his question again, but just then the drums stop. "Excuse me sir, I have been hearing drums all morning and now they have stopped. What is the meaning of this?".
The desk clerk frowns and says "Drums stop, very bad...now comes bass solo"

[billybunter]

Been playing through my HIWATT 100w head today. She is out;) Running through an MXR carbon copy analog delay & MXR dyna comp:) the axe: Gibson ES335.

[nevermind]

My fav top 10 guitarists:...

(ranked)
1. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
2. Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow)
3. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
4. Yngwie Malmsteen (Rising Force)
5. Jimi Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
6. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
7. Al di Meola (Al di Meola)
8. Jan Akkerman (Focus)
9. Kirk Hammet (Metallica)
10.Alex Lifeson (Rush)

[sydney1]

Speaking as someone who is lacking in musical talent but, as an electrical engineer who got 'roped in' at gigs for the sound system and the lighting rigs, etc'; here's a few I picked up along the way...

What's the difference between a drummer and a drum machine?

On a drum machine, you only have to punch the information in once...:rolleyes:

What's the difference between a sound engineer and a bog (toilet) seat?

A bog-seat only has to deal with one arsehole at one time. This is personal..:mad:

When looking at a stage.. how can you tell if the stage is level?

The drummer dribbles out of both sides of his mouth..:rolleyes:

[bmg]

http://img159.imagevenue.com/loc580/th_95392_ollie-halsall_122_580lo.jpg (http://img159.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=95392_ollie-halsall_122_580lo.jpg)

[brianwp]

My fav top 10 guitarists:...

(ranked)
1. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
2. Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow)
3. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
4. Yngwie Malmsteen (Rising Force)
5. Jimi Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
6. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
7. Al di Meola (Al di Meola)
8. Jan Akkerman (Focus)
9. Kirk Hammet (Metallica)
10.Alex Lifeson (Rush)

Of course, I guess you just forgot to put Jeff Beck in first place. That's ok, brain fart, happens all the time.:rolleyes:

[kananga]

http://img159.imagevenue.com/loc580/th_95392_ollie-halsall_122_580lo.jpg (http://img159.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=95392_ollie-halsall_122_580lo.jpg)

And Ollie Halsall deserves to be high in my non existent top ten also. (R.I.P)
The Loud Green Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxDKPDRuhoY)

[billybunter]

Missing from the list: Pete Townshend, Link Wray...

[Ace1965]

I've been playing since I was about 15 years old. Although I'm not very good at all I do enjoy playing the songs that I grew up on. I first became interested in the guitar when I saw KISS on tv and saw Ace's guitar smoke and fly up into the rafters.

In 1996 I even bought one of the 300 signature Ace Frehley Les Pauls that Gibson issued. This was before it became a regular production model. I had to sell it a few years ago and I've been sick ever since.

For many years when I owned a house, I had a room set aside for guitars and music. I had a 100 watt full Marshall stack. The most number of guitars I had at one time was 7. Now that I've moved into an apartment I still have 4. I have two Epiphone Explorers, one natural and one black. I have a Jackson SL1 in black and an ESP Flying V also in black. I just have a single speaker small Marshall amp right now. I haven't played much at all since I've lived here but I really need to start back as I've forgotten much of what I've learned in the 30 years I've played.

[kananga]

I've been playing since I was about 15 years old... I haven't played much at all since I've lived here but I really need to start back as I've forgotten much of what I've learned in the 30 years I've played.

Hi Ace.
I took a five year hiatus from guitar around the turn of the century, when I lived in Melbourne. Had my guitars with me, but just didn't feel like playing.
(long boring story) Before I left I started playing bass again and got into a covers band and a jazz thing similtaneously.

Thing is I found when I started playing guitar again (a mate had set up a studio) I reached a personal peak in next to no time.
Sure there are still holes in my personal repetoire, but most of 'em were covers I learnt only bass parts for, so of course you get that. ;)

I like playing finger style delta blues with bass runs on my SS90 Maton acoustic. It really took no time at all to pick up where I'd left off.

[Ace1965]

Hi Ace.
I took a five year hiatus from guitar around the turn of the century, when I lived in Melbourne. Had my guitars with me, but just didn't feel like playing.
(long boring story) Before I left I started playing bass again and got into a covers band and a jazz thing similtaneously.

Thing is I found when I started playing guitar again (a mate had set up a studio) I reached a personal peak in next to no time.
Sure there are still holes in my personal repetoire, but most of 'em were covers I learnt only bass parts for, so of course you get that. ;)

I like playing finger style delta blues with bass runs on my SS90 Maton acoustic. It really took no time at all to pick up where I'd left off.

Hi Blondifan,

That's about the way I feel now. I sometimes think I want to play but then convince myself it's too much of a hassle to get the amp out and tune the guitar, etc.

I just play basic tabs from only about 5 or 6 bands and I improvise most solos. They are nowhere near correct but I just enjoy being able to play songs that are recognizable if someone knew the song I was playing.

[kananga]

.... I sometimes think I want to play but then convince myself it's too much of a hassle to get the amp out...

Sounds like you need a good acoustic, mate.
I've worn patches of finish off my acoustics from working on bass runs over the years, even though it's a totally different instrument with a different scale neck.
Who wants to go carting 'a fridge' around unnecessarily?

As for being 'correct' as long as others recognise the piece then the jobs sorted, unless you're playing for other players or aiming to audition for the original gig. I think the main thing is you're happy with it.

I recently worked out an arrangement of "Greensleeves" mostly for my own amusement. I haven't even bothered to see if the original was in Dm, as having some open A's, D's and E's for bass notes (among others) is just too convenient.
Everyone recognises it and to date no-one has questioned the key.

[bmg]

http://img184.imagevenue.com/loc1197/th_87246_paul_and_phil_122_1197lo.jpg (http://img184.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=87246_paul_and_phil_122_1197lo.jpg)

[brianwp]

Back around 1964 I asked for a guitar for Christmas. I got one, but it was too hard to learn to play, so I traded it in for a little reel to reel tape player. Then about 3 months later, I visited a friend of mine who had also gotten a guitar for Christmas, and he was playing little songs like "Down in the Valley", and such. I was so impressed I begged for another guitar, and haven't looked back since. Never hit it big, didn't really devote myself to it like I should have, but had a respectable run in bands playing in the New Jersey / New York area. After moving to Georgia I've played on the radio and tv, mostly locally. Now I just tinker with it, but the dream still lives within me, I would love to start a new band and get out there again!

[kananga]

I posted a couple of vids of this guy over on the "What Are You listening To (http://www.vintage-erotica-forum.com/showpost.php?p=972892&postcount=4833)" thread, which are going like the proverbial led ballon :(

However I noticed that he has a lot of instructional videos for slide guitar and finger picking that look like they may be useful. (scroll down on the right of the screen) http://www.youtube.com/user/planetalk

Sorry, I'd pick out some good examples, but my net speed is down to a crawl.
He seems very responsive to any questions anybody may have.

[VallesMarineris]

i noticed years back that the trick with slide is to let your index finger
rest over all of the strings for muting.
if you have the slide on your 3rd or 4th finger while resting the index
over all strings, the notes will come out alot more clear.
the rest is just building a library of licks and depending on an open tuning or standard, it is a lifetime of work. probably the hardest kind of style i've ever encountered.

[billybunter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP_6WW7uJJ8

This is video of a great band! I bought the electric 70s epiphone of the guitarist on ebay. Great axe.:)

[dbailey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpV3xavZ_rQ

We just got one of these for our son, he is delighted with it.

At least this means that I dont have to pay for driving lessons now until next year :p

[billybunter]

Have been blasting through my Pete Townshend 100w head and cab today;) Found this vid, good to see hand made stuff for a change:thumbsup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsPf2I_EwfY&feature=related

[billybunter]

You won't regret it! But your neighbours might:D

[Desert Dream]

Not sure if you guys know about this or not ?
On BBC iPlayer there is a great documentary called:
Heavy Metal Britannia

If you love guitars your gonna love this, as it traces the roots and orgins of Heavy metal. You get to see and hear so many great guitarists as well as perhaps, get to learn a few things ya didnt know too :thumbsup:

For our non uk memebers the show can be d/l via a torrent if you want it ;) As I enjoyed it so much I d/l a copy to keep.

[Johnny Bravo]

I have a small problem with my bass/lead/amp and I'm not sure which is causing the problem. I don't have a spare lead or amp to try.

I get a lot of buzzing vibration now when I play, especially when using my finger on the A string. It's like a heavy buzzing distortion sound and the volume appears to be very low through the amp. There was one day where placing my hand flat over the pickup, touching the strings, would cause full-on squealing feedback, which I've never had before and haven't had since.

I'm assuming my pick up is fucked, but if anyone would like to express an opinion on what could be the problem, plus how much it would cost to get the bass checked out and fixed up (if it is the instrument and not the amp) I'd be grateful to hear from you.

I'm far from competent and only use the bass when I'm idling my time away, but I would like to get it sorted if I can.

[tabler]

blondifan is the guy to ask about basses he is an expert with them, unfortunately he is moving house at the moment and not on line.

[fleetwood77]

Take the bass to a guitar shop and try it through another amp - if it's the pickup that's buggered it's easy enough to change - just a couple of wires.

[billybunter]

When did you last change the strings? Check that all screws etc are tight. When strings are old they are stretched and can behave badly.

[mellowyellow]

I have a small problem with my bass/lead/amp and I'm not sure which is causing the problem. I don't have a spare lead or amp to try.

I get a lot of buzzing vibration now when I play, especially when using my finger on the A string. It's like a heavy buzzing distortion sound and the volume appears to be very low through the amp. There was one day where placing my hand flat over the pickup, touching the strings, would cause full-on squealing feedback, which I've never had before and haven't had since.

I'm assuming my pick up is fucked, but if anyone would like to express an opinion on what could be the problem, plus how much it would cost to get the bass checked out and fixed up (if it is the instrument and not the amp) I'd be grateful to hear from you.

I'm far from competent and only use the bass when I'm idling my time away, but I would like to get it sorted if I can.

It might indeed be a bad pickup, plug it into something else and you know it for sure.

Depending on make or model, installing another pickup can be pretty straightforward by the way, in that case you wouldn't have to miss your instrument for two weeks.

[Johnny Bravo]

It's an Epiphone EB 3 short scale bass and the strings haven't been changed since I bought it between 18 months to two years ago. The whole sound of the instrument is muffled and overly bassy, with lots of hum/buzz when the strings are played.

It needs a proper sorting out, when I can afford it, I suppose. Thanks guys.

[nevermind]

To know if you're dealing with a real guitar expert, you should
listen to their acoustic works.
The acoustic guitar is thé instument to judge ones qualities....

Here you go...!!!!

Turn up the volume and listen to this intro...

Deciples of hell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BqudwP9q0s)

[tabler]

Regular guys on this thread will know how much I hate Les Paul's...but then:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWe-QpUwvic&feature=related

Oh by the way, the banjo is coming on great. Ive moved on from clawhammer and am doing some'picking'!:D

[nevermind]

Regular guys on this thread will know how much I hate Les Paul's...but then:-

What about the Jimmy Page Les Paul.....?
One of the most desired guitars in the world... :rolleyes:

http://img201.imagevenue.com/loc217/th_56671_Led_Zeppelin_pictures_1975_CA_3091_036_12 3_217lo.jpg (http://img201.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=56671_Led_Zeppelin_pictures_1975_CA_ 3091_036_123_217lo.jpg)

[tabler]

How to test guitar's in the shop. :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCvgE6yzoAM&feature=related

[charliedog]

What about the Jimmy Page Les Paul.....?
One of the most desired guitars in the world... :rolleyes:

http://img201.imagevenue.com/loc217/th_56671_Led_Zeppelin_pictures_1975_CA_3091_036_12 3_217lo.jpg (http://img201.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=56671_Led_Zeppelin_pictures_1975_CA_ 3091_036_123_217lo.jpg)

I prefer Duane's

http://ist1-4.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/i/b/o/P/iboP/p1_ugspockvc_ss_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/4333727)

[TripleM]

I play bass guitar. About 30 yrs now. Own five: four Fenders and a Yamaha. Also own one acoustic bass, two acoustic guitars and a small-scale electric six string. Just started playing six string about five years ago.

Current fave guitar players:
Hendrix
Ry Cooder
Stanley Jordan
Pat Metheny
Allan Holdsworth
Robert Randolph
Greg Howe

[Norbert84]

I own a Ibanez RGT-42. My favorite guitar players are Shawn Lane, Frank Gambale, Alex Masi, George Puleo, Greg Howe, Scott Henderson, Joe Pass, Tony MacAlpine, Allan Holdsworth.... the list is actually long.

I´d love to own one of these: http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1991add/20.jpg

[kananga]

I have a small problem with my bass/lead/amp and I'm not sure which is causing the problem. ...
I get a lot of buzzing vibration now when I play, especially when using my finger on the A string. It's like a heavy buzzing distortion sound and the volume appears to be very low through the amp...

Sounds like its definately in the electronics, as Fleetwood77 pointed out taking it to a shop to try another amp may be the first step, then have the pickups checked with a multi-meter. Your amp may have developed a problem with 440 hz?
Although basses are incredibly quiet when unamplified you can get a louder sound by playing with the tip of the headstock placed against something, much like a tuning fork. Some mantle pieces are great for this. Although not overly loud it just might amplify it enough to discern if the buzzing is due to a bad set up... then again probably not. Placing your ear directly on the instument as you play will also let you hear the acoustic properties of a solid body, but probably not enough to discern fret buzz, etc.

I had a similar problem recently with my acoustic guitar. A noticably muted string which was due to a tiny bit of material from the rag I use to clean the strings after everytime I play.
Personally I find it's the mark of a good instrument to have the ability to still sound good and stay in tune with ancient strings, moreso with basses and acoustic guitars.

[Nudist Couple]

I prefer Duane's

http://ist1-4.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/i/b/o/P/iboP/p1_ugspockvc_ss_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/4333727)

I prefer Peter's:

http://ist1-4.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/j/d/n/M/jdnM/9-2208PeterGreenReplica-DaveJohnson_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/4579678-original.html)

[kananga]

G'day mates.
Have an old friend staying over and we were lamenting guitars we had bought in our youth.
My friend and I both bought Maton's although I bought an Acoustic SS-90 model that I still have and use to this day. It's very much like a Martin acoustic.

I think part of the reason I bought a Maton was that I was so impressed by my mates JB-6 Electric and somewhat envious.
The JB-6 was a typical 70’s design, sort of a cross between an Alembic and Ibanez Musician… but plainer looking.

http://thumbnails24.imagebam.com/10283/c88355102825800.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c88355102825800)

The neck felt awesome, really similair to the Maton Phil Manning Standard. Chunky but really smooth. The nut was a little strange. It was actually a fret with slots cut into it, with a zero fret right next to it. The action was ultra low…

http://thumbnails26.imagebam.com/10283/ea72fc102826022.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ea72fc102826022)

The headstock was a little strange looking, but suitable for a 70’s type axe. Jerry Garcia from the Grateful Dead would look right at home playing this axe. The next strange feature is the weird routing behind the bridge. Though it looks like this guitar once had a Floyd Rose and had been converted to a stop tailpiece, this is how it left the factory. There’s even a coil split switch on there which is a bit of a weird spot to put it.

http://thumbnails32.imagebam.com/10283/67af92102826195.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/67af92102826195)

Finally, there’s the beautiful neck joint. Maton certainly know how to design and build a unique, well made guitar.

http://thumbnails33.imagebam.com/10283/1209cd102826387.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/1209cd102826387)

[Northernstar]

I got this one...
http://www.yenigitar.com/gitar_prog/forum_temp/gitarlar/washburn/washburn_dime332.jpg
RIP Dime!!

PS. for those who like jackson guitars and jenna jameson, check this out...
http://www.vintage-erotica-forum.com/showpost.php?p=1297082&postcount=639

[headlessbill]

My little collection..plus the latest purchase...a 'cheapie' Les Paul Gold Top from 'Vintage'..Blimey....now THAT was a value for money purchase....what a great guitar...
http://img41.imagevenue.com/loc254/th_75088_DSCF1770_123_254lo.jpg (http://img41.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=75088_DSCF1770_123_254lo.jpg)http://img232.imagevenue.com/loc424/th_75089_DSCF1310_123_424lo.jpg (http://img232.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=75089_DSCF1310_123_424lo.jpg)



The main collection...2 x Strats (Mexican)
Ibanez Artist
Ibanez Blazer
Squier Telecaster (Japanese)
Yamaha Accoustic
and a little 'Parlour' accoustic

I have had MANY more....EVERY one I regret selling...
like....my Hofner Galaxie...My Epiphone Riviera...My Ovation Accoustic...My 'Plastic' Macaferri.....even down to my first proper guitar..an 'Audition' (Woolworths) semi!!!!!

Can you spot the deliberate factory mistake on the headstock of my Tele..???


http://img201.imagevenue.com/loc31/th_75328_DSCF1292_123_31lo.jpg (http://img201.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=75328_DSCF1292_123_31lo.jpg)


Go on...see if you can spot it!!...LOL

[kananga]

Can you spot the deliberate factory mistake on the headstock of my Tele..???


Go on...see if you can spot it!!...LOL


It's a Squire? ;)

Why would they put a Strat sticker on a Tele?
Even more mystifying is why you state it is a deliberate mistake. :confused:
Fair enough if it was a Fender and a limited number were released, making them potentially collectable.
Nothing against Squires mind. I have a Japanese 'Fender' Jazz Bass 'Special' which is basically a Squire in all but name - and it's beautiful.

There is an Aus Guitar magazine that I used to buy that raved about early "Vintage" brand guitars. One reviewer even kept his review model and sent a cheque to the distributor for an early Les Paul copy.

Don't know if he's still involved, but Trevor Wilkinson was involved with electronics and set ups of early "Vintage" brand guitars.

[headlessbill]

It's a Squire? ;)

Why would they put a Strat sticker on a Tele?
Even more mystifying is why you state it is a deliberate mistake. :confused:
Fair enough if it was a Fender and a limited number were released, making them potentially collectable.
Nothing against Squires mind. I have a Japanese 'Fender' Jazz Bass 'Special' which is basically a Squire in all but name - and it's beautiful.

There is an Aus Guitar magazine that I used to buy that raved about early "Vintage" brand guitars. One reviewer even kept his review model and sent a cheque to the distributor for an early Les Paul copy.

Don't know if he's still involved, but Trevor Wilkinson was involved with electronics and set ups of early "Vintage" brand guitars.


Well...Yes.....The factory put a Strat sticker / transfer on the headstock...not a tele.....so..I suppose it makes it a bit out of the ordinary..
And maybe not a DELIBERATE mistake..!!...LOL

and yes...the hardware on the 'vintage' is Wilkinson....
as are the Stacked P90's...it is a REALLY good guitar...set neck..sustains beautifully...and all for less than 200 quid..!!!!!

[theequestrian]

I started playing the guitar at 8:30 PM February 9 1964 - halfway through the Beatles first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. During the commercial break I 'borrowed' my grandfathers 3/4 size acoustic. I've been playing ever since. Over the years I have owned @ 100 guitars ranging in quality from amazing to shit deluxe. I once owned a Teisco I'd gotten second-hand from a friend. The neck was as wide as a 10 lane highway. My friend had sanded the back of the neck to make it thinner. Unfortunately he sanded it so much that the truss rod was exposed for half the necks length. I had to wear a band-aid on my thumb to keep from getting splinters. I currently own @ 20 guitars but my main ax is a B.C. Rich Bich Perfect 10. (10 string) I picked it up for $700 US and is the best money I've ever spent on a guitar.

[billybunter]

A while back I bought a RAT. Not a rodent but a stomp box:D Makes a lot of distorted noise:thumbsup:

[billybunter]

I've often thought that guitars and gear are to blokes what shoes and gear are to birds. Each sex has no damn idea why we hanker after these things.:D

[fleetwood77]

I've often thought that guitars and gear are to blokes what shoes and gear are to birds. Each sex has no damn idea why we hanker after these things.:D

My wife used to raise her eyebrows when I got what she always called "ANOTHER guitar!!" So I'd sneak the latest one home - and when she eventually noticed it I'd say ' Oh that one! That's been here for ages"

Then she took up the clarinet and immediately felt able to go out and buy TWO [ a normal one and an "A" one] at £1000+ each plus an incredibly expensive case. ANd she got lessons which cost a fortune whereas I was self taught.

I've still got them but I can't get a bloody note out of either.

[tabler]

http://img227.imagevenue.com/loc470/th_12092_DSC00647_122_470lo.JPG (http://img227.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=12092_DSC00647_122_470lo.JPG)http://img209.imagevenue.com/loc587/th_12095_DSC00648_122_587lo.JPG (http://img209.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=12095_DSC00648_122_587lo.JPG)http://img285.imagevenue.com/loc3/th_12098_DSC00649_122_3lo.JPG (http://img285.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=12098_DSC00649_122_3lo.JPG)

[billybunter]

Hi there fellow VEF plank spankers:D I need some help. I have 3 effects pedals that need fixed. Is there anyone on here up to the job, or can you recommend someone or a shop?

[fleetwood77]

I need some help. I have 3 effects pedals that need fixed. Is there anyone on here up to the job,

What's up with them Billy ? The only thing I'v ever been able to fix on dead pedals is the battery connector - sometimes the jack sockets on them go but it's hard to get at them.

[billybunter]

What's up with them Billy ? The only thing I'v ever been able to fix on dead pedals is the battery connector - sometimes the jack sockets on them go but it's hard to get at them.

I think it's the foot switches. But I don't know Fleets. MXR carbon copy analog delay getting power from mains or battery, but won't work. Way Hugh angry troll (bought over by dunlop a while back who make MXR) hit the stomp, light comes on then dies. Then a vintage electro harmonix poly chorus that just won't work. I use a dunlop DC BRICK to power most of my effects with no hassle. So I need a good electronics guy.
I opened the MXR, I don't know how to get at fuck all it's that compact. Thing is they are not very old, apart from the EH. Probably made in China:rolleyes:

I can get them fixed here in Belfast. But thought some of you guys might know an expert.

[fleetwood77]

I opened the MXR, I don't know how to get at fuck all it's that compact.

But thought some of you guys might know an expert.

Yeah they are very compact.

The only expert I know is a guy in his 60s who repairs old valve amps in his garage in a village outside Glasgow.

Years ago I found a 1968 Fender Pro Reverb lying among the bins outside a club - it had been dumped by someone who thought it was knackered and this guy had it going in a week - I'm still using it now and its 42 years old.

He's a dour bastard but everybody in the West of Scotland [including all the guitar shops] with an old amp takes their stuff to him and he never seems to charge more than 35 quid [cash] in my experience. I must ask him if he fixes pedals

[billybunter]

Yeah they are very compact.

The only expert I know is a guy in his 60s who repairs old valve amps in his garage in a village outside Glasgow.

Years ago I found a 1968 Fender Pro Reverb lying among the bins outside a club - it had been dumped by someone who thought it was knackered and this guy had it going in a week - I'm still using it now and its 42 years old.

He's a dour bastard but everybody in the West of Scotland [including all the guitar shops] with an old amp takes their stuff to him and he never seems to charge more than 35 quid [cash] in my experience. I must ask him if he fixes pedals

I have an amp guy. He worked for Marshall for years. But he no longer repairs pedals. Says they are not worth it. Maybe he's right. Your 42 yo amp Fleets works because it was built to last. Stuff today isn't. I have a 60's Vox AC30. Never let me down. Get it serviced new valves etc when it needs it.
Nothing is built to last anymore. No company wants us using their gear for over 40 years. 4 years more like. I try to buy vintage gear, because you know it can be fixed.

[rustler]

A great thread!:) Good to know that there are so many of us on VEF!!

I seem to be the odd one out here as I play flamenco, and therefore use nylon strings.
I did try a friends Gretsch once, but it was like playing a cheese slicer - mind you, with my standard of playing I probably would have got a better tune if I had played the cheese slicer!!:eek:

In the meantime, here is someone who can play a bit!:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYkz30RL_GU


Old guitarists never die .....they just fret away!

[Goofball Jones]

Currently have a Martin D16, a MiM Strat and a EB/MM Stingray bass. I'm more and more into acoustic music than anything else and have been thinking of a new guitar. Possibly a Martin D-28 but also looking at their D-21 Special.

Also looking at the nylon string Godin's. I play around with them at the music store and I'm digging them a lot. Have no experience with nylon string guitars though...they look like a pain in the ass to change.

Still want a Tele and an SG and Les Paul. Oh, and a Gretsch 6120. :)

[billybunter]

Your choice of guitar must reflect your style. As a WHO fan a nylon strung guitar wouldn't last me long. That said, I do enjoy folk music too.

[rustler]

Your choice of guitar must reflect your style. As a WHO fan a nylon strung guitar wouldn't last me long. That said, I do enjoy folk music too.

Ha, flamenco is a bit rough on guitars unfortunately, but thankfully nowhere near as rough as Mr Townsend !!:eek:

For the record I have;

A Cordoba flamenco 'peghead' 45FP - not bad at all for the money!

A new Manuel Reyes flamenco guitar ( on the way ).

A 1968 Petersen Classical guitar.

And my everyday, and so far favourite guitar, a 1971 Manuel Contreras flamenco guitar. It is 40 years old now and a bit battered, but still sings like a bird!

Now I just have to save up about $8000 and get that Gerundino Fernandez that I want..............dream on:rolleyes:

[rustler]

By the way GJ, changing strings takes me about 20 minutes, and on the traditional flamenco peghead guitars shown below, they are even quicker. The problem with them is they tend to take a while to settle in and it is several days before then stay relatively in tune (depending on climate). I ought to change them about once a month, but usually opt for just changing the bass strings, lazy git that I am! However, when I do change them all, say a few days before a gig, then the guitar really sings again; it is almost as if it is saying 'thankyou'!

I don't know much about steel strings, but the only ones that I have ever found comfortable to play where on a friends Yamaha acoustic, and he used D'Addario extra light electric strings. I use D'Addario 'extra hard' tension classical strings on all my guitars, they're by far the best that I have found. Has anybody got favourites???

http://ist1-3.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/p/N/a/z/pNaz/539184_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/6147211)
http://ist1-2.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/p/N/a/Q/pNaQ/62Ramirez_lg_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/6147228)

[Ace1965]

By the way GJ, changing strings takes me about 20 minutes, and on the traditional flamenco peghead guitars shown below, they are even quicker. The problem with them is they tend to take a while to settle in and it is several days before then stay relatively in tune (depending on climate). I ought to change them about once a month, but usually opt for just changing the bass strings, lazy git that I am! However, when I do change them all, say a few days before a gig, then the guitar really sings again; it is almost as if it is saying 'thankyou'!

I don't know much about steel strings, but the only ones that I have ever found comfortable to play where on a friends Yamaha acoustic, and he used D'Addario extra light electric strings. I use D'Addario 'extra hard' tension classical strings on all my guitars, they're by far the best that I have found. Has anybody got favourites???



For about 15 years or longer I've used D'Addario .09's on everything I play. I just found they were the right combination of having a nice bright high end for solos but still had enough low end to produce that nice fat crunch that metal requires.

I did have an ESP black Explorer that is just like the one James Hetfield of Metallica sometimes plays. I got it number one because of what it was and who played it and I love Explorers anyway. But I thought I wanted it to have a little chunkier, thicker sound. This was about the time of Metallica's Load and Reload albums and I had learned to play "Until It Sleeps" and if you've heard that song it is a little thicker than Metallica's usual crunch. The sharp edges are worn off a little.

So I thought instead of putting my normal .09's, I told my guy at the music shop to put on some D'Addario .10's. Sure enough that made the difference.

I don't put on my own strings. I'm not very good at fixing things so I leave stuff like that to the pros.

[billybunter]

I restring my guitars. It takes practise. Buy a good string winder and in 10 mins you have a new set on.

[dbailey]

I restring my guitars. It takes practise. Buy a good string winder and in 10 mins you have a new set on.

Bl**dy hell.....with the 100 guitars that you have, its is rather like a centipeded changing its socks :eek:

My son#2 has a mere 7 guitars and he changes his strings when they start to rust. He cleans his fretboard at the same time. He is pretty quick.

He has used all types of strings and has paid out for those non-rusting ones and also those that are silky lubed in some way (or am I getting confused with adult products)

These days we get him whatever bulk buy deal is on at Georges Music or Guitar Centre in the USA. The last deal we got was for a 20 pack of Fender strings at about £3 per set.

I did notice that his Yamaha 12 string came with a coated paper wrap on the strings which he replaces each time after playing and those strings lasted for ages before rusting.

He has a plastic clip on string cleaner doohickey that run run up and down to get finger sweat off the strings

Is it worth rubbing the strings with a lint free rag and some WD40 to make em last longer?

[billybunter]

I don't restring them all at once:D I might sell a few on ebay.

[charliedog]

I (my guitar guy) took the neck from one of my late 80's Strat Plus and moved it to this mid 90's Strat. The Plus was too heavy for a maple neck, and I never played it. Now the weight/tone is perfect. I'm not in love with the Kahler Spyder bridge, or with the pickups, but I love the guitar.



http://ist1-1.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/p/P/3/L/pP3L/DSC04748_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/6154477) http://ist1-1.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/p/P/3/M/pP3M/DSC04749_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/6154478) http://ist1-3.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/p/P/3/O/pP3O/DSC04755_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/6154480)

[rustler]

I (my guitar guy) took the neck from one of my late 80's Strat Plus and moved it to this mid 90's Strat. The Plus was too heavy for a maple neck, and I never played it. Now the weight/tone is perfect. I'm not in love with the Kahler Spyder bridge, or with the pickups, but I love the guitar.



http://ist1-1.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/p/P/3/L/pP3L/DSC04748_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/6154477) http://ist1-1.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/p/P/3/M/pP3M/DSC04749_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/6154478) http://ist1-3.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1/_/_/_/1/p/P/3/O/pP3O/DSC04755_0.jpg (http://pimpandhost.com/image/show/id/6154480)


I must admit that I am really quite envious, you guys can mix and match as Charliedog mentions above. Change the neck!!! :eek: Perhaps different pickups, bridge etc. Wow! On a flamenco or classical guitar you can change the strings, the height of the nut or the height of the saddle, and that is about it!

BTW. I used to know a couple of professional guitar makers (electric mostly) who used just the socket from a string winder and a battery powered drill to fast tune new strings. It worked great! I dont do that myself, but I have seen them do it many times. Just a thought if you don't like changing strings, or you have loads of guitars.................:thumbsup:

[billybunter]

In most guitar factorys they use a cordless drill/socket winder to string guitars. But they do it all day 5 days a week. I pull the string through the machine head, then pull back an inch 1/4 or so of slack. Keep your finger lightly on the string, and wind, keep the wraps under each other. Bring it up to tension, repeat with all strings. Then tune. I use a strobe but I also have a basic tuner. Once in tune pull each string away from the fret board, (not too hard) leave for 10 mins and retune. That's my method. Of course there are countless vids on youtube about this.

[Goofball Jones]

I restring all my stuff too. Just it looks like a pain with a nylon string...with having to tie things down etc etc. I was never good with knots :)

[otiscleotus]

I always did my own restringing but it takes a lot longer then 10 minutes. Then there was that period for a few days afterwards that it took for the strings to settle in and reach the point where they stayed pretty much tuned. And then they'd eventually reach the point where they'd still be in tune but just sounded dead. I once took my Les Paul to a free restringing clinic put on by Gibson but as it was near the end of the day and it being a lefthanded model their rep. was just as happy to give me the strings and let me go and do it myself.

I always thought of it from the engineer/physics/mechanics/stress-strain point of view with what the string would go through from being made to getting rolled up into the package back to being laid back out and strung and stretched and then played.

My remaining three guitars have been on hiatus, I sold my amp and effects pedals about three years ago and until I win my claim with the veteran's administration I don't see getting back to them much as I'd like to. It's been in those last few years that I've also parted with a monsterous old EBO bass and an Epiphone that I think was an S2000.

[ubu_roi]

I use locking tuners on all my guitars; restringing is quicker because you don't have to wind the excess string, as there isn't any excess - pull the string tight through the tuner, lock it, and there you are. Tunes up with maybe a half-turn of the post or less. Nice!

Of course, they're not for nylon strings....

[otiscleotus]

For those of you that break them - is it usually the same string or is it more a random one?

[billybunter]

I can restring in 10-15 mins because i've done it so many times. There's a youtube vid where a guitar tech for Kiss does it in 6mins! He uses a power winder. But you need to stretch the strings to help them settle in. Plus the quality of the tuners/machine heads matters too. Rickenbackers stay in tune for ages, some fenders go out of tune quickly.

[Ace1965]

For those of you that break them - is it usually the same string or is it more a random one?

Over 90% of the time with me it's G that breaks. I think I've only broken the B string once or twice in 20+ years of playing. I've broken D a few more times than that.

[theequestrian]

I never break anything but the hi E and even then it's once or twice a decade. I tend to use 'super lights' (.008) so they're a little easier to break than heavier gauges. Still, over the years I've broken more hi E's during restringing than while playing.

[Goofball Jones]

I use locking tuners on all my guitars; restringing is quicker because you don't have to wind the excess string, as there isn't any excess - pull the string tight through the tuner, lock it, and there you are. Tunes up with maybe a half-turn of the post or less. Nice!

Of course, they're not for nylon strings....

Locking tuners are great. I replaced the standard tuners on my Strat with Planet Waves locking tuners. The great luthier Rick Turner uses the same tuners on his guitars, so that's good enough for me. :D

[rustler]

I have quite honestly never broken a string while playing or stringing. However, I did have a Yairi flamenco guitar that quite often the D string broke just after I put it down. Always the same string, and though I checked the nut and found no sharp edges or anything, the problem still continued up 'til I sold the guitar.

How long does it normally take for steel strings to settle in and stay in tune?? I just wondered. The tech. for Kiss might restring in 6 minutes, but that doesn't necessarilly mean that the guitar is usable does it??

[billybunter]

I tend to break the G or the high E. I use 10s Gibson Brite Wires. I have snapped a few while restringing, a real pain in the arse! On my Rickenbackers I use Rickenbacker strings 10s again.

[charliedog]

How long does it normally take for steel strings to settle in and stay in tune?? I just wondered.


When I restring, I give the strings a good couple of stretches before playing. After 2 or 3 stretching/retunings, they pretty much stay that way.

I'm not gentle with my steel strings and bend them pretty far sometimes...and I haven't broken one during playing in 10 years or so. The only string I've broken is the high-octave G on my 12 string acoustic...that one's pretty fine.

[billybunter]

The high octave G on a 12 string is a pain in the arse! It breaks on me all the time. And Rickenbacker 12s are awkward to restring. Despite what they say.

[kananga]

John Butler of the John Butler Trio always removes the higher octave G on his twelve strings, making them in effect an 11 string instrument. I remember he stated somewhere that "it's a terrible thing to have such a high note in the middle".
With one of his oldest instruments he removed the machine head and made a nice little carving around the exposed hole at the end of the headstock.

Personally I tend to break 'D' strings on whatever i play, whether it be bass or guitar. Probably because I tend to bend them more vigorously.

[billybunter]

I play "hard" guitar; power chords and all that, so I break strings all the time. But a new set sounds great! And you can buy strings online for next to nothing.

[billybunter]

Have a mate who's gonna look at my pedals. He reckons the electro-harmonix poly chorus might be a problem because he says getting "parts" for 70s pedals is hard. The other two might need new stomp switches. Went into a Belfast music shop that has been here from 1936 or there abouts. Asked if they repaired pedals. Listened to a load of crap which meant, buy a new one:mad: Nobody fixes anything anymore! "what it don't work mate, buy a new one":confused:

[kananga]

Wish cheap bass strings were a reality. Having said that i used to buy cheap (less than 1/2 price) strings from Pro-Audio here in Aus. They were identical to Roundwounds, except they had no cloth winding where they're inserted in the machine head.

Good luck with the pedals Billy. Some of them such as Ibanez Tube Screamers and some MXR Phase shifters are worth a fair bit now.

[charliedog]

I play "hard" guitar; power chords and all that, so I break strings all the time. But a new set sounds great! And you can buy strings online for next to nothing.

I finally broke down, took the old strings off my A. Yairi DY-62c, polished the body, cleaned and oiled the fingerboard, and put on a fresh set of Ernie Balls (9's cause it was all I had).

...one word...

WOW!

It's like night and day.

[charliedog]

John Butler of the John Butler Trio always removes the higher octave G on his twelve strings, making them in effect an 11 string instrument.

that would feel awkward to me, having an unusual gap caused by the missing string.

One thing I always wanted to do is a Nashville tuning on my 12-string but keep forgetting. Also, it will change the tension on the neck and may cause it to bow

What Is the Nashville Tuning?
The Nashville or ‘Hi-Strung’ tuning is basically the high strings of a 12 string guitar. The lower strings are replaced with the high string set while the top two strings (E and B) are left the same. It’s exactly the same as a standard tuning (you play it just like you would a regular tuned guitar) except the lower four strings are tuned an octave higher. The result is what you might describe as a ‘piccolo’ guitar

http://audio.tutsplus.com/tutorials/instruments/how-to-use-the-nashville-tuning/

[ubu_roi]

Nashville tuning is generally done on a six-string guitar, replacing the bass strings with light gauge strings. Doing it on a 12-string would be interesting; with all the doubled notes it would be a very chorus-y sounding instrument.

[fleetwood77]

Wish cheap bass strings were a reality. Having said that i used to buy cheap (less than 1/2 price) strings from Pro-Audio here in Aus. They were identical to Roundwounds, except they had no cloth winding where they're inserted in the machine head.

Good luck with the pedals Billy. Some of them such as Ibanez Tube Screamers and some MXR Phase shifters are worth a fair bit now.


A cheap set of strings for a double bass is about £80 !

I've got an old Tube Screamer - I didn't know they were sought after - just sound like another overdrive pedal to me.

[billybunter]

I have a "tube screamer" It's a bit too metal for me. I like the "Rat" more. But we like to crank our amps up to 11 and annoy our birds or neighbours.:D

[Ace1965]

I have a "tube screamer" It's a bit too metal for me. I like the "Rat" more. But we like to crank our amps up to 11 and annoy our birds or neighbours.:D

:)

Back when I had my house, my guitar room was an extra bedroom upstairs on the interior and the only window faced the back yard with nothing but woods behind there.

I had this Marshall head sitting on top of a full stack of two 4 speaker 1960 A & B cabinets. About 4 1/2 was as loud as I could stand it. I always stood up while playing and had a bad habit of standing right in front of the stack. It's a wonder I can still hear anything today.
http://thumbnails11.imagebam.com/11561/d06519115604199.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d06519115604199)

[theequestrian]

Charliedog, I agree with you about the string gap. I play a BC Rich Bich 10 string and it took a while to get used to the single low E and A strings

[fristbit]

I have two, a Gretsch and a Brian May Red Signature Special. I suck worse and harder than any porn star past, present or future.

[fleetwood77]

I'm putting a Strat maple neck on my '62 Telecaster. I've got a late 70s Tokai Tele with a maple neck and I've always liked the way it feels better than the Fender rosewood neck.

Not that I imagine I'll be a better player but a bad workman blames his tools.

http://img227.imagevenue.com/loc87/th_65829_011811155111_123_87lo.jpg (http://img227.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=65829_011811155111_123_87lo.jpg)

[nevermind]

Sure word listening.... :thumbsup:

"Icarus' Dream Suite Op. 4
by Yngwie Malmsteen


http://s1.postimage.org/1tr4ze4w4/685.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/1tr4ze4w4/)


http://www.guitar-tube.com/watch/yngwie-malmsteen-albinoni-adgaio.html


.

[billybunter]

:)

Back when I had my house, my guitar room was an extra bedroom upstairs on the interior and the only window faced the back yard with nothing but woods behind there.

I had this Marshall head sitting on top of a full stack of two 4 speaker 1960 A & B cabinets. About 4 1/2 was as loud as I could stand it. I always stood up while playing and had a bad habit of standing right in front of the stack. It's a wonder I can still hear anything today.
http://thumbnails11.imagebam.com/11561/d06519115604199.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d06519115604199)

I have a Pete Townshend 100watt HIWATT half stack this bastard could blow your windows out! No mid, just 4 volume, bass, treble and master vol. It is LOUD!!

[charliedog]

What songs do you all play / play along with?

lately I've been throwing these songs into the playlist and keeping up pretty well:

Thrill is Gone: BB King
Born Under Bad Sign: Albert King
The Moil: Galactic
Take 5: Dave Brubek
Blue Sky: Allman Bros
Melissa: Allman Bros
Dreams: Allman Bros
Cause We Ended As Lovers: Jeff Beck
Albatross: Fleetwood Mac
Estimated Prophet: Grateful Dead
Stella Blue: Grateful Dead
I am Yours: Derek and the Dominos
Shine on You Crazy Diamond: Pink Floyd
Black Dog: Led Zep
No Quarter: Led Zep

I have about 10 years worth of Guitar World, Guitar Player and GFTPM (1986-1995) but for the last 15 years I've been learning to play by ear.

[fleetwood77]

What songs do you all play / play along with?

l

I often play [not always along with] La Grange - I love a song with one chord. Another like that is Creedence's "Keep On Chooglin" - E7 for 8 minutes!

[topshelf]

I took up my axe about two years ago, I'm not musical and really quite bad. However, I can spend hours and hours playing/learning and really do enjoy it.

I started without a plectrum and after a few months decided I'd have to do it properly.....wow, it was like learning to walk again, coordination overload. Now I'm happier with the plec and don't like playing without it. It feels natural with the pic.

My next challenge was the CAGE system, I really find the fingering too awkward...do I really need to do it this way? I'm not going down this route anymore. Of course what I'd really like to learn is all the notes in each key anywhere on the neck. I mean really learn them so it's something less to think about.

Now to my latest stage of guitar god.... standing up. Yep, it's got to be done, there are very few players who remain seated (but they have very good reasons to do so).
As I mentioned earlier, although I play so long and time shoots by, I know when it's time to stop because of the pain in my back. Hunched over the tab isn't comfortable.
Now standing up and playing with good posture etc has to be the way forward....I can't see what I'm doing.....It's like using the pic for the first time again.


I'm now conciously looking at everyones guitar holding......I'm not a fan but do Mcfly hold theirs very low, as far away from their bodies as poss?:confused:

[billybunter]

I have a Gretsch. One of their budget range models. Fender bought them over and started the budget range. Great guitar! Bigsby trem etc. But it feedbacks like hell if you crank your amp up.

[ubu_roi]

My next challenge was the CAGE system...do I really need to do it this way?

My opinion, for what it's worth: the CAGED system is quite good, but it's not a required methodology. It's very applicable to jazz (which is what I play), but for most rock/blues you'll find yourself primarily using pentatonic patterns. You'll find many, many accomplished guitarists who have no clue as to what CAGED is. Nonetheless, it's a great tool to have at your disposal; I think it can help with learning about chord construction and interval relationships, and it's really helpful for arpeggios. But you won't be using those fingerings when you play "La Grange", for example.

Learning the notes on the neck, along with basic chord-building theory, will pay off a lot of benefits.

[billybunter]

I'm self taught. I learned by listening to records and reading crap chord books. Same with piano. But you get satisfaction when you progress. My Dad plays guitar and various other things; like fiddle, banjo etc. My brother also has a musical talent. A mate of mine tried for ages to learn guitar. He went to lessons paid out a lot of cash. But he's not musical. So he still can play a note. One book I still have is Beatles Complete. The Chords are not really right, but I learned a few tricks from it.