Now that you've learned those 25 riffs, watch this guy play 100 in a row in 7:47. He actually plays them very well. My favorite is #100.
Musicians check in here. If you play, tell us about it!
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Hey Dave this brings up a question I've always wondered.
I play acoustic, and wondered, how much of a real bend can I expect on an acoustic guitar? It feels like to me if I really tried and worked on it maybe I could get a half a step up, I don't think I could really expect my guitar to go a whole step. (yes I've tried it a few times)
I keep 12's on my guitar, I don't know if going to 11's would really make a difference. But I've heard on an electric guitar, it takes work and had strength to get the note right and in tune. (it's not as easy as it looks I guess)
It's the one thing that makes me think, now I want an electric guitar. But I fear going to that dark side because of all the cool petals and gear you can get for it. It's a never ending addiction.
I play acoustic, and wondered, how much of a real bend can I expect on an acoustic guitar? It feels like to me if I really tried and worked on it maybe I could get a half a step up, I don't think I could really expect my guitar to go a whole step. (yes I've tried it a few times)
I keep 12's on my guitar, I don't know if going to 11's would really make a difference. But I've heard on an electric guitar, it takes work and had strength to get the note right and in tune. (it's not as easy as it looks I guess)
It's the one thing that makes me think, now I want an electric guitar. But I fear going to that dark side because of all the cool petals and gear you can get for it. It's a never ending addiction.
I use 12s on my Alvarez acoustic. 12s give me better tone than 11s. 13s are too stiff for me. I bend half steps on the 1st and 2nd and 3rd an sometimes on the others, but it takes regular playing to build up the strength to bend much on an acoustic. OTOH, my acoustic helps me keep my finger strength up for electric playing. I use it like baseball players use weighted bats for warmup.
There are some good and reasonable priced electric guitars out there and you can get a full featured amp for a lot less than you used to. Look at the Cube, Peavey Vypyr line, and Fender. The Vypyrs give you lots of effects for not much money. A 30 watt Vypyr is $199 and includes 12 stomp boxes, 12 rack effects, and 12 amp models. Of course, to make them really versatile you need the Sanpera foot controller. It communicates with the amp using MIDI. You can store 4 preset combinations right on the front panel without the foot controller.
There are some good and reasonable priced electric guitars out there and you can get a full featured amp for a lot less than you used to. Look at the Cube, Peavey Vypyr line, and Fender. The Vypyrs give you lots of effects for not much money. A 30 watt Vypyr is $199 and includes 12 stomp boxes, 12 rack effects, and 12 amp models. Of course, to make them really versatile you need the Sanpera foot controller. It communicates with the amp using MIDI. You can store 4 preset combinations right on the front panel without the foot controller.
Cool that guy goes through some there.
If i could be so bold as to suggesting that the lady gets an electric guitar too. There are things you can do so much better on electric compared to acoustic. I can play a lot of what i play on electric but it all has to be slightly simpler. Otherwise you can sound a bit "plucky". It's good to learn the two disciplines side by side. It will probably improve your all round playing. It wont detract none.
Copies are relatively inexpensive these days. And soooo much better. You could make some amazing sounds. Even if just for a break from acoustic ( which i love too ).
If i could be so bold as to suggesting that the lady gets an electric guitar too. There are things you can do so much better on electric compared to acoustic. I can play a lot of what i play on electric but it all has to be slightly simpler. Otherwise you can sound a bit "plucky". It's good to learn the two disciplines side by side. It will probably improve your all round playing. It wont detract none.
Copies are relatively inexpensive these days. And soooo much better. You could make some amazing sounds. Even if just for a break from acoustic ( which i love too ).
I actually like the Chinese electrics. I have two Epiphone Les Pauls that are both great guitars. I also have a Chinese butter scotch blonde Tele that is just fine. I did change out the pickups on the Les Paul in my avatar and the ones on the Tele (Fender Custom shop Texas Specials). My Gibson LP is nice, too, but not much nicer than the Chinese models.
My acoustic is fun to play and keeps my fingers strong and agile. When I lay off the acoustic, I lose a little strength in my fingers. It comes back quickly, though.
And yes, a good electric opens up all kinds of new possibilities for faster action, easier fretting, and a multitude of different sounds.
You are so right there Dave. I think playing both electric and acoustic has given me much better "feel". Which helps a lot with expression. I know there are pedals for expression but you have to feel it too. It's an important part of my playing that i don't just hammer away on chords/power chords/intervals augmented with jumbles of fast notes. Playing the acoustic means i have to work the volume with the way i play not just by rocking my pedal forward a little (though there is an art to that too).
Having started on Acoustic and playing a lot. I found i was way too heavy handed on the electric. I was slapping my fingers down on the fretboard while soloing. It's taken quite a few years to learn to glide smoothly and lightly and trust that i'm gonna make a clean sound. You know what i'm saying ?
The epiphones are awesome. I just cannot leave my gibson firebrand alone...lol
Having started on Acoustic and playing a lot. I found i was way too heavy handed on the electric. I was slapping my fingers down on the fretboard while soloing. It's taken quite a few years to learn to glide smoothly and lightly and trust that i'm gonna make a clean sound. You know what i'm saying ?
The epiphones are awesome. I just cannot leave my gibson firebrand alone...lol
The way I look at Martin, Gibson, and other high priced guitars that are above $2000 is that they are collector items. Anyone who bought a 56 Goldtop in 56 can name their price if it is pristine. The same applies for Tele, Strat, and other electrics. Martins can be in sad shape and still go for $8,000 or $9,000. It kills me to watch Pawn Stars and see someone bring in an early Martin with no bridge, missing tuners, a crack in the body, and walk out with $3,000!
thanks guys, now I know why guitar players end up with so many different guitars.
Next time I go to the music store to "just get some strings", I'll have some names to look at and play as I wander over to the guitars.
Dave, I remember a 4 string Martin pre WWII showing up at Pawn Stars. If it wasn't a Martin it wouldn't have been worth even trying to fix up. If I saw a 56 Goldtop that still looked show room new I'd probably feel sad for the guitar, those little dings and rubbed off paint show love. Look at Trigger, she's not beat up, she's just a very well loved guitar, love, glue and some bungee cords, are all that are hold her together, but she's loved.
Next time I go to the music store to "just get some strings", I'll have some names to look at and play as I wander over to the guitars.
Dave, I remember a 4 string Martin pre WWII showing up at Pawn Stars. If it wasn't a Martin it wouldn't have been worth even trying to fix up. If I saw a 56 Goldtop that still looked show room new I'd probably feel sad for the guitar, those little dings and rubbed off paint show love. Look at Trigger, she's not beat up, she's just a very well loved guitar, love, glue and some bungee cords, are all that are hold her together, but she's loved.
To me a guitar is a tool, not something to put in a case and show off. Yes, it would be nice to be able to have a room full of guitars, but I"m just not into having a personal museum. If it doesn't get played, it should be traded for something that will, IMO.
I am into taking care of my instruments. I owned a Cherry Red Mosrite (new) when I first started playing. One night it got banged against a mic stand and that took a big chip out of the finish. It was never the same after that! Wear is one thing, abuse is another. Some people just bang instruments around like garden tools.
I am into taking care of my instruments. I owned a Cherry Red Mosrite (new) when I first started playing. One night it got banged against a mic stand and that took a big chip out of the finish. It was never the same after that! Wear is one thing, abuse is another. Some people just bang instruments around like garden tools.
I like having several kinds/models of guitars (basses) not for collecting or my own personal "museum" but out of a desire for different tones, etc. For example I normally play a 4 string but sometimes there's that one song that could use an extra B string in the mix. Then I bust out my 5.
However, Warwick basses sound so lovely IMO so it's hard not to collect them!
However, Warwick basses sound so lovely IMO so it's hard not to collect them!
Really??
Any LP has great tone IMO but I've played some marvelous Gibsons...
I like PRS guitars myself
PRS certainly cost a lot. I've only played one that was up for £1,800 and that was about 15 years ago. Felt good but i was looking for a tele which i bought and still own.
I have 7 guitars a bass (cheap copy purely for beefing up my recordings) and a banjo. I used to play them all in a kind of rotation. But i now seem to reach for my LP firebrand all the time. The sounds come so easy. Even the odd edgy sounds are sweet.
I'd love to own a Martin.
Whats the top two tips you would pass on to a beginner ? That you wish you'd known when you was learning
1, Learn how to set up your guitar and keep it in tune.
2, Learn the scales and where they'll be, in relation to the key you're playing in, then just freestyle night after night. Don't worry so much about learning 'Sweet child of mine' or 'Stairway to heaven'.
Ok so i managed to sneak a couple of extra tips in...lol
I'd be interested in everyone elses tips.....including for bass and drums.
I have 7 guitars a bass (cheap copy purely for beefing up my recordings) and a banjo. I used to play them all in a kind of rotation. But i now seem to reach for my LP firebrand all the time. The sounds come so easy. Even the odd edgy sounds are sweet.
I'd love to own a Martin.
Whats the top two tips you would pass on to a beginner ? That you wish you'd known when you was learning
1, Learn how to set up your guitar and keep it in tune.
2, Learn the scales and where they'll be, in relation to the key you're playing in, then just freestyle night after night. Don't worry so much about learning 'Sweet child of mine' or 'Stairway to heaven'.
Ok so i managed to sneak a couple of extra tips in...lol
I'd be interested in everyone elses tips.....including for bass and drums.
Wow...just joined the forum today and didn't expect to find a musicians thread. Bonus! Hi everyone.
I haven't read through the whole thread yet, just checking in to tell a little about myself and my stuff.
I've been playing guitar since I was 8, thanks to some great guidance and patience from the best dude and musician I've ever known, my Dad. I play a variety of hard rock, right now, I'm in Foo Fightersy mode...a lot of the stuff I have written in the past few years has that Grohl-ish feel to it. Life-long Rush, Maiden, and Ace Frehley fan (Frehley, not KISS as a whole these days...don't get me started).
Gear wise,
--my baby is my 83 LP Custom. Used to be white, now it has aged to a creamy pale yellow. In all the years I have played, no other guitar I have personally touched can compete. I know there are probably guitars that play better, I just haven't laid my hands on 'em.
--'79 Gibson The Paul, an odd little gem that only existed for a short time...all walnut with an ebony fretboard. The cousin to Del Boy's Firebrand, actually. Surprisingly nice sounding and playing.
--'76 Gibson Marauder, another off the beaten path Gibson...one rail style single coil at the bridge, one useless HB at the neck. Actually, I hate this guitar..lol.
--A Chinese replica "Gibson" (even has the Gibson waterslide) DG335. I won't say where I got that...lol. It plays well, on par with an Epi.
--Takamine acoustic of some model number I am unsure of...bought that for campfire strumming and the occasional acoustic set on gig nights. Doesn't sound great around the fire, but the electronics/pickup sound great through a PA.
--'62 Fender Musicmaster. More of a museum piece, don't play it much. It is what it is, meant to be a "student" guitar back then. Kinda plays and sounds as such.
Amp wise...
My go-to is a '72 Silverface Bassman, channel jumped.
Back-up: '76 Vibrolux.
Effects:
Not much. I use a Mesa Boogie pre amp pedal for my overdrive and high gain tone.
Happy to be here...I'm sure I'll jump in from time to time to share my...um..."wisdom"...lol.
I haven't read through the whole thread yet, just checking in to tell a little about myself and my stuff.
I've been playing guitar since I was 8, thanks to some great guidance and patience from the best dude and musician I've ever known, my Dad. I play a variety of hard rock, right now, I'm in Foo Fightersy mode...a lot of the stuff I have written in the past few years has that Grohl-ish feel to it. Life-long Rush, Maiden, and Ace Frehley fan (Frehley, not KISS as a whole these days...don't get me started).
Gear wise,
--my baby is my 83 LP Custom. Used to be white, now it has aged to a creamy pale yellow. In all the years I have played, no other guitar I have personally touched can compete. I know there are probably guitars that play better, I just haven't laid my hands on 'em.
--'79 Gibson The Paul, an odd little gem that only existed for a short time...all walnut with an ebony fretboard. The cousin to Del Boy's Firebrand, actually. Surprisingly nice sounding and playing.
--'76 Gibson Marauder, another off the beaten path Gibson...one rail style single coil at the bridge, one useless HB at the neck. Actually, I hate this guitar..lol.
--A Chinese replica "Gibson" (even has the Gibson waterslide) DG335. I won't say where I got that...lol. It plays well, on par with an Epi.
--Takamine acoustic of some model number I am unsure of...bought that for campfire strumming and the occasional acoustic set on gig nights. Doesn't sound great around the fire, but the electronics/pickup sound great through a PA.
--'62 Fender Musicmaster. More of a museum piece, don't play it much. It is what it is, meant to be a "student" guitar back then. Kinda plays and sounds as such.
Amp wise...
My go-to is a '72 Silverface Bassman, channel jumped.
Back-up: '76 Vibrolux.
Effects:
Not much. I use a Mesa Boogie pre amp pedal for my overdrive and high gain tone.
Happy to be here...I'm sure I'll jump in from time to time to share my...um..."wisdom"...lol.
Woahhh - i can't believe we have a poster called Les_Paul83. In the Abscence of DaveP i welcome you to the thread.
Thanks for briefing us up re: your gear. My Firebrand is actually called a 'Gibson Firebrand the Paul De Luxe' bit of a mouthful...lol so i just tend to call it a Firebrand. Mine has been painted though. I'll put a pic up if you're interested. As it was painted and the pick up switch was above the strings i thought it was a fake. So i stripped some paint from the back of the headstock and there they were....the magic numbers that told me the guitar was indeed a Gibson that had been made in 1980 at the nashville factory and was the 475th firebrand made. I ran all over my house with excitement when them numbers came through...lol.
What a lovely thing to say about your Dad....respect.
Thanks for briefing us up re: your gear. My Firebrand is actually called a 'Gibson Firebrand the Paul De Luxe' bit of a mouthful...lol so i just tend to call it a Firebrand. Mine has been painted though. I'll put a pic up if you're interested. As it was painted and the pick up switch was above the strings i thought it was a fake. So i stripped some paint from the back of the headstock and there they were....the magic numbers that told me the guitar was indeed a Gibson that had been made in 1980 at the nashville factory and was the 475th firebrand made. I ran all over my house with excitement when them numbers came through...lol.
What a lovely thing to say about your Dad....respect.
I did a fret dressing on both the one in the avatar and the Goldtop. The Heritage Cherry avatar LP has Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups that I also installed. Fret dressing is an almost must on the Epi's I've played. They have a tendency toward a high fret or two between frets 8 and 12. The Pearlies really brought out the personality of the avatar LP. It has a high resonance in the body that adds to the tone. I can pick the high E and mute it and the tone goes on by sympathetic resonance in the low E !! That body is one of the good ones. By picking and choosing, you can get an exceptional guitar out of a rack full of Epi's.
I'm not dissing Gibson at all, just saying that with a little time spent in a large Epiphone dealer's store, you can find a real cherry in Epi. One of those will keep you from forking out $2500 for the Gibson LP. My one Gibby LP is a wine red 92 Studio I bought new. It was perfect out of the box and is still perfect after almost 20 years.
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Nice! You definitely know what you're doing.
My advice to other musicians?
It has changed over the years but one of the main things:
Learn how to play FOR THE MUSIC. Not OVER it. And always have fun.
Just peekin' in the door to say howdy and to say Thanks Dave for starting the thread!
One day I'll go back and read all the pages so far, just wanted to say Hi and ain't vaping great!
Dave, do I know you from a guitar-related forum, your username sounds familiar...
The TDPRI? FDP maybe?
I've been playin' guitar for ~25 years, but chops aren't all that these days.
I started building them about 15 years ago, and that is where my true interests turned.
If given 10 hours of free time to create, I'm more likely to pick up a router than a pick.
I still play often enough to make me happy, but the true love is in the creation of unique custom guitars.
Here's a few pics of what I like to do:
Here's a shot of an old setup I used in the early '80's...Gibson ES 225TDC and a Gibson BR6 amp.
One day I'll go back and read all the pages so far, just wanted to say Hi and ain't vaping great!
Dave, do I know you from a guitar-related forum, your username sounds familiar...
The TDPRI? FDP maybe?
I've been playin' guitar for ~25 years, but chops aren't all that these days.
I started building them about 15 years ago, and that is where my true interests turned.
If given 10 hours of free time to create, I'm more likely to pick up a router than a pick.
I still play often enough to make me happy, but the true love is in the creation of unique custom guitars.
Here's a few pics of what I like to do:
Here's a shot of an old setup I used in the early '80's...Gibson ES 225TDC and a Gibson BR6 amp.
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Nice work, Drak! I always said that I would crank my wood shop back up and try my hand at creating a guitar once I retired. Instead, I went back to school and did nothing but schoolwork for the last year. Now that it's over, maybe I can crank up and do that. I have a 40x19 area in the basement with a table saw, band saw, belt sander, jointer, a couple of routers and a router table for them. I need to spend more time there.
The finishes on your creations are great looking! You obviously are good at what you do. The workmanship is superb. I think I've watched every New Yankee Workshop episode there is. Norm has a way with wood.
I've been on TDPRI, the Epiphone forum, and others. I'm probably the guy you remember.
The finishes on your creations are great looking! You obviously are good at what you do. The workmanship is superb. I think I've watched every New Yankee Workshop episode there is. Norm has a way with wood.
I've been on TDPRI, the Epiphone forum, and others. I'm probably the guy you remember.
Thanks Dave, it's nice to see a familiar crowd in my new vaping world!
I saw a few posts talking about Chinese made guitars.
I found a tremendous deal on two Chinese made 335's on eBay last fall, check these out!
My take on this kind of guitar purchase is that typically speaking, the builds are pretty solid, but the hardware could stand changing, which is what I'm doing to these.
I stripped them down completely bare bones, re-buffed and polished the finish, cleaned the fretboard, gave the frets a mini-level, and am installing 100% all new hardware.
Tuners, pickups, all electronics are being replaced (because I can and had nearly everything I needed already here, it doesn't cost me anything additional)
So the base guitar is a great starting point, but they keep the costs down by skimping on good hardware (and pickups depending on your opinion).
The finish is 100% real nitro, which is what I shoot as well.
Absolute top shelf build, and I can find no fault on any of the inlay.
Truly impressed with the BUILD portion of both guitars.
Nothing sloppy at all.
I love these and they were a HUGE bargain compared to what you would pay American.
The cats-eye Figured Maple was $150.00
And the fancy Spruce Top w/ fancy inlay was $400.00
I agree with you tho, I'm an 'anti-museum' guy, if you're not going to use it, sell it to someone who will. I spend great amounts of time bringing mine to perfection as best I can, but once they're done, you play the hell out of 'em, if they get banged or chipped, that just shows they're being used for what they were made for.
OK, sorry for the picture show, just wanted to show what bargains there are out there if you have patience to wait and know what to be on the lookout for.
PS, the guitar to the left in the last pic is an old '50's German made Huttl archtop, since sold.
I saw a few posts talking about Chinese made guitars.
I found a tremendous deal on two Chinese made 335's on eBay last fall, check these out!
My take on this kind of guitar purchase is that typically speaking, the builds are pretty solid, but the hardware could stand changing, which is what I'm doing to these.
I stripped them down completely bare bones, re-buffed and polished the finish, cleaned the fretboard, gave the frets a mini-level, and am installing 100% all new hardware.
Tuners, pickups, all electronics are being replaced (because I can and had nearly everything I needed already here, it doesn't cost me anything additional)
So the base guitar is a great starting point, but they keep the costs down by skimping on good hardware (and pickups depending on your opinion).
The finish is 100% real nitro, which is what I shoot as well.
Absolute top shelf build, and I can find no fault on any of the inlay.
Truly impressed with the BUILD portion of both guitars.
Nothing sloppy at all.
I love these and they were a HUGE bargain compared to what you would pay American.
The cats-eye Figured Maple was $150.00
And the fancy Spruce Top w/ fancy inlay was $400.00
I agree with you tho, I'm an 'anti-museum' guy, if you're not going to use it, sell it to someone who will. I spend great amounts of time bringing mine to perfection as best I can, but once they're done, you play the hell out of 'em, if they get banged or chipped, that just shows they're being used for what they were made for.
OK, sorry for the picture show, just wanted to show what bargains there are out there if you have patience to wait and know what to be on the lookout for.
PS, the guitar to the left in the last pic is an old '50's German made Huttl archtop, since sold.
Great work on the finishes. A good sanding and sealing job covered with a nitrocellulose finish can't be beat.
Hardware is the weak spot on the Epis, although they are perfectly usable in stock condition. I like a little faster action and you start to see things like slightly high frets, popped frets, and minor fretboard issues when you start lowering action. I usually order parts from Stewmac. The one in my avatar has a Gotoh bridge and amber speed knobs from Stewmac, as well as a Stewmac pickguard.
The bodies have been superb. The Chinese do a good job on the wood portions of the guitar, even in the set of the neck. It's the hardware that leaves room for improvement and that's something that most people can take care of themselves if they are good with hand tools and understand the concepts of clearance, alignment, adjustment, and measurement. All these are things you can learn from articles on the internet and youtube videos.
Hardware is the weak spot on the Epis, although they are perfectly usable in stock condition. I like a little faster action and you start to see things like slightly high frets, popped frets, and minor fretboard issues when you start lowering action. I usually order parts from Stewmac. The one in my avatar has a Gotoh bridge and amber speed knobs from Stewmac, as well as a Stewmac pickguard.
The bodies have been superb. The Chinese do a good job on the wood portions of the guitar, even in the set of the neck. It's the hardware that leaves room for improvement and that's something that most people can take care of themselves if they are good with hand tools and understand the concepts of clearance, alignment, adjustment, and measurement. All these are things you can learn from articles on the internet and youtube videos.
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