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[GeekyDad]

Went to a Guitar Center (hate these places) near where my youngest son currently lives. He wanted to buy his first guitar (Fender strat). After spending about a half hour with him, helping him try things and such, I wanted to give him some time without his old man to try the guitar he had his eye on, so he could get a better idea if it was truly a good fit. I made some excuse, and strolled off...

Ended up in the acoustic room, of course. Thankfully, most young guys don't give two shits about acoustics, so I was alone, and the room was almost soundproof. Mmm...

Then, in comes a young man. He's quiet, mindful, grabs a guitar. I've got my back toward him and a Taylor I had picked up. I had forgotten how amazingly rock-solid, reliable and consistent they are -- the quality of their sound. I've been playing a Larrivee for decades, and it's still the tone I prefer. But oh man, this Taylor was like a gorgeous blonde at the beach on the hottest day of summer. I'm pickin' away, and I begin to hear someone playing along. I don't want to be greedy with the airwaves, so I try to also be mindful, and lower my dynamic. His playing gets softer. I tested it out a couple of more times, and sure enough, this kid's playing along with me. And he's not trying to impress me with chops, he's just trying to have a moment with me. It only lasted a short time, but it was quite magical. We acknowledged each other after with warm regard, and parted ways. I met up with my son, he decided on that guitar and a Fender amp, and we were off...

Later that evening or the next day I kicked myself for not asking that kid for contact info, but then the thought occurred to me that perhaps it was just meant to be that: a magical moment.

It's the little things.

 

[JCK75]

Went to a Guitar Center (hate these places) near where my youngest son currently lives. He wanted to buy his first guitar (Fender strat). After spending about a half hour with him, helping him try things and such, I wanted to give him some time without his old man to try the guitar he had his eye on, so he could get a better idea if it was truly a good fit. I made some excuse, and strolled off...

Ended up in the acoustic room, of course. Thankfully, most young guys don't give two shits about acoustics, so I was alone, and the room was almost soundproof. Mmm...

Then, in comes a young man. He's quiet, mindful, grabs a guitar. I've got my back toward him and a Taylor I had picked up. I had forgotten how amazingly rock-solid, reliable and consistent they are -- the quality of their sound. I've been playing a Larrivee for decades, and it's still the tone I prefer. But oh man, this Taylor was like a gorgeous blonde at the beach on the hottest day of summer. I'm pickin' away, and I begin to hear someone playing along. I don't want to be greedy with the airwaves, so I try to also be mindful, and lower my dynamic. His playing gets softer. I tested it out a couple of more times, and sure enough, this kid's playing along with me. And he's not trying to impress me with chops, he's just trying to have a moment with me. It only lasted a short time, but it was quite magical. We acknowledged each other after with warm regard, and parted ways. I met up with my son, he decided on that guitar and a Fender amp, and we were off...

Later that evening or the next day I kicked myself for not asking that kid for contact info, but then the thought occurred to me that perhaps it was just meant to be that: a magical moment.

It's the little things.

After the divorce I treated myself to a new Acoustic/Elec and I went Taylor, it's incredible.

 

[GeekyDad]

So, it's been a while since I bought strings, but I don't feel like it's been that long. My wife usually picks them up for me, and she doesn't say anything about the cost. She put an extra set in my stocking over the holiday. I just looked at 'em, and the tag is still on them. Eighteen fucking dollars for Elixirs? Are you shittin' me!?

I remember them being a premium string for $8-9 a set. Now they're fucking $18!?

 

[sankt-Antonio]

I have such corroding sweat that strings sound dull after 30min anyway so I'm really taking my time changing them.

On a more positive note, since I'm kind of worn down from the grind at work I treated myself with a new Pedal to Loft up my spirits . Earth Quaker Devices Life Pedal. Hope it rocks.

 

[GeekyDad]

I have such corroding sweat that strings sound dull after 30min anyway so I'm really taking my time changing them.

On a more positive note, since I'm kind of worn down from the grind at work I treated myself with a new Pedal to Loft up my spirits . Earth Quaker Devices Life Pedal. Hope it rocks.

Are you wiping the strings after each use?

 

[Kev Kev]

This guy was my guitar teacher's guitar teacher and he is incredible. He's into jazz so he gets pretty deep on theory stuff, but I still think even novice guitar players can get some good info from here. If anything he's fun to watch play as he is amazing. He has a bunch of these master class videos on his page. Really good stuff...

 

[Happosai]

This guy was my guitar teacher's guitar teacher and he is incredible. He's into jazz so he gets pretty deep on theory stuff, but I still think even novice guitar players can get some good info from here. If anything he's fun to watch play as he is amazing. He has a bunch of these master class videos on his page. Really good stuff...

Very nice clean tone too. You have a hollow body single-cut too right Kev Kev ?

I've had a couple teachers since 1998 (when I started). Dave Gregory (Porcupine Hat, Tin Spirits, Big Big Train and XTC) has mentored me on and off since about 2013. I'm a piano player / guitarist and I've learned a lot from D.G. There are plenty of recent interviews with him online too but he's not playing. So to stay relevant to OP - I'll attach videos of him playing during the XTC era of the late-70's/early 80's. Video below (minutes 0 - 4) Dave told me this was at his former home in Swindon. He had a Realistic drum machine sitting on the music stand of the piano. The still owns that Rickenbacker and several others today (he purchased that one in 1980 but it was mail ordered and didn't arrive until late '81 when XTC was recording English Settlement). He told me that he sold the 'super powered' Schecter Telecaster.



Some of my favorite solos he played with XTC:

"Rocket solo"

"Reel solo live in Melbourne 1980"

 

[Burt Macklin]

Lapsed guitar and bass player that picked up both (!) at the same time again after 10 years. Also started vocal lessons as well. I've gone back and forth for years about getting back into it and listening to Ghost helped push me and get me back into it. I'll have to try and get pics of my gear. Any good tips for either? I've always been into simple punk music so trying to branch out and learn new stuff is daunting at the moment

 

[Kev Kev]

You have a hollow body single-cut too right Kev Kev Kev Kev ?

Yeah it's a semi-hollow Ibanez GB10EM. It's the same one I'm playing in this video. I really like it, and it's a decent price too...

 

[GeekyDad]

Lapsed guitar and bass player that picked up both (!) at the same time again after 10 years. Also started vocal lessons as well. I've gone back and forth for years about getting back into it and listening to Ghost helped push me and get me back into it. I'll have to try and get pics of my gear. Any good tips for either? I've always been into simple punk music so trying to branch out and learn new stuff is daunting at the moment

Well, if you enjoy simple punk, it will likely be more meaningful to just stick with what comes natural.

 

[Happosai]

Yeah it's a semi-hollow Ibanez GB10EM. It's the same one I'm playing in this video. I really like it, and it's a decent price too...

Always nice to hear these jazz bits. I've always enjoyed the tone of semi-hollow bodied guitars. Thanks for resharing this.

 

[Burt Macklin]

Well, if you enjoy simple punk, it will likely be more meaningful to just stick with what comes natural.

I still do but I've always been super particular with music and I'm in that branching out and discovery stage again. I have my roots in punk but I always like trying to incorporate other stuff in there as well

 

[GeekyDad]

I still do but I've always been super particular with music and I'm in that branching out and discovery stage again. I have my roots in punk but I always like trying to incorporate other stuff in there as well

That's even better! I've kind of been doing that my whole life, I'd say. In the last 20 or so years, I completely transitioned from a lead guitarist to a finger-style acoustic guitarist. I just follow my instincts, I guess. Glad I transitioned, though. I still throw in a lead guitar here and there when I'm multitracking, but mostly I just enjoy finger-style. I never thought it would come so easily and naturally. It feels natural. That's what's worked for me, anyway.

I've always felt inspired to just do whatever feels right. And age has also helped me to try and rein things in when necessary, with regards to expression. Though I love and appreciate technique, if it trumps human expression, I lose interest; I think, ultimately, deep down, most people do. It's necessary to have guys and girls who do focus on that, as technique is a necessary tool to execute certain expressions, but at some point, you then have to let go of the learning and use those tools to allow you to express yourself, the ultimate goal.

Of course, there are some, and they're usually the ones we consider the "masters," whose expression is the technique. And that's also wonderful.

/end of old-man rant

 

[sw0mp_d0nk3y]

Got a new guitar this week, a Collings C10 Deluxe. It's fantastic and really inpires me to play.

 

[Morrie’s wig shop]

Hey, hey. I just found this thread, I was this close to making a guitar thread.

I've been playing since about 1989-1990, but as soon as Teen Spirit broke when I was 14 I've been playing serious ever since.
Three, I mean four (damn) decades later, obviously my music taste has changed and I'm really into arpeggios and doing shit I've never thought I would be able to do.

This is my baby, I've had her since 1994.
MIJ, $550 at a guitar store in Clearwater, Fl called Thoroughbred. It ended up getting bought out by a Sam Ash, which is what it is now.

 

[Grildon Tundy]

Got a new guitar this week, a Collings C10 Deluxe. It's fantastic and really inpires me to play.

That's a nice tune right there.

 

[mitch1971]

Got a new guitar this week, a Collings C10 Deluxe. It's fantastic and really inpires me to play.

Your tongue was having a great time.

 

[Makoto-Yuki]

i posted in here before a year or two ago about trying to get back into guitar. it didn't work but i did take them out to give them a tune up. my gibson les paul junior has some buzzing on it maybe it's just the old shitty strings that i've never changed. the guitar has hardly been played in 5+ years so it can't be the frets worn down. the nut shouldn't be worn out either right? maybe it just needs a new set of strings and set up properly. i don't really want to spend money taking it to a shop.... yeah it'll be good to maintain its condition but i don't even play them anymore.

i have been thinking about selling all my guitars but i don't think i'll be able to bring myself to do it because they all have sentimental value to me.

do you have any tips for storing guitars long term? what should i be doing? both LP jrs are in cases and the strats don't have cases.

they are all in my cupboard where my clothes hang and i sometimes hang up clothes that are still a little damp to air dry so i'm worried that the moisture will go right into the guitars. some of them have chips/breaks so the wood is exposed from under the paint.

i was going to put them in the attic but that might be worse for them?

 

[GeekyDad]

i posted in here before a year or two ago about trying to get back into guitar. it didn't work but i did take them out to give them a tune up. my gibson les paul junior has some buzzing on it maybe it's just the old shitty strings that i've never changed. the guitar has hardly been played in 5+ years so it can't be the frets worn down. the nut shouldn't be worn out either right? maybe it just needs a new set of strings and set up properly. i don't really want to spend money taking it to a shop.... yeah it'll be good to maintain its condition but i don't even play them anymore.

i have been thinking about selling all my guitars but i don't think i'll be able to bring myself to do it because they all have sentimental value to me.

do you have any tips for storing guitars long term? what should i be doing? both LP jrs are in cases and the strats don't have cases.

they are all in my cupboard where my clothes hang and i sometimes hang up clothes that are still a little damp to air dry so i'm worried that the moisture will go right into the guitars. some of them have chips/breaks so the wood is exposed from under the paint.

i was going to put them in the attic but that might be worse for them?

Buzzing like that is action-related. I never owned a Junior, but I did own an American-made Les Paul. The bridge should have adjustable torque mechanisms you should be able to easily adjust. Probably wanna loosen your strings whilst doing that. But take a look at the spacing between the strings and the frets. Look all the way up and down the neck, so you can determine whether or not there's any bowing in the neck. If the strings are close at the headstock and close near the body but there's some noticeable distance in the middle, that's a good indication. For that, you'll need to adjust the truss rod inside of the neck. That's also pretty easy. If memory serves, Gibson simply covers the access point with a decorative piece of plastic. Remove that and use a correct-sized Allen wrench to adjust. BE VERY MINDFUL and go slow when doing so, making only minor adjustments before re-checking.

As for storage, you'll want to keep a damp sponge in a ziplock bag that has holes in it. It's wood, so it requires regular intake of moisture. Check on it at least weekly and re-dampen the sponge as needed.

 

[The Skull]

I recently had a clear out of some stuff I had in storage and came across a 2005 limited edition Epiphone Les Paul custom chrome. Just finished cleaning it up and not looking too bad for the age. My main axe is a Fender American Original Jazzmaster which I chucked a mastery bridge on.

 

[GeekyDad]

...My main axe is a Fender American Original Jazzmaster which I chucked a mastery bridge on. ...

Gorgeous.

Take good care of that girl. When I went into the GC with my kid a while back, the prices for American-made guitars have gone insane. I paid $950 for my cherrywood Les Paul about 20 or so years ago. It had been a while, obviously, since I'd shopped for guitars, but holy crap. I think something like that would probably be in the $3-4k range now. Ooph...

The neck on your Fender looks so sweet and well-maintained. Very nice work.

 

[Winter John]

Bit of a long shot considering I had to search for this thread but I was wondering if anyone had a J Mascis Jazzmaster. I been thinking about getting one, but from what I hear about Squier they need a lot of setting up out the box. I don't know if it's worth the hassle or if I should just save myself the potential headache and get a Fender

 

[Fret Runner]

Feels like forever since I posted last on GAF

Finally got back into recording random things as a fun little pass time. Been kinda too focused on life crap to really play much nowadays, so it's been fun to get back into things.

Ignore the more scuffed cover versions on the channel, I tend to treat every cover attempt as a work in progress and slowly try making them better with better attempts but motivation comes and goes lol

The two of most happy with at the moment are these two. Two completely different style bands but two songs I love.
Pink Floyd - Time Solo


Metallica - Unforgiven II


(Hope those play correctly. First time sharing tiktok crap lol)

 

[Chuck Berry]

Sold my Fender Jaguar and picked up this beauty for my birthday last month. It's more or less my dream guitar. Crossed it right off the incoming midlife crisis list

Tool is the most important band of my life (note I didn't say favorite) and this is close to the model Adam was using during the Aenima/Lateralus days (which are the best days ). I haven't had much chance to play since I've been busy with life shit and work, but I'm aiming to finally re string it this weekend and have a nice session full of hard distortion and Drop D madness.

 

[Boo Who?]

Sold my Fender Jaguar and picked up this beauty for my birthday last month. It's more or less my dream guitar. Crossed it right off the incoming midlife crisis list

Tool is the most important band of my life (note I didn't say favorite) and this is close to the model Adam was using during the Aenima/Lateralus days (which are the best days ). I haven't had much chance to play since I've been busy with life shit and work, but I'm aiming to finally re string it this weekend and have a nice session full of hard distortion and Drop D madness.

Love the Smokeburst. Very nice. Enjoy!

 

[Boo Who?]

I got a Gibson SG '61 Standard earlier in the year and it has become my favorite guitar at the moment. Everything about it has been amazing. Tone, feel, etc.

 

[Chuck Berry]

I got a Gibson SG '61 Standard earlier in the year and it has become my favorite guitar at the moment. Everything about it has been amazing. Tone, feel, etc.

That's the last one I want I swear. I just want the typical maroon color that Einziger and Enigk use. But yeah whenever I get a Gibson, the SG is it.

 

[Doomtrain]

the last one I want

That statement is ALWAYS a filthy lie and you know it.

 

[Chuck Berry]

That statement is ALWAYS a filthy lie and you know it.

I know man. Same way I am with guns

 

[GeekyDad]

Feels like forever since I posted last on GAF

Finally got back into recording random things as a fun little pass time. Been kinda too focused on life crap to really play much nowadays, so it's been fun to get back into things.

Ignore the more scuffed cover versions on the channel, I tend to treat every cover attempt as a work in progress and slowly try making them better with better attempts but motivation comes and goes lol

The two of most happy with at the moment are these two. Two completely different style bands but two songs I love.
Pink Floyd - Time Solo


Metallica - Unforgiven II


(Hope those play correctly. First time sharing tiktok crap lol)

Not seeing anything.

 

[Fret Runner]

Not seeing anything.

Well shit lol

How about this:

Unforgiven II


Time Solo cover is getting blocked on youtube so that sucks. Never uploaded anything to youtube before so have no idea how to get around that haha

 

[Chuck Berry]

So, it's been a while since I bought strings, but I don't feel like it's been that long. My wife usually picks them up for me, and she doesn't say anything about the cost. She put an extra set in my stocking over the holiday. I just looked at 'em, and the tag is still on them. Eighteen fucking dollars for Elixirs? Are you shittin' me!?

I remember them being a premium string for $8-9 a set. Now they're fucking $18!?

Nah man Elixirs have always been that high or close to it. I was using them constantly in the early 00's and I swear I was already paying close to $20.

I don't remember any strings costing 8 or 9 bucks?

Just how old are you, pops?

 

[GeekyDad]

Nah man Elixirs have always been that high or close to it. I was using them constantly in the early 00's and I swear I was already paying close to $20.

I don't remember any strings costing 8 or 9 bucks?

Just how old are you, pops?

54

 

[GeekyDad]

Well shit lol

How about this:

Unforgiven II


Time Solo cover is getting blocked on youtube so that sucks. Never uploaded anything to youtube before so have no idea how to get around that haha

Lovely warm guitars. Nice job.

 

[GeekyDad]

Something I recorded about a year ago:

 

[Fret Runner]

Just treated my self to the neural dsp Nolly X, Morgan Suite and Gojira archetypes. Been wanting to grab them for awhile and since 'tis the season I thought I'd treat myself.

Those 3 make a good combo for covering most bases well, right? Loving the Morgan suite cleans. From what I read the Cory Wong one would also be a good addition to buy in the future for covering as many bases possible with as few purchases possible. Basically I tried buying the 3 that would cover the most bases for me (rock/metal/clean)

 

[Fret Runner]

Just treated my self to the neural dsp Nolly X, Morgan Suite and Gojira archetypes. Been wanting to grab them for awhile and since 'tis the season I thought I'd treat myself.

Those 3 make a good combo for covering most bases well, right? Loving the Morgan suite cleans. From what I read the Cory Wong one would also be a good addition to buy in the future for covering as many bases possible with as few purchases possible. Basically I tried buying the 3 that would cover the most bases for me (rock/metal/clean)

Result of messing around with the Gojira one.
Nothing fancy hard or flashy, with just a guitar pro backing track lol

Cover of a tune from one of my personal fave games, as divisive it is in the fandom. The buttrock in this game was one of the factors that made me pick guitar back up again back in the day since I lost the drive for a brief time back then. Anyway, I think it sounds pretty cool. Loving these plugins

 

[Audiophile]

Tone

 

[666]

I done a quick test play of a cheap Squier guitar.

 

[Doomtrain]

I done a quick test play of a cheap Squier guitar.

I really like the pinch harmonics you've got going on. I've been trying to get better at them but I can't always make it work, haha.

 

[666]

I really like the punch harmonics you've got going on. I've been trying to get better at them but I can't always make it work, haha.

Hey bro if you want the same pinches then use vibrato to carry them. Listen to George Lynch and Ygnwie and try and copy that vibrato. You can catch a small pinch but the vibrato will carry it and naturally bring out the harmonic.

 

[Audiophile]

Sold all my guitar stuff a few years back except for a Crafter TM035/N which I've had since I was teenager, as I wanted to simplify/declutter, stack every penny into investing and kinda start the journey again a little down the road. Seems that point is now.

Pushed myself to the absolute mental limit to pull off a crazy run in crypto trading in the last ~12 days, so I'm gonna treat myself, but I'm not gonna go overboard with super-pricey stuff, going straight for high end Martins or something... I'm really liking these Alvarez guitars and they do a lovely 000 in their Laureate line, so I'm gonna go with an Alvarez Laureate LF70e Herringbone Blacktop. I'm usually a [slightly aged] natural top colour guy, but the Herringbone + aged white trim against the Black gloss looks really classy and they made the great choice to leave the dark rosewood back and sides unfinished rather than going all black, just looks great. And most-importantly it sounds great, 95% as good as top brand stuff at 3-4x the price. Even has a transducer pickup. Plus a soft-V neck which I love, heck...I'd put a hard V on every guitar if I could.

I'll probably slot the bridge and rotate the ebony wood bridge pins that come with it so they act as unslotted pins, throw some GHS vintage or americana phosphor bronze 12-54s, get an extra black Levys Leathers cotton strap (can't sit properly due to sciatica right now) and I'll be good to go for under £1K.

 

[GeekyDad]

Sold all my guitar stuff a few years back except for a Crafter TM035/N which I've had since I was teenager, as I wanted to simplify/declutter, stack every penny into investing and kinda start the journey again a little down the road. Seems that point is now.

Pushed myself to the absolute mental limit to pull off a crazy run in crypto trading in the last ~12 days, so I'm gonna treat myself, but I'm not gonna go overboard with super-pricey stuff, going straight for high end Martins or something... I'm really liking these Alvarez guitars and they do a lovely 000 in their Laureate line, so I'm gonna go with an Alvarez Laureate LF70e Herringbone Blacktop. I'm usually a [slightly aged] natural top colour guy, but the Herringbone + aged white trim against the Black gloss looks really classy and they made the great choice to leave the dark rosewood back and sides unfinished rather than going all black, just looks great. And most-importantly it sounds great, 95% as good as top brand stuff at 3-4x the price. Even has a transducer pickup. Plus a soft-V neck which I love, heck...I'd put a hard V on every guitar if I could.

I'll probably slot the bridge and rotate the ebony wood bridge pins that come with it so they act as unslotted pins, throw some GHS vintage or americana phosphor bronze 12-54s, get an extra black Levys Leathers cotton strap (can't sit properly due to sciatica right now) and I'll be good to go for under £1K.

Orchestra model. That's what I've been playing for decades (Larrivee OM02). A nice fit, good blues tone, an all around great guitar size. Good luck.

 

[Boo Who?]

Love a 000 acoustic. I still need to get one. I've never looked at the Alvarez (I am a Martin guy), but that guitar is lovely looking. I may have to try and find one locally to try.

On that note with all of the Fender nonsense, here is my American Silver Sky.

 

[Grildon Tundy]

After not playing much at all for five years, I've played every day this week, for many hours.

Didn't realize how much I missed it.

I am trying to unlearn bad habits and learn better technique this time around. Alternate picking for example. For some reason, I'd almost never up-stroked when playing melodic lines, which severely limited how fast I could play. Fingers are faster than your right hand, young Grildon, ya dumb bastard.

Every song is a fun challenge, and there's objective (well, subjective) measurements of improvement when learning a new one. Damn near like a video game in terms of constant progression and reward. Legislatures are going to add warning labels to guitars for how addictive it is.