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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Posts by naolslager
You gotta love it! i had to share this pearl.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/ … 35346.html
1981 Martin D28
Serial number: 433746, in perfect condition!!
Always kept in humidity free environment!!
Original hard shell case included
The guitar is also equipped with acoustic passive pickup!!
Selling for 1.500,00 $
Available if you want to try it!!!
Woodstock
Zurf,
You nailed it: purposeful practice. This is my weakness. I "piddle" around with same things over and over. Then I wonder why I'm not further along. Fortunately I love "playing" so practices are not drudgery. To my credit I do practice one scale, don't know which, but i'm fairly proficient with it but can't "use it" yet.
Justin at www.justinguitars.com suggests practicing scales until you can actually use them. I'm not there yet.
Also as a deviation from chords I am learning the solo in Sublime's "What I Got". this gets me away from the 1st position an into terra incognita (in and around the 12th fret). I've got this just need speed and work on timing, and bending the last note. This exercise proved to me I can play "difficult" stuff if I break it down and practice.
All of which requires patience.
I love the sound of the acoustic guitar. Always have as far as I can remember. I decided to do something about it when I was about 20 (1983). I purchased a used Takamine dreadnought from a co-worker for $150. He offered to teach me and started me with left-hand exercises to learn the fretboard. This lasted about a month. I didn't even know how to tune the guitar or whether or not it was even in tune. About a year later I sold the guitar for $150.
Fast forward to 2008. (I am now 45.) I get a big promotion at work and my wife says let's set aside $1000 for me to buy myself something. The NEXT DAY I was standing in Guitar Center. I called home and got the green light to purchase a guitar. For her, this was shocking as I had never mentioned this aspiration before. (By the way I came in WAY under budget: A used Seagull SWS dreadnought for $350. Mint! GC didn't know what they had. Nor did I really.)
My goal was to become a "very good" guitar player. (Yes, this was a purposely vague goal.) I decided I wanted to be "self-taught". I'm a smart guy I can do this. Somewhere around the six month mark I discovered the wonders of Craig's List and purchased a 12-string. (Still couldn't play a six but why shoud that stop me?) The floodgates opened but not the ones I had hoped or maybe the ones you are thinking. Instead of accelerating my guitar skills I became obsessed with researching, buying and selling guitars. I am know very knowledgeable and have owned 7-8 guitars. (My current inventory is 3.) I had lost sight of my original goal.
I'm reading "Life" by Keith Richards. This is a well-written book and fantastic. Yes, there is a lot of talk about drugs, etc but the theme that is slowing revealing itself to me is guitar-playing is hard work. It requires focus, dedication, and a love of playing. Whether you like the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, drugs or not, this is a good book and these truths remain.
Now when I hear a Rolling Stones song (or any song for that matter) I am reminded of all the hard work that was required for it to end up in my ears and brain. This serves as hope and inspiration for me to stick to my goal and GET BACK TO PLAYING.
I guess I'm spoiled living in Metro Atlanta. I have many guitar shops (big and small) to chose from including THREE GCs within driving distance. I also enjoy a robust Craig's List. Unfortunatley because of this I spend too much time looking and not enough time playing.
So, my New Year's resolution (begining now, Why wait?) is to: GET BACK TO PLAYING!
Steve, check this Tacoma PM9 out. I've spoken to this guy several times and came pretty close to trading for this instrument. It looks to be mint. It is solid wood (Spruce/Mahogany). You could probably get this for about $400.
http://www.tacomaguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=2885.0
p.s. I did not trade because he wanted my Yamaha Jumbo and I was not quite ready to part with it.
p.p.s. Larivees are GREAT guitars.
While I live in the State of Georgia I spend a fair amount of time in the Country of Georgia. One of their tradtion instruments is the Panduri. It is made from a gourd and has three (nylon?) strings. I may try to purchase during my next visit.
Follow this link to a video demonstrating the instrument and a Georgian folk song. Very cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBtO5oLdZOE
David
Zurf,
My wife uses the same handbook as your mother! I am ashamed to admit I dread Holiday decorating. Each year I promise the next will be better. This year was a little better but my tongue was bleeding throughout. I know she enjoys having a decorated house and I know these times should be fond memories but it is a difficult time for me.
The one thing I do enjoy is stringing lights up on the outside of the house - the exterior illumination. Returning home from war a few years ago we landed in Maine as our entry into the U.S. It was mid December and as we landed I was staring out at all the Christmas lights (and snow). It almost made me cry. We were home. Back in the USA, and there were colors other than tan! So in hopes of welcoming anyone home I always put lights on the house. Maybe one person will see them and it will warm their heart.
My family also watches National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation" each year. Clark W. Griswold is my hero.
David
Carla,
I recommend using Craig's List to locate a case. It is usually the low-cost alternative. Shipping costs for a case may be more than a used case.
David
Welcome Katie. You will enjoy this site. It has been a big help to me.
Abby,
One more thing. I suspect the Takamine of which you mention is most likely either the GS430S (OM-sized body) or the GS330S (Dreadnought). Both are nice, solid cedar top with some sort of mahogany-esque wood on the back and sides, lovely satin finish. I looked at the 430 the other day and it was priced a $299. I subsequently found a used one on Craig's List for $200 with a hard shell case. I did not purchase as I am still shopping and may need to part with another to make room.
$299 is a pretty good price for either of these guitars but there are many other brands, etc to consider. So (again) I suggest you play as many as you can. For me that is one of the joys of the purchasing/playing experience.
Abby,
Where should I start? Anyone trying to answer your questions would need to know at least what model it is. New? Used? Of course the salesman is going to tell you its a good deal. In most (but not all) cases, the saleman's mission is to get you out the door with a guitar in your hand. You mention the mall. This scares me. No surprise, most men are scared of the mall but a music store in the mall would be one of the last places I visited if I as looking for a good deal. Now maybe that is the ONLY guitar store available to you. If so, shop where you must.
There are literally hundreds of good acoustic guitars in this price range both new and used. Play as many as you can before making a purchasing decision. It might turn out that this Takamine is a good deal and the best guitar for you.
Good luck.
p.s. Did I mention: play as many as you can before making a purchasing decision?
There is not enough Calamine (sp?) lotion in the world to thwart NGI (New Guitar Itch)!
Soyboy61,
Through a combination of Christmas windfall and spousal concurrence (if not approval) I am on the hunt again. Yesterday I looked at the Taylor GS Mini. I travel a lot so having (at least) one small guitar appeals to me. I liked the Mini but at $499 (no haggle room) this seems steep for the convenience of NOT having to send it through checked baggage on commerical airlines.
My wife tells me to take my time to find the one perfect guitar. This is analagous to looking for the Loch Ness Monster. But I am getting to the point that I am reluctant to buy anything for fear of missing the next perfect guitar. Also although I can probably afford (after a period of saving) an "expensive" (~$1,000) guitar I find it difficult to part with that much money when there is an unlimited suppply of grest-sounding, inexpensive guitars. My current favorite is a $200 Art & Lutherie all laminate guitar. I absolutely love this guitar, the sound and I find my self sneaking peaks at it just to admire the apprearance.
My A&L competes for attention with a 1984 Guild D-15M (all mahogany) and a 1979 cool Yamaha jumbo. The Guild is buy far the most expensive guitar I own but I can predict it is most likely the first to be sold. Not because it doesn't sound good or isn't cool to look at but because I have 2-3 inexpensive guitars worth of money tied up in it.
I suppose if I spent as much time practicing as I do researching and "hunting" I'd be on stage somewhere by now instead of wondering when I'll be bold enough to sing or when I'll be able to swiftly construct my first (evil) barre chord.
Good luck in your quest. I wish you happy hunting.
David
I've introduced my wife to the concept of a "guitar fund". In fact it is now a frequent part of my lexicon. Occasionally (rarely actually) when I but her something I find a subtle way to let her know the money came from my guitar fund. You've got to be careful with this but incrementalism works. A sign of success is that she has mentioned this term to ME. The on-going battle is keeping the fund liquid. No magic here, just scrimping and saving, and an occasional profit on a guitar.
I am ALWAYS in the market for the next guitar it seems. Within hours of my last purchase I was rifling through Craig's List! Unbelievable! I have managed to pare my inventory to three. One is listed on CL with ever-changing plans for the cash I receive.
"A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving
All this and nary a mention of the title of this post. I am surprised.
Implementor of U.S. foreign policy.
To all:
I am thankful for my health, family, and friends - both old and new - the latter especially includes my friends here at Chordie, and music. Wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with the ones important to you. Enjoy.
DJ
Nealy,
Holy Crap, you've mastered major and minor chords in a few months?! I must not be holding my mouth right:) Been at it for almost two years and barre chords are still only dreams (or nightmares( for me. Good work.
David
Thanks Guitarpix!
Update:
It's the Holidays and I'm home all week. I've had some time to get to know the Guild.I tuned it down a half step just for the heck of it and I am enjoying the sounds, etc. My only crtiticism is the neck seems to be very thin and sometimes my fat fingers are muting the "e" string but I am overcoming this and I really enjoy the guitar. I am even considering a "travel version" in the form of a Taylor Baby M. It will be like mini-me as both guitars have an arched (braceless) back.
So far so good. Sorry about this lackluster review but thanks for your patience.
David
Zurf,
What makes a guitar a "bluegrass" guitar? I've seen this claim severaltimes. I am not at the bluegrass playing level but I do enjoy the sound of this style of music.
David
Guitarpix,
Point #2, "solid woods (back and sides) are overated", is particularly refreshing to me as I've battled this one. I currenly own two all-lam guitars and one all-solid (or maybe the back is laminate, some debate on this).
The first/best advice I've ever received is to seek a solid-top. Sometimes I have actually heeded this advice and sometime not (SOMETIMES, but not always, at my own auditory peril).
I think a "Guitar Buyer's" book is in your future. You could help millions of future players avoid hours , months, years of frustration.
David
Guitarpix,
thanks for the observations. I agree with many but will make a note of yours as I continue my journey through and around guitars. I buy and sell often trying to cull the good (in my opinion) from the bad. I derive much joy from this.
David
Debrap,
I must clarify and correct. Let me say less than ten guitars in two years. (I am on coffee this am!) and I do buy and sell so my current inventory is three. Sorry I had a bowl of high-fructose hyberbole for breakfast.
David
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Posts by naolslager
