10 Questions We Ask Everyone

nickmew · May 2018

Ok, let's give this a go
1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
An early 80s Tokai Strat, which I got secondhand when I was about 15. About a year later I got bored of it and did some punk style modifications. It now has no lower horn - more like the bottom half of a Vox teardrop, a truncated upper horn and all sorts of grafitti type paint jobs. That was over 30 years ago when people hadn't quite realised how good they were.' I've still got it and although it ain't worth much due to my ''thoughtful' mods it's great and I still use it on stage

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Hmm. That's like asking which of your children do you save. Probably the Tokai Strat, as although it may be the least valuable it's the least replaceable. And I've got insurance for the rest.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A 1968 Gibson Dove that I only got a month ago. Been looking for another acoustic to compliment my mahogany Martin for a while and kinda stumbled across it, or it found me. One strum and I knew I was taking it home

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Probably a Strymon Riverside or Sunset to simplify my pedalboard.

5: What strings do you use?
Elixirs generally, gauge depends on the guitar. I play bass as well and tend to use La Bellas for the basses.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Nothing. Everything. There are a thousand things you always want to change, there's never a perfect take, and as I produce for others I've learnt to be able to move on and focus on feel. Try your best to perfect it but if every little thing gets scrubbed and cleaned like a kid going to see the queen you loose the character.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Sounds dull, but making sure everything is in tune . I seem to be the band roadie for one of the bands I'm in

8: ...And five minutes after?
see above. Still unplugging shit. Ten minutes after generally at the bar.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
More of a band worst gig thing than just me. 20 odd years ago playing at a university ball, we were last on at something like 1am and they gave us a green room with a piano and a crate of beer after we'd arrive for a soundcheck at 2 in the afternoon.
So obviously we drank a bit more than we should have, but the main problem was by the time we went on we were knackered., so decided to go at it super-energetic and bouncy to stay awake. We'd forgotten from the soundcheck that the stage appeared to be made out of trampolines so this made the whole drunken debacle even more precarious. The bass player clanged his headstock against a monitor halfway through the first song and couldn't stay in tune the rest of the gig, the drummer said afterwards every time he did a roll or reached for a cymbal it wasn't there anymore due to the bounce, and all the while I was corpsing in fits of giggles.
It didn't help that the hall suddenly emptied just before we came on apart from a few people fighting with giant pugilsticks (if anyone remembers Gladiators) and headbangers with there heads virtually inside the PA cabs.
We later learned from a news report that the hall had emptied due to some people having sex on the pool tables next door and everyone wanting to see it.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Play more with other people and less by yourself.

That_Lionel · May 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

A Tanglewood Strat copy. Bought for me by my gran for my birthday in 1990.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

My 1992 MIJ Jackson Rhoads.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?

Aforementioned Tanglewood Strat copy.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?

A USA Select Jackson RR1.

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball 09 - 46 and D'Adarrio 10 - 52, depending on the guitar

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?

The entire mix of an old band's first album. And the second one.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?

Usually trying to remember how our songs go...

8: ...And five minutes after?

Protecting my gear from murderers.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?

Playing an indoor gig in a heatwave. 30-odd degrees outside, even hotter inside, absolutely unbearable on-stage under the lights. Was a little "irritable". Singer / bassist hit me on the head with the headstock of his bass. I pushed him away. He stumbled. He fell. Right through the drum kit...

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?

Just relax. No-one gives a ****

tonybeepbeep · May 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

Hohner jumbo acoustic at the age of 12/13 and first electric was a black CSL super strat at 15

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

My old Shaftesbury SG copy that I traded in for crappy Yamaha back in 94 or so

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?

Was a Charvette 270 that got given away as I'd stashed it in my mum's old house

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?

KMA Wurm pedal

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball Not Even Slinkys

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?

Use the 5150 that was suggested as opposed to the Zoom 9150 I was rocking

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?

Normally having a dump

8: ...And five minutes after?

Wishing I was still up there on stage

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?

Had a migraine before a gig and was bending down to relieve some pressure when the end of the newly wound B string went into the white of my left eye. The migraine had affected the vision in my right eye, so I basically played the gig blind and partially deaf...

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?

Learn some f'ing scales young man

Bebopper · May 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Yamaha SA500 in about 2008. Black semi-hollow with art-deco f-holes. Nice guitar. Should have kept it around for longer.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Moffa Maryan archtop.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
See Q2. Ordered by me in January 2011 and completed in November 2012.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Hahn Model C telecaster

5: What strings do you use?
Thomstik Swing flatwounds, 13-52

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Have not yet recorded.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Stretching out hands and some mental focus/relaxaton exercises.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Criticising my own playing, even if others felt I played well.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Guitar and strap parting company.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Prioritise learning tunes!

Adetuono · June 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Teisco SS4L, which I bought for £15 (complete with amp) in 1972. I had no idea what it was until I saw an article on Ry Cooder, who was playing one, about 10 years ago. Still got it, but it's in a sorry state.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Gibson Roxy/Zappa SG

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The Teisco SS4L

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A selection of old-style FX pedals. I can't get on with multi-FX; Helix will be in the classifieds forthwith.

5: What strings do you use?
Probably Ernie Ball; I like the colours...

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Never recorded anything

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I don't play in public

8: ...And five minutes after?
See 7:

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
See 7:

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Give up; you'll never be any good!

Arjailer · June 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

First guitar I played (when I was 14 or 15) was a cheap LP shaped japanese thing of my dad's. No idea what make it was. Had an unusual sound, probably 'cos my dad had been messing with the electronics.

First guitar I owned was this custom made pointy monster my dad made for me when he broke his ankle - he was off work for a few months so decided to use the time to build a guitar. I seem to remember being officially given it for my 16th birthday, so late 1987. Loved it at the time, but find it difficult to play these days - neck is quite narrow and I struggle to get on with trems these days.

Image: http://www.azrael.uk/memorabilia/large/Glasgow%20Rehearsal.3.jpg

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

The aforementioned custom made pointy beast - genuinely irreplaceable.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?

The pointy monster, coming up on 31 years old now.

I have a Hohner B-Bass that's around 28-ish years old, but nothing else I own is older than 10.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?

Thinking about a wireless rig, but not sure it's actually worth it for the size of venues we normally play.

5: What strings do you use?

D'Addario EXL 125. They're 9-46 hybrids - I like the slightly thicker wound strings for drop-D tuning.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?

Haven't recorded properly for 25+ years ... and there's plenty of things that could be improved on those recordings :-)

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?

Probably chatting to the other guitarist trying to keep both of us calm - wondering when we're going to start.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Chatting to the band about how the gig went - putting off packing up for a few minutes.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?

Had one gig 20 years ago where the singer was too drunk to remember the songs - that wasn't fun and ended that band. But otherwise nothing too drastic has ever really happened.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?

Don't be so afraid of shredding - I never did learn to shred, which is sad for a metal-head.

thecolourbox · July 2018

Realised I've never done this and I'm bored, so...

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A "Star Sound" strat shaped thing in sunburst, from the now defunct guitar shop named Netto! I was about 17 I guess. It was alright after a set up, before that the intonation was abysmal. I was already quite musical having done my grade 8 piano and theory the year before so although I wasn't that good at playing it, I could tell it needed a set up!

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
I've a white Reso Glass kit made by Wez of this parish which means a lot to me, it's beautiful visually and plays wonderfully but it has a lot of sentimental value to me as well as it was partially with money from my nan (who's no longer with us) that I bought it as she encouraged me a lot with my music.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Another resoglass kit guitar bought off ebay, in red. Not as good as the white one but gets more playing time on it because it's a bit more rough and ready and therefore dispensable.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
An amp to replace my very disappointing Princeton Reverb.

5: What strings do you use?
For electric, usually Slinky Fat Bottom Skinny Tops. For acoustic I like Silk and Steel folk strings.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
On any recording of me singing I've ever done, I'd like a different singer.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I sit quietly away from the chaos and do breathing exercises, effectively a sort of quick meditation. Unless I'm fiddling about with cables and amplifiers of course.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Same as the answer to number 7 pretty much, I don't hang around.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
I had no monitor at a performance at a Vintage Fashion & Craft fair so couldn't hear what we were playing, the only way to hear it was to turn the PA up so high that it deafened the entire hall. It wasn't great.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Stick to piano, and learn to sing instead.

meep-meep · July 2018

thatbliss said:

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Peavy Predator I think, 3 a side headstock and strat style bridge and pickups. Quite a nice little guitar actually. My dad surprised me with it 10 years ago.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My bastard tele and my acoustic. Though I'd run back to get my SG if I could.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
No oldies any more, probably my 04 mexican tele.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Got a Mexican strat on the way, though I'm planning a purge and treating myself to a RI Coronado.

5: What strings do you use?
D'addario 11s on everything. Acoustic is strung with Elixer 12s. Been on it for about 3 years now...

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
More time spent on the vocals of my last recording, had the flu and knocked them out in two takes. I'm not hugely proud of my voice on there.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Pooing. I get nervous shits. Other than that drinking lots of water and taking the piss out of the bassist/warming up my voice.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Usually found outside trying to cool down. I've never finished a gig not being hot and sweaty

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Nothing bad playing wise luckily enough. There's nothing worse than playing your little heart out to an audience comprised of the other band, sound guy and your mate Joe.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Learn more theory, practice loads, don't be afraid to sing and play- it's not that bad, learn what those squiggly things on lined paper mean and learn how to play the drums properly.

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

Squire Strat, black and white from Argos. I broke the high-E string in half an hour and the paint started to peel the next day. This was sometime around '96 I think.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

The Nik Huber Orca '59. I'd pay to replace all the other stuff... and most of the building.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?

The Orca probably, it's from 2013 if I remember right.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?

A strymon pedal. Really I want the reverb and the delay but... it might make my head explode.

5: What strings do you use?

Elixir Nano. Can't fault them and they hold up way beyond their price tag.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?

Oh there's way too much. I tend to have to look at the output in terms of the good rather than trying to fix the bad.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?

Pacing, letting the adrenaline course and find it's place.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Running around in circles, wrestling people in an effort to expend the energy.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?

Realising that someone had knocked the tuning when they carried the guitar over to me.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?

Listen more and play less.

meep-meep · July 2018

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

My 1992 MIJ Jackson Rhoads.

I played one of these back in 2008. A friend had one and they were from around that time. Ebony fretboard. Played like a dream but the electronics were a little screwed. Wish I'd bought it off him.

LeeJFranklin · August 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

A 3/4 size, nylon string, acoustic in 1992.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

My Strat

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?

Ibanez J-Custom

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?

UA Ox Box

5: What strings do you use?

Elixir, all round!

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?

I genuinely wouldn't change a thing.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?

Tuning up.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Packing everything down... quickly.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?

A pint of Guinness meeting my pedalboard.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?

It's not all about how fast you can play to the metronome.

BD56 · August 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A second-hand Hofner semi-acoustic in 1970. My mum and Dad bought me it for Xmas - I had asked for a bass guitar.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My Tokai LS200.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
As above - 1994?.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Strat neck - vintage spec.

5: What strings do you use?
Roto yellows and Blues Sliders (when I'm feling flush.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I wish. never felt good enough to go on stage.

8: ...And five minutes after?
See above.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
See above.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Practice, try to join a band. If the competition is too hot, switch to bass or drums.

Route66 · August 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

@Alnico has given me a beautiful Telecaster which was handbuilt by @Bridgehouse, using body & neck by @GSPBASSES - love it!

2: The building's burning down- what one guitar do you save?

Mine!

3: What's the oldest guitar you own?

Ibanez JS100 which is from 2001

4: And the next piece of gear you'd like to acquire?

Currently happy with my lot!

5:What strings do you use? - D'Addario EXL110 - 10-46

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?

I've not been recorded yet

7: what are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?

Not played live yet.

8:...And five minutes after?

have a pint!

9: What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you onstage?

waiting for that moment...

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?

should have learnt it earlier! only started learning it now at 21(ahem... )

Bob_Gnarly · August 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Crappy nylon string classical thing which was terrible.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

Patrick Eggle New York Standard 1991

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
See above

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
New low watt valve amp for gigs. Thinking Orange OR-15 or Marshall Origin 20 atm.

5: What strings do you use?
D'Addario NYXL, because I'm worth it

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I'd get the guitar parts right

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
My make-up (don't ask)

8: ...And five minutes after?
Taking my make-up off (see above)

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Been shot at

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Learn WHAT you are playing and why it works

HarryFlatters · August 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Carleton Les Paul copy, might have got it in 1997/8 or so... I still have it.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My Silverburst Epi Les Paul

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
An 80s japanese Squire Strat

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Lawd only knows. Depends on what comes up. Maybe an amp.

5: What strings do you use?
Power Slinkies on electrics, Elixer somethingorothers on my acoustic.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
That I have no recordings. Yet.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Drinking.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Drinking/load out

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?

Getting asked to play 4 more songs when you've only got 3

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't get stuck in the minor pentatonic cliche for ten years, then have to go to lessons because you're bored.

alwi · August 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Yamaha Classical 1972

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
White nitro 2002 Fender American Deluxe Strat (a.k.a. Yang)

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Black Japanese 1986 Fender Contemporary Series Strat (a.k.a. Yin)

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Amber Burst Les Paul

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball Super Slinky (9's)

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Add more guitar.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Sweating profusely.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Drinking heavily.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Forgot words....

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Learn piano instead.

CHughes · September 2018

This sounds like fun...

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A lousy nylon strung classical. Around six months later, a Cherry Red Squier Affinity series Strat.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My silverburst Gibson SG (70's tribute)

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
My Affinity Strat.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Chapman ML3 Modern

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (10's)

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I'd use actual drums, rather than a lousy sounding MIDI track

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Trying to organise my bandmates

8: ...And five minutes after?
Having a smoke and a beer.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
My nerves getting the better of me and properly screwing up my vocals.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Practice more!

cornishlee · September 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
An Encore acoustic, bought for me by my parents. I wasn't there at the time but my mum was very proud to tell me about this highly skilled luthier she'd found and what a nice guy he was. Later, of course, I found out all about Encore but I've never had the heart to tell her.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Mary, my '94 Strat.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
I guess it's that Encore acoustic.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Probably a Vox Amplug.

5: What strings do you use?
I've almost always used Hybrid Slinkys, occasionally Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms. Right now though, I have SKTBs on one guitar and Blue Boomers on the other, which are basically like Hybrid Slinkys with a 10 instead of a 9 on the top E.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I'd have kept them.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I haven't been on stage in over 20 years.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Loading the van?

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?

I think I might have been the worst thing that happened on stage - to my bandmates.

This wasn't at a normal gig but was at a school performance. I wasn't in a band at the time and two mates asked me to play bass for them (possibly the only time I've ever been the bassist in a band, I'm not sure where I got the bass from, I probably borrowed my brother's). I said I'd go along to a rehearsal and see how it went. Halfway into the first song those two mates started having a massive slanging match which turned into a room-trashing fight.The drummer (another mate) and I walked out to have a fag. And another fag. We were probably outside for about an hour, listening to them yell at eachother.

Anyway, a few weeks later, they came up and 'reminded' me that we were playing to the school that night! I'm not sure if I'd seen them since then but I certainly hadn't played with them. I turned up, plugged in - but didn't turn the amp on - dragged an armchair onto the stage, sat down, mimed playing the bass and swigged vodka (cunningly concealed in a water bottle) through the whole set. I can't believe I convinced anyone but it was their fault.

As far as normal gigs go, the odd broken string and thrown liquid. Normal stuff.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Do it because you enjoy it.

DB1 · September 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

A Columbus 335-type guitar in about 1976 - I saved up £1 a week to get it. The local music store kept it for me until I'd paid for it. In a fit of nostalgia I recently bought another one. It's terrible! :-)

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

Blimey - tough one. For value and scarcity, probably my 1956 ES-5 blonde Switchmaster. As an all-rounder, probably my ES-345.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?

A 1938 ES-150, Charlie Christian model

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?

I'm really impressed with Dan Dunham and Grez guitars, so when the piggy bank allows..

On the amp front, I'm taken with Elektra, Vintage 47, Nocturne Moonshine '39 and the Carr Sportsman

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball regular slinky's and D'Addario flatwound 11's.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?

Not so much the recording, but the pressing, so that the record wasn't warped for its first - and last - play on Radio 1! :-)

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?

I haven't played onstage for a few years, but basically panicking and drinking beer.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Same as for question 7, but without the panicking. :-)

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?

Being ignored one night by the others - I had changed jobs that day and had a bit of a 'send-off' on the Friday afternoon at the local pub. I had to be carried out of the pub and, as we were playing that night, wasn't too popular. I got through it in the end, and they couldn't sack me, as I had the only car that would take all of the gear!

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?

Play as much as you can, and keep practicing, because the things that you can't do will come with practice.

Nik · September 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Spanish nylon guitar bought for me by my parents at the behest of the locals where we lived in Nerja, Spain back in '62...

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
'52 Les Paul all-gold Goldtop...

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
'52 Les Paul all-gold Goldtop...

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Origin Effects Cali76 Limiting Amplifier (the big one, not the compact jobbie)...

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball - various depending on the guitar...

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
The effort I put in to pushing it out there... ALL of them...

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Tuning, checking, panicking...

8: ...And five minutes after?
Partying...

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Brain fart - came in loud with a chord in the wrong key...

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't expect too much, embrace everything that comes your way, practice more...

Kvaksalver · October 2018

This should be good fun!

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A nylon string with the strings about an inch off the fretboard bought for me by my parents when I was eleven, I think. Super hard to play and not really a good fit for a beginner. Didn't really get into playing until I picked up an electric again at 16

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My Ibanez AT

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Nylon string from question 1

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
An EBMM Luke

5: What strings do you use?
I've been palying D'addario 09's for years

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
That I sucked that day!

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Tuning, probably...

8: ...And five minutes after?
Get a beer!

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Small stage, monitoring was REALLY bad. Couldn't hear the singer or the bass player - lots of counting going on!

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
One note solos are absolutely acceptable - you just have to mean that note...

Tadragh1 · October 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
1994 or so, I got a Polish acoustic guitar from the communist times called Defil. It was terrible, but it was my first.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My CSL gypsy jazz guitar with an internal resonator.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
An Epiphone archtop from 1940's.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
TC Electronic Flashback Triple Delay.

5: What strings do you use?
D'Addario 11s on electric, Savarez Argentine 11s for gypsy jazz and Martin Clapton 12s for acoustic.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Phrasing.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Pacing around as I can't wait to get there.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Mingle.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
My NI Guitar Rig Kontrol pedal connected to a laptop wouldn't power up. And yes, I gigged with a laptop then. Ended up using the second channel of my friend's amp.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Learn songs, learn solos, transcribe.

Paul7926 · October 2018

Well if you ask everyone then I suppose I better try and answer.

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

Some Squire thing that I really never got on with, tried to play it only a handful of times and gave up quickly not even thinking of trying again for 20+ years

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

My current guitar. Epiphone SG Special VE, Heritage Cherry Sunburst

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?

The Epi

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?

Most useful would probably be a looper pedal, probably a TCE Ditto. I'm also starting to think about upgrading from the Epi not because I'm good enough yet to need to but because I've decided this time around I'm sticking with it and spending more on a guitar isn't going to be a waste of money.

5: What strings do you use?

D'Adarrio 10 - 46

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?

There are no recordings of me and if they were they would probably be banned by the Geneva convention.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?

Wondering what's going on because it will probably never happen.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Running for my life.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?

Never going up there.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?

Forget specs, that first guitar needs to inspire you to pick it up. If it does that it's worth it's weight in gold.

wesker123 · October 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Washburn bass guitar. I think it was 1988.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Novo Serus T

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
I don't have the washburn anymore so it's 1989 les paul studio.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A two rock amp would be nice!

5: What strings do you use?
D'Adarrio nyxl

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I don't have any recordings.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I haven't been on stage yet.

8: ...And five minutes after?
See Q7

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?
See Q7

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't take break from playing for 20 years!

Breaker86 · October 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A very cheap AXL Strat copy in a very loud and bright red. I was lucky enough to pick it up when I was just hitting 18. Back in 2003 ish?

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
There was a time when I had many a guitar I couldn't of answered that, however now I'd say my Cort TC Classic. It just surpasses all expectations I have and while it needs a touch of work it's a guitar that I constantly write with and have a connection too.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
At the moment that would be the 2007 Squier strat I recently picked up for an absolute steal for £10 at a charity shop!
Before that and going back a while I had an old 89' Fender tele plus in a very rare firestorm finish.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Strymon TimeLine, I have been GAS'ing after one for what feels like an age. That and a GCP Infatuator.

5: What strings do you use?
Elixer Optiwebs. 11-52. After changing preference from NY-XLs and Nanowebs these seem to be the happy medium between long life and snappy tone.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Probably the mixes themselves. Some of them were god awful.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Making sure I have spare cables, doing a quick pre tune and have a bottle or two of water.

8: ...And five minutes after?
The gloves are off so settling down with a beer after quickly ripping the rig down.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Not really had any thing terrible happen fortunately but I'd say after playing a song with a band that I wasn't fully invested in having my friend say "you looked depressed playing that" was certainly not too fun.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Practice and don't believe a word anyone says about not being able to play anything technical. Practice, practice, practice!

KenE · October 2018

1. What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

I was desperate for a guitar for my 11th birthday in 1955. My parents couldn't afford one, so they gave me a "do it yourself" kit. I had it built by boxing day and it was unplayable - but I persevered and three years later the father of a mate - who was a master carpenter - built guitars for the skiffle group I had formed.

2. The building burning down - what guitar would you save?

Probably my '74 Gibson L5. When my mother died in '97 she left me a few quid, so I wanted to buy the best guitar I could have had in 1955. It had to be a Gibson L5 - I couldn't afford a 55 one so compromised and bought the '74 on instead - it would have been identical (apart from the pickups, possibly?).

3. What's the oldest guitar you own?

Ah anorak alert here - its 1932 (guessing) Aristone archtop hand built by George Abbot. Acoustic, of course, guitars weren't electric in those days. And truss rods hadn't been invented..... I had traded my gorgeous (but unplayable) blond Hofner Senator for one at Ivor Mairants in 1963. I subsequently traded it and then spent ten years looking for a replacement. My replacement one had a twisted neck - I had it rebuilt.....

4. And the next piece of gear you'd like to acquire?

Doesn't work like that. I have everything - indeed more than - I will ever need. I don't do pedals and stuff - but if a hand built archtop came across my desk I might be tempted...….

5. What strings do you use?

Horses for courses - mainly super slinkys but flat wounds on my jazz boxes (and basses), 9's on my parker Flys

6. If you could change one thing about a recording you've done

Haven't done any

7. What are you doing five minutes before you go on stage?

Depends who I am playing with. Certainly making sure my guitar is in tune! Making sure my music is ready if it is a big band. With my "Eagles-type" acoustic band making sure the PA is right.

8. And five minutes after?

Relaxing, having a beer if available, but probably packing stuff away before it gets damaged or nicked.

9. What's the worst thing that has happened to you on stage?

PA Failure!

10. What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar

Persevere with all different types of playing - there's a whole world out there from pop and rock to dance bands, finger picking, flamenco, Jazz - learn to be good at them all!

merciful-evans · October 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

1970: It was a solidbody Eko with 4 pickups and a large bank of buttons for pickup combinations. It was pretty old when I got it & it had no truss rod. Dreadful old bit of junk

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

I'd grab the Ric 650 normally, but its with the luthier, so I'd save the PRS CE24 Reclaimed

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Fylde Oberon

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
a new recorder. Tascam SD card maybe.

5: What strings do you use?

electric: EB Regular slinky or Elixir Polywebs.

Classical: D'Addario Pro-Arte Classical nylon.

Archtop: D'Addario Chrome flatwound 11-50

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Change the pick I used to solo on 'It Doesnt Matter What I Sing'.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Trying to find the drummer & singer usually

8: ...And five minutes after?
Breaking down as quickly as I can

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
playing 2 bars sharp of the correct key

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Move to London & get a decent amp.

mucksavage · November 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?

1989,I saved my paper round money and bought some brandless strat copy, cant even remember the make. A year later bought a Washburn G-2v, which looks so bad now but felt like a Suhr at the time lol

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?

I'm not overly precious about guitars unless they're vintage.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Not old at all, 2006 RG 2550.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Ive only ever owned combos, would like to try some different head/cab setups

5: What strings do you use?

EB Regular slinky

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Backing them all up on dropbox only to have bandmate accidentaly delete them all just after my hard drive died

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Drinking on the rare occasion my confidence stretches that far

8: ...And five minutes after?
more drinking

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
nothing overly crazy, the usual bumbling stuff

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Play with others more...try out more guitars to understand the differences

Th4fonz · November 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
a brunswick acoustic hmm 2001

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
cs strat

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
nothing old thats worth mentioning. I did have a 1982 strat which i sold though

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Les paul and maybe blues junior or princeton 65 RI

5: What strings do you use?
For electric, daddario xl . For acoustic, daddario pb

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
the quality

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I dont gig

8: ...And five minutes after?
Large drink, I think.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
nothing i can think of

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
slow down

steven70 · November 2018

..

L0wkey · November 2018

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Along time ago it was a Pacifica tele body dual humbucker blonde body thing. Cheap and nasty, I loved it dearly.
Edited to say that I got this in 1998 ish I think.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
These days, my Frankenstein S type that I've been playing and modding for 20 years or more at this point.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The guitar I've owned the longest now is the Strat mentioned above. The oldest guitar I have is an 80s aria pro II in the garage but there is now a crack in the join between the neck and the body =(

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I have a list as long as my arm. My focus at the moment is a G2 and a chase bliss Condor (I watch TPS...)

5: What strings do you use?
D'addarrio XL110s presently, but I'm moving back up the gauges slowly.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
The last recording I made was a decade ago or more at this stage (not counting audience videos of recent gigs). Looking back I'd just burn them and pretend they never happened...

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Checking the PA/other band members gear or smoking.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Generally smoking and drinking

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Ha! In an ill conceived attempt to 'make an entrance' I once began a set standing on a table in the middle of the venue. I promptly fell off it. The gig went great after that, but still...

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Enjoy it more.

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