10 Questions We Ask Everyone

gollumsluvslave · April 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Sunn Mustang cheapo strat at 15.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
ESP Eclipse II Silver Sparkle
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Squier ProTone Thinline Telecaster
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Bogner Burnley
5: What strings do you use?
Rotosound 10s

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Drums on 'State of Mind' on 1st album... ugh
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Tuning my guitar and spare...
8: ...And five minutes after?
Pint!
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Old Digitech RP-10 conked out mid gig! Had to switch to a couple of pedals...
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Just do your thing...

ellandroadhero · April 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
An LAG summer acoustic.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Martin 00016GT. It's special.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
92 Jap Squier Strat. Not the most interesting you'll see on this thread!

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
One of Raygun Relic's Juniors!

5: What strings do you use?
12-56 Martin SPs on acoustic, D'addario 10s on elec.

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

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
Buzzing. Up for a good party!

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Strap lock failed and had to catch a falling guitar. Nothing too dramatic fortunately.

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

Forge · April 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Aria Pro 2 Viper, bought in 1993...piece of tat!

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My home made Cabronita, the rest is insured and can be replaced

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
97 Hamer Eclipse WHICH HAPPENS TO BE FOR SALE/SWAP

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Nothing in my GAS list

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

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I only recorded one full track a few years ago, I'd change it by not recording it at all as the song imposed on me at the time was crap.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Not gigged for a while but the compulsory cig and shot

8: ...And five minutes after?
Cig and beer

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
The police stopped the gig

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Get the best guitar and amp to start with and focus on playing with a band...stop buying and selling gear all the time

jdbwales · April 2015

I'll have a go at this while waiting for the decking to dry!
1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Antoria 70's ( almost completely!) hollow 3 pickup bolt on Les Paul copy in black. Absolute crap apart from Ibanez Super 70s pickups which I am gutted I sold! Got it around 1999, didn't start playing till a year later.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My '95 Les Paul Custom in ages alpine white, my perfect guitar and irreplaceable.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
See above - I only own 3 guitars currently.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Blackstar HT50 head and Artisan 2x12 cabinet.

5: What strings do you use?
Rotosound Orange 9-46

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
I'd change my first band's first recording - terrible tone through a broken Marshall 8080, but that was all I had!

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

8: ...And five minutes after?
Post-match analysis

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Gone to take a solo with a borrowed and much shorter cable, cable popped out, I looked like a right twat.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Stop cocking about with buying and selling, the Les Paul, a few pedals and a decent amp is all you need. You won't miss loads of guitars when they're gone!

DaevidJ · August 2015

Haha... wondered where i could introduce myself, and this seems as good a place as any

Ex Music Radar Forumite joining after a forum break of several years...

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
It was a Jim Deacon Strat copy in Candy Apple Red that my dad helped finance back in the early 90s... I knew next to nothing about guitar brands at the time... Later i bought a Les Paul Studio...

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Probably my Japanese Jaguar which is mid 2000s...

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A PRS Mira ("Core" if i can get one).

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

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Drums... Ours are machine/ sample based but hey what do i know i am only the guitarist and not the frontman

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Probably outside smoking ^^

8: ...And five minutes after?
Finishing up putting gear away before heading to the bar...

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Realising i was too drunk to play... It only ever happened once but it was enough to teach me the value of moderation at gigs

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Practice more and learn theory...

Clarky · August 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
It was a Kay E-110 restrung lefty.. not exactly the finest guitar ever made.. but I loved it.. I was rockin' and-a rollin'.. well sort off..

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
My Strat, 1978.. bought it new [in 1980]..

I still have the original case, strap, lead, handbook, spare springs and receipt

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
a pair of top quality custom made super-Strats.. and a 2nd Axe-FX II

5: What strings do you use?
concert tune: Ernie Ball Hybrids [9's]

D- standard: Ernie Ball [my own gauges: 11, 14, 18p, 30, 40, 50]

all acoustics: Di Addario

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
mixing.. my early mixes are poor

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Pacing up and down and having a smoke

8: ...And five minutes after?
bear, smoke, meat 'n' great the audience to say hi, chat and sign stuff...

funny, 5 mins after coming off stage is probably the time when I'm most ready to play the gig.. lmao..

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
2120 died on me in Naples.. had to switch over to the reserve.. it's something I drill for during practice leading up to the tour.. but actually having to do it for real feels quite a bit different.. as you'd expect.. lmao

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Practice a little differently... more attention to detail / less goofing around

paulmapp8306 · August 2015

mart said:

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
My first guitar was actually a Kay 3/4 scale bass, in an SG shape
bought in 1992 for about £25. My first Electric was a used Ibanez, double symmetrical cutaway, 3 a side headstock with a through body neck in natural. About £40 used but no idea of the model.

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
My 96 PRS CE - bought used in 2007. The one Ive had the longest is a 99 PRS CU22 bought new.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A split choice. Id like a Martin HD to go with my 00028, but its more likely to be a Nord Stage 2 keyboard as my Roland Fantom-S isnt really up to it when it comes to pianio sounds.

5: What strings do you use?
D-addario XL .010 to .056

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
My vocals - they suck even with auto tune.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Going for a wee.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Packing the PA up as nobody else will do it.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
I had a guitar strap come off at the body end - tried to catch it before it hit the floor, tripped up, knocked the singer off the stage then staggered back (to stop me following him) into the drum kit. Luckily it was a pay to play place in London on a Wednesday night and there were only 2 in the audience.....

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Dont waste money chasing one amp/guitar does it all stuff. Aim for a good clean sounding amp, a good overdriven amp, a quality strat, tele and LP.

therose789 · August 2015

ooooh i want to play!

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

When i was a kid i was given an antoria les paul but never played it any my brother ended up having it. When I actually wanted to start playing I got a sparkly blue washburn (ibanez looking) and then my brother gave the les paul back but with gibson hardware in it, still have both of them.

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

My P-Bass - Its the best sounding re-issue I have ever heard!

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

The Antoria Les paul - I couldn't tell you exactly what year but my dad bought it in the 70's

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

I would love a Reverend Flatroc in Emerald Green or a Fano PX6 - I'm quite into the offset thing at the moment.

Pedal - wise I'm after some more pitchy effects - probably a pitch fork.

5: What strings do you use?

Up until my last string change I have always used Power Slinkys (11's) but i recently changed to regular slinkys (10's) and i'm quite enjoying it!

On bass i use rotosound swing bass 45-105

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

My patience. In later years i have come to realise that although it is exciting to be recording and want top have the finished product there, you must take the time to make sure you're 100% happy with your takes rather than having a 'that sounds ok it will do' attitude.

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

Normally sitting thinking 'can we just go on now!' - I get excited.

Or having a poo...

8: ...And five minutes after?

Packing away. Generally so i can watch the rest of the bands or go home!

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

When i was in a ska band many moons ago i had had one too many sherbets and i jumped off the stage to have a dance around in the crowd (cool right?) but I Jumped onto a wet patch on the floor and slipped straight onto my behind and just laid there for the rest of the song playing on my back as i was too drunk/embarrassed to get up and i didn't want to stop playing!

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

Don't think you know it all, listen to people who are better than you, listen to some different genres of music & practice!

pmg · August 2015

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

Cheap Classical Guitar aged 10. Probably unplayable but didn’t get taught what to do so gave up. Second time round another cheap classical aged 20 -stuck with it!

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

Acoustic -songwriter’s best friend J45 TV.

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

Now? The aforementioned J45 TV -a 2008 model.

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

Cali 76 compact deluxe and a gigrig humdinger for my multiple amp fantasy.

5: What strings do you use?

Elixirs. 11s

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

Vocals.

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

Warming up.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Packing up.

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

Mild electrocution via the mic from dodgy wiring.

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

Start younger, practice more and lighten up about your playing.

NickL · August 2015

Missed this the first time round. Can I have a go?

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A black Sunn Mustang HSS Strat copy, Christmas present from parents when I was 13.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Hagstrom acoustic (see below).

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Assuming a pre-war bowlback mandolin doesn't count, a 1964 Hagstrom H45 acoustic. My dad traded a car for it in '68.

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

5: What strings do you use?
First set of D'Addario 9-46 on my Strat Plus - seem to be lasting better than the Ernie Balls I used for the last 20 years.
D'Addario phosphor bronze 12s on the acoustic.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Thankfully the only two that survive are on VHS tapes, so nobody has to listen to them.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Tuning and obsessively checking everything is plugged in.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Heading for the bar.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Lighting crew pulled the telescopic pole out of the top of a tripod stand during a rehearsal, and dropped a T-bar with eight stage lamps from 12 feet in the air on top of the singer, miraculously without serious injury.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Get off the sofa and join a band - don't worry about not being good enough.

Clarky · August 2015

Clarky said:

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
It was a Kay E-110 restrung lefty.. not exactly the finest guitar ever made.. but I loved it.. I was rockin' and-a rollin'.. well sort off..

I need to do this one again cos I goofed up

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

prima.jpg

I still have it in the studio.. it was pretty old when it was given to me..

it's a re-strung righty.. nothing well known.. worth nothing..

and I've used it on a few albums too..

1st electric -> It was a Kay E-110 restrung lefty.. not exactly the finest guitar ever made.. but I loved it.. I was rockin' and-a rollin'.. well sort off..

Moss · August 2015

Clarky said:

8: ...And five minutes after?
bear, smoke, meat 'n' great the audience to say hi, chat and sign stuff...
funny, 5 mins after coming off stage is probably the time when I'm most ready to play the gig.. lmao..

Don't even want to know...

Rox · August 2015

Ooh. Not done this here...

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
My first guitar was a Satellite LP copy my dad bought from a boot sale for £5 back in the late 80's. It was bright orange, and someone had painted black leopard spots on it.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My MIJ Burny LP. Perfection.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1969 SG shape Melody Maker.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I'd love a really decent P Bass.

5: What strings do you use?
D'Addario.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Replace me playing it with someone with skill and talent. I'm a writer, not a player.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Before going on stage I was always ridiculously excited about the whole experience.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Doing all the nervous worrying I should have done before going on stage...

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Drummer playing like he was on speed, while the guitarist had been on the waccy baccy all day and could only play sitting cross legged and almost comatose. The bass player was spot on, and I was yelling at the top of my lungs because I couldn't hear any vocals through the monitors.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't assume all guitar teachers are as uninspiring as the one you had experience of. Making you play 'Good King Wenceslas' in the height of a hot summer was not inspiring. Go and find an inspiring guitar teacher and enjoy it.

sticker · August 2015

ok I'll play

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

My first guitar was a Hondo Revival ES335 copy which I bought 2nd hand from "The Music Dept" in St Albans in 1989 , it cost £150.

I put down a £30 deposit and worked the whole summer in my dads butchers shop and took it home about 6 weeks later .

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

I have 2 hands so would grab my Fender Custom Shop '59 Tele and my Taylor Ltd 2004 414ce

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

I have a 1960's Hofner Lapsteel gathering dust in the garage

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

Either a Strymon Deco or a Thorpy gunshot or Muffroom Cloud

5: What strings do you use?

Elixirs 10-46 on most , 11-52 on my Jazzmaster , 12's on Acoustics

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

totally re-record the bands demo , with all of us present rather than doing it all separately via email to save time/costs - it serves it purpose but out of everything I've ever recorded it's the most amateur sounding.

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

Tuning up and getting a soft drink/water

8: ...And five minutes after?

starting to pack away the gear .

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

Gigging in a pub in St Albans back in the 90's and set up and play to 5 locals and the pub dog , as we play it starts to smell like the drummer's dropped his guts again , only the smell doesn't go and just gets worse .

Only when packing away do we discover that the drummer has set his shiny mirrored pride and joy Remo kit up on a large turd left by the aforementioned pub dog , and every bass drum beat helped to share the love ...

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

Stop trying to be a Jack of all trades and learn one thing at a time until you have it properly nailed , then move on .

rsvmark · August 2015

ok I'll play as well
1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
My first guitar was a Fresher strat copy. Bought in 1982 from a guitar shop in Banbury. Foolishly traded.... It was not 'the one' but I wish I had kept it
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
R8
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1984 model 4 Charvel. First batch of pointys brought into the UK. Still got it but it doesn't get much airtime these days
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Tricky one. I am on the list for the Thorpy gunshot tour so that's an option, Considering an H9, but thinking new amp head. Could be mulling that over for week an
5: What strings do you use?
Elixirs or EB 10-46 on electrics, elixir12's on Acoustics
6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
EQ. We never listened to rough mixes in different environments so all tracks were too muddy
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Tuning up and getting a beer
8: ...And five minutes after?
Getting another beer
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Aside from blown amps, broken strings, I have never had anything as bad as others in the thread. I do remember playing a wedding once and during 'end of the world' (REM) the mother of all fights broke out between 2 rival rugby clubs. It was fine though, they stopped at the end of the track.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
take lessons and practise. Then practise some more.

xmrchi · August 2015

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

1994, it was a b and m Spanish given to me from a neighbour, I wish I still had it.

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

2014 German Hofner new president, sublime guitar.

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

At the mo, 78 Fender Mustang.

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

Z. Vex Fuzz factory.

5: What strings do you use?
EB slinky 9s

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

On the early recording nothing as they were what got us noticed before it all came crashing down,

After crash, I'd tell myself to listen to the tone and not just the riff.

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

Drinking beer

8: ...And five minutes after?

Drinking beer.

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

Thinking it was a good idea to take a newly acquired gibson tal Farlow to a big gig, to play funky rock, ....... God the feedback...

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

Ignore the gear, learn to play more!

paulnb57 · August 2015

1 Squier Strat, plywood, rosewood....

2 My first partscaster Tele

3 As above

4 A bigger Ampmaker kit

5 Ernie Ball 10's

6 Less sterile/over produced

7 Not gigged for years, but used to be a big nervous dump!

8 Big swig of Bitter and stRt to relax

9 Finished our opening number and only one person slowly clapped, paid practice then boys! went down really well after all.....

10 Structured practice....

BigMonka · August 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
An Encore 3/4 size acoustic when I was 9.
First electric was a red Squier Strat I got for Christmas when I was 11 - still gets regularly played and is currently getting a new set up pickups installed.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
Simon & Patrick SP6 acoustic as its the one I play most. But then after the fire I'd regret not saving the others, particularly the answer to the next question.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Late 50s Eko archtop acoustic that my Dad was given in the 60s and kept (unplayed) until I was about 16 when he gave it to me.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A reverb pedal, or a nice amp with a decent reverb

5: What strings do you use?
11s on the acoustics, 10s on the electrics - I have no particular brand preferences.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Get someone who could actually sing in to do the vocals. And re-record the whole guitar track on the one I fluffed up and very badly tried to splice in a good take.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Pacing&twitching with nerves/excitement and checking my tuning.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Trying to keep calm and play it cool whilst the adrenaline is pumping - assuming the gig went well. If it went badly you'll find that I'll have packed up and left well within 5mins!

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Started a gig in front of ~200 people with an rocking instrumental track which everyone was loving, second song involved me singing and by the end of the song there were literally less than 20 people left!!

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Make regular playing (live and practice) an integral part of your lifestyle - even when girls, uni, jobs, kids come along

chromatuna · September 2015

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

A truly awful Zenta electric in about 1975

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

PRS Custom 24

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

Mid 70s Yamaha SG175, precursor to the SG2000

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

Gibson SG, small pickguard Standard variant with a fairly narrow neck and no eTune - so not a new one!

5: What strings do you use?

Ernie Ball 9s for normal use and 10s with an 11 top for slide

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

Vocals - mine

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

Getting my head together

8: ...And five minutes after?

Having a beer

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

Bridge saddle coming loose on a Strat

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

As well as playing exactly what you want, join a covers band and learn to play many different styles

Bucket · September 2015

I'm updating.

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

Dean Baby ML. Now refinished a la Van Halen. Needs a set-up, but it looks ace now.

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

My Flying V, then I'd run back in for my Strat.

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

My Tokai, which I think is from about 2000 or 2001.

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

A new bass amp, then a Taylor 114CE. I also need a bunch of pedalboard-related things.

5: What strings do you use?

Elixir 9-42, 9-46 and 10-46. Forever and always.

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

I'd work a lot harder on the drums, and learn to master properly.

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

Depends.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Depends.

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

The power cable for my pedalboard's power supply snapped five minutes before our set was due to start. That was fun.

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

Don't buy shitty fucking Gator power supplies. Also, learn theory earlier, and learn to sight-read because it'll save Future Me one hell of a job. And don't be so chickenshit about singing - learn, and do it, in front of people.

oozelumbird · November 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
White Columbus strat, may have been MIJ - plastic fingerboard

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
The Yamaha SA700 '91 my wife bought me as a wedding present

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Reliance/Hensel Archtop from the 1930's

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
A PRS, Suhr or Anderson.

5: What strings do you use?
10's or 11's on electric, D'Addario

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

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Getting mentally in the zone, trying to relax

8: ...And five minutes after?
Chatting to people, enjoying a pint.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Having the onset of a vertigo attack....

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

Pablo · December 2015

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

An Epiphone Les Paul Special bought in 1996 from the Music Dept. in St.albans for £200.

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

The one closest to me or the door? Probably the Epiphone. Although my assembled strat is the better guitar, I’m not attached to it (yet, anyway),and I could build another. I’m more sentimental for the Epiphone.

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

The above Epiphone.

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

Realistically , another parts build. Unrealistically, a Lion Special from Feline.

5: What strings do you use?

D’Addario 10 Guage.

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

Never recorded anything.

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

Never played live ,so N/A.

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?

Stick with it! Enter Sandman is fun but try and branch out.

andrew · December 2015

Can't resist being oh-so-slightly narcissistic and doing one of these...

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

An 'Eastwood' acoustic that I bought off Gumtree for £30 which had no case, so I put it in a bin bag and tied some 'straps' to it to keep it on as I rode home on my old motorbike.

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

My CiJ '68RI Strat - the guitar to turn me back on to Strats.

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

Said Strat (1998)

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

The parts (and funds) to finish my Walnut Tele Deluxe build.

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?

Last time I recorded I was drumming. Same applies on guitar I suppose: Don't be needlessly flashy - no one cares for a show off!

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

Tuning. Always tuning.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Making sure all my pedals are off and the amp's on standby.

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

Blew a fuse on the plug for my amp and didn't have a spare (fuse or amp!)...

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

Enjoy the hell out of playing whatever you can play, whether that's three chords or 300 chords.

fretmeister · December 2015

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

Hohner Arbor Series MXJ super strat. In metallic red. It was awesome.

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

2003 Fender American Strat. I bought it on the day I became a dad.

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

Early 1990s Status Graphite Energy bass. I've done hundreds of gigs with it and it is battle worn.

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

Friedman PT-20 I think. Or a Rob Allen Mouse 30 bass.

5: What strings do you use?

Different for different instruments. Currently a mix of D'addario, GHS, Dunlop, Ernie Ball, Thomastik. Mix of nickels on guitar, steels, nickels, flats and Pressurewounds on bass.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be? One wrong note in an otherwise perfect recording of a harmony part. We didn't notice until we got home, and we ran out of money and the studio recorded over the masters. So I have the version with the wrong note in it.

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

Piss, wash hands with really hot water, quick cuppa black tea with sugar to clean the vocal chords

8: ...And five minutes after?

Look for a kebab / curry house.

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

Nothing really. The usual drunk blokes getting in the way, string breaks, valve failure.

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

Read music. 5 mins per day is enough and it transforms understanding of music in a short time.

Haych · December 2015

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

My father had a very cheap acoustic when I was young, I still have it. That's what got me interested but my first guitar was a 3/4 size classical with steel strings. Sounded quite nice actually.

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

Dad built me a guitar some years ago based on a Les Paul Special DC. I love it, not just because of the sentimental value, it's actually a very nice guitar and plays and sounds great so I'd be saving that one, all the others are replaceable, that one isn't.

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

Dad's old Eros acoustic or my 82 Strat, they're both from roughly the same era.

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

Wouldn't mind a Fender 65 Twin Reissue or a 59 Bassman Reissue.

5: What strings do you use?

On my Strats and PRS 10 - 46, either D'addario or Fender and D'addario 11 - 52 on anything with a Gibson scale.

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

I'd stop being hung up on getting the production right and concentrate on the song first.

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

I've never got nervous playing live, I'm normally chomping at the bit to get up there, I'd probably be checking the rig one last time and making sure it's all good to go.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Cursing at the singer under my breath because once again he's buggered off to socialize and has left the bassist and me to pack up all the amps, guitars and PA in the car while the drummer takes his kit apart.

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

Many years ago we played a support slot for another band. One song we were asked to play had a drum machine track, we had a drummer so I don't know why! Anyway, we weren't using our PA and when we got to the venue there were no stage monitors so we couldn't hear the drum track on stage. The only reference we had was the FOH sound bouncing off the back wall of the venue. Needless to say it was a very embarrassing experience, in hindsight we should have just refused to play that song.

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

Set a proper practise schedule and stick to it. Do the boring stuff like learning scales, notation and theory. Learn other people's solos and parts and get out and play with more people.

shoodurs · December 2015

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

A Hohner acoustic for £80 that broke 2 days later when tuning up! Got money back from shop and bought a second hand Yamaha acoustic for half that price which is still brilliant and still have after almost 30 years. I regard this as my first.

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

My guitars live in a window box I made and since I've got two hands I'd save my Parker Nitefly Mojo Flame and my Gibson Les Paul standard. Oh and since I'm right at the window would probably have time to save my other guitars by throwing them out said window too heh heh

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

Yamaha acoustic thats about 30 years old.

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

Gibson LP Access or a Waghorn guitar.

5: What strings do you use?

D'addario

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

I'd be happy just to finish off my only recording so far lol.

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

Having a big drink of water, checking my gear is all properly set up etc...again, a quick tune up...again.

Breathe deep and away we go.

8: ...And five minutes after?

Put amp on standby in case we get asked for an encore. Enjoy the moment before I criticise myself 2 mins later then turn everything off, pack up and do the donkey work that others cant be bothered with!!!

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

Nothing of note except losing the plot when doing the Whole Lot Of Rosie solo. Was not long before leaving the band so think it might have had something to do with it. We got asked to do it again for an encore and was one of the best solos I ever did...crowd went daft as usual so went home well chuffed that I made up for the big mistuke lol.

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

All those "easy beginner" chords are real chords that everyone plays so dont feel you have to do fancy chords way up the neck before calling your self a guitarist!! Also learn 1 style and stick with it..the same with songs...learn them from start to finish!! Oh and get an electric guitar sooner for more variety and to keep the interest up.

cbilly22 · December 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A Sakai or Top Twenty or similar bought from a guy at school called Jason.
2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My Tokai LS65.
3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
The aforementioned Tokai LS65. It's from 2004 and I've had it since 2005.
4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
I have a hankering for a Squier 51 to be honest, or maybe find that elusive fuzz pedal I've always wanted as I never seem to find one that suits me.
5: What strings do you use?
9-42. Usually Rotosound or D'addario.

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
The first EP with my old band Shaver. Guitars were like mud.
7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Checking stuff.
8: ...And five minutes after?
A cider and a sit down
9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Been a few funny moments but nothing life threatening. At the end of the day it's all part of the fun.
10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Use the gear that suits you not the stuff that suits other peoples opinions...you'll waste far less money in the long run.

TheDarkLord · December 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
It was the mid 70s. I was 13 and it was a cheap red Fender Mustang copy with racing stripes. I loved it. It was cool

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My custom build T-type by Eternal Guitars. The one with the Evertune bridge in it.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
A 1976 Fender Jazz bass ...... but, sticking to the question, the above T-Type. It's only 2 1/2 years old, but it is a relic finish. My other four six strings are even younger than that.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Probably an Electro Harmonix boost pedal.

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?
Nothing. They are moments in time which can't be changed and shouldn't be.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Standing out of the way somewhere sipping a brandy.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Standing outside in the fresh air to come down. Alone if possible.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Realising that the dep drummer we'd hired wasn't up to the gig ..... only three songs in to a two hour set.

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
It advise him to sit back and enjoy the ride. Lots of fun things are gonna happen.

dwheeldo · December 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
A 3/4 size classical guitar I badgered my parents into buying me for Christmas when I was about 10. Barely played it until I was 14 and decided to pick it up and learn properly.

2: The building’s burning down – what one guitar do you save?
My '99 US Tele.

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
Right now, said Tele. I've owned a couple of '60s guitars in my time, both of which were lovely, and if I had a lot more cash lying around I'd love to pick up more vintage stuff.

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
An ES-339.

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball 11s. Heavier strings make you work harder!

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

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Getting psyched up with the rest of the band / sorting my hair out.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Headlining: having a drink and dissecting the gig.
Support: getting shit off stage as fast as possible.
Both: sorting my hair out.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Hmm, nothing too dreadful so far (touch wood) beyond the usual guitar cutting out, slicing fingers open on strings etc...

10: What advice would you give your younger self about playing the guitar?
Don't worry about solos. Get a good fuzz pedal.

slacker · December 2015

1: What was your first guitar and when did you get it?
Eko Rio Grande IV

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

3: What’s the oldest guitar that you own?
1952 ES125

4: And the next piece of gear you’d like to acquire?
Can't make my mind up. Possibly a Jazzmaster, Telecaster or Stratocaster or...

5: What strings do you use?
Ernie Ball

6: If you could change one thing about a recording of yours, what would it be?
Nothing, each recording is what happened at the time.

7: What are you doing five minutes before you go onstage?
Getting very nervous, that five minutes is the worst for me, not nervous before and not nervous onstage.

8: ...And five minutes after?
Mixed, normally whoo hoo but sometimes oh crap.

9: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Broken string, happened twice in 35 years.

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

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