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This is really good, MKM.

I didn't quite follow what you were saying about her size, but I'll guess she became concerned about her appearance at some point? It's too bad that musicians get assessed as much (or more) for their appearance than they do their music. Anne Wilson (Heart) was often abused by the media because of her size, but who cares? There have been few women ever with a voice to compare to hers, and I think Ms. Trainor's talent also stands on its own merit.

Hank Jr. was more of a free-spirit than his father, which you can hear in his music ... great choice.

That's the perennial question, CG ...

Personally, I don't care even a little about brand name / reputation. I think it behooves each of us to learn enough about woods, construction methods, etc., so that we can determine if an instrument is good quality or not. There are too many consumers who base their purchase on a brand name (whatever the product) without really knowing what they're buying. And I think we all know from experience just how powerfully the marketing industry has preyed on that ignorance.

I almost always start with a general price point in mind, and some idea about what type of sound / woods / features / feel / playability /etc. I'm after. It's then a matter of finding the best of these features within the price range established. I would say sound is #1, with playability being a close #2. If doesn't sound good and feel right in the hands, why buy it at all?

It's great to see you back in the Forums, Zurf ... you've been missed. You've obviously been suffering in silence for some time, and it's nice to know some of the Chordie family were alongside to help during those times. This is a great community here, and although distanced by geography, I've been pleased as punch to be a small part of the daily conversations in the Chordie forums.

I haven't had that experience / problem, BGD. It may be because I tend to play with my fretting fingers at a right-angle to the strings. I've also got fairly large thick fingers, so there's lots of surface area at the tips to "trap" the strings under.

Great points about cedar, Doug.

It's hard to imagine a classical guitar sounding "right" with anything but a Red Cedar top. Spruce is a fair bit denser, and just doesn't resonate the same ... especially with nylon strings.

I don't know what standards we have in place for harvesting Western Red Cedar in Canada, but I do know there's an incredibly strong population of environmentally-aware people in British Columbia, who sometimes self-appoint themselves as Mother's Nature's guardians. It's not all bad, but some of it gets unrealistically silly. We saw some of the cedars in Stanley Park (Vancouver, BC) and several of them required all four of us to hold hands to encircle the trunk. One tree like that would make tops for thousands and thousands of guitars, so I can't imagine cedar guitar tops being the death knell of the Western Red Cedar. My guess is that the cedar in a single log home would keep a guitar factory like Simon & Patrick going for a long time, and cedar log homes are still very popular.

I have a long-time friend who runs a small logging / sawmill business (all spruce for studs & boards), and he's been cutting off the same 300 - 400 acres for at least 30 years. He only harvests the largest trees each year, so that the smaller trees get more light and grow faster. When explaining his habits he'll often say, "Why would I want to kill my own livelihood?" Wood can be harvested sensibly.

Thanks for this, Doug ...

Many of us don't have your sense of diplomacy, and it's helpful to be reminded that it's usually the wiser path.

Much obliged, fellow-strummer!

Too funny ... it's easier if'n y'all don't git yer knickers in a knot! (snicker)

Great job, Graham!

Always fun to try a song in a little different way, and your "little guitar" does a nice job with it. I like to play Led Zeppelin's version of this, only on the 12-string with a capo at the fifth fret, and using the various E and D shapes for the A's and G's ... nice and sparkly.

Great studio in the making, Beamer ... nice work.

The guitars mounted on the walls with APEX holders is (IMHO) the best way to store them ... I've done the same thing here at. No way to accidentally kick those things over, like with a floor stand. By the height of the window sill, it looks like this basement room isn't far below ground. I hope you plan to install some form of moisture control (humidification / dehumidifier) to keep the humidity levels healthy for your instruments. That's the only drawback to a lower-level room, i.e., damp, cooler air settles downstairs in a house.

You folk will have many enjoyable hours there ... congratulations!

Nothing like Dutchie Mason and beautiful weather to make a road trip to Cape Breton amazing. Dad and I used to spend a week every June in Pleasant Bay to catch the sea trout runs. He's unable to do that due to his age / health, but we have lots of great memories of our annual "Look Out Trout" adventures around the Cabot Trail. It truly is God's country!

Thanks for the fix, and enjoy your trip!

Beamer ...

That Squier Strat with the Duncan-designed pickups is actually a lot better axe than the price would imply. Steve Rothery (Marillion) tours with one as his primary guitar, and the tones he gets from it are amazing. When I do the Prog Rock Wednesday post tomorrow, I'll put up a vid of him playing it.