10 Questions We Ask Everyone

Bolters · August 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
I convinced my Mum I just had to have a red strat. I can't remember the brand. It may have been an Argos job.
I do remember it was horrible. Maybe '93 or '94.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
1965 Fender Stratocaster

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1961 Gibson ES175

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Trying to convince the missus I just have to have a '56 Les Paul Custom.

5: What strings do you use?
Not overly picky. Elixir or Daddario. 11 to whatever. Rotosounds were nice but I keep snapping them and I like pure nickel strings on occasion.

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

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
trying not to think about going onstage.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Victory beers.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
I used to lock up. Stage fright. Alcohol was the only answer for years

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Play with other musicians as much as possible.
And whatever you do don't sell that Tyler Psychedelic Vomit, you won't find one like it again.

Benm39 · August 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Hohner SG Lion, I believe it was an 18th birthday present from my folks about 30 years ago.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
ESP LTD BK600 - the only electric I own currently

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
See above - although I have an Epiphone acoustic it's technically not mine and I'm just looking after it.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Either a decent valve amp I can play at home volumes; a Power Station attenuator to enable that; a 'silent' modelling set-up such as Helix; or to start putting together a pedalboard in which case which pedal first? - or all of the above - help me decide!?!

5: What strings do you use? Ernie Ball Slinky 10s currently though am interested in the Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom sets for drop-tuning stuff... D'Addario Phosphor Bronze on jumbo acoustic.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Have never recorded myself playing guitar (yet).

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I don't play onstage but if I did - wondering how I got there.

8: ...And five minutes after?
see above - wondering how I get off again!

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
finding myself onstage would likely be that thing.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
As Frank Zappa said 'shut up and play yer guitar'...
practice more, play with others.

Fento · August 2019

Right! here we go!

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
An old Axe start style in grey. probably about 1993.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
ESP ltd V250

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Samick Artist series flying v

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Hopefully a LTD EC 1000 in see through cherry

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball Hybrid slinky, 9-46. Or if im tuned in D 10-52.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Never let the drummer mix it

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I used to do basic scales to warm up

8: ...And five minutes after?
Clean the guitar and have a beer

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Snapped the jack plug in my guitar! Didn't realise until the song had finished

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Never give up.

MojoBro · September 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
It was an 'Axe' branded strat copy bought mail order as part of a starter kit, just like this one. Not sure of the exact date but I reckon probably 1988, persuaded my mum to get it for me while dad was away on a military deployment, emotional blackmail may have been involved!

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My 1999 Epiphone Sheraton, but it's a very tough choice. I would probably die from smoke inhalation while trying to decide!

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

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Interface.

5: What strings do you use?
Always D'Addario. EXL110 Nickel Wound 10-46 on electrics, EJ16 Phosphor Bronze 12 - 53 on acoustics, EXL170 Nickel Round Wound 45 - 100 on bass.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Never done a studio recording but the monthly jam nights I play at are recorded for YouTube. Nothing stands out as needing to change but I've been told I could afford to smile a bit more!

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Current live play is just at the aforementioned jam nights so usually just enjoying the music and chatting with fellow jammers.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Enjoying the music and chatting with fellow jammers, the mental dissection comes later!

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Nothing major but I've had a couple of songs called that I had never heard and had no idea how to play. As long as I can suss out the key I usually just throw something together based on what everyone else is doing but if in real doubt I just sit that section out and don't play anything!

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Knowing some basic theory will help no end in developing your own sound, so don't resist it. Copying from tabs or playing by ear without thinking about 'why' things are played will only get you so far.

MojoBro · September 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
An 'Axe' branded strat copy in black, just like this one, bought through mail order as part of a starter set. I talked my mum into buying it for me while dad was away on a military deployment, emotional blackmail may have been involved! Can't confirm the exact date but I reckon it was probably 1987.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Very tough choice but I'd most likely settle on my 1999 Epiphone Sheraton. I would probably die from smoke inhalation while tying to make my mind up!

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

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB interface

5: What strings do you use?
Always D'Addario.
EXL110 Nickel Wound on Electric, 10 - 46
EJ16 Phosphor Bronze on Acoustic, 12 - 53
EXL170 Nickel Round Wound on Bass, 45 - 100

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I haven't done any studio recording yet, but the regular jam night I attend is filmed for YouTube. Nothing springs to mind that I'd be desperate to change but I have been told it wouldn't hurt to smile a bit more!

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
My only live performing at the moment is at the aforementioned Jam Night, so enjoying the music and chatting to fellow jammers.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Enjoying the music and chatting to fellow jammers, the self analysis comes later!

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Nothing major, although I have had a couple of songs called that I have never heard and had no clue how to play. I normally just try to work out the key then listen in and throw something together based on what everyone else is doing, but if in real doubt I just sit that section out and don't play anything!

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
A bit of basic theory knowledge will help you to establish your own sound a lot quicker, so don't resist it! Copying from tabs or playing by ear will let you play the tunes but knowing why things are played the way they are will open a whole world of opportunity and make you a fully rounded player.

Aornic · September 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A distant cousin gave me a beat up acoustic with two missing strings that he had discarded. It had a small hole in the back.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My 2004 Fender Custom Shop 1956 Stratocaster.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A majority of my guitars were built a few years apart from one another in the early to mid 2000's. I'd say my Custom Shop Strat, a 2004.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Fender '65 Princeton Reverb Re-Issue.

5: What strings do you use?
I generally use Ernie Ball Regular Slinkies 10-46. On my acoustic, Elixirs.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Nothing I've recorded has been "released" so I can change up anything still.

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

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

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

I solo played Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer while, accidentally, having the Digitech Drop pedal downtuning the entire song to D Standard. My stage fright and nerves made me not notice this happening, although the latency effect of the pedal was causing me to mess up because I was playing without thinking it was on and, therefore, not compensating for that.

This literally happened last night.

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

Try and learn some theory, it might be easier to remember while you're younger. Get into varied styles of guitar instead of focusing on metal. Maybe get an Ibanez JEM instead of an ESP KH-2 in 2007, for the single coil options as well as the hot lead-loving pickups.

SteppedOut · September 2019

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

Vintage V100 Icon Distressed Lemon drop

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Vintage V100 Icon Distressed Lemon drop

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Vintage V100 Icon Distressed Lemon drop

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

Echo/Delay pedal/Headphones.

5: What strings do you use?
GHS Boomers Red 10.5-52

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I've never recorded anything.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I've never been on stage.

8: ...And five minutes after?

N/A

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

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

Stop making excuses as to why you can't play and start finding a way to actually play.

rjb2679 · September 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Kimbara strat copy - my dad bought it for me when I was 10-12 years old at end of 80's/early 90's when he took up guitar, sold it in my early/mid twenties to pay for rent, gutted I did that! Couldn't get my head around the books teachings early on before the internet (still can't), so didn't take up guitar properly until mid 30's 4/5 years ago but learning chords and songs so much easier with youtube nowadays!

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Cheap Westfield acoustic, only have one acou & one elec and my dad gave me that one - still guilty I sold the Kimbara I guess.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Given both my guitars at pretty much same time so don't know, 10/12 year health probs limit my work and don't have the disposable income to buy anything expensive like good/old guitars unfortunately!

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Been eyeing up the Honeyburst Harley Benton Les Paul copies for some time, sexy guitars!

5: What strings do you use?
Whatever I can afford, usually an ebay Fender nickel set or similar acoustic ones.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Consider myself a noob going into intermediate so not done any yet.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
As above, don't fancy gigging, just making some music for things like youtube that people might like. Probably drink heavily though!

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

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

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Only that it's a good hobby at the least so "perseverance my son!"

jeroenvanhulsteijn · September 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Raimundo classical guitar. Got it after 3 years music lessons. I was 10-11 yo I think. Present from my parents. Played very light.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My MM Masterhand archtop.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
MM Masterhand archtop from Sweden. Previous owner said it soinds close to a Guild. I don't know. It is from the fifties or sixties. Doesn't play that well. Crappy refret and flimsy tuners. With flatwounds ot has a very nice harp like vowl to it.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Most likely some effects pedal just for the sake of buying, trying, selling, try something else again.

5: What strings do you use?
Usually from webstrings.com Bit now I have a set of DR Zebras I'd like to try.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Not to much. Just try to show we are having fun.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Say a small prayer. But haven't done stages for ages. Just really small things. Most emotional one was a few years ago when I played an acoustic instrumental interpretation of Jeff Buckleys version of Hallelujah during the memorial service of my grandmother.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Give thanks that all went well.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
In church during a service around Christmas, they shut down electricity so that the candles were visible. To bad I was playing through my electrified Fender Bassman 70. Afterwards I was asked why I played so softly.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Enjoy, explore. Listen to your own ears.

Playit · September 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
(Fender) Squire Showmaster. An odd reverse-headstock, entry-level Fender, circa 2006

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My 2004 Fender 51 Reissue tele-style bass (sorry trusty Mexican Fender Jazz 2011!)

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
It'd be the 2004 Fender 51 Reissue tele-bass. What a beauty!

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
MarkBass Traveller series cab(s)! Desperately need to free up some space in the car / apartment!

5: What strings do you use?
Bass: Newtone Light/Medium gauge (look them up, they're amazing) Guitar: Ernie Ball or D'addario 10's

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Stop playing so many notes and remember the art of subtlety. Not everyone wants to hear your inane noodling.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Trying to remember why I accepted a dep gig an hour from home, with three days notice to learn over an hour of original material, alongside working full time and running my own business. Also, trying to remember the chords to the fifth song...

8: ...And five minutes after?
Remembering that nothing can beat the joy of playing on-stage with some great musicians! Also, drinking.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Forgetting (and consequently ruining) the super-climatic finish to a super-short showcase gig for a brand new band, in front of some of the country's biggest live agents... that was pretty awful!

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't compare yourself to others. People might be "better" than you now, but practice your scales, enjoy your playing, then one day, without realising, you'll have overtaken them.

Oh, and check out our website

http://playitpresents.com

Rich210 · October 2019

First guitar was a shitty encore Stratocaster that never kept tune.

If my house was burning down I'd die deciding which to save... probably go with my CIJ jazzmaster...I can't comment on the Doheny V12 yet, it's early days...

My oldest guitar is a 97 cij jazzmaster

I've just acquired a Doheny V12, after then probably a cool dumble style stomp box

I use 10's not fussy about brand

Recordings wise I wouldn't change a thing, looking at diy sound panels for the studio though

Shots

Not really played guitar onstage but I saved a turntable when my wasted friend smashed into them when I was mixing at a house party...styled that one out!

Younger rich "learn the drums and bass and make your own tunes, produce produce produce"

Devc · November 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Second hand pink Hohner strat copy, for passing my 'O levels' in 1987. Awful intonation and constantly going out of tune, but managed a few gigs with it (not sure how!)

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My 1989 Gun metal blue Fender US telecaster.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A Gibson ES369, bought with the proceeds of a Boot-sale success with a Zenith archtop guitar which I then part exchanged for the Gibson. Think it's a 1981 guitar.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Rickenbacker 620

5: What strings do you use?
Rotosound orange or Ernie Ball skinny top heavy bottoms on my electrics. Always Martins on my acoustics.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
2 very slightly out of time chords!!!!

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
Loving life!

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

Hitting the tuner pedal instead of the overdrive. Instant guitar cut-out.

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

Put more effort into getting the music heard by more people. Don't get a normal job!

Rich31k · November 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
2017 Gibson Les Paul Studio Ebony - eBay.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Gibson Les Paul Standard 2019 - on value alone.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
2015 Taylor 114CE.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Probably a telecaster - but I have to become better at playing before I buy anything else.

5: What strings do you use?
Elixir Nano - but only because the guitarists in a music shop I worked in a long time ago used them.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I haven't recorded anything on guitar, but used to play drums fairly seriously. Plenty of that band's recordings could do with a bit of work!

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I haven't gigged in probably 12 years - and that was on drums. I'd be checking all my sticks were where I needed them and making sure I could find my earplugs.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Sweating profusely.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Playing Timpani in an orchestra, miscounting and getting my very loud entry in completely the wrong place... Still cringe about this.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
I still consider myself young - but when I flirted with playing 15 years ago, I'd say - have lessons and practice.

Creed_Clicks · November 2019

Never did this, so here goes...

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Satellite electric my uncle gave to me. I think it was a short scale or a smaller size, non full size electric. It was ugly and stupidly I mislaid it many years ago.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
None. I don't own any high end gear so everything is replaceable. Maybe a Jazzmaster I got put together if it came to it, but I am not really attached to any gear I own, which is probably why I´m constantly selling stuff! I´d probably grab the Red Panda Particle pedal.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
My baritone, which is only a few years old. A partscaster-

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Maybe a nice acoustic down the line, but not looking for anything.

5: What strings do you use?
For electric, dáddarios or Ernie Ball, and Martin for acoustic usually. Again, not precious about strings.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Some I´d like to have not recorded in the first place!

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
(Not gigged for a while) Nothing, checking my phone maybe, or taking it easy.

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

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

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Listen to as much music as possible, as many genres as you can.

landychris · November 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Strat style guitar I built 28 years ago from a Practical Electronics magazine plan

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My, my, I'm not sure I could choose.... probably my classical as I'd loose the amps etc in the fire by the looks of it

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
See Q1

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
The next guitar I build

5: What strings do you use?
slinky's

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

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
no gigging for me!

8: ...And five minutes after?
N/A

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

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
keep practising and have fun with it

6G6 · November 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Japanese Fender strat, high school

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

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

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Will be an amp, again..

5: What strings do you use?
Fender

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
One too pushed legato phrase

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Wash my hands maybe?

8: ...And five minutes after?
Cheers

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
The usual, broken string on a floyd rose guitar!

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Sort that truss rod!

les287 · November 2019

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

audition semi acoustic (for xmas when I was 9)

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

Patrick eggle new wave

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

1981 westone thunder 2

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

another prs

5: What strings do you use?

d'adario 9's & 10's

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

to actually learn how to use a daw properly

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

trying to calm down

8: ...And five minutes after?

mopping up my sweat.

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

bolloxed up a piss easy solo in front of my mates (who also play)

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

don't try to be a flash fucker (1,000,000 notes a second), less is more, learn how to say more with just a few notes.

GrislyFind · November 2019

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

Axe guitar from Kerranng!! magazine 1988.

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

Surf green partscaster tele.

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

Early/Mid 90s Yamaha acoustic

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

Fender Road Worn telecaster or wah/envelope filter pedal

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball 9s, 10s and Hybrid Slinky depending on the guitar.

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

Slow down

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

Don't do much live stuff now but if I were, I'd be enjoying the buzz.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Enjoying the buzz.

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

Dropped my new Charvel V. Learned the hard way about strap lock washers...

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

Learn CAGED as soon as possible. Aim for melody.

DLM · November 2019

@GrislyFind Love the handle!

\m/

Tone-Chaser · December 2019

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it? Nylon string acoustic from Argos.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save? My only guitar my 91-92 Mex Strat.

  3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own? Fender Stratocaster (Mex) 91-92.

  4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire? Fender Princeton Reverb 65/68 RI or a Fender Champ.

  5: What strings do you use? Fender 10-52.

  6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be? Only really recorded myself on my iphone to see how bad I sound...but it's improving.

  7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage? Never performed.

8: ...And five minutes after? Same as above.

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

  10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar? Stop making excuses. Stop blaming others. Practice more and be kind to yourself about it.

the_butler · January 2020

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Tanglewood star LP copy (early 90's?)

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

I'd die from smoke inhalation trying choose, between my LP (guitar I put most hours into) Gretsch Falcon (guitar I always wanted but rarely use) & Taylor (nicest guitar I own)

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1977 White Falcon

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
AC15 or a dobro

5: What strings do you use?
Generally ernie ball on electric & rotosound contact core on acoustic

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
N/A rarely record

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Not played live for years but realising I didnt actually enjoy it

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

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Nothing too terrible fortunately, being out of tune probably

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Too many things to list I guess
Learn the major scale inside out & backwards & how to harmonise it
Be the best rhythm player you can be & everyone else falls into place
Every hour of practice should be complimented by 2 hours of playing, along with records

RedIain · January 2020

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
G&L Tribute ASAT bluesboy, got it around August 2018

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Lucille, not sure of the year!

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

Looper pedal.

5: What strings do you use?
The ones that came with the guitars.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
That I'd be good enough to be recorded

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Falling asleep, because it'll only be in my dreams.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Wakening up.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Tell after I've been onstage.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Just buy the guitar and start learning!

Keefy · January 2020

REVISITED 3 YEARS ON:

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
The first guitar I actually owned was a Kent (and it was), a cheap £25 acoustic from a junk shop. I must have been keen because it didn't put me off from learning.

Obviously no change there!

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
I would burn with it while I tried to decide between the Gretsch Duo Jet and the Gibson CS336.

Still got both but it's got to be the Duo Jet.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
It's a bass - my 1973 Fender Precision.

Still have it, still the oldest.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A 5E3 (Tweed Deluxe) style amp - if you are selling one, PM me!

I built one from a kit plus the cab/speaker of someone else's disastrous build. Used it a fair bit at jams and small gigs. It does its thing and does it well. Just about to fit an HT fuse in place of the Standby switch, and ordered an Eminence Legend 1258 speaker to replace the Peavey Sheffield 1230 that came with the cab.

Thinking of getting another pair of 6V6 valves to put in my Princeton Reverb.

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball Slinkies. The gauge varies a bit according to the guitar.

After a a year or so with GHS Nickel Rockers I am now enjoying Elixir Optiweb 10s.

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

A track I built up for a friend to demo his song. The lead tone stinks, but that I recorded it before the Revival Drive existed!

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Looking at my watch, maybe doing vocal warm-ups.

And tuning up. Again.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Getting changed back into my street clothes.

No change there.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Bad things don't often happen to me, least of all on stage.

Still nothing terrible to report.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Get a decent valve amp as soon as you can afford one.

I'd still say the same thing.

Otis57 · January 2020

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Hokada Classical - that and the accompanying classical guitar lessons lasted a couple of months before a mexi strat and Normal Guitar Lessons for Normal People.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Gibson ES-335

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Mid 90s mexi Squier Strat

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Literally nothing on the radar for the next few years TBH - unless something important breaks. Everything except the really cherished stuff is up for sale.

5: What strings do you use?
D'add 10's on electric, D'add phosphor bronze 12's on acoustic

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Probably used less reverb and made the vocal louder.

7: What are you doing five minutes

Martin-C · January 2020

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
My very first guitar was a nylon strung Spanish model, bought for £19.20 by my mum in Southport, January 1980.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
That's a tough one. Probably my Patrick Eggle LA Pro.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1985 Ibanez Roadstar

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I could do with a decent recording pre-amp and I'll be asking Fretboarders for any advice they can give. I currently have a Vox Tonelab SE so it's time I moved into the modern age!

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Don't discard the first take so quickly.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Haven't played a gig in years but, back in the days when London had venues like the Bull and Gate, I'd probably be checking my tuning for the 20th time.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Getting our gear out of the way so that the next band could set up.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
I had a guitar that didn't have a strap lock and so it was just the end of the strap slotted over the strap button. We were doing a song that ended with the tempo gradually getting slower and the volume reducing, whilst our singer did the same, holding on some long notes for a rapt audience Right at the very end, strap and guitar become detached from each other, resulting in me loudly exclaiming "Sh*t" whilst trying to prevent my instrument from going south. I can still hear the derisive laughter now...

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't get caught up in trying to imitate others, concentrate on being you.
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Indiee · March 2020

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
I can't remember any more... was a cheap electric guitar...

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

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

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

5: What strings do you use?
Regular Slinky

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
still struggle to record guitars well

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
another beer

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Open mic night and hadn't memorised the song, and too dark to read lyrics I printed out...

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
learn your damn scales!

Stratavarious · March 2020

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Hondo II Les Paul around 1980

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My trusty old Patrick Eggle LA

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1963 Casino

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

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I was called in to do a country style part for an Xmas song. I channeled some Disney snow white rather than snow as in Xmas.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Tuning and fiddling with the auxes

8: ...And five minutes after?
Locating a late opening kebab shop on google maps

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

Nearly erased it from memory but it involved a golf club gig and a sequencer

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

Watch the girls more than your fretting hand

Lewy · April 2020

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

Fender Gemini II acoustic bought around ‘92

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

Martin D28 37 Authentic

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

A 50s Silvertone Stratotone

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

Some sort of FRFR amplification

5: What strings do you use?

Acoustic - D’Addario NB 13-56, Electric D’Addario NYXL 10-46

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

My faux-gravelly singing in my first CD. I find it too cringe to listen to (or promote) nowadays.

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

Texting my wife to say how I feel guilty about leaving her to deal with the kids while I’m out gadding about playing

8: ...And five minutes after?

Same

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

Mustang Sally, I’d say.

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

Don’t waste time learning what you think you ought to, just learn to play what you like and follow your tastes. There’s so much pressure to be a musical encyclopaedia these days. Chances are your heroes weren’t.

wwdrew · April 2020

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

Aside from using my brother's, the first one I actually bought with my own actual money was an Ibanez whose model I can't remember. It was really nice, but the neck was a touch wide for my liking and I absolutely hated its floating tremolo (though I now want another guitar with one, of course).

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

Probably my Epiphone Les Paul. I bought it about a year after I moved to the UK and it's the one I play the most.

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

That Les Paul.

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

I was eyeing off one of those Squier Starcasters a month or two ago. In the end I bought something else, but I'd still really love to have a go on one.

5: What strings do you use?

Usually standard D'Addario's, but I'm experimenting with different gauges at the moment and currently playing RotoSound 10s, light top heavy bottom (10, 13, 17, 30, 42, 52). I don't like how floppy the top strings go on standards, especially when drop-tuning, and so far I'm really happy with these ones.

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

To have it exist

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

My last gig? Downing a pint of cider.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Wishing I hadn't downed that pint of cider as I messed up one of the songs.

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

Completely messing up the bassline to song mentioned in Q8.

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

Practice practice practice. And then practice some more. And then, when you're done, trying practicing.

6StringStrummer · April 2020

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

80s no name acoustic

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

My Gibson Les Paul

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

Tokai ES120 2002

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

Keeping the gear I have will do me for now.

5: What strings do you use?

10s

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

Get good enough to make one

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

When it happens..... grinning

8: ...And five minutes after?

Going on again

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

Nothing yet.

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

Practice more

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