Rudi

Dog, the Devil Of Guitars is though.

In about 1992 there was this Jackson Soloist at a shop in Portsmouth that I used to play every time I visited it (I knew the owner well enough). It was beautiful! The only reason I didnt buy it was because it need a re-fret, the pots replaced plus the pu select switch was so worn it could lose the signal completely. All this down to its age & wear. The question was, would it still play as before after all the work was done on it? It was priced at about £1,400 ($2,800) so I didnt want to take the risk. Dirty pots can be dealt with by a bit of switch cleaner spray, but its only a temporary fix. The selector switch definatly needed replacing. A re-fret may be fine, but if its not perfect, the set-up may have to change if fret buzz occurs! For an inexpensive guitar it’s worth a try, but Pete (store owner) didn’t want to carry out the work unless I made a commitment to buy. A fair enough point of view. One fateful day, after about a year, I dropped in to see what new (& used) guitars were in. The Soloist had been sold! By an odd coincidence another one had been acquired of exactly the same colour (metallic black). It was nearly as nice as the other one to play too. It was nearly new, so had none of the problems the other one had. It was cheaper too. I bought it there & then. Half of the problem of choosing a guitar is just knowing what you want. You may not always know what you want, but the more you try out guitars the more you will realise what you DON’T want. To a beginner I would suggest enlisting the help of someone more experienced. I would also suggest sticking to your budget. Learn on a half decent inexpensive guitar. You wont need to be told when you are ready for something better. It will become obvious after about 3 years if you practice enough. Then you can take your time trying to find what you want. In the example above, I took over a year to find what I wanted. That is a bit extreme, but that’s just how long it took.

Since getting a bass a couple of months ago (for recording). I find I now sometimes pick it up just to play it for its own sake. Its oddly satisfying in a way that is quite different from a regular guitar. Also certain things sound good on it that would sound mediocre played on a 6 string. I think its partly to do with the discipline of playing on the beat instead of across it (even if the beat is in your head). Its also something to do with having to play up & down the neck more due to fewer strings.

It is a plastic strung classical styled guitar. This model has slightly narrower neck at the nut, and a lower action. It would be no good for finger bends etc. Should still be ok for effects though I find the cutaway amusing, I mean considering there is nothing to cutaway.

Actually, once you have acquired the technique, fingerpicking is one hell of a lot easier. The problem is fingernails, they just wear down (& break). Olggu was quite wrong, you are either blessed with strong nails or you aint!

http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe...100N/index.html I am thinking of getting one of these. I first saw one in April of this year being used in a club. The playing was forgetable, but the sound was amazing. I have it in mind to try it at regular Blown Out gigs.

I used to use open C, G, D (sometimes A) C maj7 and a dropped D tuning. Have not bothered for many years now though. Still occasionally use the dropped D though.

I don’t honestly know. I’ve been playing along to the TV. Adverts, incidental music, theme tunes etc. I don’t normally watch TV, but I’ve just discovered ‘Dave’. When there is no music, I just carry on from the last thing I heard.

September in the Rain - Nora Jones

Henry - New Riders Of The Purple Sage

Backdoor Man - Willie Dixon/Howlin Wolf

Elgar's Cello Concerto ? I saw this performed Saturday Evening. Mind you, the soloist had been playing it for 23 years so no small task to undertake. If you find nothing, try the FiddleForum: all string players there.

Underwater - Kevin Ayers & the Whole World

Hi there, Have a good nose around. Lots to see here Welcome to SS

hIYA sm, Welcome from Portsmouth UK

"You fog the mind, you stir the soul I cant find no control..." Robbie Robertson : - Somewhere down the Crazy River -

Bad to Me - Billy J Kramer & the Dakotas

Pachuco Cadaver – Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band

Thers nothing in the rules about repitition. Its been done before. Whats "What's it all about Alfie? - Cilla Black" got to do with the Gene Chandler or Duke Ellington tunes? Hand over the money (and a 2nd class stamp) so I can send it back to its rightful owner.

Hi Anne, Welcome from Portsmouth UK Interesting job. Think I might like a challenge like that also. Remember to have fun while youre here!

Lilly the Pink - Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band

Take 5 - Dave Brubeck Quartet

Neddle of Death - Bert Jansch

excellent! inspiring! bravo!

Evans didnt say that meaningless lyrics were unlovable; though he did imply they were of less merit. Just one line from 'The Eleven' by Phil Lesh & Robert Hunter is, without doubt, an utterly lovable line:- 'Eight Sided Whispering Halleluya Hatrack'