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Everything posted by randythoades
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Very nice. Sorry the Laney didn't work out. Looked like it had lots of potential.
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Hello from Tennessee, home of george dickel and someone named jack.
randythoades replied to dewayne's topic in Introductions
What's up the tree?? The dogs seem to like whatever it is. -
I do happen to really like Gold tops, but I also have an 'attraction/repulsion relationship with PRS'. I love to look at them, but I have been disappointed with all the ones I have played (granted they have mainly been SE models). Just something about the way they are doesn't work for me, the neck feels too flat and too wide and I can't get many of the tones I like, they just seem too 'polished, smooth and grown up'. I can't seem to get that fat LP tone, a spiky punky tone, nor the direct Fender type tone. But watching other players use them is often jaw droppingly good!!
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That is a great idea. I dabbled with mandolin but struggled with the string and fret spacing due to fat fingers!
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I'm with @Dad3353. Even running at 10w, a valve amp is far too loud for home use (I would say that even a 1w valve amp is pushing it volume wise for me). A modelling amp provides much better flexibility and give you all the other options as well. The tones are excellent. Just a slight point though, to me they always sound like a 'recorded guitar tone' and you don't get that visceral, trouser flapping monster tone in your face. But for home and rehearsal levels they are a great option without a lot of the cost and the weight.
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That looks really good actually. Not tried one but I would be interested in your thoughts when you have time to test it out.
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Great track. Very good job.
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There isn't an easy way, it is mostly just muscle memory. I don't think about what notes are which, I just know which note I start from, the rest is purely muscle memory and experience from playing various licks and melodies. If I am learning a new melody that needs to be precise rather than just improvised then I would do as I would suggest and start SLOW. Half speed usually until I can play that and just then speed it up gradually. I would normally dedicate a practice session to just play the same lick or melody over and over again until fingers do it automatically. Finding the start point is usually the hardest for me. Don't worry about getting it wrong at full speed, just slow it down again until you can play each section over and over one after the other then begin to speed it back up.
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I respectively disagree about barre chords. I much prefer them to open chords. As @Dad3353 points out, you don't have to play all the strings. I don't like the way that the open strings sometimes resonate longer than the fretted strings when I change chords, but I can cut off or mute the whole sound whenever I like with a barre chord, especially on acoustic to add a percussive element. And all I am saying about simplifying is that whilst most players do simplify to a degree, you effectively restrict your guitar technique and vocabulary by avoiding chords or techniques you can't yet do and will not improve.
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That does sound odd. It is unusual for even cheap tuners to come loose if the string is threaded properly as it's own tension prevents it from moving. You could replace them all relatively cheaply with new ones from Amazon etc. Most of my guitars stay in tune for days at a time, might just need a slight tweak at the start of a session if it has been particularly hot or cold. My ukulele slips out of tune a little over time but they are nylon strings. But maybe try and re-string but wind the string back over itself so it is gripped between the excess winds:
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You are very welcome.
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Hello and welcome. Plenty here to learn from and chuckle at. Frustration and patience are your biggest hurdles by the sound of it. You Tube is great, but no replacement for a proper teacher and I would heartily recommend visiting one, even just for a few months to even out your technique. I would also counsel against changing the songs to make them easier, if you only play the stuff you can already play you never progress. Changing them to fit your voice is one thing, but trying to avoid chords just because isn't doing you any favours long term. But also, don't get too hung up on playing them exactly as the records, most of us here can't play everything and do simplify songs to a degree. At the end of the day... just enjoy the journey!
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Or as he is a little younger and the guitar might be a little large for him at the moment, the ukulele is similar in functionality but much smaller. Although a different instrument in it's own right, it uses the same sort of technique and is easy to transition back and forth. The ukulele is tuned similarly to guitar but in a higher register and would promote the similar way to strum and change chords. It might well get negative comments on here but I play ukulele a lot and the mechanics are almost the same between the two.
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Classical guitar is really only recommended for players that want to play classical guitar. Although it seems like a good option initially, they have much wider and flatter fingerboards and aren't really suitable for playing any sort of pop or rock, you need a steel strung acoustic, and some are available at 3/4 size. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-JR1-Acoustic-Guitar-gigbag/dp/B00009J580/ref=asc_df_B00009J580/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697322390111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=316006959361910813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045298&hvtargid=pla-347822426860&psc=1&mcid=4e8538b2949537c6a4249d4b35b91cae&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697322390111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=316006959361910813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045298&hvtargid=pla-347822426860&psc=1&gad_source=1 I would suggest though getting a smaller acoustic like a parlour size acoustic. It will be much better in the long term and make it easier to transition onto a full size guitar. https://www.rimmersmusic.co.uk/tanglewood-crossroads-parlour-whiskey-barrell-burst-p54910/s55640?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=tanglewood-crossroads-parlour-whiskey-barrell-burst-tanglewood-crossroads-parlour-whiskey-barrell-burst&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shoppingbrandslowpriority&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjIWZSO9rqkdlhd5-z7hBpsaDStvXnKRBwZ8hI_MI0cus9BTR_J9w8xoCgusQAvD_BwE
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Morning. Glad to have you onboard. Is your son more interested in acoustic or electric music? At that end of the market I would certainly advise to buy second hand rather than new unless you can up your budget to around £150. There are some good options at that price. Personally I would look for Squier, Yamaha and Epiphone, they are good quality and established brands which will be better for resale if he doesn't stick with it, or wants to upgrade. I would also suggest sticking with the most popular styles - Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul - they cover the most bases, are easier to find used and easier to sell in the future. New options: https://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-sonic-stratocaster-2-colour-sunburst/961844?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjH9tlImFAnEEmBeeGacT8AH_L-O9bYEWnopbspNCeLk7A4j0I9H2zhoCM2UQAvD_BwE https://www.scan.co.uk/products/open-box-squier-bullet-stratocaster-brown-sunburst-sss-non-locking-tremolo-laurel-fingerboard?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjF098_hyRhgw_XMEn5gicGoyXZyYQILujD6LN3RKme8NCzqlF3L55xoCW6YQAvD_BwE https://www.thomann.co.uk/epiphone_les_paul_special_ve_hcsb.htm?glp=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjJxYi77dA8vWfgQT3ulxvM_UQN0JtUM1hreI7L3D4Z07bWqrn03cjBoCyncQAvD_BwE https://www.mannsmusic.co.uk/guitars/electric-guitars/yamaha-pacifica-012-red-metallic-electric-guitar.htm?opt=15172&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjPOMok3yGwyks78Iu27G4jK3QDTmB8tmQV1jzNl9e9C6ggCPLxCLfxoCtoQQAvD_BwE As regards acoustic options, there is more choice at that price range. I would look for Fender, Yamaha and Tanglewood. Again, second hand would be a good starting place. https://www.fairdealmusic.co.uk/products/fender-cd-60-dreadnought-acoustic-guitar-cherry?variant=44092501491937&country=GB¤cy=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjMc6GeJQ4Aq6_EAhRUCY5-_5ovUJm4UWp4J3ItKzxLo9vnwN7Yb-QBoCSJQQAvD_BwE https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-F310-Acoustic-Traditional-Western/dp/B000RVYW7E/ref=asc_df_B000RVYW7E?mcid=f713fbf20e48303e87c76ca5b892c1c5&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697322390111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9317386785188518165&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045298&hvtargid=pla-309497947402&psc=1&gad_source=1 https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Tanglewood-TWCR-O-Crossroads-Orchestra-Acoustic-Whisky-Burst/1DQY?origin=product-ads&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjHvLBWF_v_nl6HQJMNHl3ekFxkkSEPt8yJgUcVWIakVippJs9ek0hRoCzUkQAvD_BwE There are other brands and options available and others might suggest other options. Depending where you are in the country, you could actually go into a store for your son to play a couple and see what fits. Difficult for a beginner to make a choice, but any of those instruments should be ok to start the journey on and 100 times better than the instruments we used back in the 80s.
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This is a repeat of the same advice given on another of your videos (depending on which one you look back on for replies...) Difficult to offer advice on what to improve as we all like to hear something different, but in all honesty, practice with a metronome... You are playing things which fit under your fingers but not necessarily in time with each other. A simple metronome or drum beat to fit too will help enormously.
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This is a repeat of the same advice given on another of your videos (depending on which one you look back on for replies...) Difficult to offer advice on what to improve as we all like to hear something different, but in all honesty, practice with a metronome... You are playing things which fit under your fingers but not necessarily in time with each other. A simple metronome or drum beat to fit too will help enormously.
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NGD (of sorts, with a 'back story')...
randythoades replied to Dad3353's topic in General Discussion
Looks beautiful! (The Hofner, not the delivery guy)... -
I'm looking for advices about a new concept for a travel electric guitar
randythoades replied to buristo1's topic in Guitars
But the OP is wanting to produce a collapsible travel electric, which I am obviously missing the point on. If you were going to borrow amps then you could borrow a guitar too if necessary, although the modelling box into PA does make a lot more sense. I do like the idea of a modular guitar, being able to swap out pickup modules and electrics would be really cool, going from a standard tele setup to double humbuckers would be good and certainly save space for those that have multiple guitars for different applications. -
Having issues with the rythym of Transylvania iron maiden
randythoades replied to Ben93's topic in Guitars
I can't really help in explaining the time signature etc but it may be helpful to use one of the apps on your phone to slow the track down to half speed as it gives you much more chance to play along and really listen to those parts in detail. If you can play along at half speed then gradually build up the speed. As @Dad3353 has mentioned in several posts previously.... if you want to play fast, then play slow. -
I'm looking for advices about a new concept for a travel electric guitar
randythoades replied to buristo1's topic in Guitars
I like the idea of a modular guitar definitely, would be very cool to have one guitar but be able to swap out single coil for humbuckers etc, or maple instead of rosewood neck when the whimsy takes you, but not sure why you would have one as a travel guitar. The nature of an electric guitar is that you would also need to carry an amplifier and cables, thus negating and offsetting the benefits in a collapsible travel electric unless you were going down the Pignose route and having onboard amplification. A collapsible acoustic seems far more suitable like the Journey https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journey-Instruments-Solid-Travel-Guitar/dp/B088D7XQYT/ref=asc_df_B088D7XQYT/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696385059988&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14344007345713079697&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007360&hvtargid=pla-932629138513&psc=1&mcid=a0f3a2e1ed28380f9fa73423ec1942cd&gad_source=1 To answer your questions: I play country / southern rock / bluegrass and retro blues based rock (rockabilly and boogie styles). Yes, I would buy a modular electric guitar. I would like pickup/control configurations mainly. I don't think I could be bothered in changing necks on a regular basis. -
I have been known to play hard rock and metal in the past and I agree with @Dad3353. Unless whammy use is something that you may want to make use of, then just stay away at first, they cause so many issues that even annoy experienced players. If you like the Ibanez superstrat shape then the Ibanez RGA 421 would possibly be a good option within that price range as it is similar but without the tremolo. https://www.kennysmusic.co.uk/ibanez-rg421-electric-guitar-mahogany-oil-b-stock-p8845/s8845?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=ibanez-rg421-mol-electric-guitar-mahogany-oil-b-stock-183159&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw99e4BhDiARIsAISE7P9gOqAVfljXQw7RBuhADRJHV2_Q7jF0lkqQPX-lgh1B1dKpjYUq07AaAn6fEALw_wcB Otherwise any of the twin humbucker models like the Ibanez ART series, lots of the Cort, Harley Benton, Washburn, Squier, Epiphone models would suit. As @Dad3353 says, there should be no tuning problems with almost any modern guitar once set up properly (the shop might do this for you as part of their service, but otherwise budget another £40 or so for new strings and set up) For a more modern take on the telecaster, this would suit too. https://www.musicstore.com/en_GB/GBP/Squier-FSR-Affinity-Tele-HH-LRL-MOR-Metallic-Orange/art-GIT0058582-000?campaign=GShopping/GB&ProgramUUID=zDcKAQMERIYAAAGRngJqQrxk&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw99e4BhDiARIsAISE7P-0ydnBPY0IqtgOgZ7EPYnn11FNqXtrvm3Wr4uG_c-L6dbs_gRzEWcaAoPGEALw_wcB
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No daft questions here, only daft answers. Everything is an unknown if you don't actually know it... In answer to your question, exactly the same, the pickup makes no difference at all, just use the same strings as you would have done previously and re-string in the same way.
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I have not played that particular model, but I do have several other teles with various setups and pickups. Teles do great for the Rolling Stones end and do take overdrive well for general classic rock, but I don't think them great for distortion, a little too shrill and fizzy. I would do the hard rock thing with humbuckers rather than single coils personally. Those that use tele shaped guitars in that genre usually have humbuckers fitted. But for jazz, blues, country, pop and classic rock they really shine, so could be all the guitar that some people need. From what I understand, the new pickups lose a bit of the high end and are voiced a little warmer. This might work in your favour with more gain but wouldn't be my taste, I like the extra twang and snap to be available when I fancy it.