ezbass

I must say that the YouTube videos don't really do it justice, even Yamaha haven't over egged the pudding in their own promos. What I don't understand is how this passed me by when it first came to the market. I guess, much the same as my reaction, the guitar buying public have seen it as a gimmick and 'not a proper' acoustic. The current discounts available for both L and F ranges would support this notion, I think. I'm unsupervised (Lady Ez is away down to London) for the next few days, so I may do something rash .

I went into my first guitar store in 18 months yesterday, mainly to check out the store closest to me. For a smallish store, it had a good range of electrics, a reasonable acoustic corner and a paltry handful of basses (most unimpressive). I didn’t look too long at the electrics as I’m not in the market for a new one at all, looking at the basses took no time at all sadly, so I wandered into the acoustic section, as I wouldn’t mind a mahogany bodied, dreadnought. One of the assistants asked if I’d tried a Yamaha Trans Acoustic, which, although having been around a while, I was unaware of. Through some electronic wizardry, you can add reverb and/or chorus to the acoustic sound (there’s an actuator inside the body, connected to the back). Sounded like a huge gimmick to me, but I humoured him and gave it a go. OMG! This tech is just amazing. I was blown away by it and had the parking ticket on the car not been getting close to expiry, I would have been sitting there for hours. I open tuned the guitar to play Zep’s The Rain Song, had the reverb on and it was fantastic, really natural sounding, not faux in any way, shape or form. The guitar, an FG, was up to Yamahas usual build and playability standards (i.e. very high) and I’m seriously considering buying it. The added ambience just makes you want to play it and, for those who write their own songs, seems it would be inspirational. I’ve only ever had the ‘I need this guitar in my life’ reaction once before. I make no apologies for this gushing review and I urge you to try one if you can.

4 guitars, 5 basses here.

I concur with everything that Dad has said above. I have owned a Tanglewood in the past and wouldn’t hesitate to include them in any search for a new acoustic guitar, they really punch above their weight. Your choice of a Dreadnought style guitar is wise, as this really is a great all rounder for strumming, fingerpicking and all and any stops in between.

Doh! I missed the headstock/tuner reference. That is weird. I’d say string tree, except that it’s the G.

Check your bridge saddle, there may be a sharp point there or where it enters the trem mechanism.

Nice Lowden.

Nice. Every home should have a 335 type.

His instructional video was good, I don’t think I learnt anything from it, it was just great to watch and listen too (Dave LaRue on bass).

You could make a guitar out of concrete…

Speak of Purple and their guitarists and most folk think of Blackmore or maybe Tommy Bolin, but the amazing Steve Morse served in that role longer than either of those 2 put together - 28 years! I’ve been a Steve Morse fan from before his Purple days, a player with an individual voice and style. He’s been a farm labourer, an airline pilot, as well as one of the finest guitar players out there. In recent years, he’s had mobility issues with his right hand/wrist and I thought this was why he has finally quit the band. No, it’s to care for his wife, who has been diagnosis with cancer . https://planetradio.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/steve-morse-deep-purple/ If you’re unaware of Steve Morse and like virtuoso, rock guitar, I whole heartedly recommend you check out his work with his own band, The Dixie Dregs or Kansas, as well DP.

I would run over all the connections and re-solder them. Also check that there isn’t a fine wire from that pickup shorting to earth somewhere.

Never used one, but for solely rhythm work, I think it’d work rather well. There must be a reasonably priced clone to make giving one a go not too onerous.

I haven’t had a wah for years, but I think it’s hard to beat a Cry Baby. I did try a Morley back in the day, but found it too subtle - not enough wakka wakka for my tastes.

Very nice, I do like an offset guitar.

Someone is selling a TRex power supply for £50 on Basschat https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/465872-t-rex-fuel-tank-junior-power-supply/

If it were me, I'd go: Wah, Distortion, Chorus, Delay, Looper. As to power supplies, try the cheaper one and see if it has any issues in your home, if it does, return it and go more up market. Just make sure that you have enough headroom to add more pedals.

Yep, centre blocked, 335 types can still weigh in on the high side, especially if the block is something dense like maple. For proper light weight, you’ll want fully hollow, like a Casino. Even then, check it out, if you can (for the record my Casino Coupé is feather light, even with a Bigsby).

Well, that looks perfectly fine to my eyes. It looks to have a slightly reduced body compared to a 335, which is a good, ergonomic thing in my book. The quick release tailpiece is really sensible too.

Excellent, however…

It’s what we do, when we can, just like we do on ‘the other forum’ .

And he’s in! A Trademark 60, great amp, I’ve owned 2 and I still can’t fathom why I sold them.

Following an interview with Rick Beato, I've started following Mateus Asato...