Alby Guitar Posted February 10, 2021 Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) Hi I started playing cheap copy guitars in my teens and finally treated myself to a USA fender strat sunburst maple neck , playing through a Marloboro? amp - a rebranded Gibson solid state amp - it was a great combination for the covers band I was playing in , amp was stolen and guitar gathered dust under a bed whilst i got on with life , kids etc . 15 years later I picked up the strat again and bought a marshall JTM30 2X10 combo amp , played it for a few years , but could not get the sound I was after so traded the strat for a Gibson Nighthawk standard 2 pick up , played for a few more years then bought an Acoustic a Guild dreadnought DV-52 - tried martin Gibson and other top acoustics but this was the one i fell in love with - and is still my favourite. A few years later I auditioned for a band and was pleased to be taken on , i played with my Nighthawk and the Marshall , and whilst the combination worked well for rehearsals , when I pushed the volume for gigs I could not get a good clean sound , after a lot of searching and trying I bought a second hand Mesa Boogie mark IV - a truly flexible amp all the sound you need at almost any volume . I was called upon to play amplified acoustic so put a Baggs pick up on the Guild and bought an AER 60 to cover the amplification duties , I got a bit precious about the Guild so bought a Crafter electro acoustic for band duties and a Fishman Aura pedal to deal with any feedback issues and to model the acoustic sound. I had always wanted a Les Paul and bought a Classic 1960, I used it at rehearsals occasionally but never for gigs. I used this set up in the band for a number of years , but found the weight of the Mesa too much , so bough a Mesa express 5:25 1X10 and only used the Mark IV for outdoor or large gigs. On a whim I bought a Gibson Les Paul acoustic (yes really) , thinking I would use it for gigs , but the Crafter produced a more authentic acoustic guitar sound so i continued to use that. Over 15 years or so we did many gigs and moved through a number genres but the band folded a few years ago and I have yet to find a new band to join. I have always enjoyed Jazz and wanted to learn how to play so looked out for a Jazz Guitar , I bought a Japanese Vestax D'angelico NYL-2 - it had the Jazz guitar sound I had in my head , played this for a couple of years but found the body size a bit large , and was recommended a fender D'aquisto Elite and eventually these two guitars through the Mesa and AER ( both have great clean Jazz sounds) are my main go to guitars. So here I am at the autumn of my playing life - but still loving it and I thought I could give some advice and words of wisdom It is emotionally easier to buy gear than it is to sell - GAS is real - although i do realise that I am going to have to thin the herd Don't buy on a whim, research and try to find the guitar set up that gives you the sound and feel you want - read advice on forums You do not have to spend a lot to get a good sound In the hands of a good guitarist a poor guitar can still sound great , but a great guitar will only sound great if you get your skills to the right level - its all about practice If you are not happy with a guitar or amp for example , there are always a number of cheap tweaks you can do , valves, pickups, strings etc again read advice on forums The best way to improve your playing and enjoyment is to play with others - try different genres - it all about learning. A great way to improve your skill is to play along to the radio - try to accompany whatever track they play its great practice for improving your ear If you are not enjoying it , stop and think how you could do it differently and more enjoyably. Best wishes Alby Edited February 10, 2021 by Alby Guitar missed a guitar 1 Quote
Dad3353 Posted February 10, 2021 Posted February 10, 2021 Good evening, Alby, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share. Another vote for the Nighthawk, a very versatile guitar. Our Eldest has had his for decades, now, and; although he now builds his own, still has a soft spot for that Gibson. Quote
Skinnyman Posted February 10, 2021 Posted February 10, 2021 Hi Alby An interesting journey, thanks for sharing. I had a Nighthawk for a while and really liked it. In fact, I’m now wondering why on Earth I sold it.... Quote
