Guitar players corner!

In before the lock! ;-)

 

Playing both should give you the clarity to understand what works in an arrangement and what doesn't -- as a guitarist, you should be able to write stronger guitar parts that accentuate what the bassist is doing, and vice versa.

I wish you great fortune as you explore music from the other side of the drum kit!

 

Musicians should play at least two instruments (and sing).

Here's my baby:

 

Guitar players corner?

 

If you want a versatile and portable tube amp, check out the Mesa Boogie Mark V:25.

 

I played guitar before I played bass. Asked for my first “real” (not kiddy) guitar for my 4th birthday. Played trumpet in school. I’ve been playing drums professionally since I was about 12. Been touring and recording as a professional musician since I got out of school at 14. I have about 40 different guitars, and I like vintage, so most are 45 years old or older. From Martin dreadnaughts, to classical guitars, lots of USA Strats, USA Les Pauls, vintage Gretsch Chet Atkins models, a vintage Airline H77, some Gibson Firebirds, a few Jackson’s, a couple other Ibanez models, some more I’m probably forgetting. I’ve always played vintage tube 60s-70s Marshall stacks, and have quite a few, from a Marshall Major to mini-stacks. I have an old 70s Ampeg practice amp I love, a neat old 60s Silvertone practice amp. I don’t use pedals much. I only own a couple Gibson Maestro FZ1 FuzzTones and a Lunastone treble booster. But, I’m really a professional drummer in a metal band.

 

I play guitar. I don't think I play it like a bassist(?). I'm "OK" but really don't take it as seriously. Good enough to hang and wouldn't be intimidated to audition or sit in (rhythm) as I've played for a really long time. But my lead chops are pretty middling. Not Greg Ginn awful but... it's not my strength.
I think there's a lot of fun to be had as a writer with a guitar. Definitely has improved my bass playing more than my bassin' has helped my guitar. I feel more at ease working out vocals with a guitar than with a bass. Maybe because I am more self-critical when playing bass. I try to be on time even if I am bringing my guitar. But I dress more like a guitarist. No white shoes, no sweatpants, etc. And I don't stand still and I make eye contact and I never stand in the back corner of the stage.

 

I bought my first guitar at the end of 2016 (a Fender AmStd Strat) but didn’t really start playing it until the end of 2017. I pretty quickly caught the bug and eventually added a Les Paul, and later I added a PRS and a Tele.

I really want to start taking lessons once things get a little bit more back to normal. I would like to think I’m halfway decent but I’m still a bit nervous to join a band. It’s kinda weird to be 30 and telling prospects that I’m still learning - most groups don’t want to take on the potential headache it would be.

Anyways, I had a Fender Blues Deluxe as my first amp. It was ungodly loud and didn’t do the drive thing much at all. I also didn’t care for the knobs or their position on the amp. I traded it in for a Marshall DSL40 and that has been fantastic. Great clean channel, and the multiple drive channels are both unique and workable. The only things that stink are its weight and the onboard reverb is very timid.

 

Yes indeed - it is DAMN loud in smaller gigs and if you need more oomph for bigger venues, there's a DI. Why the 25W versus its bigger brother? I like the way that Mesa's power amp section drives EL84s, particularly in Mark 2C+ and Mark IV modes - they're very punchy without any 6L6 muddiness or the brittleness you get from a Vox AC.

Kiesel makes killer guitars -- I strongly recommend them whenever I get a chance.

 

How’d you find your teacher?

 

Absolutely this! As your musical tastes evolve, you'll also get a lot of benefit by taking lessons here and there too.

 

I play guitar but I could never get a gig on one. I do it mainly so I can speak to guitar players about what chords we are playing.

 

Nice short scale basses. I didn't know they made so many options with 6 strings though