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Good-on-ye Russell,

  I thought the "perks" were something like a jar of pickles and bottle of single malt..... I didn't recall reading anything about a Limo.
You didn't wangle some kind of special deal did ya?  If so, I need you to negotiate the salary and benefits package on my next job!

  Looking forward to some great original music coming out of this forum, and hope this is a good alternative for all those folks looking for people to make music with. 

Best of Luck to all, and Take Care;  Doug

  Special thanks to the Chordie Administration for this new addition.

Here's one that I use.

  For those of you who play instruments that did not come factory equipped with a pickguard (you know who you are).  Go down to your local Craft Store and get a sheet or two of masking film.  It is a clear plastic sheet with a light adhesive back used for cutting out complex patterns and used in air brush artwork.  It is very thin, clear, and has a semigloss finish, also inexpensive.  Trim to whatever shape you want and apply it to the face of your instrument in the "impact zone".  It removes easily without residue if it becomes worn, but does a very good job of protecting the finish without dampening the acoustics of the guitar top.

  Over time even fingernails will mar the finish... and I hate polishing!

Take Care;  Doug

Wow Russell, you are just a composing machine lately aren't ya!  Isn't that like one-a-day?  Next thing we'll have to find you an agent!

  Very nice tune, meaningful lyrics and I really liked the Mandolin accompaniment..... Jolly Good!

  Take Care;  Doug

Hi Doctony, and welcome to Chordie.

  I think you are spot on in your thinking and your recommendations to those aspiring guitarists out there.  Personally from my own experience, and in dealing with some folks who over the years have requested that I teach them.  Stringed instruments are not easy to just pick up and play.  You pay your dues and unlike the piano or recorder the pain of this conditioning is likely why so many students don't persist in learning stringed instruments.
  Usually I ask my novices to limit practice to thirty minutes per day in ten minute intervals for the first month or so.  Running scales and chord forms (including the darn pinky), but even then, dedication to playing has to be able to overcome that initial discomfort. Sometimes it's too much for younger (children) folks to endure.
  Motivation can be a hard sell, but I guess that's why there are those simple three and four chord tunes.  The pride factor in getting that "first" song conquered makes it worthwhile!

  Very good post, and Thank You for your valuable thoughts.

  Take Care;  Doug

Howdy Last Rebel,

  I'll give you the best advise I can, not personally owning a 339 body.  But the fellow I jam with on a regular basis (weekly) has over the time we've been playing as a duo owned an SG, LP, Casino, Emperor (Joe Pass Signature), and a Dot which is currently in his arsenal.  Yeah I know he changes guitars everytime there's a shift in musical taste.  But hey he can afford to and hasn't gone backwards on any that he's sold.  Anyway, there are those that will say that the Les Paul is THE sound you want, but I beg to differ.  Only the real expensive models of the LP retain the original semi-hollow construction features that Les built into his original.  That is what gave the early LPs their distinctive sound and it seems absent in the mostly solid body LP models out there. 
From sitting across the room from all those guitars, doing all genres of music, I would say that a semi-hollow is likely the best all round tone for that rock, blues, jazz kind of stuff.  It has enough sustain to drive hard rock and the mellow fullness for those sensitive country ballads.  I think the Dot you are thinking about would likely be a good choice in the price range you have in mind
and the only thing that I would say is that the 339 body Gibson/Epi models are not small.  The body is less than 3 inches thick, but the overall size of the bouts are close to a full concert dreadnaught..... it's a lapfull!  Neck profile is quite comfortable and smooth, frets easily, and narrow enough to barre without needing the hands of a basketball player.
If you are able to get there, trundle down to your local store and see if you can lay hands on any of the Gibson/Epi models that have that body and you will get a good feel for what you are getting into.  Jeff purchased his through Musician's friend and it came out of the case pretty well set up, but still needed a tad of bridge adjustment (lower) which is easily done on that type of bridge.

Try it.... I think you'll like it!

Take Care;  Doug

Howdy Lapslide guy,

  It has been my experience that humbuckers drive good enough to just plug directly into the microphone input on your sound card, and use software controls to regulate volume.  So far as the Piezo-electric pickups I think the same is true because the microphone input is looking for a lower input signal than you might get from a line level source. If you are bringing in another source like from a cd player using the headphone jack and a jumper cord 1/8" TRS male-male, you would want to use the line in jack on your sound card because the driven signal is wanting to see a 16-32 ohm load which may be too much for the microphone input. You will also likely need a 1/4" mono female to 1/8" mono male adapter to plug your instrument cord into the sound card. readily available at Radio Shack for less than $3.00.

  Works on guitars that I own and should work on your lapsteel as well.

Have fun with your music.... it just gets better!

Take Care;  Doug

First time I've ever heard of that,  "liquid laundry detergent in the dryer.".

  Good thing I take my "dry cleaning" to the professionals.... in the long run it's cheaper than a drier!

Night All;  Doug

Welcome to Chordie Bobcatu22,

  Well I would assume that you know what notes your guitar is tuned to in standard tuning, EADGBE low to high, so you really need to know the scales and where each of the notes appears on the fretboard (that is to say string and fret) TAB tells you that information, but not what note it is.  You might try www.guitaralchemist.com and install the free version.  It has a fretboard indicator, along with the standard notation, modes, scales and extensive chord chart that you may find helpful. You should also be made aware that the guitar is tuned at bass E below middle C (piano) and guitar sheet music is scored to fit guitar.  Orchestral and piano music is scored differently, and you will find middle C on your A string 3rd fret if you are playing a piano score.  Usually guitar sheet music has a "C" indicator under the staff of the opening measure just below the treble clef.

  Confused yet?  If so...  ask more questions!

  Take Care;  Doug

Guitarpix,

  There's a shortcut out of that one... gather up as many silks, woolens and "dry clean only" items of hers as seems prudent, and give them a quick wash and toss through a hot dry cycle.

  You'll be banned from the laundry for life!  (providing you survive!)

Doug

Greetings Aellarby and welcome to chordie!

  Back in the "Dark Ages" thoughts were that nylon strings were for fingernails and steel strings needed a plectrum (pick).  I guess that there was a lot of concern that you would rip your nails out on steel....  but like most "rules" we tend to bend them a bit.
  You play fingerstyle, and that is totally acceptable.  Not to mention desirable in many music styles. I personally tend not to use a plectrum but I am not one of those heavy metal shredders.  If it works well for you... do it!
  Good examples of the art (other than Knopfler) are Andy McKee and Don Ross, check them out on You-Tube... impressive!

Take Care:  Doug

Hi brianbeast and welcome to chordie!

  I'll try to lend some assistance, although I am not a Uke player.  I play an Ovation and I know they make an electric uke that is really sweet for under $200.00 with an on-board preamp.  But awhile back I was helping a friend "electrify" his Taylor guitar, and I had remembered that several years ago you could get this piezoelectric pickup called "hot spots" which consisted of these little pickups that were installed into small holes drilled through the bridge between the pairs of strings with epoxy, and covered with abalone dots. They were wired into a small harness that ended at a button plug that was installed in place of the strap pin.
  The set we put on Jeff's Taylor glued underneath the bridge, but work really well.  Distortion is done through the amp and so knobs on the instrument are unnecessary.  The set for 6 strings (3 pickups) and wiring was like $45-$50.00 and I think Jeff paid $25.00 to have it installed (because he was squeamish about drilling that big hole for the plug in his new guitar).  Check around your local music stores and find a luthier, who can better advise you.

Just found this link www.bluestarmusic.com  they have Uke pickups reasonable.

  Take Care;  Doug

You'll be looking at Ibanez, Takamine, and Yamaha... Oh yeah and maybe Rogue.  Although the first three are likely better quality for the money.  I have played all of them at one time or another if for no other reason than curiosity, of the bunch I kind of lean towards Takamine just because it has a sound that I like in an acoustic.  I do have a friend who is learning on a Rogue acoustic/electric and it is pretty good after an $85.00 setup adjustment.  Best advice is lay hands on everything in your price range, and find what fits you.

Good Hunting!   Doug