Any guitarists or ex-guitarsts out there?

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Your first electric is a PRS??? Man, what a rough life you live!

Dues paid.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

Started playing in 1976 and my brother and I had several bands in the 70's & 80's then did a ton of 4-track home recording thru the 90's.

Other than our first high school band everything was originals. I was always more interested in the guitar as a writing tool than trying to become proficient. I certainly got to be a pretty decent player over the years, but certainly never as good as I could have been.

Over the last 20 years my playing has been pretty limited. But I've always kept a couple of guitars handy for when I go down to the basement.

A couple of years ago I got most of our multi-track studio demos that we had recorded in the 80's converted into digital, along with transferring all of my old home recordings as well. So I've been learning a whole lot about mixing and having a lot of fun taking advantage of all the things you can do with unlimited tracks and the tricks you can do in the digital domain.

This has also let to me picking up the guitar more often as well some very basic bass & keyboard playing to be able to kind of finish off some old partial recordings.

I've picked up a couple of PRS guitars in the last year or two, but my Hohner G2 is probably the one I pick up most often (it's small and easy to grab).

This shows my collection before picking up the PRSs and then pic of those two.

Great story. Kansas City A's shirt. Nice touch!

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Great story. Kansas City A's shirt. Nice touch!

Actually early Oakland (first couple of seasons).

[RugbyBro]

NeuralDSP is doing their annual 50% off sale for anyone that was interested in trying out plugins

https://neuraldsp.com/plugins

[tranquility]

Glad someone bumped this as it reminded me to ask about your hands. I just read somewhere and realized that my fret hand is more flexible/spread-out vs my other one. Spread both yours and take a pic if you want.

[hubbahubba]

Hey guys. How do you learn new stuff? I have weekly lessons with an instructor, and also go to YouTube for things off the normal syllabus, (even though I bring in the material for my lessons). I have found this guy to be very helpful in putting together pentatonic for soloing off the cuff. He has a very nice way of putting things out there that I can understand, maybe he can help you too? Who are your favorite YT guitar channels?

https://www.youtube.com/@JulesGuitar

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Glad someone bumped this as it reminded me to ask about your hands. I just read somewhere and realized that my fret hand is more flexible/spread-out vs my other one. Spread both yours and take a pic if you want.

My right hand (picking) works great, and has full flexibility. My left hand, not so much. My pinky is jacked up, and does not extend any further than in the picture. It makes it impossible to cover some chords, and even worse when trying to play individual notes that are stretched up and down the neck. Makes for some improvising! I shot it with a nail gun about 30 years ago, and it never came back to full function.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Hey guys. How do you learn new stuff? I have weekly lessons with an instructor, and also go to YouTube for things off the normal syllabus, (even though I bring in the material for my lessons). I have found this guy to be very helpful in putting together pentatonic for soloing off the cuff. He has a very nice way of putting things out there that I can understand, maybe he can help you too? Who are your favorite YT guitar channels?

https://www.youtube.com/@JulesGuitar

Good stuff. I'm so lazy, which is ridiculous because playing the guitar is something I really like and enjoy. I bought some lessons AGES ago and I still haven't bothered to finish them yet, it's a joke, somebody needs to kick my butt.

Anyway, my goal is not to be the next Nuno but ofc who doesn't wanna magically become him? I love learning to play every song that I like, and so far I'm able to do that so that's part of the reason that I don't progress as much as I should. I don't have a fave YT channel, I just go on ultimate-guitar for tabs, that's my way of learning new stuff.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

My right hand (picking) works great, and has full flexibility. My left hand, not so much. My pinky is jacked up, and does not extend any further than in the picture. It makes it impossible to cover some chords, and even worse when trying to play individual notes that are stretched up and down the neck. Makes for some improvising! I shot it with a nail gun about 30 years ago, and it never came back to full function.

Aw crap, that must be frustrating. The doctors couldn't do anything about that, I guess?

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Good stuff. I'm so lazy, which is ridiculous because playing the guitar is something I really like and enjoy. I bought some lessons AGES ago and I still haven't bothered to finish them yet, it's a joke, somebody needs to kick my butt.

Anyway, my goal is not to be the next Nuno but ofc who doesn't wanna magically become him? I love learning to play every song that I like, and so far I'm able to do that so that's part of the reason that I don't progress as much as I should. I don't have a fave YT channel, I just go on ultimate-guitar for tabs, that's my way of learning new stuff.

Ultimate Guitar is the best subscription that I have for anything. I am on there constantly. When I start with a song, and if it seems like I can handle it, I print it out and it goes in a binder for all time. I have a couple 3" binders that are full now, and need to start my 3rd.

And as for finishing your lessons.... Don't make me come in there young man or you will be sorry!!

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Aw crap, that must be frustrating. The doctors couldn't do anything about that, I guess?

They probably could have back then, but that would have meant time off work. 2 little ones and bills to pay determined that answer for me. I recently (August) saw a hand specialist, since I had picked up the guitar again. He told me that he could try, but it may be better just to cut it off. Seriously. I haven't taken the time to get a second opinion yet....

[spazzyfry123]

I've got an old Telecaster my dad and I restored hanging in my office. Nicely worn frets and loaned it out to a buddy of mine that used it in his band for about a year. Somce nice buckle rash and it ain't from me!

I also have a late-60s Gibson SG stowed away. Looks like it hasn't had any refurbishment since the 60s. Plays well for what it is, but I prefer to look at it. Neat guitar with a lot of good stories I'm sure. I plan to hang that one alongside my Tele when we move and get settled.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Ultimate Guitar is the best subscription that I have for anything. I am on there constantly. When I start with a song, and if it seems like I can handle it, I print it out and it goes in a binder for all time. I have a couple 3" binders that are full now, and need to start my 3rd.

And as for finishing your lessons.... Don't make me come in there young man or you will be sorry!!

Pro-tip: I cut & paste and re-arrange the parts and save as a pic file, and just load them up on my computer when I wanna play. Ya, UG is the shizzle!

I need some butt-kicking. I'm an old man so the shame is doubled LOL.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

They probably could have back then, but that would have meant time off work. 2 little ones and bills to pay determined that answer for me. I recently (August) saw a hand specialist, since I had picked up the guitar again. He told me that he could try, but it may be better just to cut it off. Seriously. I haven't taken the time to get a second opinion yet....

JFC....ya, for sure a 2nd opinion is in order!

GL bro!

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by tranquility

JFC....ya, for sure a 2nd opinion is in order!

GL bro!

Reading your post again...to add, what kinda response is that from a "specialist"??? LOL oh man... They are supposed to give you BETTER solutions, not like you asked some lumberjack from the 1800s on how to fix your hand Wowsers.....

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Reading your post again...to add, what kinda response is that from a "specialist"??? LOL oh man... They are supposed to give you BETTER solutions, not like you asked some lumberjack from the 1800s on how to fix your hand Wowsers.....

Wowsers is right! I won't be returning....

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

My right hand (picking) works great, and has full flexibility. My left hand, not so much. My pinky is jacked up, and does not extend any further than in the picture. It makes it impossible to cover some chords, and even worse when trying to play individual notes that are stretched up and down the neck. Makes for some improvising! I shot it with a nail gun about 30 years ago, and it never came back to full function.

Just some inspiration: Django only hat two fretting fingers but his gypsy jazz can get pretty advanced

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Just some inspiration: Django only hat two fretting fingers but his gypsy jazz can get pretty advanced

Thank you!

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

My right hand (picking) works great, and has full flexibility. My left hand, not so much. My pinky is jacked up, and does not extend any further than in the picture. It makes it impossible to cover some chords, and even worse when trying to play individual notes that are stretched up and down the neck. Makes for some improvising! I shot it with a nail gun about 30 years ago, and it never came back to full function.

EDIT: I posted this response before I saw that somebody had already responded with a comment about Django Reinhardt. I'm leaving my response instead of deleting to emphasize what a great player he was in spite of his limitations.



Sorry about your little finger.

When I was learning to play back in the '60s, my jazz guitar teacher told me about Django Reinhardt, a famous guitarist from the many years ago who only had two good fingers. His ring finger and his pinky finger were damaged in a fire and they no longer functional. He improvised because of his injured fingers and it resulted in a sound like no other.

Check out this rare video of him playing with just two fingers and a thumb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ308aOOX04

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Ultimate Guitar is the best subscription that I have for anything. I am on there constantly. When I start with a song, and if it seems like I can handle it, I print it out and it goes in a binder for all time. I have a couple 3" binders that are full now, and need to start my 3rd.

And as for finishing your lessons.... Don't make me come in there young man or you will be sorry!!

I haven't touched my guitars very much at all the last 18 months which is a shame since I have some really cool ones.

Is Ultimate-Guitar better than Songsterr? When I used to play a lot more years ago Ultimate-Guitar was pretty decent. But it seemed as time went buy more and more stuff went behind the paywall.

Songsterr you can still see the tabs and play along, but the subscription gets you stuff like being able to slow down the speed, change the pitch so you don't have to retune, etc.

But I have one in E standard, one in Eb, one in D standard. Then an 8 string in F# standard. Also have one my dad's bass guitars, but I don't like it as much as his old P-bass or Jazz bass.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

I haven't touched my guitars very much at all the last 18 months which is a shame since I have some really cool ones.

Is Ultimate-Guitar better than Songsterr? When I used to play a lot more years ago Ultimate-Guitar was pretty decent. But it seemed as time went buy more and more stuff went behind the paywall.

Songsterr you can still see the tabs and play along, but the subscription gets you stuff like being able to slow down the speed, change the pitch so you don't have to retune, etc.

But I have one in E standard, one in Eb, one in D standard. Then an 8 string in F# standard. Also have one my dad's bass guitars, but I don't like it as much as his old P-bass or Jazz bass.

I never heard of Songsterr and I don't have a sub for UG, I think it's already great getting access to the free tabs and there are lots of nice/talented contributors so you can almost always find the song you wanna play. Depends what you wanna do, I don't play along to graphics, I just wanna piece together a one page tab and then play on my own.

[///MPhatic]

I've been considering learning this lately, but it's so much work lol

https://youtube.com/shorts/CHzXqB9p3No?feature=share