MegaSack DRAW - 6pm Christmas Eve - LIVE on our YouTube Channel
If I go into my local music shop and buy a Korean made 1997 Les Paul Junior tomorrow……will I regret it?
No, I'm sure it will be lovely and you'll have great fun with it.
If you do stick with it, you may wish you'd gone for something a little more versatile to start with?
But then again, you won't have the excuse to buy another one in 12 months time 🙂
Eddiebaby is dead right about finding a pub that has a bunch of guitarists strumming away and taking turns murdering a good song. There's nothing more mortifying than letting your wife hearing how you've been wasting all this time and money.
Oh, and that Korean Les Paul. Don't touch it with a bargepole. Where is this shop precisely?
There’s one (97 epi LP Jr) on Reverb for £189 + shipping...
try a few guitars while in the shop, see what is comfortable.
a stratocaster or a copy are good all rounders, they are popular for a reason!
avoid cheapo whammy guitars, rarely stay in tune... which is pretty important 😉
The other way to learn whole songs is to record them.
Use something like Garageband or I am sure there are some free DAW's for PC's too. Add some drums and a bass line etc.
I started doing it just to give me something to play along with, now I love it and see it as a big part of playing for me. I love recording stuff and I have even written some of my own stuff for fun.
"There’s one (97 epi LP Jr) on Reverb for £189 + shipping"
Not anymore.
Tis a lovely thing and its in my office right now - even better I got a discount for cash and a free stand and starter pack with loads of goodies in it.
Can fully recommend Musical Money in Newhaven - great guy to deal with.
Now how much of my life is this going to steal?
Now how much of my life is this going to steal?
All the bits not currently consumed by cycling.
My best advice now, is to find some good lesson resources on youtube. It all depends on what you want to play and who you like to listen to but these two guys offer great lessons for free and I think are really clear without getting bogged down in too much theory.
Not anymore.
I did think it was a bit too much of a coincidence...
I posted so that at least there was an approx comparison if not,
Price isn’t too much damage if you don’t get on with it (low risk). You got to dip your toe in the water somewhere at some point.
How much time will it steal? What, learning to play it or buying more gear 😀
Learning to play will be limited initially by your ability to build callouses on your fingertips and your personal pain threshold. Building up muscle memory, ability to change between chord shapes, etc., takes time and practice. Don’t they say it’s 10,000 hours to be decent at something...
Best thing you can do is play with real people.
I've learnt so much over the years just by watching and trying to keep up.
IME guitarists are always happy to help and play with anyone of any ability.
If you practice on your own make sure it's targeted. Just noodling around doesn't tend to progress your playing.
Don’t they say it’s 10,000 hours to be decent at something…
Yes, but 10,000 hours just playing pentatonic scales will only mean you're really good at Pentatonic scales. Variety is key.
I’ve been learning guitar for about 18months now, ....... but I still don’t know any complete song
I've owned guitars since before I was a teenager - I'm 53 - but dipped in and out at various times, never kept at it continuously. I'd probably describe myself as a competent backing guitarist. I had barely played since my kids were born, maybe 15 years, but I picked the guitar up again at the beginning of lockdown like lots of people, and have since bought three, sold an old one, and need to get rid of the first of my 'new' ones. (Compared to bikes they are very cheap!) When I restarted, I took advantage of the 'free with the guitar' Fender lessons, and quickly whizzed through them, as well as a load of Justinguitar lessons until I found my level - roughly intermediate. This is because I learned the basics years ago, and haven't forgotten them. I know very few complete songs. I don't need to because there are 1000s on apps on my phone. For me, there is no point in memorising any because they are always in my pocket.
So I kind of feel I’ve put a lot of effort in to learning and I’m happy with the progress I’ve made, but there’s this horrible nagging feeling that it was a waste of time, It’s going nowhere and I’m a crap guitarist as I can’t even play one song after all this time.
It won't be a waste of time because at some point, you'll realise that you can play loads of songs, because you've got the basics covered and the majority of songs are formed from basic stuff. Then, you'll start thinking about improving on how you play them, and start working on songs with weird chord shapes or changes, or whatever.
The big thing that made a difference to me - having a cheap, little 'sofa' guitar that I can happily leave around the house or travel with, meaning that whenever I'm bored I can just play for a few minutes without needing to get set up for a proper practice session. This often means that I'll start noodling around, then pick up on whatever I'm working on, and suddenly I've lost an hour. (Currently working on blues slide, also a book of Celtic tunes in Open D, also a book of alternative fingerstyle techniques.) But equally sometimes it's just a few minutes noodling while the kettle boils. It's all practice.
The huge change since I started learning is the internet and the amount of resource that it provides. Whether it's an hour just learning a simple bluegrass riff, like I did on the weekend, or ogling over new guitars, this just wasn't there 40 years ago. Can you imagine how boring it was learning to play back then, with a handful of books, no audio files, no video clips, just you in your bedroon. I guess my point here is don't get too diverted, but don't bore yourself trying to play the same stuff over and over again. There's tons of stuff out there.
Don't give up - it's hugely rewarding, and such a massive area that when you get the basics covered things will start opening up for you quickly and you'll have the conundrum of not having enough time to learn what you want to learn. I'm determined to learn some classical stuff soon - new guitar needed obviously - and maybe some gypsy jazz, and definitely need a resonator, and am also in the weird position of never having owned an electric guitar so know little about amps and pedals etc. That's my MLC just there - forget sports cars, it's going to be Strats and Gretsch Electromatics. 😀
Sorry for the very long post and keep going!
Yes, but 10,000 hours just playing pentatonic scales will only mean you’re really good at Pentatonic scales. Variety is key.
I guess I missed a smiley off that but it’s a bit of a leap to ‘just pentatonic’ 😳🤷🏼♂️
A lot of people spent a couple of years in their bedroom playing along with records (it didn’t seem to hold back Johnny Marr for instance)...🤣🤪
I guess I missed a smiley off that but it’s a bit of a leap to ‘just pentatonic’ 😳🤷🏼♂️
A lot of people spent a couple of years in their bedroom playing along with records (it didn’t seem to hold back Johnny Marr for instance)
Sorry. maybe I should have put a smiley on my comment too 😉
There's nowt wrong with pentatonic scales, but variety is the spice, etc.
I suppose I meant that aimless noodling will mean you don't progress fast or far.
Playing along to records is good though - similar to playing with live people, you will experience a broad range of playing styles and genres.
Some people are just better at things than others
Dont let it worry you
Enjoy your time with the instrument
Thanks everyone, youwould think I'd have learnt by now to stop worrying about what other people think and just do what I want, but I guess everyone needs a reminder every now and then. It's good to know it's not as weird as I thought to not know any songs. Have been thinking an acoustic might be a good second guitar to have lying around, I've tried my wifes old classical but the neck feels about a foot wide.
I’ve tried my wifes old classical but the neck feels about a foot wide.
Yeah, that was a big barrier for me. I picked up my Mum's old nylon-stringed acoustic when I was 12 or so, and could barely play anything. I don't think I properly picked up another acoustic for 20 years, but I now have a nice modern Taylor with a lovely narrow neck (and low-ish action) which feels pretty similar to my strat to play.
Have been thinking an acoustic might be a good second guitar to have lying around,
I did that way back when lockdowns started. Nothing flash, think it's one of these...
https://www.rosetti.co.uk/adam-black-s-2-natural
It gets plenty of playing. Since then I've also picked up a Squire Vintage Mod Jag (thanks @rocketdog ) and a Japanese Strat (cheers @chipps )
Oh, I may possibly also have a t-shaped object arriving next week 🤣
I’ll be round to check on you next month, Simon… 🤣
In terms of having a guitar around to noodle on, get a nice stand (I’ve got a couple of those Hercules ones that grab the nut of the neck.) It’s then very easy to just grab it when a tune come on that you want to learn/play along to. Having to get something out of a case or going to the ‘guitar den’ and the moment has gone…
In terms of having a guitar around to noodle on, get a nice stand (I’ve got a couple of those Hercules ones that grab the nut of the neck.) It’s then very easy to just grab it when a tune come on that you want to learn/play along to. Having to get something out of a case or going to the ‘guitar den’ and the moment has gone…
This x1000
(oh and @chipps - on a similar note I may possibly have taken some of the pedals off that huge pedalboard you kindly loaned me and made a more compact version that I can leave next to my sofa for easy accessibility!)
@simondbarnes - I could have just lent you one of my smaller boards. I’ll do you a swap - what do you want on your new one? Overdrive, delay, chorus, reverb?
Overdrive, delay, chorus, reverb?
I'm still trying to decide 🙂
That's why 'All of the effects, available all of the time' is always the correct answer... 😉
This is a nice little (spendy) setup 😊
I'm trying to move things up by actually trying to play along with a song rather than just playing in isolation. It is bloody difficult!
edit: I think that was about the 10th take 🤣
@simonbarnes
How do you tune your guitar with that board?
Also what's the giant purple missile launch style switch controling? Looks like it should be the end of the world 🙂
Is it not a gigging rig?
How do you tune your guitar with that board?
Clip on tuner 🙂
Also what’s the giant purple missile launch style switch controling? Looks like it should be the end of the world 🙂
I haven't dared press it 😉
God I feel old.
Just played a gig at the Cavern in Exeter.
Went really well, lots of people having a thrash around to our noise 🤘
But I (and the rest of the band) was old enough to be 95% of the punters' dad.
Went really well, lots of people having a thrash around to our noise 🤘
Excellent 🙂
Anyone tried both the Boss Waza Air and the Fender Mustang Micro?
I seem to be using my Vox amplug more and more but it's really uninspiring sounding and tiring on the ears after about 20 min.
I Like the idea of the plug and play of the Fender but worried I'd be limited for sounds but then there's too much in the boss that I would probably never use.
@simondbarnes need more grimacing for Lynyrd Skynrd I reckon. That face was more nonplussed indie kid. Playing was good though.
Anyone tried both the Boss Waza Air and the Fender Mustang Micro?
No, but I've been through loads of home / headphone tones. I pretty much exclusively play late at night after everyone else has gone to bed so I can't be loud. For ages I had an iRig HD attached to an iPhone and the Bias FX app which was OK. Very convenient (I had it fixed to a guitar strap) but it never sounded that great to me - I think probably underpowered.
Ultimately anything that gets you playing quickly with fewer barriers is a good thing, although if the sound is not up to scratch it can become uninspiring and you'll yearn for something else. I've heard good things about the Waza Air, and suspect the sense of immersion makes it more fun. If you start factoring in the cost of a decent set of monitoring headphones (needed for the Fender), it almost makes financial sense.
Yamaha THR on low volume still sounds great and is a good option depending on your circumstances.
@simondbarnes need more grimacing for Lynyrd Skynrd I reckon. That face was more nonplussed indie kid.
That's my concentrating really hard face 🙂
Playing was good though
Cheers. I think I'm slowly improving but it doesn't come very naturally at all
Waza Air is excellent. I have a pair I'm not using at the moment. I could post them up for you to try if you want.
Best yet, Simon. Here's me with an equally concentrating hard face, trying very hard to remember the words.
That's great as usual Ed! My favourite Billy Bragg song - only bettered by Bill Baily's Unisex Chipshop
I just started playing a week or so ago - I don’t have an amp yet and just got an Amplug to strum around without bothering anyone. For those saying headphones hurt, try a pair of Grado SR80x with som cheapo replacement L pads from eBay. They are not only incredibly comfortable and have great non fatiguing sound quality but due to being open backed let you really hear your strumming as well as the amplification. Also let’s you easily hear lessons etc though with the amplug you can also feed the phone or tablet straight in - I find this a bit overwhelming though as a newbie and prefer listening to the lesson outside the headphones
Ta, OTS. I think the backing singers deserve some credit, the birds were louder than me. Madame asked me for some song suggestions for her "Songs with a Message" project at school. Between the Wars was an obvious one. The kids who did it found it "touchant", touching, not many songs bring out the sensitive side in kids.
Here’s me with an equally concentrating hard face, trying very hard to remember the words.
I was a miner
I was a flagmaker
I was a mhh mhhh mhh
Between the wa-aaars.
I had a cassowary
In times of austerity
Forget me not
Between the waaaaa-aaaarsss.
Give me a keyring
Or some other goldy bling
...........
Anyone tried both the Boss Waza Air and the Fender Mustang Micro?
I seem to be using my Vox amplug more and more but it’s really uninspiring sounding and tiring on the ears after about 20 min.
I Like the idea of the plug and play of the Fender but worried I’d be limited for sounds but then there’s too much in the boss that I would probably never use.
I considered the Waza Air, but I can't justify the cost. I eventually went for a Palmer Pocket Bass amp, which doubles as a pedal too if required.
There is a guitar equivalent too.
https://www.andertons.co.uk/palmer-mi-pocket-amp-mk-2-portable-guitar-preamp-preampmkii?_sgm_campaign=product&_sgm_source=PREAMPMKII&_sgm_action=search&_sgm_term=pal
Here’s me with an equally concentrating hard face, trying very hard to remember the words.
Nice. I'd like to be able to learn full songs but I keep getting distracted by new YouTube lessons 🤣. I should have a new (pre-enjoyed) Tele arriving tomorrow or Wednesday, will need to find something to learn on that. I'm thinking Stones or Quo 🙂
https://youtube.com/shorts/u9V2h3QtIEs?feature=share
You've just introduced me to YouTube Shorts Simon you bad man. I don't know how it works but some of the vids following yours were hilarious. 🙂 I do Caroline (the Rossi part) and Dust Pipe by Quo but nothing by the Stones. Like AC/DC I feel more like a lousy imposter than usual trying to sing their stuff.
The thing I like about the Tele compared with a Strat is that either the ash-tray bridge on a classic Tele or the pickup housing on a Blacktop provide a reference point that makes it easy to find the right strings when going from strumming to picking. The middle pick up magnets don't get in the way of picking either.
Three months ago I would have disagreed but currently I'm picking up my new Tele more than the Strat. I'd really struggle to decide which to keep if I had to choose.
Both are amazing in different ways. I've currently got active pickups on the strat but on Thursday I'll swap the passive originals back in and spend more time thinking it through.
The middle pick up magnets don’t get in the way of picking either.
That's the only thing I don't like about my Strat!
My wife said I'm not allowed any more guitars, but I can swap some. I've been wanting to trade upwards from a Squier CV Jazzmaster that I've been playing a lot but am not in love with. Been on the lookout for a Jag for a while and I've put a deposit down on this one from a local shop...
Squier Contemporary Modern Jaguar. Hardly a traditional Jag but I'm using it as a guide to tell me whether I like Fenders with a shorter scale and / or humbuckers. In my head, I like the idea of a coil-splitting humbucker jag so looking forward to giving this one a spin. This one is 24.5" scale so not 24" like a traditional Jag, but still shorter than a Strat/Tele which are both 25.5".
The reviews of this model are very positive so as long as it plays well I can see it being a good thing to noodle with for a few months. I will miss the Jazzmaster trem, though.
😍
Ok, so I went and ordered the Waza Air.
I thought I'd treat myself to something that isn't food, rent or petrol for the first time this year. I don't really go gear crazy (or so i keep telling myself) I've only got the one guitar, 07 american std Strat, maple neck in charcoal frost metallic, a 5watt champ clone, a TC ditto, hof 2 mini and Fulltone OCD.
I’ve only got the one guitar, 07 american std Strat, maple neck in charcoal frost metallic
It may be one guitar, but it looks great (I had to google the colour)! That's very close to being my ideal guitar I reckon.
@simondbarnes is that yours? Or are you just lusting after it? I can't decide whether I'm into 'fancy' Teles. Part of me thinks they just need to be kept simple/unsophisticated.
Sunburst is hardly "fancy". Looks like a Mex to me, one of the ones with a satin backed neck, really nice shape necks. With a bridge pickup change I prefer them to the Americans. I'm sure we'll hear it soon, eh Simon.
@racingsnail Nice one. I love mine and on quiet days at work pull out the Guitar and Waza throw on a backing track from the phone and the boring hours fly by.
@simondbarnes is that yours? Or are you just lusting after it?
Yeah, is mine, got it yesterday.
It's not particularly fancy. 2011 MIM with a copper burst finish (which wasn't a standard colour that year so guessing a FSR)
really nice shape necks
It is indeed a nice shape 👌
Very pretty.
Sunburst is hardly “fancy”.
Pearloid scratchplate
Sunburst paint with metal flake
That's on the fancy scale
Yeah I meant ‘blingy’ really - not necessarily expensive. But that Tele ^^ certainly isn’t too blingy.
I was looking at the new Squier Anniversary models today. There was a great looking green Tele with gold hardware, block inlays and neck binding. Fancy (but not expensive). I liked it, even though I am ideologically opposed to it!
NGD! Apparently someone came into the shop to buy this Jag 10 minutes after I'd phoned to put a deposit down so I think I did alright 😃. I like new gear but it's for playing, right? Here's something I was messing around with showcasing the various tones it'll do. A jangly reverb-y backing track (NB the new Helix Shimmer reverb), with a fat humbucker tone over the top.
(I thought I could rely on the delay repeats for my timing, but, er, I couldn't 🙉)
People gush about Squier, but to be honest my first proper Squier (CV Jazzmaster) was very underwhelming and took a lot of setup to get anywhere near playable, so I don't consider myself a fanboy. This Jag, though, rocks and I'm going to gush about it. It just seems lovely - really well made, nice fretboard, cool finish, contoured heel, satin-finish roasty maple neck etc. There are no sharp edge or cheap feeling parts anywhere to be seen.
In the same shop today I tried the brand new £2,300 Ultra Luxe Jag. It was nice, but it's basically the same thing as the Squier, a dual humbucker with splitting options, flat-ish radius fretboard. I guess the Squier was perhaps the test-bed for the new Fender? The feel was identical - without feeling the extra-contoured heel on the Luxe there's no way I'd have been able to tell them apart.
£2,300:
£279:
I'm very pleased with it - it feels like it will be a great thing to muck about with.
At the moment I'm into looping and having loads of tones in one guitar is super useful.
I like the look of that Squire Jag 🙂
Another closet or not so closet Oasis fan eh , Superficial. A nice mellow interpretation. One day I'll post a vid of Wonderwall. 😉
Another closet or not so closet Oasis fan eh , Superficial.
Too right. I was a fan of Oasis in the 90s, but then I drifted away to edgier more indie stuff. Since then, I've learnt a bit of music theory and I've become totally obsessed with Oasis again. Some of the chords Noel chooses just blow my mind - totally unconventional but yet sound perfect. I have no idea* how he does/did it.
*A lie. It was drugs. Loads of drugs.
Noel was just too lazy/stoned to move more than one or two fretting fingers at a time that's where those chords came from. In Whatever you can get as far as "what people want you to see" without ever needing to move more than two new fingers (or a finger and thumb) to make the next chord.
It's interesting following his learing curve. The early stuff was mainly in G with Em penta then he uses other keys, then the lives he does on his own or with the HFBs use different chords with a capo. One day he'll use multiple guitars with different tunings rather than the capo. I started learning the alternative chords to do his live version of Don't Look Back in Anger with capo three or four then realised that I got the same result using the original chords with the guitar tuned to E flat which meant I could do all the fills as per the original. It's much nicer to sing in E flat which is I assume why he changed it.
Hi, ex guitarist here! I have played (very badly) on and off for years and have been struggling with a great combination of tinnitus\tendonitis/trigger finger so hardly play at all now.
Having had a few on line shopping events during lock down... I now have 3 guitars ( Tele, LP Junior and National resonator) and want to get down to 1. The reso has to go, but Tele or LPJ for beer fuelled blues/punk noodling?
Which would GOSTW keep and where would you sell the others?
It's sort of obvious - you should just keep the one you enjoy playing the most. For me, that'd be the Tele - I find them much more comfy to play than a LP. But then LPs are probably more punk-compatible so it depends where your inspiration is.
Facebook marketplace is easy and cheap stuff will sell quickly IME. You have to put up with weirdos messaging you, but there are no fees.
Reverb is good though - very easy with minimal fees compared with eBay.
I'd say for a guitar, if you're after:
< £400, Facebook locally.
> £400, Reverb (so you reach a wider audience).
Clever doctors fixed both my carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger about 10 years ago. Been fine since. I'd keep the Tele unless the Junior is a very very good one with a P90.
Thanks for the inputs, I like them both, I have history with tele's, but my pudgy hands fit the Junior which is a USA one with P90 and surprisingly effective vol and tone controls. I need the wife to go out so I can give them both a go...I've had surgery on both my elbow and palms which reduced the problem so I can now grip handlebars OK (thanks god)
but I still struggle with finger movement. I'll look into Reverb. Thanks again.
Darn. Andertons are now importing Baum guitars. If I known I'd have waited before buying my Tele. Just tried one and it was rather fine...
The junior probably has a shorter scale length so you'll have less of a stretch to get to the first fret which may make an easier grip.
Shameless self-promotion, but a recent milestone birthday made me want to get back to making more music, so as a starter for ten I thought I'd put this old music back online:
@tomparkin - that is lovely.
Trying to learn a bit of Peter Green at the moment, my fingers aren't really cooperating though. I'll keep practising!
Thanks Simon 🙂
That Peter Green looks pretty involved -- some big stretches for the little finger!
some big stretches for the little finger!
Certainly a bit of a workout! I should try it on my Jag with the shorter scale length 🙂
@racingsnail How is the Waza Air working out for you? Still using mine a lot as it is so convenient. Only problem is if I have have my specs it can be a bit uncomfortable.
Hi, yeah, the more I play the more I'm liking them but nearly went back the day got them because of that bloody App, it's ok now but it took me a couple of hours to get it to connect! I'm drowning in settings, full on option paralysis but its fun.
I know what you mean about glasses, I don't think they sound that great as headphones not bad but not £280 worth I know they're designed for guitar as well so there will be compromises I got some Soundmagic earbuds and I'd rather use them for music
Yep the HiFi aspect of the sound is OK but not stunning. But good enough to stream a backing track to and play over,
Here is a good source of stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ElevatedJamTracks
Relicing is a very controversial topic, but I genuinely can't work out what's going on with this. If its been intentionally done, it's mental
https://reverb.com/uk/item/50463355-fender-telecaster-2006-transparent-white-aged
it’s mental
Agreed. Whole finish needs stripping and respraying.
I'm at a loss as to how they've managed to do that
Probably with a chisel!
One of the ways you can relic a nitro guitar is heating the paint with a hairdryer then spraying compressed air on it. That cracks the lacquer on a nitro finish. I assume they've tried it on this and it's caused the paint to come off like that.
I like relics but i wouldn't even pay £50 for that
Nah. Guitars have to pick up wear and tear along the way, like bodies.
It doesn’t sound like its been intentionally reliced. Mentions real damage due to incorrect storage, which makes the price all the more mystifying.
One of the ways you can relic a nitro guitar is heating the paint with a hairdryer then spraying compressed air on it. That cracks the lacquer on a nitro finish.
My Patrick James Eggle Macon Special has an 'aged' nitro finish from the factory. Don't really think of it as relicing . It's just a really cool finish IMO
Looks like water damage on that Tele. The body wood swells and the lacquer just cracks off in chunks. Barge pole (unless you’re absolutely sure no damage has been done to the neck).
My Les Paul has some lacquer checking just from sitting in its case almost all its life (it’s nearly 14!).
Nice finish.
