451

(3 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

bootleger wrote:

You have to try them all until you find the combination that your happy with. My tone will totally differ with anyone else on Chordie. Try a combination, write it down, like master volume 10, volume 3, treble 8, bass 6, midrange 8 you get the idea. When you hear a combination you like put a star or something that denotes that you liked that sound. After you have a couple that you like play the same song through each setting and see which sounds better on that song.

Hope it helps.

Bootlegger.

If I could ad something then it would be to try all of your amp settings but don't change your guitar settings yet. For example, some guitars will sound different when you roll the volume knob up. I would try the amp settings with my tone off and volume about halfway and then go from there. Oh, and as Bootlegger suggested...write down the settings that work best for you...hope that helps...

452

(24 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I'm partial to Martin acoustic guitars but that's because I've had a long history with them. I don't think you can go wrong with either Martin or Taylor...both are outstanding companies and make some of the very best factory guitars. Also you can't judge the entire line by one model.  You didn't mention your needs but both brands offer built in electronics...which can sometimes be a trade-off. I have a Martin GTE that sounds great both acoustically and plugged in...but doesn't have near the volume as some of the deeper bodied Martins. I also have a baby Taylor that's absolutely amazing for a small (child sized for my grandson) guitar. I think what I'm trying to say is go find several and play them them...then find the one that has the apprearance, sound, and playability that you like. My next acoustic guitar will probably be a Martin D-35...

453

(5 replies, posted in Acoustic)

All three are correct...Your flashcard has what I think is the most common and easiest to play. DVD version gives that extra note and we use it a lot in fingerstyle and Contemporary Christian music.  Often when playing a song I'll change the chord patterns within the same chord just to add a little color to the sound...Congrats on learning to play and hope this helps some...this is a really good forum with lots of interesting, and good, info....jg

454

(7 replies, posted in Acoustic)

A good exercise for rythym and pick control is to simply start at the top...low E string and do 1 downstroke...then proceed down each string to the High E. Do this slowly and make each note ring and count as you do this...when you can do this smoothly at the same rythym then try it with 2 downstrokes each...then maybe a downstroke and upstroke. Then do the same while playing scales...when you can do this smoothly and accurately then get a good seat and turn out the lights and do it in the dark! Sounds silly but after 45 years of playing, I do this regularly for discipline and control...then practice strumming with chords...downstrokes/upstrokes...remember that many chords do not require all strings being strummed...

If you listen to some bluegrass/flatpickers like Tony Rice and Jim Hurst you'll see an amazing ability to pick notes and strum chord very cleanly, accurately and at lightning speed. That's a result of lots of talent and a tremdous amount of practice....

455

(12 replies, posted in Acoustic)

All are good replies...it just takes practice. Another alternative is bar 4 strings with your 1st finger and then note your 4th finger on high E at the 5th fret ( "A" note)  I don't know the proper name but we've always called it a "Bluegrass" A...

456

(7 replies, posted in Electric)

Bootleger, could he have a Telecaster P/U?

I agree with johncross21.

Playing scales will exercise all of your fingers, help your right and left hand technique and get you familar with your fingerboard. If you play a pentatonic scale then soon you will start adding and subtracting notes to come up with some really cool riffs of your own or that people like Hendrix and many others have done...start slow and be patient...you'll be amazed at how fast the speed will develop...hope this helps. jg

458

(5 replies, posted in Electric)

I think it's about personal preference...some of the world's best and well known guitar players use Fender and Gibson and use them for a reason. There are many other brands out that are just as good or maybe better...Each has it's own sound and considering that there are hundreds of variations in the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Pauls then it's amazing. Eddie Van Halen set the rock world afire with a home built guitar from scrap parts...I suspect that if you give him a Gibson, Fender, PRS or a Squire import...he would still be impressive...

459

(28 replies, posted in Electric)

I have a Roland Micro Cube...it's small, lightweight and can operate off of batteries, A/C adapter, or auto adapter. It sounds amazing for a small amp. I paid $125 for mine at Guitar Center. It's plenty loud for using in the house and I've started using it in church and miking it into the house sound system. You can check it out a www.musiciansfriend.com or www.rolandusa.com .  In comparison I also have several other amps from 100 watt down to 30 watt, but I love this little Roland for practice and portablility...

Try 1 4 and 5 chord progressions in different keys....example A D E...C F G...D G A   eight notes first note is #1 then count four and that will be the #4 then the fifth will be #5...that will cover lots of country, Rock, Blues, Gospel...I hope this makes sense and helps...
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461

(8 replies, posted in Electric)

Congrats to Bootlegger... I think he'll be a great moderator. Full of really good (and qualified) information and always treats others with respect...

462

(3 replies, posted in Electric)

I'm not familar with your amp but after looking it up and seeing a picture I would try this...hope it works for you... Strat P/U front with volume maxed and no tone setting. Amp...Gain about 3/4 and set volume. Bass all the way and mid all the way with very little treble. Hopefully that will give you a deep blues tone with a little saturation with out getting a muddy sound. If too much saturation then back off the gain and add volume...

463

(4 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I've got a Peavey Classic 30 and love the sound...it's much louder than I'll ever need for most applications and can be miked to a PA for other stuff...

464

(59 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

bootleger wrote:

The best acoustic guitar is the one your comfortable with.  Read the threads on this subject already posted, their are some experienced players with good advice on how to choose the right guitar for you. All the brand name guitars you mentioned are good but if you can't make the one you have sound good (playing ability not tone) A $2700.00 Taylor isn't going to help either.

Once you develop your style and tone and know what you like in the construction of a guitar ie woods, neck shape, finger board radius and fret size then go and buy that big dollar guitar that fits your style & taste.


Good luck.

Bootleger.

Bootleger hit the nail on the head...I'm partial to Martin guitars but that's due to long experience with them, excellent quality, and a sound that I like. One thing about the name brand guitars like the Martin, Gibson, Taylor, and some others is that they can also become an investment that gets betters with age...Most companies will have some options of body size, neck shape, sound electronics, and wood materials that can effect the playing style and tone that you are looking for...try lots of them and hope you find that special one...

465

(7 replies, posted in Acoustic)

466

(21 replies, posted in Electric)

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>bootleger wrote on Sat, 21 April 2007 02&#58;44</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Typical questions first.


#1, What type of sound are you going for?


#2, Which one are you more comfortable playing?


#3, Have you played them both?


#4, How much money are you willing to spend?


Ask yourself these questions and enjoy either one.


Bootlegger.

Bootlegger guitars.
</td></tr></table>


<font color="crimson"></font><b></b><i></i>Bootlegger has pegged it! I can't really add anything to what he's said. Everyone has opinions but he said it all...good luck and hope you find what you are looking for...

467

(11 replies, posted in Electric)

[quote title=Kahuna wrote on Tue, 17 April 2007 01:30]Jay,


I heard the opposite on the Mexican-made Strats!  I was told the quality and workmanship has declined considerbly.  One of my friends bought one and cut his finger on one of the frets.  As the edges were not filed down completely.  That scared me!



<font color="firebrick"></font><b></b><i></i>That could be true for some of the newer models...I have two made in Mexico Strats...both are several years old and both are superb guitars...one is stock and the other has been modified with different pickups. Neither needed any fretwork or mechanical work...It sorta goes back to going to the music store and test play and handle guitars until you find the right one...jg

468

(71 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Write your own song expressing your love for her and then sing it in your best Barry White voice...

469

(2 replies, posted in Electric)

<b></b><font size="2"></font><font color="crimson"></font> You're in my territory now...open tunings will open up a whole new world for you for slide and fingerstyle...try and Open G tuning...from EADGBE tune to DGDGBD. Capo on the 2nd fret and you have an open A that's really cool for fingerstyle playing. Or you can tune up to an Open A by going from EADGBE to EAFAC#E. Open G is easier on the guitar neck and also easy on your fingers...caution when tuning upward...can cause extra stress on your guitar neck and strings...I hope that helps...jg

470

(11 replies, posted in Electric)

I think a Mexican made Fender Stratocaster would do nicely...well made, good sounding, durable, and very versatile guitars...or one of the many Strat clones out there...some made by great companies like Ibanez, Fernandes. Or if you like the Gibson types then some of the higher end Epiphone Les Pauls are great guitars...it all goes back to going to a music store and trying out as many as you can until you find "your" guitar...If you stay with the Strat or Les Paul then there's practically no end to the aftermarket goodies and upgrades if you decide on a different "sound" or want to hotrod your guitar.

I don't know why you are saying it's a cheap piece of junk...it looks like some of the Chinese guitars that I've been seeing and most of those are remarkably well made for the price...I would prefer the Gibson but if you can't afford it then play what you can get!

472

(11 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

[B][COLOR=crimson]I would suggest going to a music store and trying out several guitars...it's hard to buy an acoustic on EBAY and such without getting a chance to listen to it. Yamamha, Alvarez, Ibanez, makes some really great sounding guitars in your price range...if you do buy one that sounds a bit too "bright" for you then try different string sets...they can vary quite a bit in sound...I think it's always better to play them...or at least find someone who has one that you can try out and then find one on ebay...jg

473

(2 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Congrats! You've now got a guitar that you'll never outgrow...one that will hold value...and should give you a lifetime of service...Enjoy!

474

(4 replies, posted in Acoustic)

<font color="crimson"><i><b>I'm always looking for an excuse to buy another guitar but I'm puzzled why your Ibanez doesn't work for you on bar chords. I would bet that if you took it to a good repair shop that someone could check and then set it up to be much easier to play...meanwhile keep finding excuses to justify that next purchase...</b></i></font>

475

(2 replies, posted in Electric)

Me thinks that the main difference is marketing...Gibson makes some very fine products and really wants to sell you lots of stuff. I really don't know the answer to your question but I would compare the two side by side with my usual amp setup and see if there is a difference.  I remember it being popular for people to remove the covers from pickups on Les Pauls...