This is a good site as well for practicing scales & solos with backing tracks. Someone posted it in another thread:
lots of fun...
152 2007-06-20 15:59:32
Re: What would your dream acoustic guitar be (34 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I have a GAD-50e. It's a model from the new series since Fender took over. I must admit that I was skeptical at first (being made in China under the Fender brand name, and all...), but after trying it, I just knew I had to get it. The tone is fantastic for a guitar in this price range (800$).
What I wouldn't give to try your Jumbo... You have got to get that fixed! I am very fond of the old Guilds (Westerley?). I've been a fan of these guitars for years now.
153 2007-06-19 19:14:15
Re: What would your dream acoustic guitar be (34 replies, posted in Acoustic)
If you're in Longeuil, then you're already in S Shore mate! South Shore is basically the whole area of Montreal that is located South of the island (Ile de Montreal).
Mhebert, I understand what you mean about Steve's. I felt the same way a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised when I walked in last November to buy my Guild acoustic. I don't hang around much in the electric section because I'm more geared towards acoustics now. I found the people in the acoustic section quite helpful and nice for a change. I haven't been to Debussy's. Maybe I'll visit them...
I also agree on the Normans. Great tone + quality for the price that you pay. I was even thinking of getting one of their 12 string acoustics. I have to admit that Quebec-made guitars are quality instruments.
154 2007-06-18 18:20:14
Re: What would your dream acoustic guitar be (34 replies, posted in Acoustic)
patrickjacques, Isn't Steve's great? It's nice how they let you try out everything. I wasn't too impressed by the Bouchers though.
I'm not sure if you know this already, but between the 6th- 9th of July, there will be a Montreal Guitar Show. Most of the participants are independent luthiers (not big brands like Fender etc...), so I'm guessing that we'll be able to find very high-end quality instruments. Maybe even a "dream acoustic guitar"...
If you're interested (or any other Montrealers) :
155 2007-06-12 18:15:48
Re: Rainsong Guitars - Any good? (21 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Thank you for your replies, everyone.
I think the only thing left to do is try one (when I can get my hands on it...).
I'll take a look at those Emeralds. Already, at a first glance, I'm intrigued. Thanks for the links, clareaustin.
156 2007-06-01 19:38:38
Re: Rainsong Guitars - Any good? (21 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Lol, good point James. Hard to argue with it.
Funny thing: I like using fountain pens.
I guess I AM old-fashioned.
157 2007-06-01 14:20:14
Re: Rainsong Guitars - Any good? (21 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Thank you for your responses.
Badeye makes a good point. The composite body should essentially be great for climates with extremely varying temperatures & humidity. Over here we get -30c in the winter and +30c in the summer. This is death for guitars if you don't take the proper precautions. I bought a brand new beautiful Guild last October and already had a couple of cracks by December, which I had to get repaired 
. So a Rainsong would be practical in that sense.
But I find 2500$ a bit much to spend on a "campfire" guitar. For that purpose, I was thinking more along the lines of a Taylor Big Baby or something similar. However, at the moment I'm looking for a quality guitar that I can perform on stage with. I'm more partial to Taylors ( 710 / 715ce / GA7 ) and Martins (D-28) at the moment, but I've been discovering new brands during my searches and I thought I'd seek some advice on Chordie. So if you guys and girls have any other brands that you'd recommend, please feel free to do so 
.
Also, I was surprised to see some of you commenting on how composite materials are the future. While I agree, don't any of you feel some kind of sadness at the thought of our beautiful wood guitars being replaced by these new composite models? Maybe I'm just old-fashioned =P...
158 2007-05-31 18:40:40
Topic: Rainsong Guitars - Any good? (21 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Hi all,
First of all, I just wanted to commend the Chordie Community. I have yet to find another guitar-oriented site with such a wonderful, varied and helpful group of people. I've learned a lot on Chordie thanks to your expertise and helpful forum topics. So a big "thank you" to all you chordies with special mention of course for the great team of Admins and Forum Moderators.
Now then, I'm a big fan of acoustic guitars and recently I've been looking to expand my collection. I've come across several brands that seem interesting such as Breedloves, l'Arrivee, etc... as well as the classics (Gibson, Guild, Taylor, Martin...).
I came across Rainsong Guitars on the net which seemed rather original, but unfortunately I can't find a single dealer where I live (Montreal, Canada) that carries them. I plan on taking a trip to the States soon, so I'll definitely find a store where I can try them out, but I was hoping that some of you had already tried them and could give me your impressions. Generally, I prefer solid wood bodies for my acoustic because I like the "natural acoustic sound" but Rainsongs have a graphite body and people seem to be raving about them on reviews. I've tried Ovations (several models) which also have a composite body, and while I find them nice to play, I'm not a big fan of the sound that they give.
So my questions : How do you guys/girls find Rainsong Guitars? And where can I find one in Montreal?
J.
159 2007-05-22 20:13:15
Re: whats the hott music for your guitar? (25 replies, posted in Electric)
Detman,
If you like Drop-D tuning, why don't you give these songs a shot?
Bartender & Don't drink the water (Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds)
They're easy to play and sound amazing once you figure out the rhythms. Great to sing along to as well.
160 2007-05-17 15:24:51
Re: songs to impress (4 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Here are a few popular choices that seem to get crowds going:
Hotel California - Eagles
To Love Somebody - Ray Lamontagne (can't remember the original artist)
First Cut is the Deepest - Cat Stevens
If I ain't got you - Alicia Keys (more popular with the "younger" generation, but a beautiful song to play nonetheless and it sounds surprisingly nice on guitar)
Wish you were here - Pink Floyd
...And for when people are sufficiently drunk :
La Bamba (you'll laugh your ass off with this one when everyone is trying to sing in spanish =P)
161 2007-05-16 16:07:31
Re: Acoustic Guitar Pet Names (20 replies, posted in Acoustic)
My main is a Guild GAD-50E. Her name is Sweetheart.
162 2007-05-14 15:16:16
Re: suggest a good INTERMEDIATE song (6 replies, posted in Acoustic)
For an intermediate level, I found that a lot of Dave Matthews Band songs make for great practice and are a ton of fun to play. There are countless riffs and chord progressions that are extremely satisfying. Also, it's a good chance to work on upbeat and aggressive strumming patterns.
Here's a few of my favorites (all great songs) :
Tripping Billies (good for practicing rhythm & strumming)
The Stone (good for flat / finger picking)
Dancing Nancies (good one to start)
#41 (the easiest in the bunch imo)
Try checking them out at : http://www.dmbtabs.com
Otherwise, here are some other suggestions:
My Friends (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Hotel California (Eagles)
Jolene (Ray LaMontagne)
Layla (Eric Clapton)
J.
163 2007-05-10 14:41:48
Re: Where do I start? (6 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
There's also this site that's been mentioned in this forum :
164 2007-05-09 15:27:43
Re: Guitarstrings (10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Try the Dean Markley brand (Phosphor Bronze). They're priced as regular strings but i find that they last longer than most other brands (Martins, d'Addario). I normally get the medium-light gauge for my Guild acoustic.
Other than that, try to use a cloth to wipe down your strings after playing.
165 2007-05-08 17:57:43
Re: Despertly in need of suggestions... (1 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Not too difficult but try "From the beginning" by Emerson Lake and Palmer (the intro is fun)
166 2007-04-20 16:47:04
Re: What would you say is the best new gnr song to learn. (5 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
A personal favorite of mine is Civil War (from the album Use your Illusion 2).
Whistling to the intro part is very satifying <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_razz.gif" border=0 alt="Razz">