Haven't seen an instrumental thread in a while...

I have been drumming for the last 6 years, but now I'm back to guitar. I started taking lessons at 8 years old.

I am working on a solo project at the moment. Sort of an acoustic, alternative rock project. I just need to work on my singing a little more. I bought a martin D16GT to do some recoding with. I quickly seen that a bone saddle was in need. Thanks to Bob Colosi, I now have a D16GT with a bone saddle and bridge pins. Excellent upgrade!..

 

Martin is the way to go.

 

^ agreed

 

My boss likes Martin. He plays bluegrass. He told me two weeks ago he wanted to buy a beater guitar to leave in his office. I said I have a Fender DG-8 (So twangy it sounds like a banjo) sitting in a closet and I could bring it in. He said "Yeah you should bring it in and put it in your Office. " Well you don't have to tell me twice so I restrung two weekends ago and brought it in. Then he walks in with a Takemine that looks brand new and says "A crack head wants $150 for it" I said offer him $75. He got it for $85 and it lists for like $500. So we've been playing at work now for two weeks. I really don't play bluegrass but I do have a history of playing blues and jazz so I can make it work.

I also have a Takemine EF-341sc. I love it and the sound is very clear. Next guitar purchase (Not any time soon) will either be a Gibson Acoustic or Gibson Les Paul of some sort

 

Jamming at work, awesome! Gibson acoustics are very mid range punchy. I think it's funny how everyone likes something a little different to fit there taste. Even in the same brands, and down to the strings.

My favorite strings for this guitar are the Elixir med. nanoweb phosphor bronze.

 

Strings make a *major* difference in sound! I've a Martin D-17. It's a little bassier, but still has that Martin ring. I like Martin phosphor bronze strings on it. It's used for Bluegrass / Classic Country.

 

You need to upgrade that saddle to bone. $30, great improvement.

 

I want to get an Acoustic electric this year (something in the 400-700 range if I can find a quality piece)... I have an Epihone Les Paul standard right now... been playing since I was 5, then took a break for 4 years and I'm back at it at 20 again. I've been playing more and more trying to reteach myself.

Do you guys read music? Trying to get back to that, let's just say I didn't miss it

 

I do not. I read tab for banjo, and a little for mandolin, but guitar I just listen and learn by rote. I must say, I very rarely play with or for anyone else. It's almost always by myself, in the bedroom, rahter quietly. I'm satisfied with my musical abilities as they are. I get pleasure from playing and feel no pressure from others.

 

Truckguy...

I learned to read music when I was younger, but I forgot half of it by now. Tabs and by ear for me. Once you have some experience with different scales, the by ear thing becomes easier.

As far as a guitar? Try to save a little extra and get into a solid wood instrument. That is where you will see a big difference in sound. The laminate instruments just don't cut it. Check out an Eastman if you get a chance. I think it is a japanese guitar, but is a more affordable solid wood instrument and actually sounds quite good. Has some mid-range punch to it, kind of like a Gibson.

 

Yeah I have a pretty good ear as well, I like finding out songs that way, feels rewarding

Frog I meant an Acoustic guitar you hook up to an amp? I like country so I'd rather one like that. My electric is a solid body and is a Gibson essentially as Epiphone owns Gibson and it is the Les Paul Line. It sounds awesome, but I do plan on upgrading some stuff as I go, like better pickups and what not.

Here she is after I detailed it a few weeks ago

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62648936@N05/5952924480/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62648936@N05/5952949198/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62648936@N05/5952374247/

 

Here's what I pick on.... Its amazing how fast 3 fingers can pick with steel picks on...

 

Guitar player here. I play all kinds of stuff; write songs here and there. Done a bit of studio stuff. I don't read music, I just play by ear. Lately, I've been doing a lot of open-D tuning stuff.

I own two Guild acoustics (both late '70s models): A D-40 and a D-212sb.

- Andy

 

Ya, I know what your saying, but the solid wood part is very important to sound. You can always add an electric pickup and 1/4" jack later for $100-300 later. And, they are a LOT better sound and quality than the electric components that come on the more affordable acoustic/electric guitars.

Great looking guitar there!

 

Open D? Haven't played with that tuning before. I hate open G for what it is worth. Not my style I guess. I have wrote a couple of riffs in drop D though.