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Post by delb0y on Jul 31, 2024 13:58:03 GMT
It’s interesting that when any question like this is asked responders so often list what item it is that they already own, rather than the dream item they wish they had. Yes, I only really know my own guitars, anything else is a mystery - and aside from literally a handful (and only one hand, at that) of high end guitars, most of which I've only played for a few minutes, I haven't really played anything that are usually the guitars of people's dreams. I really love my Tanglewood TW40, which is a replica of a prewar Martin. If it was as easy to play as my 00015m then that would potentially be my one guitar. So maybe for me a real Martin OM or OOO, ideally with a wide neck, slothead, and just 12 frets to the body. Derek
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Post by delb0y on Jul 30, 2024 13:35:37 GMT
For gigs where I'm confident the PA is good I simply plug into a Tech 21 Flyrig, which is the best electric guitar "thing" I ever invested in. That said, for most gigs now I simply plug the Flyrig into an AER compact 60 (my go to acoustic amp) giving me a lightweight but great sounding rig. Interesting, I've not heard of the Tech 22 Flyrig. I'll have a look. This is the version I bought quite a few years ago: www.tech21nyc.com/archive/fly-rig-5-original/
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Post by delb0y on Jul 30, 2024 8:42:21 GMT
I used to use (still do occasionally) a Laney VC30, which is an AC30 clone, but a bit smaller. But that is a valve amp...
For gigs where I'm confident the PA is good I simply plug into a Tech 21 Flyrig, which is the best electric guitar "thing" I ever invested in.
That said, for most gigs now I simply plug the Flyrig into an AER compact 60 (my go to acoustic amp) giving me a lightweight but great sounding rig.
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Post by delb0y on Jul 29, 2024 11:18:59 GMT
Ahhh... Tough. I'm a bit like your friend when it comes to electric - I still play my Fender Strat that I bought in 1979 and still use at all electric gigs.
But, I guess we're talking acoustic here, so I would say my Martin 00015 (mahogany, but precedes the use of the 00015m moniker). It's the guitar I leave out and play every day. It's easy to play and sounds nice and mellow and bluesy and I have also started using it at gigs, instead of my Tanglewoods. I think it dates from around 2006 when it was quite a budget Martin guitar, although I, of course, bought it used :-)
Derek
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Post by delb0y on Jul 29, 2024 8:28:17 GMT
Based on something Keith wrote I thought perhaps capo-ing at the second fret but leaving the sixth string open (i.e. only capo-ing the top five strings) would be instant drop D. That would be a neat trick to be able to use live.
Alas, turns out it's not as simple as that! My drop D chord voicings where I've learned to re-finger that sixth string are now all wrong...
Derek
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Post by delb0y on Jul 26, 2024 13:38:15 GMT
I play a few tunes in open D, but that's about it. I learned a Fahey tune in C but as it's the only song I know in that key I rarely take the time to change tunings. Have fooled about with some bottleneck blues in open G, and did work up a few pieces in DADGAD, but in the main I prefer regular tuning. There's so much to learn that I just confuse myself if I go too deeply into other tunings, especially if I don't play them daily.
I do think that using unfamiliar shapes is a possible gateway to new tunes though; a way to break out of ruts and habits.
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Post by delb0y on Jul 25, 2024 12:00:17 GMT
Yes and yes.
I bought some and had to cut it to size, and there's plenty left. Has made no noticeable impact on sound, and looks very good.
It came with two sheets and I'd be happy to send you the second sheet of foam if it's big enough and easy to post - I'm away at the moment so can't check in whether it will roll up or not.
I'll check back in a couple of days.
D
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Post by delb0y on Jul 25, 2024 7:38:16 GMT
Not the best capo thread (although feel to discuss that, too) but more picking up on Scorpiodog's self-proclaimed "weird" rule for not using a capo, but instead learning the song in the key required to sing the song in.
I must confess I do love a capo. That said, I tend to play in a number of different styles and the capo only comes out in a few of them.
For my newest musical adventure - the swing duo - there is simply no need to capo up. Open chords are rarely used and a great part of the style is the moveable chords that tend to change every few beats. So, really, any tune (that we're likely to cover) in any key is pretty much easy enough with closed chord shapes. This goes for gypsy jazz, too.
For electric guitar playing - country,blues, rock'n'roll etc- which I've played in bands for 45 years there was never a thought about a capo either. It simply never crossed my mind
But.. for bluegrass it's essential. So many fiddle tunes rely on open strings and open chords. Loads of tunes are in Bb or A, keys that don't naturally have that open strings bluegrass sound.
And finger-picking... Again, for me essential on many levels. Both for the purpose of getting open strings in the required key, and for singing. Some tunes I can sing without a capo but the capo gives the backing a different sound by allowing certain chord forms. I like playing open, and I like playing with a capo as far as the fifth fret, it gives quite a different sound.
Recently when I had a bad shoulder I had to use a capo on at least the second fret just to be able to play anything. Thankfully the physio dept sorted me out, but I still like a capo on fret two.
Lastly, there are some tunes, Dallas Rag for example, that has some stretches in it that are near impossible unless a capo is used to get one up to where the frets are closer together.
Cheers D
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Post by delb0y on Jul 23, 2024 11:30:15 GMT
Oh, and on the other point, I love capos! But that's for another thread.
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Post by delb0y on Jul 23, 2024 11:28:42 GMT
There's been some quite vehement posts on the jazz guitar board this last 24 hours, so there must be something in the air.
As a performer I always try and learn a song that I'm going to play live. Chords, melody, lyrics, riffs, stops, starts, key changes, etc etc. I think that's the least I can do if someone is paying me, or giving me their time and attention. The fact I only play out very occasionally means this can be a lot of effort for little return, but, like you, I think eye contact, having no barrier between band and audience, is important.
That said, more and more people I know are going the opposite way. I know song writers who have an iPad on a stand for lyrics, even their own. And another musical partner has upwards of 800 songs in an iPad, any of which he's happy to play at a gig, but he says, no way can he recall that many tunes.
As an audience member I prefer it when there's no iPad, no music stand, maybe just a set list on the floor.
Derek
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Post by delb0y on Jul 21, 2024 10:12:59 GMT
I don't know about beginner books. From memory The Complete Guitar Player series was good, and Arnie Berle's Chord Progressions for Jazz and Popular Guitar was a revelation. But I think at beginner level it's probably better to teach songs, pieces, tunes relevant to the student. There are so many great two chord, three chord, four chord songs, so many cool but easy melodies, blues, fiddle tunes, etudes, that I'm sure any student's taste and aspirations can be accommodated.
That said, I think once some initial progression has been made the best thing is to choose a book, method, DVD, and stick with it.
I've only ever "finished" a few books, but doing so has proved very beneficial.
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Post by delb0y on Jul 20, 2024 17:16:34 GMT
One of the many benefits of learning to play by ear, for me at least, is that I remember stuff much better, than pieces I've learned from music or tab.
There are many other benefits, too. Definitely one way to go,but by all means use other tools as well.
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Post by delb0y on Jul 18, 2024 21:45:19 GMT
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Post by delb0y on Jul 15, 2024 7:13:35 GMT
I have a Laney VC 30 valve amp that I plug straight into. It has a nice clean channel and a good old fashioned overdrive channel, too. Like most of my kit it's knocking on, now. But it still works well.
I wish I could get on with pedals though. I'd like a smoother overdrive at times but whenever I set myself up with such a tone it just gets lost in the mix.
I do also have a nice Fly Rig which, if the band has a good PA, can replace the amp altogether (or can sit in front of the AER60 if I want to travel light) and that can be set up with a few nice rock tones, but again, I struggle. I always end up going for a clean sound to cut through.
I really need to spend some time working on electric tones.
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Post by delb0y on Jul 11, 2024 20:36:40 GMT
Very nice indeed! A fine choice of guitar. I'm another happy Furch owner. Great guitars.
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