1

(12 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Just saying I've noticed it works for me for live performing and recording.

2

(12 replies, posted in Songwriting)

easybeat, I noticed the string squeeks.  I found that coated strings like Elixir strings and even the monel Retro strings by Martin  cut down the squeeking. I use both.

3

(12 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Nice song. Keep writing , the more you do it the easier it becomes. You will develop a system that will help you write. I have written a lot of songs and not all are great songs but most will be good and a few no so good. Don't worry about how good you think they are. You will be surprised how many people will like one you don't feel is good. Have fun with the experience of writing and bringing a new song to life. The more you write the more you will want to write. Enjoy the journey.

I understand perfectly. I was in my local music store looking at 12 strings. My wife said try one of these over her. It was a Taylor GS series maple body ,spruce top. It blew me away at how big it sounded. But the price was big also. I went across the state to a huge guitar store to find something cheaper that I might like. Nothing at the other store hit me like the GS. The sound haunted me. So I went back and they gave me a heck of a discount. $1,000 like Beamer. I bought it and don't regret it at all. The next week I was back in the store where I bought the 12 string. The sales guy told me another guy that was looking at the 12 string came in the next day after I bought it,  to buy it. Boy, I was lucky. And the best part is my wife was OK with buying it.

5

(5 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Cool place. What history must have been recorded there. sad it's no longer in operation. Thanks for sharing.

6

(32 replies, posted in Electric)

Hope you find a better replacement. Remember , the search is half the enjoyment.

7

(32 replies, posted in Electric)

Cool looking axe man !

There were two stores I used to go to that had rooms for you to play loud. Sadly they closed also. I do order on line but I needed TRS cables and didn't want to wait. I do most of my guitar related shopping at a different store but it 10 miles farther.

Yesterday I stopped at my local Guitar Center because I needed some cables.  My local store entry area was completely remodeled. No room what so ever to get into the store. The checkout was right as you enter. Total congestion.
3 different dudes were playing electrics all at the same time as loud as they could and each doing a different song. The noise as it was not music , was just grating to my nerves. Who could possibly enjoy the shopping experience. I got what I needed and got out. My wife even commented , I can't stay in here. The way the amps were set up it made the store look like a rummage sale.  I see why a lot of customers are moving away from G.C.

10

(15 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Amy, leave your Martin in the case for a while. After a bit go back and play a few songs on it. It's like finding an old friend. I have 4 acoustics and 2 electrics and every time I get one out I haven't played for a while it's OH...Yeah  that's why I bought you.

Neo , I agree with your last statement. We all have varying degrees of talent even the Pro's. I know I'll never be as good as my favorite artists but I've come along way from where I started. If you have the will, desire and you put some effort into playing you are a winner. The enjoyment is worth it. Every time I pick up the guitar I am amazed at the fact I can make music from it. I'll play with anyone who wants to sit down and pick no matter what there skill level is. Peatle your a winner in my book !

12

(10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I like Dunlop .73 with the little gripper things on them. As I get older it seems harder to grip a pick where I want it. I do have a few odd picks and still look for what's new. It seems like a lot of people like the .73's in a lot of different styles.

13

(11 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I like the question also. Because we all have different taste.
I'm kind of picky in what I want. I'm driven by the quality so I tend to hit the big names . Not to say lower cost guitars haven't impressed me. And I have a wish list.
1). Neck profile. I like slim necks so all of mine have the same feel.
2) Solid wood
3) Sound.
After that  I like Ebony fret boards, Electronics on acoustics, Abalone inlays but not too much.
I don't like weird Pick guards or weird headstocks. Most colors are OK ,But not all.
I like the overall appearance to look balanced.

I like western (Cowboy) music. I went to a concert at a Christian College dressed in my cowboy duds. At the break I was talking to the band, The head of the college walked up to me and thanked me for the great show. He thought I was part of the band.  I told him I only wished I was. So I'd say If you got 'em , wear em.

15

(19 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I just watched a video on You Tube from The Tone King talking about this. According to him,  News agencies are reporting the Creditors want to restructure Gibson with a new CEO. It also said Gibson's CEO is blaming Stores for part of the problem. Kicking his customers under the bus. One big issue is Quality Control is suffering right now for what ever reason. And one store owner told me they would need to buy $90,000 of Gibson products to carry them. I don't think many smaller shops can swing that deal. One of the Biggest guitar shops in Wisconsin dropped Gibson Guitars. In the past they probably had a couple hundred new Gibson's on the wall at any time. That hurts Gibson for sure.

16

(14 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt on Neil Young's Harvest Moon.

17

(15 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Seagulls are great sounding guitars. New guitars tend to inspire new songs , maybe you'll write a new one with it.  Enjoy.

18

(19 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

There are a lot of videos on You Tube about the demise of Gibson. They need to pay a $300,000 Million bond in July 2018 and most don't believe they can pay it back. Gibson has bought many smaller electronic company's trying to branch out and it's not working. Part of their money problems. They also are seeing Quality issues and are trying to put out new models or new colors that aren't working for customers. Their auto tuners were a disaster and they no longer have them on new models.    Phillip McNight (Know Your Gear) has a few videos out and seems to think they will survive. Either they will reorganize in bankruptcy or someone will buy them out. He seems to think either way Gibson will be stronger for it. Only time will tell.

19

(14 replies, posted in My local band and me)

Sounds good to me.

20

(7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I have an older 4 string Ibanez TR series bass. I love it . It has the nicest neck on a bass I've ever played. I use it mostly for recording. I'll never get rid of it.

All of those questions are on my list. Not sure what order. The necks have to be similar so my hand feels something familiar when I pick it up. Since I have a lot of top end guitars I'm looking for something on my wish list. I do have a lower end guitar on my wish list. Something I had owned years ago and really liked and want to buy another one. I have turned down a few high end because of sound or feel or didn't think I needed another one of those.
I like the question.

22

(5 replies, posted in Poems)

I have written many western songs and this story interests me a lot. It's hard to figure how these ideas get into our heads. As Phill said I can't wait for the next installment.

Neo, cool guitar. Fannned frets  and angled bridge,  very old detail of building. My friend bought a custom build with Fanned frets. Don't see them very often. Looks like that guitar was loved. You can tell by the wear. What kind of pickup are you considering ?

The last one I bought because it was unique. It's a 1994 Orville ES-335.  Orville is Japan's made by Gibson brand. It is a Gibson in every way. What I liked was the pickups were actual Gibson and the headstock was Gibson with the Flowerpot inlay. Gibson Spec's all the way. Doing research I found most experts say it's better quality than Gibson's of the same period. It plays and sounds like a dream. Although it has had a fret job done. The Luthier who did the fret job said it belongs in a museum. It was a happy unexpected find.
So again my answer is "Just one more !

I did one from parts I bought years ago. I have been wanting to build another.