10 Questions We Ask Everyone

SuperSkrull · November 2021

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

My first guitar was a £12 nylon strung acoustic my old man got from the pink Bargain Pages back in 1988/89. My first "proper" guitar was maybe 6 months later. A lovely mid 80s MIJ Squire Strat, bought from a dodgy pawn shop in Brum for about £120 I think? 3-4 years later I was getting into Vai/Satriani but couldn't afford a Floral Jem, so I exchanged my Squire for a hideous, generic Jackson shred machine at the same pawn shop. Instant regret and when I went to retrieve my beloved fiesta red strat a few days later it was gone.

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

My beat-up, road-scarred, pack mule of a guitar, Martin Backpacker that I got off a roadie along with a whole heap of a shaggy dog story about it!

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

A Takemine EG116

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

I'd love to have a Strat again, but to get one with the exact spec I want, going down the Partscaster route will be much cheaper.

5: What strings do you use?

At the minute, Martin 80/20 Bronze for acoustic, D'addario XLs for Electric

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

Not gigged for about 20 years, wished we actually did record our stuff!

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

(Badly) trying to chat up girls

8: ...And five minutes after?

Doing a spinal tap and getting lost backstage

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

That one time I was allowed to do lead vocals

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

There's more to making music than just spending time on all the widdly widdly bits

RebeccaTCM · November 2021

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

A 3/4 acoustic when I was eight. My parents apologised for it when I was fifteen with a Yamaha twelve string, which my son now has and promotes at his studio as vintage

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

Ooh, that’s a tough one. Probably a Giannini I bought from a school friend when we were thirteen, because it was my first decent guitar.

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

That Giannini, 49 years old now.

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

A Fender acoustic or a baby grand.

5: What strings do you use?

D'Addarios

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

I’d replace myself!

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

It’s been over thirty years but it would be having a wee.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Probably having another wee.

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

Not being able to hear the musician playing with me.

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

Don’t take a thirty year break.

CE1 · November 2021

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

An appalling no name Bass with mis matched strings (one flat wound, three roundwound!) bought for £5 off a mate at Uni in 1989

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

Fender Ultra Jazz Bass

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

Probably the appalling bass that was my first, it’s still in the shed

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

A few pedals are on the list….

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball 10s on electric, D’Addario light on Acoustic and Warwick reds on Bass.

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

Not sure really, you always want it to be just that little bit better…

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

Having a beer

8: ...And five minutes after?

Having another beer and buzzing!

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

Allowed a pub owner to set the sound against our better judgement, he was a ‘pro’ you see. We sounded bloody awful and couldn’t hear ourselves on stage.

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

Practice more!

Fran · November 2021

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

It was a Framus lawsuit copy of a Gibson SG with sideways whammy, I got it when I was 14

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
I don't even want to contemplate that scenario, I am attached to more than one, and more than one are my favourtie.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1990 Paul Reed Smith Bass

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
One of those new Ibanez Q Series headless

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball M-Steel 10-46

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I wish I had a decent amp (back then it was a crappy one)

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
make sure I have had a pee

8: ...And five minutes after?
chillin'

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Drummer going too fast, ending up with me headbutting him

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
continue to learn to read

Kandinsky · December 2021

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

A Kay Jumbo Acoustic (sunburst double pickguard) from my uncle who had graduated to an Eko Ranger in March 1976.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
The one furthest from the exit; I might be able to grab another couple on the way out.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
My wife's 1979 nylon strung student guitar.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Gretsch G6120TB-DE DUANE EDDY 6-STRING BASS

5: What strings do you use?
Elixir Nanoweb Acoustic 11s, Elixir Nanoweb (12 string) 10s, Elixir Optiweb Electric 9-46, D'Addario Pro Arte Classical Dynacore Extra Hard Tension, GHS White Bronze 11s,

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Not saying yes to a certain producer in 1990.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Hail Mary, full of grace............

8: ...And five minutes after?
Changing my undergarments.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Drummer going too fast, ending up with me headbutting him

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Read, learn some piano.

TeleKinesis · December 2021

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

Technically, a no-name classical that someone lent / gifted me ahead of getting lessons. First guitar that I chose was a Peavey strat copy 6 months later, in the 90s. It's what I learned on, really, and was gigged a bunch.

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

The Peavey, on sentimental grounds.

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

Again, the Peavey. It's knackered now, was in storage / lofts for years whilst moving around. Pots are very crackly and it needs a good clean. Long standing project to restore it, again for sentimental reasons.

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

A second 'usable' electric, to occupy a different role to the Tele.

Probably a Les Paul.

Or something 'surfy'.

Hollow body for jazz?

Or a shredder.

Or ... (continues)

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball Super Slinkies usually, completely out of habit. Recommendations welcomed!

GHS Precision flats on the bass.

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

+ an ability to sing

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

Obsessively tuning / checking strap

8: ...And five minutes after?

Several pints

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

It's been a while! Probably forgetting where we were in a song ... If I ever gig again, it won't include drinking beforehand.

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

Don't care so much what other people think / might think.

jtmax · January 2022

1: Hondo 2 Sunburst strat copy November 1977.

2: Attila Balogh odyssey.Early eighties Canadian custom.Perfect in every function and my second.

3:Shergold Meteor 1976 or Ibanez professional Gibson bass copy..

4:Good Question..I have had most over the years but i would be partial to a Melos monacor MU1000 mutron copy.Had one years ago;know how to use them now.

5:Whatever i happen upon.

6:Never worries me.Once its done its done.

7:Used to be smoking cigarettes but i quit.So long since i gigged ireally dont know.Maybe a pint and a newspaper.

8:Breaking stage down.

9:Being so intoxicated i physically could not play.

Being asked up to jam at an African music and culture night;gave me a total awe and respect for African polyrhythmic mastery.

10:Take it seriously,Learn to read ,learn theory and at least have a knowledge of keyboard layout,Do not follow the insidious path of excess.

Mrluwin · January 2022

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A second hand Antoria (rebranded Ibanez) SG received for Christmas in 1996 along with a Park G10 amp

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My USA Strat, I've got 'fancier' guitars but this one is like an old friend and has never let me down

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The old Antoria I think it's from the 70s!

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Jazzmaster or a 335

5: What strings do you use?
D'Adarrio Balanced tension 10-46

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Taming the cymbals on the last EP we recorded

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
Straight to the bar

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Having to change a string in the dark in front of a lively crowd

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

thumpingrug · January 2022

Mrluwin said:

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A second hand Antoria (rebranded Ibanez) SG received for Christmas in 1996 along with a Park G10 amp

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The old Antoria I think it's from the 70s!

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Jazzmaster or a 335

5: What strings do you use?
D'Adarrio Balanced tension 10-46

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Taming the cymbals on the last EP we recorded

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
Straight to the bar

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Having to change a string in the dark in front of a lively crowd

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

Welcome dude.

AsterixTG · January 2022

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Dunno - would have been a very cheap acoustic that I tried to learn Zeppelin solos on when I was about eleven, but didn't follow it through. Next that I can remember was a Washburn electric in my mid 20's but I really didn't get on with it - that went for a Les Paul Studio.

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The Zephyr - over 20 years old now.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I'd love to get a Gibson SG Elegant, but for the sake of practicality and additional sounds, probably at Strat/Tele/Single Coil jobbie of some sort.

5: What strings do you use?
Super Slinkys - 9s

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Full album needed a remix but the masters don't exist anymore as the label didn't pay the studio for the 2" tapes.

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
Either euphoric or disconsolate.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
First big Support Slot/Tour - played some place in Birmingham, no room (unusually as the venues were all pretty a decent size) I was on the wrong side (S-Right - I was usually S-Left) and so close to the drums that every time he hit his right cymbal, it would hit my headstock, jolt the guitar and knock it out of tune. Couldn't hear a thing anyway - got so pissed off, I kicked in the front of the bass drum on the way off.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Learn 'enough' theory to be able to place yourself on the fretboard and practice timing/synchronisation constantly.

Choivert · February 2022

1. What was your first guitar?
Franconia 000 copy, with horrible action.

2. The building's burning down, what guitar do you save

My D-18

3. What's the oldest guitar you own?

Above Franconia - maybe that will change soon.

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

An old acoustic guitar - Small bodied Martin, Gibson or Kalamazoo

5. What strings do you use?

Newtone Strings (Handwound in the UK with great service!)

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

My first recording when I was a teen - should have learnt some scales...

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

Nervous BM

8. ... and five minutes after?

Beer

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

My GF at the time pushing someone for 'looking at me too long' ... she was not the one.

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

Learn some scales.... should probably actually learn some scales now.

DLM · February 2022

@Choivert Learn some arpeggios instead

(As well would be better, but, hey, baby steps!)

GoFish · February 2022

1. What was your first guitar?
No name nylon string from Argos (branded Hohner, but...)

First electric was a Vantage something. It was not good.

2. The building's burning down, what guitar do you save

G&L Frankencaster for sentimental value, or my Melody Maker with the fat neck.

3. What's the oldest guitar you own?

Some 70s Japanese acoustics- probably a Terada 12 String.

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

A proper small handwired amp with bias trem. Like a Reverbrocket or 5f11 Vibrolux or even just a vibrochamp.

5. What strings do you use?

Not found my brand yet. Its only been 30 years.

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

Making it better, probably. Better performance, more like I wanted it to be,

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

Been a very long time and unlikely ever to again. Smoking probably.

8. ... and five minutes after?

Probably drinking, defintely smoking.

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

A shit gig when I started to insult the bored audience on the dead mic. Of course, mic was not dead. Gig was, though. That was a learning moment.

10. What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Keep at it, its worth getting better.

OutOfSequence · February 2022

1. What was your first guitar?
Some non-branded classical guitar that I found in the loft.

2. The building's burning down, what guitar do you save
My 1980s Yamaha Acoustic

3. What's the oldest guitar you own?
Technically I own a 1930s parlour guitar, but it lives at my Dad's house

4. And the next piece of gear you'd like to acquire?
Something neon and shreddy

5. What strings do you use?
All sorts, but typically Ernie Balls on my electrics

6. If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I wish I could find the first band demo that I recorded.

7. What are you doing five minutes before you go on stage.
Checking that I'm in tune & waiting for the massive adrenaline rush.

8. ... and five minutes after?
Riding on the adrenaline rush and gibbering like I've done a couple of lines.

9. What's the worst thing that's happened to you on stage?
Bumped on the head by a falling stage light.

10. What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Just get out there and play.

Claude_Ruelle · March 2022

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Chinese Gibson SG copy that was purchased for 70€. My dad got it for me when I was twelve.

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

My Tex Mex Strat!

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

My '95 Tex Mex Stratocaster.

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

I really would like to buy a PRS Custom 24 one day.

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball 10 to 46. Sometimes 9 to 42 if I haven't played for a while.

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

Probably everything!

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

I wash my hands. I hate playing with dirty or sticky hands and this also became kind of a ritual over the years.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Gather all my gear before it gets stolen.

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

Forgetting a guitar part I had been playing forever.

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

Spend less time learning how to solo and more time practising comping.

stuarthr · April 2022

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
An unbranded child's guitar I was given when I was 6. I still have it. It's unplayable but that didn't stop me learning on it.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My Collings OM - best guitar I've ever played and the most versatile. Also the most expensive!

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
I have a Harmony parlour guitar from the 1930s.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I'd like a decent US Strat, ideally the pink 1988 Strat Plus I stupidly sold in the 90s.

5: What strings do you use?
Varies, depends on the guitar - Savarez Argentines and Thimastik Flatwounds on my jazz guitars, Martin on my Collings, whatever's to hand on my electrics.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I would transfer them from tape to digital.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
I usually go for a short walk after set up.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Heading to the toilet.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Still probably my first gig, finding out that without decent monitors, you can't hear anything up on stage.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't sell that Strat!

TobyB · April 2022

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A black acoustic, can’t remember what make or model,

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My Rock n Roll Relics lightning 335
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1975 Gretsch Country Club

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Gretsch White Falcon ( i like hollow / semi hollow bodies )

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball 10’s

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
The Singer ( me)

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Pint of San Miguel

8: ...And five minutes after?
Pint of San Miguel
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Playing in front of literally no one
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Stop buggering about with that acoustic and buy an electric guitar

Mellish · May 2022

1: what was your first guitar and when did you get it?
An inexpensive Kay, bought at Woolworths. £30 I believe, and it was 1960. I was 15.

2: the building's on fire - what one guitar would you save?
My 2021 Gibson Dove.

3: what's the oldest guitar you have?
See 2.

4: And the next piece of gear you're likely to acquire?
Not sure.

5: what strings do you use?
Martin MA-140, D'Addario EJ16, Elixir Nano. All 12 gauge.

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

7: what are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Wishing I was anywhere else.

8:... And five minutes after?
Relieved that I got away with it.

9: what's the worst thing that ever happened to you onstage?
Amazingly only a dropped pick midway through a song.

10: what advice would you give your young self about playing the guitar?
Dont be so impatient.

Matybigfro · May 2022

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

Mnn I had a 3/4's acoustic in the 80's when I was about 4-6 years old I had a few lessons but nothing ever stuck

I had another Acoustic around 96/7 not sure where it came from i think it was either a charity shop buy or gift,

I bought a Squire Strat off an classified in a local paper it came with a practice amp that had rock in the name and a Zoom 505 must have been around 98.

First real guitar though was a Epiphone Les Paul Jnr, loved that guitar got in around 97/98 I think can't remember where made the mistake of smashing it up on stage and broke the neck, didn't realise it was a bolt on that I could have replaced and gave it away

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

Luckily my basses are in the practice studio so it would be my Fender Mex Tele in blue

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

probably my Autoria fretless bass, not sure how old it was, it was another gif

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

Midi switcher

5: What strings do you use?

Any roundwounds on the bass

Any 10's or 11's on the guitars

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

Making back some money

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

Being antisocial and avoiding people

8: ...And five minutes after?

Being antisocial and avoiding people

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

My Guitar got knocked out of tune just before starting the gutiar intro to a track, I could only tell it was out of tune when the band kicked in and it all sounded horrendous

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

Practice more you'll never have as much free time, listen to everything you can learn from it all. Don't skip the hard bits you can't play thats where you'll learn most

Don't give that god Damn broken guitar away

Rkphilpot · May 2022

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Cruiser by Crafter - A strat copy.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
1988 - American Strat

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1988 - American Strat

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Thinline Telecaster with Ride Range Pickups

5: What strings do you use?
Hybrid Slinkys

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
My flloyd rose being slightly out of tune and my experience being too little to notice.

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
Hugging and smiling

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Split my own lip on a microphone, bled everywhere.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Dont worry about being the best, just play what you enjoy. Keep it fun.

AndyGT75 · July 2022

What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Hohner TE professional telecaster copy. It was my first electric for my 13th Birthday in 1988. I still have it. It’s battered and has been rebuilt a few times, but I’ll be burned or buried with that guitar.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
The Hohner for sentimental reasons.

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

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I have most of the stuff I’ve ever wanted but Quite fancy a Firebird or an Explorer next

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball 10s or sometimes the 9.5s

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Funny thing is the more I’ve listened to recording with cock ups that only I notice the more I just get used to them lol.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Stressing that the band were following are better than us

8: ...And five minutes after?
Drinking beer that I turned down pre gig

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Leaving a black capo on the first fret and wondering why my intro into the final song sounded so bad.

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

Don’t think that theory is boring and unimportant. Don’t think that you’ve just invented the minor pentatonic just because you couldn’t be arsed with theory but played a run of notes that sounded good!!

Ledbelly · September 2022

What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A cheap Encore strat when I was in my teens circa 1991. I played violin at school, heard Smells Like Teen Spirit and electric guitar was on my Xmas list.

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Epiphone Les Paul 2002

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Quite fancy one of the Epiphone Les Paul's with Gibson pick ups. Banned by the wife from buying anything else.

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball 10s

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

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Worrying I don't really know some of the songs we were covering

8: ...And five minutes after?
Realising, yes I didn't really know some of the songs we were covering

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Did a cover of I am the resurrection, put my distortion pedal on by accident when it came to the chiming guitar part at the end. All the band members gave me the stare.

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

Play stuff you like and not what you think people would like.

Petepassion · September 2022

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Kay SG copy, about 1980

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
easy, my '62 335

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
'62 335

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

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie ball 10-46

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
The lyrics from our first single

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
Drinking beer
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Either the Marshall stack falling on me or when I was young, on stage at a holiday camp and told three jokes...nobody laughed apart from my mum...out of pity no doubt.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Leave the wife now, 'cos you're going to eventually split anyway. Then you can focus more on the music.

Mellish · October 2022

@Petepassion ;
Hi and welcome to the FB

.

If you've not spent time lurking, you may not know where to find Admins & Mods if you need 'em. They are listed in New Members, just send a PM.

Enjoy!

Lawriejones1 · November 2022

1. What was your first guitar?

An Indian made Fender copy (the name illudes me now, but they were all the rage in the early 90s)

2. The building's burning down, what guitar do you save

Kinkade handmade acoustic

3. What's the oldest guitar you own?

1966 candy apple red jazz bass

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

Pre-CBS Fender jaguar

5. What strings do you use?

D'addario medium gauage

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

I recorded an album for German record label and overplayed on everything

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

Ensuring I have some water, checking my rig out on stage and seeing what's happening with the crowd

8. ... and five minutes after?

Packing my guitar/bass away safely before heading off for a drink

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

I was playing a gig at the Albert Hall, and the jack socket on my Warwick bass was playing up on the first number.

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

Take more opportunities to play with other people, learn to read music earlier, and enjoy jazz.

ScreamingDave · November 2022

Hi Guitar-type dudes and dudettes,

My name's Dave, and I'm new here, so be kind if I make a total ass of myself!

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

An Eko Texan nylon-strung acoustic with a hideous orange pearloid scratchplate. I got it from a jumble sale for 75p and the bridge had pulled away (someone had abviously experimented with steel strings) so it had to be bolted back on!

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

My '65 SG Junior, "Dolly" (named after the aunt whose legacy funded it!)

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

The '65 SG

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

What 'ave you got?

5: What strings do you use?

D'addario, on the electrics, Ernie Ball Earthwoods for the acoustic

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

A workmate's son was studying music production at uni and needed a band who were inexperienced in the studio to record for part of his final project. My band at the time, "Clever Jake", volunteered, and they used every digital device in the studio to make us sound all polished and shiny, like Michael Buble's worst nightmare. I love to have a decent recording of that band in our raw rock 'n' roll majesty.

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

refilling a dark beer bottle with water to swig on stage. Gotta give the illusion of still being rock 'n' roll!

8: ...And five minutes after?

Usually chatting to the crowd members who come and say kind things to us, which they probably even mean at the time. One woman once came and threw her bra at me after a gig! (apparently she did it "ironically". Not sure how you throw a brassiere at someone "ironically", but she did it. It was probably post-modernist as well)

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

Getting such a total mental block about how to play a song that I had to stop the rest of the band and move on to the next song in the set. I styled it out! We did it as an encore

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

Be a practice geek rather than a gear geek (actually, I should tell my older self that, as well!)

somersetluthier · December 2022

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

A cheap Strat copy bought in about 1978
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My 1971 Cherry sunburst Les Paul Deluxe

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A 1964 Gibson LG1 acoustic

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Custom shop cherry Gibson ES355 with Bigsby

5: What strings do you use?
Elixir

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
With an originals band I played in in the mid 80s, that we released a professionally recorded single/EP instead of just a 4 track demo..

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Just relaxing...will have done all other prep necessary before that point!

8: ...And five minutes after?
Having a drink and bathing in the post gig glory

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Nothing too bad...played an extra verse to the end of a song that didn't exist . singer stopped singing...had to keep going and hope nobody noticed... if in doubt keep playing and give an accusing glare to the bass player/singer / drummer

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Play stuff you can't play....until you can play it.

bocarp · December 2022

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

Metallic purple ("Titanium Ice") Ibanez RG470. Male menopause gift to myself: couldn't afford a sports car. Nineteen-ninety-something.

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

My saxophone. Sorry.

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

2008 Epiphone Sheraton

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

A hammer dulcimer/santur

5: What strings do you use?

D'Addario ever-so-light half round wound

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

I'd finish it.

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

I don't go onstage.

8: ...And five minutes after?

See above.

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

Playing Brigadier General Ezra Mannon in a student production of Mourning Becomes Electra.

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

Stick to the saxophone, as you did.

Jonathanthomas83 · December 2022

Welch me aboard @bocarp!

Jonathanthomas83 · December 2022

Dupe, sorry. Bloody phone/sausage fingers

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

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

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

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

5: What strings do you use?

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?

8: ...And five minutes after?

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

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