Search options (Page 34 of 41)

Yesterday I was in one of the big guitar stores in Columbus, OH.  In the acoustic room there was in the neighborhood of 50 guitars in the $1000-$2000 range. I was looking for a smaller-bodied OM or 000 type with a 1-3/4" nut. I've owned a couple Martins and am pretty much a Martin kinda guy, but none of the smaller bodied Martins really "spoke" to me, A Breedlove Cascade 000 was close to the sound I was looking for, but $1500 for an asian-built acoustic seemed a little steep, even with the Breedlove name on it.  I continued to the glass-encased "back room" where the $2000 and up guitars are kept.  I tried a small-bodied Gibson but that didn't get it.  A couple Martin Eric Clapton 000's had the sound I wanted but were out of my price range.  Then I picked up a Taylor GC8.  I once owned a Taylor "Big Baby" that was a nice little guitar but never had that bassy "bottom" I've grown to like, and I've played a few other Taylors I've liked but not enough to fork over the money they wanted for them. The GC8 had a feel and sound I may be willing to pay for.  I played the Claptons a few more times but kept going back to the Taylor.

I left the back room and checked out the acoustic section where $100- $500 guitars were hanging.  I picked up a few and strummed then but again, nothing "spoke" to me.  I spied a Taylor GS-Mini which I've heard good things about and thought it might be OK for a small-bodied guitar that could fit into a dry bag for overnight river trips. As soon as I strummed it I wondered "Where did that come from?"  For a small guitar it has great sound and projection - nothing like the travel guitars I've experimented with and been disappointed with in the past.That little booger sounds like the real thing, and I may be adding one to the arsenal if I can sell the little Ibanez and Samick travel guitars I currently own.  After yesterday's experience  I might be becoming a "Taylor Guy".

Amy, if your looking for a small-bodied guitar with great sound without breaking the bank, you might want to check out the GS-Mini.  Taylor lists it as a 7/8 size.  The body is about 2" shorter than a Martin 000, 5/8" narrower but about 1/2" deeper (which may be why it has such a good volume for a small acoustic).  The nut is 1-11/16, a little narrow for me but great for your small hands.  There's several chances to listen to one on youtube to get an idea of the sound.

DE

Well, looks like Friday will be NGD for Zurf !!!!!!

Package is on its way buddy.

Ken

I first saw some videos of those kids last year and have following them ever since.  They've got a little brother who is about 4-5 years old that they want to become their bass player. I'm trying to imagine some 4-foot tall kid standing on a stool and thumping on an upright bass. I'll bet they've got some proud parents.

As several have already said, there are a lot of different ways to skin a cat.  About 90% of my songs start with a "Hook" - the catchy phrase or primary subject of the song which becomes part of the chorus and which I also usually put in the title.  Once I've established the hook or focal point, all the verses and the story of the song supports the hook. I try to find words that rhyme with the primary accent word of the hook.  Its during this phase I usually work out the rhyming scheme, such as ABAB (end of A lines rhyme, end of B lines rhyme) or maybe AABB, ACBC, etc.  I usually shoot for a different rhyme scheme for the verses and chorus, but that's not set in stone.  By the time I get a couple verses written I begin to get a feel for the meter and rhythm of the song and try to ensure the prosody is correct.  I'll sometimes switch to all minor chords for a sad song, etc.  Sometimes I find a phrase in a verse I've written is stronger than my hook line and the new phrase becomes the hook and the old hook becomes part of a verse. Its more of a craft rather than an art.

I keep a "hook book" in which I jot down phrases I hear, things that I overhear people say, comments or headlines on the internet or local paper - anything or subject I think would make an interesting song later.  I usually drag out the book when I'm in a "writing mood" to see if there is anything that jumps out at me.  About 10% of the time after coming up with an interesting little chord progression or lick, I find a hook in my book that seems to fit the mood of the guitar riff and I start that way. - Its all good.  I should also mention that most of my songs would be considered country/Americana in which the story is the primary objective rather than rock-style songs in which the beat and rhythm are considered more important than the lyrics - I'm guessing most rock songs begin with the music instead of the lyrics.

I always worked a lot of crosswords, sudokus and other puzzles and have found that I may not finish a puzzle I started in the morning, but for some reason the answers come easy in the evening, and vice-versa.  I've experimented somewhat and wrote songs at different times of the day as my brain seems to work differently at different times.  I tend to favor the songs I've written in the morning but that may be because I'm basically a morning person. My favorite writing method is to be out on the road driving early in the morning with the radio turned off and my mind making up songs to keep my brain busy.

Having hung out with some NSAI songwriters for a couple years, I'm alsways amazed at the variety of methods used by different folks.

DE

Thanks dead string, that's mighty kind of you to say.   Glad you enjoy some of my songs.

DE

Although I primarily play songs I write, I occasionally hear one I want to learn.  I'm guessing about 80% of the time I work it out by just listening to it.  However most of the songs I like to play are pretty simple folk/Americana type tunes that are pretty easy.  I look up the lyrics quite often but rarely look at tabs.

DE

After talking to some guitar-pickin' friends that may show up, I think you can count me back in the mix Zurf.

DE

Just think how it'll WOW the old gals at the rest home now. .....................

I change mine frequently Jim.  In fact, my Blueridge got new strings yesterday.

DE

Thanks for the reply Pix.  The electronics work fine through my little 25 watt Ibanez acoustic amp.  The first time I played it I felt the bass and treble sounded great but the middle was a little "muddy".  Now that I've played it a little more and the top has opened some, everything now sounds good to my ear. I also checked the on-board tuner against my clamp-on and it was right on.  I'll try to send you an email with more pictures in the next few days. I'm working from 0600 to 1900 Fri -Mon and tend to be pretty tired when I get home.

DE

Several years ago I attended an acoustic performance at a local venue.  Two guitar players and a third guy with a large canvas duffle bag walked onto the stage.  He was introduced as the "percussionist", while dumping the contents of his bag on the stage floor.  There were pots, pans, wood blocks, toys, etc, each having its own particular sound or tone.  He would pick up various items and play them with his hands or with drum sticks, depending on the song being played.  It sounded great as well as being visually entertaining.  I talked to the guy later.  He said he used to play a drum kit but was fascinated by the sounds of various items he tapped, clicked and thumped in dollar stores, etc.  Every time he found a new "sound" and it wasn't very expensive, he bought the item.  Apparently he found a lot of inexpensive stuff judging by the sheer number of items he played.  I've thought about doing the same thing and bringing a bag of percussive instruments to campfire picking sessions so the "non-musicians" would have something to play.

DE

The sound damper sounded like a great idea.  I have a Kyser "Lifeguard" guitar sound hole humidifier back in a drawer and thought I'd try it out as a substitute solid" plug. The LR Baggs VTC (volume and tone control) unit that is fitted just inside the hole was in the way, but I was able to maneuver around enough to plug the hole without touching the strings, although I couldn't get to the VTC control knobs.  It made a big improvement.  I think if I buy a solid plug and cut it so the knobs can still be accessed, it should work.  Thanks for the suggestion beamer and Mike.

DE