Guitarists!

[Pal]

This thread is directed soley towards rock and roll musicians and unless you're open minded, nothing else (though it is not recommended). These days rock and roll is considered such a broad category that I will make it my own business to define rock and roll as such bands as Zeppelin, Floyd, Hendrix, and most anything considered Classic Rock (although i don't like that title).

I want to know which rock and roll musicians here play guitar, how well they play it, what songs they know, and additional information (ex. can you improvise? Play with pic? How often you play, Guitar/amp model, effects?), and most importantly, how dedicated are you? I'm leaving out tons of questions, so basically everything you could tell me without personal observation. If you have a microphone, audio files would be great.

I'm sure you're asking why waste your time with this, but just so you know there is a reason why I'm posting this that i will reveal to you later.

[Mescalito]

Ok... ive been playing guitar for 2 years now. I play an Aira Pro 2. Picked up at a second hand shop for 80 quid. I play through a SM7 Smashbox, plugged into a creative soundcard and hooked up to a sony 200w amp and two 150w pioneer speakers. I play every day... when i can... which is usually every day.. for about 1 to 3 hours. I play alone, along to bands, backing tracks, with my girlfriend on sax/bongos and to a shitty freeware drum machine.

I can play quite a few different scales quite fast in single and fast picking... im faster just using one string atm than moving up the strings... Plus i dont use my little finger yet... only the other three and my thumb which i normally wrap around for the lower strings. I tend to play in threes alot. I use a pick for the fast stuff and thumb /fingers for slower stuff... and i have to put the pick down when i double tap.

I can double tap quite well with 4-5 fingers up and down and broken up on quite a few scales.. can go quite fast.. and again can move faster on one string than up the strings. Big fan of classical style double tapping... if you could call it such a thing.

I only kind of just started to learn chords.. but the ones ive learnt so far i can move up the scales quite fast. But really none of this means shit... I need to record some stuff. Just need to fix the recorder so when ive done it ill make a post or something.

Recently just got an acoustic again from a second hand shop for 50 quid. Dont like it as much, but its nice to play at night after a good session.

I like a huge variety of bands/artists... but to name a few.. Frank Zappa, Van Halen, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Pink Floyd, Joe Satriani, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Jimi Hnedrix, Santana, BB King, Derek Trucks Band, Electric Boys, Yngwei J Malmsteen, Chuck Berry... on and on.



M

[chill stoner]

im 15

ive been playing for about 4-5 years now. Acoustic and electric. For acoustics i own a hand-me-down Washburn that plays quite nicely and a black Jasmine by Takamine that also plays nice.

for electric i have a red Squire Strat and a daphne blue custom Tom Delonge Fender Strat from which i removed the seymour duncan humbucker and replaced with three '69 Custom Shop fender strat pickups.

id consider myself slightly advanced. meaning i can figure out any song by just sitting down and listening and playing. i also know quite a few scales with precision (in and out of a song context)

ive been told that im a "natural" player. I can play all the classics (name a song i can probably play it)

for amplifires.....i have a 20 watt Fender and a 150 watt Marshall with a speaker cab. with four 12's.


i love to throw on some moe. or grateful dead and jam along. i also like playing Led Zep. Then i can play a plethera of acoustic songs. Artist include Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Tenacious D....the list goes on.

enough bragging

i also play everyday

[snapshot]

I hardly like playing by myself anymore. I like playing with people. I don't know if this is a good thing. I'm scared mans. I am playing a show. I'm shaking in my booties.

I'm 20. I play guitar. I pretend like I can sing because drunk people don't know the difference. I've been playing since I was 11 I think. I started off with Green Day and Offspring and didn't go anywhere for a while. Green already had 3, then 4, then 5 CDs out. There was so much to learn. A lot to go through with all the different moods of all the songs. Not a one is talking about the same thing.

My dad bought me my first. An Aria Para II and a nice little baby marshall. I just loved the way it sounded. I loved to make the sounds. Distortion was my favorite. I would say that if one word described that era it would be "distortion."

I saw Weezer and wanted a Fender more than anything. It was the Buddy Holly video that did it for me as far as Stratocasters go. I just liked playing on my little fender 12 inch soemthing amp.


I joined my first band and bought an Ibaned S series "-le-" and a Marshall MG80R-CD. It's not the greatest sounding amp. I could've done better.

[vanilla]

been playing for about 2.5 months
i play everday, tho sometimes ill miss a day but not more then one a week
i can play a few riffs/songs, i know power chords really well
i can play a few easy solos by bands like: rolling stones, rhcp, etc.
i know a few scales, and am decently fast playing them
i cant solo for shit, as in make up my own... dont know any music theory at all
i have a ibanex rg170, and a crate ss amp with metal zone pedal
use a pick
tho i cant just listen to a song and jam to it, ill look at the tabs and try to play along somewhat
i listen to sublime, velvet revolver, gunners, rhcp, incubus, queens of the stoneage, STP, soungarden, pink floyd, zeppelin, hendrix, etc etc

[Djdemon420]

I havent started yet but I have become fasinated with the guitar in the last year.I dont think im too old to start(15) and I am up for the challange of learning how to play cause i really suck

[cndn_gtr_guy]

I'm 24 and I've been playing guitar for almost nine years. I own a 1995 MIM Fender Strat and a 2004 Washburn Dimebag Darrell Sig Model. I'm using a Sansamp GT-2 into the power amp of a very old Peavey Backstage 110 (65W SS). I also have an MXR Dynacomp and a Danelectro Daddy-O OD.

For the first few years that I played, I learned a lot of songs, took a couple courses in Guitar during HS, etc. and actually progressed as a player. From around 2000-2003 though, I almost totally stopped playing. Not really sure why, but I regret it, cause it set me back a hell of a lot technically.

Lately I've been trying to learn more scales and theory along with new songs and old ones I've forgotten.

I listen and play damn near any kind of music around, but I don't really like country, and no teen-pop crap.

As for sound files, here's a no vocals version of Bombtrack, by RATM; It's all I have on this computer except for a version of Paranoid that I'm told is a half-step out of tune.

It's recorded on a tape 4-track, so there is a fair bit of tape hiss, especially towards the end...(Bass and drums courtesy of www.guitarbt.com)

http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3...I3J9ITELWU9N9S

[FuzJam]

been playin for about 5 - 6 years.was guitar teachers, like prize student.guitar was attached to my hip.Got pretty good.joined a few bands,but lack of meeting any kids that liked my style of music(stuff like led zep,floyd,hendrix,ja ck johnson,sublime,ac/dc,etc.etc.)lead to me kinda losing track of playing.(i live in a small town,bout 100 guitarists,10 bassists and drummers.basically any song that i try to learn i do,and can play very well.(cept out of control solos).Im in my first year of community college (majoring in music) so now i have more motivation to brush off my skills a bit more.i can play songs from memory,and from simply listening.can usually find the pitch in in a second,and thx to an awesome theory teacher,i can measure intervals by ear.ehh i have shitty gear,ibanez GAX,and a Kustom amp.faulty wires that i have to constantly adjust but i got a nice Zoom multi effect pedal and a Crybaby From Hell wah peddle.gettin new gear soon (i keep telling myself that) ok gtg

check out www.ultimate-guitar.com

[snapshot]

Originally Posted by FuzJam

been playin for about 5 - 6 years.was guitar teachers, like prize student.guitar was attached to my hip.Got pretty good.joined a few bands,but lack of meeting any kids that liked my style of music(stuff like led zep,floyd,hendrix,ja ck johnson,sublime,ac/dc,etc.etc.)lead to me kinda losing track of playing.(i live in a small town,bout 100 guitarists,10 bassists and drummers.basically any song that i try to learn i do,and can play very well.(cept out of control solos).Im in my first year of community college (majoring in music) so now i have more motivation to brush off my skills a bit more.i can play songs from memory,and from simply listening.can usually find the pitch in in a second,and thx to an awesome theory teacher,i can measure intervals by ear.ehh i have shitty gear,ibanez GAX,and a Kustom amp.faulty wires that i have to constantly adjust but i got a nice Zoom multi effect pedal and a Crybaby From Hell wah peddle.gettin new gear soon (i keep telling myself that) ok gtg

check out www.ultimate-guitar.com

Those types of gigs are more solos or duos. when lbd allstars came out you really knew how much of an influence Knowles was. If Robert Plant could play and Jimmy Page could sing they'd be like Jack Johnson and Hendrix. Solo artists in their own right. What do you think about being your own manager and going solo with no band?

[Mescalito]

To everyone who plays everyday... do you see improvement everyday?

I do. And its godamn satisfying! Its nice to have something where the improvement is so obvious.. especially when someone gives a compliment.

When i first started my control over my fingers was so retarded.

M

[snapshot]

It's satisfying but it hurts my hands.

[FuzJam]

i love picking up a song i used to think was soooo hard,and acing it.ILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PLAY TEARS IN HEAVEN !!! ITS TO HARD !!! lol. i have an ok voice but i cant belt it out like the greats. and i dont really like to sing either so i dont think the solo thing is my gig.i was in a band with me 2 friends and some drummer kid. those two friends are now touring the country in their seperate bands (both punk) ones good and one sucks.wish i had links to give but i dont at the moment.and yes i see improvement almost everyday.i can play that riff a lil faster, a lil cleaner with every run through.

[SweetSativa]

I play but not well. :/ (don't call myself a guitarist.... maybe one day ). I guess that I started about 10 years ago and I played every day for several hours... then I got pregnant and kinda quit... then I picked it back up... then I put it back down, etc . My husband is the true musician in the family.

We have an Ovation Celebrity accoustic (which is most generally what I play). I have a BC Rich Mockingbird, he has a Peavey Vandenberg and a Fender Lead III. He has a Marshall amp but it pretty much stays with the band stuff and he plays through a Zoom effects pedal (and with a Classic Rock band). I have a new-found sense of dedication because we're having a big jam party out at our house (in the middle of the country) at the end of July and I'm going to try not to make a huge ass of myself.

[UltraFace]

I used to play classic rock until I later realized I hate classic rock. Fuck that shit. Just kidding...but seriously.

I don't know how advanced I am. I can't really do sweep arpeggios well, but every other technique I got down. I know music theory pretty well, although this is only Western theory. I don't know any exotic scales unless you count the phyrgian mode of a harmonic minor scale as a "gypsy" scale. I really want to learn some middle eastern theory though.

Anyways nothing I do is rock to much anymore. I use about zero preamp gain. I do turn up loud, but the sound still remarkably clean. My style is basically post-rock, despite its name its nothing like rock.

[Mescalito]

Originally Posted by FuzJam

i love picking up a song i used to think was soooo hard,and acing it.ILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PLAY TEARS IN HEAVEN !!! ITS TO HARD !!! lol. i have an ok voice but i cant belt it out like the greats. and i dont really like to sing either so i dont think the solo thing is my gig.i was in a band with me 2 friends and some drummer kid. those two friends are now touring the country in their seperate bands (both punk) ones good and one sucks.wish i had links to give but i dont at the moment.and yes i see improvement almost everyday.i can play that riff a lil faster, a lil cleaner with every run through.

Yeah man i know what you mean.

There were songs i always wanted to play when i first started.. but then due to difficulty i lost the desire and the songs sorta disapeared into my music collection.. then when i eventually get round to playing to them again... the improvement is seen over a larger span.. as opposed to just everyday.

When i play along to songs that arent backing tracks i wil normally play a bit of their stuff and some of my own. With some backing tracks ive played along a tune to them before even hearing the real track... its cool comaparing them.

When im playing it usually takes me 20-30min to get into what i call the zone. .. kind where it almost feels like im channeling the music. Its like my consious and sub-concious minds are in sync... if ya know what i mean. Thats where i can pull off some stuff that just amazes me and sends massive chills down my spine.

Also as with anaything i would reccomend learning how to have an obe or lucid dream. I think its in part due to them that i have improved as fast as i have. My dream guitar is so smooth and any note i concieve i can put my finger right on.. sooo sweet!



M

[Mescalito]

Right thats it.. im going to record some stuff. I want some opinions other than my girlfriend, close friends and family!...not biased. Anyone know a good freeware recorder? I have a creative soundrecorder but when i open it an error comes and it closes down. . Everthing else on the soundcard works fine.

M

[Pal]

Here's me:
I play a 50th Anniversary American Fender Strat (sunburst with maple neck) through a wah and a Peavey Bandit 112. I've been playing for 3 years now and I am told that I am pretty good. Guitar is my greatest hobby and I play every day.

I am self taught by reading guitar tabs and reading alot of books. If you are just starting I COMPLETELY recommend not getting an instructor and learning by book or internet. Trust me it is worth it. There is basically one instructor stationed around my town and everyone who pays the $50 a half hour to see him ends up playing the same exact style. It is annoying and having an original style you can call your own, to me, is very important.

I use my five fingers instead of a pick. Unless you play hybrid (pick and fingers... can be pretty hard), which i sometimes do, there is no explanation to using a pick. It restrains you so much. Most of you guys have no idea about the potential of your right hand.

I really like the good ol' rock and roll. I know so many Led Zeppelin songs. In fact, I play a game with my friends where they try to stump me with a song I don't know (although some I only know the main riff). The most recent achievement I've had is the Little Wing intro. I have a recorded song (hopefully more in the future) and if you are really interested (I doubt it) just PM me and I'll get it to you.

I like learning awesome solos off the record note for note. It was such a HUGE pleasure when I finally played the Song Remains the Same version of Stairway to Heaven Live. If I don't like the recorded solo I'll just improvise my way through it. I know pentatonic and major scales all up and down the neck but still consider myself novice in this field compared to some of the people I jam with. Again, not thrasher 'Yngwie Malmsteen' explosion solos but meaningful, soulful solos that get fast only when they need to. That's what guitar is to me.

Heres some comments on you guys:

Originally Posted by Djdemon420

I havent started yet but I have become fasinated with the guitar in the last year.I dont think im too old to start(15) and I am up for the challange of learning how to play cause i really suck

Brother, it is never too late to start. I started at 14. The only difference is I never really developed a passion until after I picked it up.

Originally Posted by SANcHEZ

To everyone who plays everyday... do you see improvement everyday?M

I don't see an improvement everyday because I'm not a good judge, especially of myself. Every period of time, maybe a month or more, I can tell that I've been on a good roll and that is just more motivation to keep it up.

Originally Posted by FuzJam

ILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PLAY TEARS IN HEAVEN !!! ITS TO HARD !!!

I bet if you finger picked and you could play it. In all honesty, tears in heaven is an insanely simple song.

Originally Posted by SANcHEZ

When im playing it usually takes me 20-30min to get into what i call the zone. .. kind where it almost feels like im channeling the music. Its like my consious and sub-concious minds are in sync... if ya know what i mean. Thats where i can pull off some stuff that just amazes me and sends massive chills down my spine.

Also as with anaything i would reccomend learning how to have an obe or lucid dream. I think its in part due to them that i have improved as fast as i have. My dream guitar is so smooth and any note i concieve i can put my finger right on.. sooo sweet!M

This "zone" is quite interesting. I have something that I might be bold enough to compare your musical paradise to. Mine is more of a musical nirvana. When I am playing a song I'm really into, I concentrate so hard that it feels like nothing exists but me and my guitar. Everything is tuned out and the level of concentration is so intense. This is more of a meditation thing

Originally Posted by SANcHEZ

Right thats it.. im going to record some stuff. I want some opinions other than my girlfriend, close friends and family!...not biased. Anyone know a good freeware recorder? I have a creative soundrecorder but when i open it an error comes and it closes down. . Everthing else on the soundcard works fine.

M

I think I can help you here. I have a halfway decent recording program that I got for free from a friend. Only problem is there is no way to send it to you via YaHooka and it is hard to find. Maybe you can PM me if you're interested and I can send you through AIM or E-mail.

[ZimZum]

i've played guitar for eight years. had a few teachers here and there and went to Berklee college of music for a year(30 grand a year wasn't worth something my ears could teach me imo).

i play everyday. since i'm currently playing bass in a band, i usually just play along to records or do classical or jazz exercises when i'm playing guitar. improvise? of course. i can play with a pick or my fingers, i'm just a hell of a lot faster with a pick at the moment. i can use all five fingers on both hands when doing fingerstyle.

theory wise i can tell you just about anything, though i'm quite rusty in a few areas, cause who needs theory when you got ears? so, basically it's all up there, but some of it takes some diggin to get too.

as for equipment, let's see...for guitar:
fender strat
washburn acoustic
hendrix wah pedal
line 6 pod
ada mp-1 preamp
various little practice amps
peavey bandit 112
bbe sonic maximizer
various boss stomp-boxes

and for bass i've a got a fender jazz bass through an ampeg SVT-350 half stack.

you can click on the links in my profile if you wanna hear some recordings of my band.