10 Questions We Ask Everyone

Gassage · January 2014

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
1966 Suzuki Acoustic. Still have it.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Gilmour Strat once I get it back

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

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
An Anderson with a purdy top

5: What strings do you use?
GHS Boomers DG, and Elixier acoustic

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

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Tuning and masterbating furiously over the neatness of my pedalboard.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Thinking about downrigging

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Broke B string in first bar of CNumb outro solo with floating trem.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't buy the same thing over and over to sell and lose money. Decide what you want and stick to it.

DrJazzTap · February 2014

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
I used to play the violin when I was 9-12 years old in primary school. I hated the violin as I sounded horrific. My father wanted me to play an instrument (he gave up playing the french horn and wanted me to be able to play an instrument.
When I got to secondary school and they found out I played the violin, I was told to turn up to the string quartet tuesday lunchtime. I really didnt want to play anymore, I stood outside the practice room and I never went in. When I got home my dad asked me how I got on, I said I didn't go. After saying I no longer wanted to play, he said "well you have to play something what do you want to do?". My first choice Drums was understandably rejected. Knowing that most of my friends played guitar, i said guitar. And that was that, I studied classical guitar for a year and a half until my teacher twigged that I wasn't actually reading the music. I was just memorising the piece (four pages was my record). I said I wanted to learn what my friends were learning Nirvana and Hendrix etc. So I started learning Chuck Berry and Chet Atkins pieces (i know not quite the same, but it was better than before!)
Anyway I was told to get a classical guitar, so my dad bought an Encore steel strung (As he liked the sound of maggy may???) 3/4 acoustic guitar from Argos. £25 of tripe. When I was learning classical pieces I used to bang it along the road in the hope it would break so I would stop learning boring songs! My dad didnt spend a lot, because he didnt think i'd take to it! :P

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Gibson SG Standard, owned since 1998 and signed by Allan Holdsworth and Guthrie Govan.

Just picked up a Yamaha FG450SA which dates back to 1990. Technically that one

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Hmm either a decent simple two channel vintage style 50w head or a brightly coloured Strat.

5: What strings do you use?
11's, not really fussed on make. Whatever is on offer at hotrox, buy in bulk and forget about it. I'm not fond of Rotosound strings though, either Daddario, GHS or Ernie Balls.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Slow down and play a melody.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Warming my hands up under hot water.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Packing down.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
I used to play jazz standards in a study group, I had just got into Holdsworth and like every other fanboy I naively tried aping an overdriven lead sound. Except my lead sound was three times louder than the clean channel, so in the middle of a nice suttle jazz tune like song for my father, I manage to shatter the vibe by sounding like Brian May soundchecking. After that, just turned the clean channel up and used the volume knobs on the guitar.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Practice arpeggios and explore as many musical genres as possible.

Vibetronic · February 2014

Finally got more than 5 minutes online, so here goes...

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
An 'Axe' as advertised in Metal Hammer in 1987.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My Jem FP; wanted one since I started learning (next door neighbour had one), and finally picked one up 3 years ago.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A Joe Despagni JEM; got it from a guy on the old MR forum who was selling it on Ebay. Made by the bloke who made Steve Vai's early JEMs before Ibanez came into it.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A shiny purple Vigier in World Guitars. Don't need it but want it.

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball 9s.

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

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
Having a beer (normally just the one small one as I usually have to drive).

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Having the landlord cut the power as we were too loud (small local pub in Aberystwyth for which we were blatantly not suited).

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't buy that BC Rich Warlock, and sell the really nice Ibanez Roadstar to fund it. It's cheap because it doesn't have a Floyd and therefore isn't a bargain. Fool.

dilbert · March 2014

Okay, my turn
1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Fender Gemini II accoustic, sold it to buy my first electric. Big mistake, it was a really good guitar.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My 1994 Strat plus, my go to guitar. It's had every pup configuration known to man (currently H-H) and just plays so well despite all the abuse I have given it. It even went on tours to Bosnia. N. Ireland and the gulf with me.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A USA Peavey Predator I bought from Frankus for £40. I pimped it up and it's a now a stellar rhythm machine but a re-fret looks on the horizon.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Really don't know, possibly a CV tele.
5: What strings do you use?
9-42. I've tried just about every make and gauge but I'm quite happy with economy strings.
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Oh God, I did some stuff to a BT that Bruce (Little Green Man) put up on MR and the change I would make would be to scrap it. Sometimes you look back and think "that really isn't that bad".......... this is not one of those times, it was cringeworthy.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Warming up, simple as that !
8: ...And five minutes after?
Depending on circumstances, tear down or have a 'feedback session with the guys.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Nothing really, I've muffed up a solo or 10, drifted out of key on the odd occasion............. ah yes, one truly momentous occasion springs to mind and I can tell you now, the intro to 'Whisky in the Jar' is not the time to have a brainfart, when your' mind and fingers become totally disconnected. Especially when the singist has given you a big intro. A real sobering moment in every sense.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
1. Learn all the scales you want, but you have to learn how to apply them
2. Play with others as soon as you can.
3. Have fun. Playing guitar should not be a chore. No matter what your' standard, enjoy the moment so that others can enjoy it with you. You will learn and progress faster if you look forward to picking up your guitar.

not_the_dj · March 2014

dilbert said:

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
1. Learn all the scales you want, but you have to learn how to apply them
2. Play with others as soon as you can.
3. Have fun. Playing guitar should not be a chore. No matter what your' standard, enjoy the moment so that others can enjoy it with you. You will learn and progress faster if you look forward to picking up your guitar.

Wisdom awarded for those 3 points.

drwiddly · March 2014

1. What was your first guitar and when did you get it? A Vox Les Paul copy in 1971. It was made of blockboard and had crappy single coil pickups disguised as humbuckers. Did me proud for a couple of years while I learnt the basics though.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Probably my 1992 Eggle Berlin Deluxe but it would be a tough choice!
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
I've sold all the really old ones so it's now a 1990 Heartfield Talon that I bought on eBay a few years ago. As superstrats go, it's a cracker.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Really don't know as I'm pretty well set up at the moment. Maybe an Axe FX II or a Bogner Goldfinger (I love the Kemper profile).
5: What strings do you use?
9-42, usually D'Addario
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Given up worrying TBH. I can usually find lots to criticise and, if I tried to get it all perfect, I'd never finish anything!
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Usually chilling out a bit. I'm always completely set up and ready before then.
8: ...And five minutes after?
Usually chatting to punters, friends or other band members.
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Loads of cock ups but nothing really bad. Fallen over once or twice, tripping over cables, etc.
10. What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Same as @dilbert above. That advice is golden.

Neil · March 2014

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

First electric was an Avon Les Paul copy

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

My Strat I guess as I've owned it longest

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Strat as above, bought in 1989.

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

A Tele of some sort

5: What strings do you use?

Whatever is on special, usually D'addario's 10-46

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

Not bother.

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

I don't go onstage.

8: ...And five minutes after?

NA

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

NA

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

Keep at it...... but what youngster is going to take any advice?

57Deluxe · March 2014

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

in 1973 an AVON SG - looked brilliant and rang quite nicely. Wouldn't mind trying through my 'proper' amps now!

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

I have two hands - 73 Strat and Vintage Hofner 457... I might dive back in for the 335 and the

PRS Soapbar No - '87 Yamaha SG2000s and fuck the scars!

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

My 1973 Fender Strat that I bought new in '75 as it seemed no-one wanted a natural Hardtail...

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

62 RI Fender Tele with a Bigbsy - Prob Black/white binding

5: What strings do you use?

10s... Not fussy about make as I can make them sound good whatever.

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

The first time I posted on Youtube I was so excited by the guitar I spoke way too much...sounded a right knobhead...

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

Tuning up & making sure my hair looks cool...(!)

8: ...And five minutes after?

'Counting the money' (!) and wiping the piss beer and sweat off my pedals...

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

Eric Clapton said - "over to you" for the main solo at the Royal Albert Hall and I had no idea what song we were playing... I then woke up in a sweat!

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

Copy and learn from every style - don't be so pompous that you must be seen to be playing

the current fad only. That 'Fad' has a basis in the unfashionable. Oh and spend the majority your budget on a good amp. Great tone encourages you more than what you look like in the mirror.

CHRISB50 · March 2014

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

Silver Series Squier, 92

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

My Strat, CS 1960 NOS

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Squier, '92

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

I don't know how long it will last, but I'm actually happy with my current set up.

5: What strings do you use?

10's.

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

Never really recorded.

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

Tuning vigorously.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Drinking vigorously.

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

First gig, sat at the back of the stage during the sound check. By the time people started coming in I still hadn't stood up. The sight of an audience pretty much disabled my legs. Did the gig sitting down.

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

TURN DOWN THE GAIN, STEP AWAY FROM THE GAIN

Play what sounds good, not what you think others will think will sound good

You can only get away with position 1 of the minor pentatonic for so long. If you can't be bothered to learn another scale, at least learn the other positions

Practice what you're not good at, not what you can already do, just to make yourself feel better about your 'talents'

Foster · March 2014

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Probably around 2002, a terrible Encore Strat in purple which I have long since destroyed.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Screw that, guitars can be replaced!

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
No idea, probably a 8 year old Gibson Flying V

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I'm quite happy with what I have now.

5: What strings do you use?
Rotosounds for electric, acoustic and bass.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I'd finish recording more songs!

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Probably at the bar having a drink

8: ...And five minutes after?
Return to my place at the bar, having a drink

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Some gobshite who decided to dick about with the levels between sets

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't buy cheap shit and practice more!

samzadgan · March 2014

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
1989 Gibson Hummingbird copy...still have in a closet somewhere

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1984 Washburn A20V

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Might be an amp...something loud...something Laney

5: What strings do you use?
D'Addario 12-60

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

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Never been onstage to play guitar...i assume i would be in the toilet throwing up

8: ...And five minutes after?
Packing in the electrolytes...

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Right now...being on stage is scary enough

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't stop playing for 15 years...stick with it...play some Sabbath before trying to play Slayer from day 1.

Chairs · May 2014

I’m retroactively amending all my comments for privacy’s sake. I know they’re cached in places, but this is still a best attempts effort. Mods - if any rules have been broken, please revert this post.

Alnico · May 2014

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Grant Les Paul Goldtop Copy

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Late 1960's Yamaha FG 230 12 String Acoustic

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Gordon Smith Gypsy II / Fender ST57 MIJ Stratocaster

5: What strings do you use?
Nanoweb Elixir 10's Electric / Elixir 12's Acoustic

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

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

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

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Being so drunk I forgot the words to the song I was singing and almost fell over

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

Nunogilberto · May 2014

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

A cheap 3/4 size acoustic boughr for me by my parents in 1992, when I was 9. I had a few lessons whilst in school but the teacher left and I didn't pick it up again for about 7 years after.

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

Encore Strat. My first electric and the one I had when I started playing again. Still play it now, on and off.

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

1979 Gibson SG Firebrand, given to me as a uni graduation present in 2005.

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

Thinking of a Gibson LP Studio; tried one recently and the lighter weight and unbound neck appealed to me; it still had that big sound.

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball 10s on Gibson styles and 9s on Fender styles.

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

On the few bits that I have recorded, I listen back and wish I'd played for the song and not just overplayed for the sake of it.

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

I've never gigged. Apart from playing briefly in a school concert, when I was 10.

8: ...And five minutes after?

As above.

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

As above.

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

Find another teacher or pick it up yourself - don't leave it 7 years to get back into it!

guitarmangler · May 2014

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A nylon string classical guitar that belonged to my mum ( although I never saw her play) which was in my loft. After 7 years of piano lesson, I spotted it one day, rented a book on beginners guitar from the library , tuned it up using the paino and have been hooked ever since.

2: The building’s burning down – which one guitar do you save?
My bravewood strat

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The nylon string classical in question 1

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Axe fx2. And some more hours in the day to play with it!

5: What strings do you use?
D'Addarrio

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Meh, I'd leave it . If it makes me cringe now it will push me forward to make it less cringey next time

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Taking my change/keys/phone/wallet out of my trousers and putting them in my lead box onstage. Drives me crazy having a pocket full of stuff when playing!

8: ...And five minutes after?
Packing up, putting all that stuff I unpacked back into my pockets.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Jazz 4 piece gig outside on a lawn. Sitting on an amp, castor wheels sink in lawn I lean back and almost fall off to be caught by the keyboard player. Start the next song , sounds like the worst thing in the world. Argue about which notes were playing mid song. Stop song, argue some more . Realise that in my backwards dive keyboard player has whacked the transpose button. Feel sheepish. Carry on playing .

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Less scales , more songs!

Neil · May 2014

Balls up, please ignore.

ChrisMusic · February 2015

Hey @Neil, is that a bit like Sir Edmund Blackadder's "Great Boo's Up" quote ?
This seems like a good time to revive this ~ I guess we are all terminally curious about each other after all

Here's a handy little form to copy and paste to make it easy... -------------------------------
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?

strtdv · February 2015

1: Rubbish Fender acoustic, DG4 or something, got it when I was about 14. First electric was a 2001 Mexican standard strat in blue agave which I still have today.

2: My American vintage hot rod 52 tele. Exceptionally good one, I intend never to part with it.

3: Oldest guitar is probably the Fender acoustic (see 1) which is in the attic somewhere. Oldest piece of gear is a '75 Orange Reverb Twin amp.

4: My "core" gear is all sorted and I don't intend to change any of it. Next purchase will probably be a bass overdrive pedal.

5: Ernie ball regular or power slinky.

6: Start recording.

7: Playing heavy metal riffs and scale runs. I don't play in a metal band but they make good warm up exercises.

8: Depends whether I'm driving or not. If I'm driving, loading up the van. If I'm not, having a pint of something tasty.

9: I've had howling feedback from a preamp valve failure, and I've had power supply issues with pedalboards. Nothing major really, and I always carry spares of anything prone to wear and tear.

10: Listen to a wide range of music and incorporate it into your playing, don't just get stuck playing the same style of rock music. And buy a bass much sooner.

jeztone2 · February 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Ubiquitous Barnes & Mullin Spanish branded Almeria. Action an inch off the fingerboard & I learnt to play Rush tunes on it.

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

My Fender Kotzen Tele

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Nowadays my 1991 Ibanez RG760

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

Probably a Fender American Special Strat.

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball hybrid slinkys 009-046

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
In the 90's I was in a band where the singer allowed a terrible take of a song to make it onto an EP. Wished I'd just left the band earlier.

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

Keeping my hands warm & having a relaxing brandy. Although I once had 8 pints of Erdinger before a gig & by the fifth song the number of lights on my pedalboard had doubled.

8: ...And five minutes after?

No Groupies, but when I was in a shoe gazing band. Guys would come up wanting to talk about delay units

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Too many to mention...fighting the audience...fighting the singer...fighting a man going mad with a smoke machine. Splitting my trousers. Blowing up my amp....the list is endless

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

Be more confident & arrogant. Think about your image more.

TonyR · February 2015

As a relative newbie to this site I'm glad this thread has been revived!

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

A black Columbus Les Paul copy, some time in 1982

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
It would have to be the Takamine F250SM that my wife has just bought for my upcoming 50th - sentimental value, you understand!

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
My Rickenbacker Pete Townshend Limited Edition 1998PT - bought brand new in 1987

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Microfrets Swinger (as used by Dave Fielding of The Chameleons)

5: What strings do you use?
Depending on the guitar Ernie Ball Power Slinkys (10s) or Super Slinkys (11s)

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Before I can answer this question I'd have to make a recording!

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Never been on stage so can't answer...

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

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
See answer to No 7!

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

Get involved with other musicians, join a band, to broaden your horizons (something I never did and regret it like hell!)

kin · February 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Satelitte Strat copy
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Depends whose building it is
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Twenty ( at least ) year old Encore strat copy
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
That changes almost hourly
5: What strings do you use?
all of them, but I like the b string the most
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
not done a lot of it, so at the moment just about everything
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
The last time was more than thirty years ago, when I was eighteen. shaking, feeling sick and terrified as I recall
8: ...And five minutes after?
Looking around for autograph hunters,acting the seasoned pro and generally being a cocky prick
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Singing backing vocals with mic turned off, forgetting to turn amp back on for the encore, laughing so much when the bassist stood too close to a flashbomb that I forgot what I was supposed to be doing
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?

Don't get disillusioned and give up for years, just because your not a world renowned rock star by nineteen, realise that there is plenty of fun to be had playing at any level.

Oh, and like most others Theory, lessons and practice more

Neil · February 2015

ChrisMusic said:

Hey @Neil, is that a bit like Sir Edmund Blackadder's "Great Boo's Up" quote ?
This seems like a good time to revive this ~ I guess we are all terminally curious about each other after all
Here's a handy little form to copy and paste to make it easy... -------------------------------

Cheers @ChrisMusic.

Neil · February 2015

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

First electric was an Avon Les Paul copy in the early '70's. Had a no name Spanish thing previously.

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

I guess my Les Paul as it's the dearest!

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

1989 US Strat I bought new.

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

Probably a Fender Jaguar but quite happy with what I have.

5: What strings do you use?

D'addario 10's on the Gibsons and Fender 9 bullets on the Strat.

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

Never recorded anything since a mini reel to reel tape recorder in the '60's.

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

I don't go onstage.

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?

Learn a few scales!

XWulfhere · February 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
It was an Encore Hunter 644, flamed blue top superstrat copy. I hated it, as it was the Britpop era and I wanted to be Noel Gallagher. It was bought from a friend I worked with. I kept it for six weeks, long enough to pick up the basics of guitar playing, fool myself into thnking I was actually good at it, and then traded it in for an Epiphone Les Paul custom.

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

My 1981 Les Paul Deluxe. I've owned it for 17 years and its still the best guitar I've ever played. Love the feel, love the sound and it has a lot of memories.

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

The 1981 Les Paul Deluxe

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

Another good amp I think, a Tone King Imperial is high on my want list.

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball 10s on the LP and Rickenbacker, Fender Bullet 10s on the Strat, and haven't decided yet for the Jag (only just had it)

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

I've done a lot of home recording, so I'd have to think here... I think I put too much distortion on earlier stuff, and trusted in amp modelling software when I should have just miked things up.

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

Only played three gigs in my life! And the last one was 11 years ago!

8: ...And five minutes after?

N.A

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

Well my last band the singer was embarrassing... I think the video of us shows it best, me standing towrds the edge of the stage and trying to not be part of it...

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

Contrary to what a lot of people have said, I wished I'd learned more covers instead of totally dedicating myself the writing my own music. I know how to play fairly few songs by other artists, and when people want me to play a bit of guitar for them it's not anything they'd recognise... I am learning a lot more covers now as I hope to start playing out again. Also to not be so blinkered about guitar brands. Fenders are actually pretty cool!

Teetonetal · February 2015

What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Encore HSS start copy,

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My MIJ Black Paisley Sambora strat, as my parents gave it to me for my 21st

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

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Really not a lot

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball Cobalt or Titanium,
D'addario EXP for the accoustic

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Get it done a proper studio, rather than one that pretends to be a proper studio.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Tuning. not a lot, pretty relaxed about these things.

8: ...And five minutes after?
trying to ignore the bearded men who come up and want to talk guitar technique, ask where I learnt and are always pissed off that I'm english.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Support act blew up my Marshall head by plugging in the speaker out into a DI box. Didn't tell me, so when I went to play I switched my settings back, plugged in the cab and nothing. Had to use my back up GT6 into the PA, sounded utter, utter shite.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
don't get married and have kids. Not if you want a career in music. The two only go together once/if you are established. Nothing ruined my aspirations faster than suddenly having to provide for others... not to mention every purchase now has to be vetted... anyone know a lawyer?

gusman2x · February 2015

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

A Squier Bullet. I thought it was rubbish. It was me that was rubbish. Wish I still had it.

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

Tough one. Torn between my Floral Ibanez Jem my wife got me for my 30th, and my MIJ Mustang. I have two hands right?

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

1984 Squier JV. Contemplating whether or not I want to keep it. Bit sentimental though.

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

Electrical Guitar Co all Aluminium guitar. Janglies

5: What strings do you use?

D'Addario. 10s on full scale, and 11s on short.

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

Not done much, but what I have done, I wish I'd been more forceful with ensuring I got time to re-track, as opposed to letting others muscle in.

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

Getting ready for the mad dash.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Finding my wife, and generally feeling pretty sweet about myself.

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

Nothing too bad (touch wood). Worst would be not being ale to hear myself at all for an entire gig, and having to rely on muscle memory. Could have leathered the sound guy.

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

Practice way more. Spend less time looking at and buying gear (still a problem), and keep in a band all the way through your 20s, instead of trying to reinvent yourself if your 30s when you're not as skinny, and your hair's thinning.

GavRichList · February 2015

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

A Burns Marquee, and it was circa 1998.

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

My 1962 Jaguar.

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

The same said Jaguar

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

Errr, maybe a Bilt Revelator, a Fender Twin Reverb or an old Bassman. It'll probably be a pedal though, and it'll probably be Canadian.

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball Power Slinkys

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

Theres a guitar part i'd like to add to the latest recording we've done, but I'll have to keep it for live.

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

Probably going for a piss or tuning up.

8: ...And five minutes after?

packing down / having a drink / answering questions from pedal nerds

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

Fuse went in my brand new amp 3 minutes into first song at first ever gig.

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

More practice, and enjoy the good times. Pay more attention if you ever find yourself playing Reading and Leeds, because it wont happen too often.

hobbio · February 2015

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

My grandad made me an acoustic guitar from scratch when I was about 4. It got destroyed when my Mum's loft flooded.

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

My Epi 339, but I'll be telling the wife to grab the 1938 Harmony acoustic that belonged to her late grandfather.

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

The 1938 acoustic mentioned above.

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

All of it.

5: What strings do you use?

D'addario 10's

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

My parts!

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

Only ever gigged in a panto band, so climbing into the band loft and tuning up.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Having a smoke.

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

Went to play, no sound. Checked leads, levels etc. Turns out my tuner was switched on...

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

Don't have a 20 odd year gap in your playing!

Flanging_Fred · February 2015

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

Kawai Aquarius AQ555 for Christmas in 1988 (I think)

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

Charvel 375. The first guitar I bought ( to replace the Kawai).

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

1976 Shergold Meteor but I also have an old Almaria which might be older.

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

Hmm, Strymon flint would be nice. So would a Les Paul

5: What strings do you use?

D'addario 9's ,9.5's,10's, 11's, 13's depending on guitar.

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

better drum programming.

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

Warm up, tune up, cut my nails possibly, take a leak.

8: ...And five minutes after?

packing up

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

Passed out on live TV (Pebble Mill)

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

Take the lessons while they are free!!!

tbm · February 2015

How did I mess this thread!

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Nylon stringed acoustic. Don't recall the brand but I traded it for a Les Paul copy after about two months.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My '88 US standard Tele. My first good guitar and the only one I own that I'd never sell.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The above Tele. Have owned older but sold them on.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A Jazzmaster or a Les Paul with a bigsby.

5: What strings do you use?
D'addario 10's for guitar. Rotosound Swing Bass for bass. Elixir for acoustic.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I'd go easier on the guitar overdubs on the second album I ever recorded. We had our own Pro Tools set up and nobody to tell us when to stop.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Plugging in my stuff.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Loading out or stowing my gear somewhere and having a drink.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
I've played bass in a band for years, but I joined on very short notice. A week before they had a really good support slot opening up for Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, their bass player left. I had 5 days to learn the songs and one practice the night before. My bass had only been used for recording up to that point, it lived in our damp rehearsal space and everything on it was rusty. The first note I hit in the first song was a big open E. The string broke and lay limply across the bottom 3 strings. I struggled through the song but i didn't know the tunes well enough to play around not having a low E. The Jicks bass players bass was on a stand behind her amp, a 60s jazz bass in amazing condition (I'd been talking to their tech during soundcheck). I looked around for the tech or anybody from the Jicks but there was nobody there. So timidly I picked it up and played the rest of the set standing stock-still, almost off the stage. During our last song the tech appeared beside the stage and started shouting at me. I gestured towards my bass but he didn't care, he kept shouting at me to put the bass down. I finished the song and went straight to find the Jicks bass player, who was totally sound and understanding about it. I was nervous enough before the gig, but it ended up being so horrible that I just went straight home after our set even though I'm a massive SM and the Jicks fan.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Be nice to sound engineers and don't focus on your tone in isolation. listen to how it sits with everything else. Mid range is your friend.

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