Anyone play guitar?

[Wuffer]

I started playing guitar - mainly acoutstic - about 5 years ago. I played pretty steadily and actually got pretty good! I played some of those open mic sets at bars, but the life happened and I haven't really touched it for the last year or so. It's one of those things that was such a huge factor in my life; relieved stress, expressed my creativity and the chicks dig it! I sold my last acoustic (A Seagull Artist Studio) but recently came into some cash and want to get back into it again. I'm not quite sure what to buy yet, but Seagull is a great brand.

So do any of you guys play? What do you play, what's your style, what's your inspiration?

If you don't play and have been looking for a hobby, you should really try it out. There are more than enough free guides on the internet to get you going. Again, the chicks really dig it! Balding or not!

[dudemon]

I've been playing for most of my life since I was a kid. I gave up on it because I realized that I will never be able to "look" very good on stage. I am not exactly what you call "photogenic." (My hairloss is only part of this, BTW)

Once I realized being a professional musician was never going to be a reality for me, it became just a hobby. But I have never given it up completely.

I was in a few metal bands a couple decades ago, and I used to roadie for a few bands back then as well.

As far as gear, I have an old vintage Yamaha 6-string acoustic (from the early 70's), which has literally gone everywhere with me. As far as electrics go, I have a an old 80's Kramer strat w/ a Floyd that I have literally modifed the Hell out of (minus the paint job, it is like my own version of EVH's "Frankenstrat" ... ).

I also just picked up a 70's MIM Reissue Fender strat - which is a pretty sick axe! I LOVE this guitar!!! (Olympic white - just like Jimi's!) I put Duncan single coils in it, and I beefed up the trem and block, and I refretted it wi/ jumbos. I'm getting ready to either have the neck scalloped or attempt to scallop it myself (after I experiment with a few throwaway necks first of course).

I got 2 Marshall 4x12 cabs and a vintage 1980 (from 1980, not a RI) Marshall JMP mark II 100w head. I also have a Randall 150W RG100 head (a lot like Dimebag's). And then I have a few pedals, and a mixing board.

I play a little bit of everything. I am trying to learn neo-classical violin music shredding (on the guitar), but I still haven't gotten very good at it after all these years. That $hit is very hard to learn - and to play! I started out by learning some Wohlfahrt, and then I learned some Kruetzer and Bach, and now I'm working on Paganini's 24th caprice.

I also took formal music theory at a community college, and got an AA in music about 10 years ago. I studied jazz and learned some standards, as well as fingerstyle classical (ie - Sor, Carulli, etc...) and I have always been a "bluesy" type player. So, Hendrix and SRV, and other blues stringers are my forte, as well as most classic rock + metal guitarists.

RE: girls liking guitar players
They only like you if you play in a band. If you're not in a band, they could give a rat's ass about you. This has been my experience over the years. Unless you find girl "wannabe" guitar players who are fascinated by guys who play the guitar, they aren't really that interested in guys who play the guitar, unless you are in a band. (or perform live - like you have).

[Obsidian]

I have been playing since I was 12 (now 24) went through a couple of year's of not playing as much because of, like you said, life picks up.

I play mostly stoner rock/doom metal/sludge metal (think modern day Black Sabbath) but I also play alt. country and shoegaze. Been trying to get a current band together that will do stoner/doom stuff but I will settle for the latter genres. Right now been jamming with this local cover band that mostly does ZZ Top, Ted Nugent and Thin Lizzy covers, I like it that keeps my chops up to speed.

My current guitars are a 2002 Gibson Gothic SG, a 1987 Burny RLG50 Supergrade Les Paul, Martin D15, and a 1937 Gibson L50 I inherited from my Grandpa.

I plan to pick up a Reverend Six Gun or Buckshot, a semi-hollow with P90's and a Bigsby, a Framus acoustic, and a Gibson Explorer E2.

I have way too many guitar fx pedals and probably should sell some.

I run a 1982 Marshall JCM800 2204 through a '77 Marshall 4x12 straight with black back Celestions, thinking of trading out the cab for a vintage Orange I have seen in the shop. I need to get another back up Marshall, like a MV JMP dudemon has, as the 2204 blew a fuse recently. I also have a Epiphone Valve Junior combo I modded.

I would love get one of those silver face Fender Twins or Deluxe Reverb and stack it with a Fender 70's 2x15.

Influences are all over the place: in the beginning, like every other metal kid in Texas I was really influenced by Dimebag of Pantera and most kids were. As I got older I would say more Black Sabbath, ZZ Top, a lot of unknown 70's rock bands like Cactus, Captain Beyond. Also bands like Pentagram, Kyuss, the Melvins, Sleep, Spirit Caravan. Wilco and the Old 97's along with My Bloody Valentine are a big influence as well. There are so many bands that I find something inspirational about whether it be their drive, intensity, musicianship, etc.

I feel some of dudemon's comments are ones that just pertain to them, I think most girls find it admiring and attractive if you are passionate about it. Hell I find most women find you more attractive if you are passionate about certain hobbies. I see guys who just play at parties and pick up the chicks and I hate it too but I did it a couple of times and sure enough, girls do flock to you even if you are follicly challenged. They didn't flock so much if you were fat though.

I never really got into it because of chicks, so to speak, but more because it was fun instead of the usual sports and school elections drabble.

I think the most important things is to have fun. If it's not fun then why are you doing it then?

Another is to play with other people, I have learned just as much from playing with guys who just started playing to guys who have been doing it for over 20 years.

[dudemon]

I feel some of dudemon's comments are ones that just pertain to them, I think most girls find it admiring and attractive if you are passionate about it. Hell I find most women find you more attractive if you are passionate about certain hobbies. I see guys who just play at parties and pick up the chicks and I hate it too but I did it a couple of times and sure enough, girls do flock to you even if you are follicly challenged. They didn't flock so much if you were fat though.

What did I say? I said, "Girls only like you IF YOU ARE IN A BAND" ... YOU ARE IN A BAND!

.... Right now been jamming with this local cover band that mostly does ZZ Top, Ted Nugent and Thin Lizzy covers, I like it that keeps my chops up to speed.

Like I said, they only like you ... if you are in a band. If you were not in a band, I doubt you would be thinking that girls find you "attractive" just becuase you play the guitar...

[s.a.f]

I've been playing for most of my life since I was a kid. I gave up on it because I realized that I will never be able to "look" very good on stage. I am not exactly what you call "photogenic." (My hairloss is only part of this, BTW)

Once I realized being a professional musician was never going to be a reality for me, it became just a hobby. But I have never given it up completely.

Have'nt heard of session musicians? Those guys earn good money, and BB King/Joe Santana are'nt exactly lookers.
If you watch todays pop stars doing live shows on tv you'll often see hidden in the shadows the backing band are middle aged fat guys.

[somone uk]

i have been playing this and that for about 3 years but i would really call myself as novice
i am far from musically talented

[dudemon]

I've been playing for most of my life since I was a kid. I gave up on it because I realized that I will never be able to "look" very good on stage. I am not exactly what you call "photogenic." (My hairloss is only part of this, BTW)

Once I realized being a professional musician was never going to be a reality for me, it became just a hobby. But I have never given it up completely.

Have'nt heard of session musicians? Those guys earn good money, and BB King/Joe Santana are'nt exactly lookers.
If you watch todays pop stars doing live shows on tv you'll often see hidden in the shadows the backing band are middle aged fat guys.

Yes, I have heard of session guitarists. In fact, my grandfather (a no-name) was one in Nashville back in the 50's. He played on many stages with many popular acts back then, and also some recording sessions as well. In fact, my grandfather could play CIRCLES around everything I can play to this day, he was that good. I used to just sit in awe and watch him play for hours. He was amazing! (His playing was a lot like Chet Atkins, BTW)

I could never be that good though. A lot of those session guitarists (aka "studio musicians") are some of the best players out there. They all have a massive amount talent and musicianship, that is almost God-given - if you believe in such things. I am not in that leaugue, and probably never will be. Some people are just born with it, IMO, and they are just "naturals." (Santana, BB King, etc...)