Any Guitarists out there?

[DamianJ]

Here you go @DamianJ
View attachment 48125

Looks good, hope it plays as well as it looks

 

[Wayne]

Looks good, hope it plays as well as it looks

Well at present I have no idea how well it plays, I'm struggling with a D chord Also the Fender practice amp he left only plays on the Gain Volume, the normal volume knob doesn't work so everything has reverb, not ideal. The Luthier said it was a good guitar and he should know, he is the guitar tech for a number of bands icluding New Model Army and tours the world as a tech. In my hands it sounds horrible.

 

[DamianJ]

Well at present I have no idea how well it plays, I'm struggling with a D chord Also the Fender practice amp he left only plays on the Gain Volume, the normal volume knob doesn't work so everything has reverb, not ideal. The Luthier said it was a good guitar and he should know, he is the guitar tech for a number of bands icluding New Model Army and tours the world as a tech. In my hands it sounds horrible.

When I restarted playing I just practiced with mine unplugged from the amp. Getting the chord shapes down and into muscle memory takes some time, stick with it. Sounds like you've found a good guitar tech!

 

[Wayne]

When I restarted playing I just practiced with mine unplugged from the amp. Getting the chord shapes down and into muscle memory takes some time, stick with it. Sounds like you've found a good guitar tech!

Thanks mate. I will.

 

[G_man]

Hi Wayne,

I've been playing guitar for a very time and although in my earlier years I wasn't lacking motivation, my problem was that I would always concentrate too much on the technique. I would sit for hours at a time just drilling scales and exercises (that was probably the influence from my classical clarinet training , however I haven't work on the musical aspect. Later on, I learned that this component would also add greatly to ones abilities.
What I am trying to say is, don't get too technical, but also try to focus on the sound that you are producing with your instrument. Or better still, when you practice, set your goal (a simple tune perhaps) and then try to get the sound out of the guitar with your ears (not your hands) being your guidance It's more fun this way.

Of course, I also agree to get a good tutor before hand. He can teach you the basics, which will make things a lot easier later on.

 

[Wayne]

Update A,D & E chords are now learned and I am successfully swaping between the chords at a rate so far of 17 changes per minute. I'm really enjoying it but my fingers are sore lol.

 

[DamianJ]

Update A,D & E chords are now learned and I am successfully swaping between the chords at a rate so far of 17 changes per minute. I'm really enjoying it but my fingers are sore lol.

Keep at it, the finger soreness goes with time. Wait while you start bending strings, that gives the fingers an extra workout. A fair few blues tunes you can do with A D and E. Try learning a song or 2 that you can strum along to with those chords it makes practising the changes easier as its more musical. Although practising changes is also a good thing to build the technique and memory.

 

[Wayne]

Keep at it, the finger soreness goes with time. Wait while you start bending strings, that gives the fingers an extra workout. A fair few blues tunes you can do with A D and E. Try learning a song or 2 that you can strum along to with those chords it makes practising the changes easier as its more musical. Although practising changes is also a good thing to build the technique and memory.

Thank you I will.

 

[Boru62]

Update A,D & E chords are now learned and I am successfully swaping between the chords at a rate so far of 17 changes per minute. I'm really enjoying it but my fingers are sore lol.

That's pretty good progress.
Your fingers soon get used to the stretching and the skin on the fingertips hardens.
Very soon they won't hurt at all and changing from chord to chord will become natural.

 

[junipertar]

Update A,D & E chords are now learned and I am successfully swaping between the chords at a rate so far of 17 changes per minute. I'm really enjoying it but my fingers are sore lol.

How is the action & what are the gauges of the strings? Have you had the setup checked by someone with experience? The fingers will be sore in the beginning anyway, but make sure you don't cause yourself unnecessary pain by playing an instrument that is not play-ready/set up properly.

 

[Boru62]

How is the action & what are the gauges of the strings? Have you had the setup checked by someone with experience? The fingers will be sore in the beginning anyway, but make sure you don't cause yourself unnecessary pain by playing an instrument that is not play-ready/set up properly.

He's had it professionally set up.

I have bought all the parts and taken it to a local Luthier to have it set up and restrung.

The Luthier said it was a good guitar and he should know, he is the guitar tech for a number of bands icluding New Model Army and tours the world as a tech.

If the action is any thing like an original SG it'll be super light and accidentally bending the strings might be a problem to begin with.

 

[Wayne]

He's had it professionally set up.




If the action is any thing like an original SG it'll be super light and accidentally bending the strings might be a problem to begin with.

Hi,
The strings are 10 gauge so not heavy.
No problem bending the strings. Playing A,D & E and using my index finger as an anchor on the 4th string is really helping with the chord switching, however it bloody hurts. I’ve got a permanent groove in my finger. Hope the callouses soon form, Ouch! Sorry Bryan I aint playing mine until my fingers bled. Lol.

 

[Francorelli]

What I am trying to say is, don't get too technical, but also try to focus on the sound that you are producing with your instrument. Or better still, when you practice, set your goal (a simple tune perhaps) and then try to get the sound out of the guitar with your ears (not your hands) being your guidance It's more fun this way.

Very sound advice. It took me a couple of years to fully appreciate this concept. My playing became much more enjoyable (for myself and others) when I did.

 

[Boru62]

Hi,
The strings are 10 gauge so not heavy.
No problem bending the strings. Playing A,D & E and using my index finger as an anchor on the 4th string is really helping with the chord switching, however it bloody hurts. I’ve got a permanent groove in my finger. Hope the callouses soon form, Ouch! Sorry Bryan I aint playing mine until my fingers bled. Lol.

It will get easier on the fingers.
I had to pick my guitar up to understand the index/anchor, so you're using your little finger on the A chord?

 

[Wayne]

It will get easier on the fingers.
I had to pick my guitar up to understand the index/anchor, so you're using your little finger on the A chord?

No Sir I am following Justin Guitar’s method of index finger on 4th string, third finger on 5th and 2nd finger on 3rd string which gives a little more room in the fret for all 3 fingers.