So my dad just recently gave me a guitar.  Not just any guitar, but his pride and joy...his baby...his 1965 Gibson B-25 Natural.  Here are a few pics, notice the wearing on the fretboard at the first 3 frets.

Steampunk a picture frame

Went to Michael's and got some dollar picture frames and some supplies and my son and I "Steampunked" them.

This is a "before" pic of the DIY dollar picture frame at Michael's

 
Here is an "after" pic using cereal box cardboard, 2-part epoxy, black paint and a product called Silver Rub-n-Buff. Whatcha think?

  

Here is an "after" pic using cereal box cardboard, 2-part epoxy, black paint and a product called Grecian Gold Rub-n-Buff. Whatcha think?

It was a fun project.  

Wonder what else I can steampunk...

PRS \m/ pickups (that's "metal" if you're wondering)

If you're like me, you don't really think metal when you think PRS.  Well it seems that they are out to change the minds of players and listeners alike.

On June 26, 2013 PRS introduced us to the "\m/ (metal) pickups".   

Per the PRS site: 

"\m/ pickups are great for heavier styles of music and were designed with the metal community in mind. Both the treble and bass \m/ pickups are wound in house at PRS and utilize ceramic magnets for full, powerful and crystal clear tones. Whether used with massive amounts of gain or played clean, \m/ pickups are the perfect tool for the player who wants aggressive and articulate tone."

The press release continues: 

"These high output humbuckers are the first pickups to be sold exclusively as an aftermarket accessory through PRS dealers and PRS Guitars online store. Because they were made to be compatible with either a 5-way selector switch or a 3-way switch with a push/pull tone control, these pickups will work with any PRS model."

Thoughts?
 

Good Luck...really?

So the other day I went to a nearby town and took a test for a job with the city.  There were approximately 50 people there and I sat next to a lovely woman.  The woman wasn't very chatty, but as the test was about to begin our eyes met she said, "Good Luck!".

I've been thinking about that ever since.  We both are there and testing for the same position.  To me she is, in effect saying, "I've arranged my day to be here for this 2 hour test...but may the God of good fortune and luck smile and shine down on you as you ace this test and take the job that I too have come here to test for."

Well some may say that she was just being polite and that I am just being too touchy about it.  But to me, it isn't polite to tell someone something that you really don't mean.  I firmly believe that she was there to take the test, do her best and to land that job if at all possible. 

"Good Luck!"...really?

Parents please read...

PARENTS
Here's an interesting scenario:
Junior comes to dad and says, "Pops, I want to learn to play guitar."
Now dad may have the "perfect" guitar in mind for Junior. Junior no doubt has the exact "axe" in mind that he want's to get and no doubt mom is picturing a tasteful, refined and elegant guitar for her "baby" to learn on.

As parents, this is where you need to ask yourself a question. "Do I want junior to enjoy learning/playing guitar?"
If the answer to that question is "Yes" then you will want to let him pick out the guitar style that he wants. 

 
WAIT!!!!!!

I didn't say pick out the GUITAR he wants...
I said "guitar style", big difference.

GUITAR STYLES
ELECTRIC
As far as electric guitars, there are only a few real unique body styles. It seems that the rest of them stem from these:

• Gibson Les Paul

• Fender Stratocaster (Strat)

• Fender Telecaster (Tele)

 
Now if you were to let Junior pick out the "guitar" he wants, you may be in for some serious "sticker-shock".
But I guarantee you that you will be able to find the "guitar style" he wants at the price point that you can live with.

Think of it this way, your first car had 4 wheels, it had doors, wipers, turn signals, etc. And even though it may not have been a Cadillac, Mercedes Benz or BMW or other "brand name" car that maybe you have now, it's still a car.

My first electric guitar was a white Yamaha SE-150 strat copy not an actual Fender Strat. And since I tend to prefer the Les Paul body styles I gravitate to the Epiphone's since I have a hard time justifying spending the cash on a Gibson.

As far as acoustic guitars go there are a number of styles that basically come down to size and shape of the body. The following chart gives a good visual representation:

 

Michael Kelly Guitar Company

Time to bare my soul...I am in love with Michael Kelly.  

Yeah...I know...it came as a surprise to me too.

But what helps my wife sleep at night is knowing that the Michael Kelly I am in love with is not a person.

The Michael Kelly that I am in love with is a group of talented people that make incredibly beautiful works of art.  

Please do yourself a favor and copy and paste this link and visit:

http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/ 

 

My personal electric guitar is a Michael Kelly Patriot Custom and it is a beast!  

It is seen here:

Beauty ain't she?

As always I welcome your questions, comments, quibbles, complaints & criticisms...just keep it clean.  

Thx!

Electric or Acoustic Guitar?

ELECTRIC OR ACOUSTIC GUITAR??

One question that I often get asked is:
"For my first guitar, should I get an Electric or an Acoustic?"

There are several things to consider when
choosing your first guitar.

1 - DO I HAVE "STICK-TO-IT-IVE-NESS"?

What I mean is, are you a person that takes an interest in something and then when it becomes difficult, you set it down and say..."Well I tried"?
If so...you may want to start on an electric guitar.

Electric guitars are often easier to play because the strings are lighter, and easier to press down. There will still be the sore fingers at first, but they will not be as sore as if starting out on an acoustic guitar.

 

2 - WHAT KIND OF MUSIC AM I

GOING TO PLAY?
If you are into country music, or favor songs that have strumming patterns, you might want to go with the
acoustic guitar.

If you prefer the screaming lead licks of rock music, you will most likely want to go with an electric guitar that has pickups that will amplify the sound when plugged into an amplifier.

This guitar can also be hooked up to various effects pedals to help you dial in just the right sound.

If you like flexibility...you always have the option of getting an acoustic/electric. This is essentially an acoustic guitar with a pickup that amplifies the sound when plugged into an amplifier.

My first guitar was a white Yamaha SE-150 strat copy electric guitar but surprisingly I am of the mindset that an acoustic is a good guitar to start on.