The New Guitar Topic

[Fonz]

^Hey, that's awesome, dude! I think you have the correct spirit for a teacher: to enjoy teaching and seeing your students bloom
Speaking of setups, I need to correct my Strat's. From the 12th fret upwards it's a buzz fest

[mr quick]

Ah, strats are a dime dozen (which is why I have a dozen). I played for the first time in over 6 weeks due to tendinitis. It's all wonky, and I have it on video. Sheesh. I liked some of it, but I'm never satisfied by my solos. Speaking of, I have an entrance exam for the Jazz institute in 6ish weeks, and my arms are much much worse.

 

I love this guitar. It's me playing it in my sig actually, from a professionally filmed concert with 4 TV cameras. Needless to say, I f*cked it up. The guitar fell from chest-height right before I went on, as the strap somehow came off. Before I could gather myself, it was straight onto the stage with slightly lame material. Great for a jazz audience, but this was a huge stage with 4-600 young people in the audience. Not ideal. We were 3 guitarists(+ bass, drums, percussion), of which one was and remains completely and utterly useless when it comes to guitar. Then during my solo, I didn't take into consideration that the guitar was dropped just then. Of course, the intonation was off. I didn't notice as I was somewhat shaken still by the idea of something being wrong with my bae, which was only a few months old for me at the time. So I played. With a slightly off intonation. I have the video here, and I did some really weird faces. I had been told I was static on stage(mainly because I defy the idea that there needs to be a visual element in music), and so I forced some "yah party manno" mannerisms, which ended up looking completely wrong. Ugh. What a gig that was. One of my worst concerts, which was of course, the one with 4 cameras.

Edited January 9, 2015 by Marwin Moody

[Fonz]

Ah, man, guitars falling almost make me cry... sh*t. And yeah, it sucks when you have to play with some dude who's got no sense of rhythm or melody and just, overall, can't play for toffee... which seems to be half the guys I play with. Still, it's not as bad because I don't really play big gigs, but I'd love to. I'm thinking about entering Coimbra's music institute when I move back there next year.

The one in this town kinda sucks—I was going to join a few years ago, but one of the teachers told me I'd be a bit 'overqualified' for it and advised I join the more advanced conservatory in Porto (but I still haven't joined because my high school is pretty far away ). The guy was really cool, though—he even invited me to play at their concerts alongside some pretty well-known guests.

Also, you know when you play some ridiculously complex piece on someone's guitar and they ask you if you can play Sweet Child O'Mine or something like that? That really gets on my nerves... "Dude, I just played Paganini's 5th Caprice right in front of you and you... really?"

Edited January 10, 2015 by Black_MiD

[mr quick]

I haven't played anyone's guitar who wasn't an educated musician. I don't try guitars in general, but never amateurs' guitars... unless they're acting like they're talented

 

The thing about the guitars of people who think Sweet Child O' Mine is a complex tune, is that they're usually rubbish. Never are the strings particularly resonant, and the neck relief is always f*cked up, and don't get me started on intonation.

 

I've got to send the sheets in traditional mail form to the institute for some reason... Hopefully to start my 4th year studying music.

Edited January 10, 2015 by Marwin Moody

[Fonz]

I haven't played anyone's guitar who wasn't an educated musician. I don't try guitars in general, but never amateurs' guitars... unless they're acting like they're talented

 

The thing about the guitars of people who think Sweet Child O' Mine is a complex tune, is that they're usually rubbish. Never are the strings particularly resonant, and the neck relief is always f*cked up, and don't get me started on intonation.

 

I've got to send the sheets in traditional mail form to the institute for some reason... Hopefully to start my 4th year studying music.

So true... But to be honest, it's mostly the 'kewl kidz' who get on my nerves. The ones who trick their mates into thinking they're hot sh*t by playing some boring tunes by Metallica or GnR (except they don't know that their favourite "GnR tunes" are actually covers of Dylan or Paul McCartney). Then when you try to have a jam with them, you play some simple chords to accommodate them and they still manage to f*ck it up, because they're too worried about looking cool...

 

That's pretty awesome, man! I wish you the best of luck, bro! Next year I'm going to join that institute as well as college. I hope I can find the time for both

[mr quick]

In my case, the institute is the name of a University which will after 6 years grant a Master's degree, if all goes according to plan.

 

I totally agree with you. It's so f*cking annoying to have people wet their trousers over a rotten player who is only a master in creating fret-buzzing sounds and constant dissonance. This is also what besmirches the good name of a guitarist. We all become the stereotype of "Mr. Dampens the mood of the party", regardless if we do so or not.

 

You're also absolutely right about jamming. How do you f*ck up a minor blues? How do you suck so bad at a simple II-V-I progression?

 

It's a sad state of affairs. The things above are part of the reason why I plan to attain a Master's degree. Nothing shuts an alleged 'expert' up quicker than demonstrable evidence that they are in fact, inadequate. Nobody plays GNR near someone with a degree.

[Fonz]

"How do you f*ck up a minor blues? How do you suck so bad at a simple II-V-I progression?"

Sometimes it's even worse... sometimes it's a plain I-IV-V that they chose themselves(!) and it's still complete gibberish. I actually only know a handful of people who know what a II-V-I even means and how to execute it properly. Don't get me wrong, I like a relaxed blues jam every now and then, but sometimes I just want to play more intricate stuff and usually I have no partners for that To be honest, I wish you lived nearby so we could jam!

I've been thinking pretty hard about what I'll do in the next few years. There's too much stuff I'd like to pursue, and I can't figure out how.. I guess I could try the Uni+Conservatory combo and see if that's doable. I just love the idea of meeting like-minded people and playing/discussing these things with them.

Edited January 11, 2015 by Black_MiD

[mr quick]

Exactly the reason why I want to go there =)

 

Currently trying to copy Robben Ford's sound on the Yellowjackets' eponymous first album:

 

(guitar starts at 0:45, absolutely crazy at 2:25)

 

 

(solo starts at 2:20)

 

I'm using a T-rex Tonebug Distortion box, Blackstar HT-modulation chorus, into a Fender Super Champ XD Tube amplifier. The guitar is an epi dot, which nees to be replaced. Problem is I don't have any semi-hollows with humbuckers aside from the dot and the sheraton ii. I have a beautiful Washburn Falcon, but it needs a fret job. I'll look into ibanez AS guitars.

 

edit no. 3:

 

Tomorrow I'm gonna check out a Fender Coronado II:

 

Maybe this'll be the semi-hollow I'm looking for. Not completely sold on the PUs, but I won't knock it 'til I try it. Not everyday that you see a proper semi Fender. Will bring my HT-mod. and T-Rex dist. to see if it suits my needs. If not, the search continues until I admit that I need a 335.

 

edit no. 4:

Tried the Coronado with my new setup. Great sound, but had a few nicks but was still MSRP. Nah nah. Going to go to Stavanger to see if I can find an Ibanez.

 

edit no. 5: Check out http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/it's an excellent forum for all genres, theory, technique, and gear. Not just jazz, but that is the focal point.

Someone else post something, for god's sake. I can't keep editing this post forever.

Edited January 13, 2015 by Marwin Moody

[Nah Tso Gud]

I got myself a Taylor recently .. A 110ce / Acoustic - electric. I got 6 months 0% financing on it, so I managed to go a little over my original budget I absolutely love it.

 

[Fonz]

@Marwin
Sorry, man, I only saw those edits now
Robben's sound is pretty tricky indeed. Also, that forum is pretty neat, dude! I think it's about to become one of my favourite websites. Friendly people, too Which Ibanez are you going to buy?

@Nah Tso Gud
Great purchase, man, that thing looks really inviting! Great finish. How's the sound?

[mr quick]

@Marwin

Sorry, man, I only saw those edits now

Robben's sound is pretty tricky indeed. Also, that forum is pretty neat, dude! I think it's about to become one of my favourite websites. Friendly people, too Which Ibanez are you going to buy?

 

 

 

Well, today I went to the Stavanger music store (there is literally just 1 in each city) and though it was the same chain of stores (www.4sound.no), the selection of gear was absolutely atrocious. I ended up testing a Fender Starcaster such as this:

 

I have to say I'm quite taken by it, surprisingly enough. Sort of a poor-man's 335, the clean + chorus sound was absolutely fantastic, it was very much like the subtle guitar parts of "Peg" by Steely Dan, on which Steve Kahn plays rhythm (a 335 player). It's 30% off through january... Hmmm.. Not usually a fan of Fender or bolt-ons, but I'll be damned if it didn't sound great and feel brilliant. It's got Fender's "Wide Range" humbuckers (by Seth Lover, the inventor of humbuckers). Definitely an option now.

 

 

 

 

 

I got myself a Taylor recently .. A 110ce / Acoustic - electric. I got 6 months 0% financing on it, so I managed to go a little over my original budget I absolutely love it.

 

 

Sound clip pls =)

[Fonz]

^That does look pretty good, man! How much? 30% off is a pretty good discount, dude, I'd definitely consider it.
I've been looking at 12-string acoustics and I'm not sure what I should get. Harley Bentons seem quite good, but for the price (around 200€), perhaps I could/should get a Fender or an Ibanez, as their prices aren't actually much higher (around 220€). I wouldn't want to spend much more than 300€, though, because there's other stuff I have to buy... What's your take on this, bro?

[Nah Tso Gud]

 

@Nah Tso Gud

Great purchase, man, that thing looks really inviting! Great finish. How's the sound?

 

 

Incredible from my point of view! I love the finish as well, it isn't glossy but it has a kind of sheen to it. I've always stuck with like ~$300 and cheaper guitars and I finally wanted to step it up a level. It plays like a dream. My old, cheaper Epiphone sadly got a little bit warped and was just too tough on the fingers to play anymore, so this one *Really* seems easy to play now haha..

 

I'll see what I can do about a sound clip

[mr quick]

Can't wait. What strings are you running? Do your own setup?

[mr quick]

IDGAF, It's my first proper NGD and I'll double post:

 

It's mine now =)

[Fonz]

^Beautiful, dude! Also, nice Epi chilling in the back
I haven't bought a new one yet, as I've had to use some money in the meantime.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Black_MiD

[mr quick]

The Starcaster is to take the Epi's place, I'm handing that to my dad.

 

The starcaster was 747 € initially, but was marked down to 450 for january. Then I had a brand new amp which was traded in, and I got some money and boom, it just cost me 120 € =)

 

Really diggin' it. The offset waist is superbly comfortable when sitting down, something to which one can't even compare the Gibson-types. This is great because I aim to use it as a studio/session guitar. It has the oomph and versatility of a traditional semi like the 335, but a unique clarity and tone, but is still not 'tinny' like a single-coil type guitar. Really really happy with it this far.

 

e:

 

This thread needs more activity. I know there's sh*tloads of guitarists around. How come so few post in here? Anything goes.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Marwin Moody

[Fonz]

It does look pretty robust, man. And 120€? That was one hell of a deal, dude...
The guy who owned the music store where I bought my Schecter was a long time friend of my dad's (he's been a regular costumer for over 20 years), so we got a fantastic discount. Sadly, he closed his store, but he now works for a bigger chain.

The only pic I can find of me playing my Schecter

[mr quick]

That is a name with which I'm unfamiliar. I'm assuming floating bridge and 24 frets? Would love to know more.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Marwin Moody

[Fonz]

That is a name with which I'm unfamiliar. I'm assuming floating bridge and 24 frets? Would love to know more.

It's a Demon 6-FR. Yeah, 24 frets and Floyd Rose tremolo system and Seymour Duncan pickups. Schecter is pretty popular among the metal crowd, although I don't use it for metal that much. In fact, I'd say its clean sound is better than its distorted sound.

When I got it, I had to decide between this one or the JL-7 (Jeff Loomis signature; 7-string), which was tough as I enjoyed both, but I chose the Demon because I found it much more versatile and suitable for my style. I got one of those red alien Planet Waves JS straps for it, but one of the buckles got messed up a few months ago. I'm gonna get it repaired soon.

Also, I find the fret markers awesome!

Edited January 17, 2015 by Black_MiD

[mr quick]

From google searches I'll have to agree on the inlays =)

[Fonz]

They're a little pleasure to see when you're playing The Jeff Loomis one has black inlays on the maple fingerboard, but I think mother of pearl on rosewood looks a bit more formal

[mr quick]

I think my Ibanez (in my sig) has pretend pearl inlays lol.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Marwin Moody

[Fonz]

I think my Ibanez (in my sig) has pretend pearl inlays lol.

Ahah, looks pretty good, man

[mr quick]

Working on some transcription for my exam concert:

 

The good thing about writing sheet is that you can eliminate the non-professionals who can't read immediately =)

It may be a harsh policy but I've got sh*t to do.

 

e: this'll be harder than I though. f*ck you, Robben.

 

 

ok f*ck this sh*t I'll do it by june I'm sure.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Marwin Moody

[Fonz]

To be honest, I haven't read sheet in a very long time. In part, because most of the musicians I play with can't read, so I have to ditch it altogether. Anyway, I think I can still read pretty well and actually will have to for this arrangement of Clair de Lune I'm about to start working on. Man, my classical playing might be a bit rusty...

[mr quick]

Compared to your rusty, mine is absolute sh*t.

[Fonz]

I'm sure you can get it up to par easily, man, especially since you're proficient at jazz. I was very dedicated to classical for some years and found that it impacted my playing tremendously.
To be honest, I'm not sure what pieces I should play when I join my home town's conservatory next year...

[mr quick]

What genre will be the focal point?

 

Unrelated:

I found this gem of a thread: http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/chit-chat-introductions/32553-jazz-jokes.html

 

"Question: How do you make a small fortune playing jazz guitar?

Answer: Start with a large forturne."

Edited January 18, 2015 by Marwin Moody

[Fonz]

Classical, I think. I'm thinking a Bach presto or a Paganini caprice would be good as a display of technique, then Cavatina or Clair de Lune for expression/sensitivity?

That thread had me in tears at times. Quite a few gems there. In fact, that rooster joke used to be one of my regulars, as well the evergreen "I got 5 years in jail for fingering A minor"

Edited January 18, 2015 by Black_MiD