# The Great Ongoing Guitar Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 31, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172 "2010-01-31T23:20:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 104
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2062 "2011-10-30T01:02:57Z")
> [@BigShooter](#): > > It’s a great all-around amp. Capable of doing pretty much any genre of music you’re into. Another cool feature is it’s ohm setting is switchable between 4, 8, and 16, allowing you to play through any kind of speaker cabinet you want. Most of the sessions I’ve been playing lately have had speaker cabs at the location. It keeps me from having to lug a big heavy speaker cab everywhere. 😃 Thanks for the detailed rundown, Shooter! So what I hear you saying is the amp really is as versatile as the Egnater folks would have you believe, which sounds cool. And it’s pretty cheap to boot. I need to get down to GC some time when the shredder kids aren’t in force and check one out. ---
**Author:** ![Craneop2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Craneop2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craneop2)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2063 "2011-10-30T02:04:59Z")
I just bought a VoxDA15 amp. I paid less than a hundred for it brand new in the box. So far I like it but it has so many effects and gadgets that I am really confused and really don’t know if I would ever use most of them. Anyone got any thoughts on the thing? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2064 "2011-10-30T03:49:33Z")
I love my DA5. My advice is simple. Start with turning the effects to the most minimal you can find… there is a Bypass button. Then go through the amps, one by one, till you find something you like. Get used to how it behaves. Then add effects. The following are the amp equivalencies for my DA5. Roland Jazz Chorus Fender Twin Fender Blackface Fender Tweed Vox AC30 Vox AC30TB Marshall Stack 3 hi-gain models of unknown sort. Dumble ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2065 "2011-10-31T11:38:06Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > My advice is simple. Start with turning the effects to the most minimal you can find… there is a Bypass button. Then go through the amps, one by one, till you find something you like. Get used to how it behaves. Then add effects. \*\*Craneop2 \*\*- I agree with this. Start by stripping out all the effects you can. If you have to pick a channel, tell us what kind of music you most want to be playing right now and we can suggest which amp model will suit you - but a simple Fender, Marshal or Vox should be fine. First figure out how to add distortion/gain/overdrive (whatever they call it) to that base amp model - so you have a cleaner tone and a crunchier tone. Then get back to us. \*\*BigShooter \*\*- that sounds cool; I have been thinking about a lower-cost, lightweight amp that is primarily for bedroom but can get over drums and isn’t just an excellent single-use like my Tweed. Have to check it out. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2066 "2011-10-31T19:24:34Z")
Hey guys, I have an amp question which sounds like it may be “germane” (;)) to this discussion. The first amp is for my 6 strings and it’s a Fender G-Dec with 17 amp “voices”, one of which is the aforementioned British “Tweed”. My bass amp is the Line6 “lowdown” model which has 5 different “styles” - with “clean” being one of these. Now to the question: I see y’all are talking about pedals, right? Do those pedals change the “voice” of your amps/guitar, and if I have all these choices already “built-in” those 2 amps of mine, do I really need a pedal at all? So far, I only have a chorus (for my accoustic electric Jasmine) and the original Big Muff. Also which of these 2 amps would be best to run my keyboard through (Yamaha DGX-220)? Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2067 "2011-10-31T19:38:55Z")
Sorry, stupid question on reread. Of course pedals change the voice, dumb ass Quasi, that’s why they were invented, but too late to edit. I’m just wondering if the amp styles would handle what the pedals would normally do (flanging, synth, compression, echo - all that cool shit). Please excuse me. Not at my best today. ☹ Q ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2068 "2011-10-31T19:47:55Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Hey guys, I have an amp question which sounds like it may be “germane” (;)) to this discussion. > > The first amp is for my 6 strings and it’s a Fender G-Dec with 17 amp “voices”, one of which is the aforementioned British “Tweed”. > > My bass amp is the Line6 “lowdown” model which has 5 different “styles” - with “clean” being one of these. > > Now to the question: I see y’all are talking about pedals, right? Do those pedals change the “voice” of your amps/guitar, and if I have all these choices already “built-in” those 2 amps of mine, do I really need a pedal at all? So far, I only have a chorus (for my accoustic electric Jasmine) and the original Big Muff. > > […]Sorry, stupid question on reread. Of course pedals change the voice, dumb ass Quasi, that’s why they were invented, but too late to edit. I’m just wondering if the amp styles would handle what the pedals would normally do (flanging, synth, compression, echo - all that cool shit). Short answer: Yes. Flanging in a pedal is the same as flanging in the amp. Do you also need outboard gear? Maybe, depends on what you’re trying to do. But if you already have a buttload of built-in FX and don’t see a piece missing, run with that. > [@](#): > > Also which of these 2 amps would be best to run my keyboard through (Yamaha DGX-220)? Probably the bass amp on clean. Although adding chorus and stuff is useful for keyboard playing as well, and a GDEC can play clean (if reasoned with) so try that as well. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2069 "2011-10-31T19:56:09Z")
I’m a barre chord guy pretty much, squeegee (except for that damn B7, which I can’t seem to master!), but every now and then I like to play a little lead. I know the lead on Daytripper and My Girl, for instance. Thanks! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Craneop2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Craneop2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craneop2)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2070 "2011-10-31T20:36:28Z")
Thanks [b[Esabbath\*\* and **wordman** for your replies. As I have stated upthread(a long ways up) I am still just beginning and getting fairly proficient if I do say so myself with open cords. Except for B minor I just can’t play that damn chord. I have also been working on barre chords and I find progress on both E-shape and A-shape has been made. The guy I am working with has invited me to play with his group a few times, But I don’t feel confident to do that, Anyway to answer your questions I play mostly chords and all I can do at this time is maybe some rhythm just playing along with jim and his buds when they get together. When I set up my amp I use just a bit of reverb and a clean setting on the amp. Sometimes I use a little tremolo but it just doesn’t sound right. Maybe the trem speed is the prob. I don’t know. I think I’ll just piddle with it for a while and get feedback from the guys. I also want to thank you guys for the advice you gave me a few months back. I was frustrated and bitching about the guy that I was “taking lessons from” . I quit going to him and just started jamming around with friends. My friend Jim said “here try this” and we started hanging a bit. I have learned more from him than I ever could have imagined. Guitar is fun again. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2071 "2011-10-31T20:40:20Z")
**Craneop2** , I recommend you take that invitation from your buds, and either play accoustic or don’t plug in. I’ve done that many times when one of our guys wanted to switch out w/ me and take the drums for a tune or two. Dude, I was good! And made it _look_ even better! :)😉 Do it, man! And let’s see you on a vid! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2072 "2011-10-31T20:43:43Z")
> [@Craneop2](#): > > Guitar is fun again. Thanks My work here is done. 😉 Seriously, very cool \*\*Craneop2 \*\*- whatever it takes to keep you playing is what wins in my book. For me, well, I seem to be continuing to move things along. Right now, completely unbeknownst to me, I seem to have taken on a new project - evolving my picking technique so I do a bit more of a “jazz hover” - instead of anchoring my pinky or ring finger on the body of the guitar by the pickguard or pickup mounting rings, I curl my fingers up a bit more and hover over the string. It is much harder, but results in more control. I was focused on trying to “keep the flow going” while moving between chords and lead fills - just playing basic I IV V blues/jazzy riffs - and I wanted to be able to move between boogie rhythms and funk-type rhythms. The more I felt the flow and got more fluid moving between the two, the more sore my forearm would get because I was trying to hold and use my pick differently. It’s interesting - between exploring that and doing my hybrid picking, I seem to be all about getting my right hand a bit more figured out… ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2073 "2011-10-31T21:41:24Z")
1. Yeah, **Craneop2** , all these guys rock and are always willing to help! 2. This is something I haven’t talked about _anywhere_ on The Dope, but this seems like a good place to tell y’all: Because of The Alzheimer’s, it’s been decided I should wear one of those Medic Alert bracelets with all my info on the back, in case I ever go batshit in public and get confused to the point where I don’t know where I am? Well, that thing’s a bitch to take off when I don’t have help, so before I pick up any of my guitars, I wrap tape (duct or medical) around that bracelet to keep from scratching the finish. Especially on the basses. On the basses, I like to use a felt pick, but now and then I’m a plucker, and my hand stays too close to the body sometimes. (That sounds a little raunchy, don’t it?:). Get it, “Raunchy”? When’s the last time you heard _that_ one? 1. What do y’all use to polish your gidders (I met a little Polish girl once in Germany, busking and accompanying herself with a Martin almost as big as she was, and she never could say “gui-TAR”, always “Gidder”, so I say that sometimes)? I use Martin’s, but my music store guy, when he replaced my bass strings with flat-wounds used car wax, and man, did that thing shine! Just thought I’d pass that along and ask what you use? Thanks! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2074 "2011-10-31T21:52:17Z")
See [here](http://www.licklibrary.com/images/news/GuthrieG.jpg). There’s a furry thing wrapped around the strings just above the nut. I noticed it was there in a different pic of Govan in a guitar mag, so it seems to be part of his regular setup. What’s it for? A feedback guard of some sort? String earmuffs for cold weather playing? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2075 "2011-10-31T22:30:16Z")
Me again: A few weeks ago, I bought eMedia “Bass Basics”, because several years ago I had their guitar program (which set me back a few bucks, lemme tell ya!). Well, I just wanted to let you guys know that the whole bass program is worthless. Just too many errors, won’t play sounds (#Loop Bounds is that message) and will not install Quicktime Player correctly. Don’t waste your time or your money. If you need proof go to theit tech support site and see for yourself. Your ever-conscious musical consumer advocate, Quasi 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2076 "2011-10-31T22:32:48Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > See [here](http://www.licklibrary.com/images/news/GuthrieG.jpg). There’s a furry thing wrapped around the strings just above the nut. I noticed it was there in a different pic of Govan in a guitar mag, so it seems to be part of his regular setup. What’s it for? A feedback guard of some sort? String earmuffs for cold weather playing? I was going to say to muffle the strings a bit, **squeegee** , but never having heard the guy play, I couldn’t say that with any degree of certainty. But wait, you said above the nut, right, which wouldn’t affect the strings at all, would it? May be his girlfriend’s “scrunchy” she uses for her ponytail? Just to let her know she’s “there” with him when he plays? Better than that friggin’ lit cigarette poked into one of the not-wound all the way strings, wouldn’t you say?😉 Like the post title though! 🙂 Q ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2077 "2011-10-31T22:51:18Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > but never having heard the guy play, I couldn’t say that with any degree of certainty. [So watch him play!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yPEewaalik) Govan has crazy spiderman shreddy hands. Also note the fuzzy nut. [Here’s another good one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jneo36JU3-c&feature=relmfu). ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2078 "2011-10-31T23:00:34Z")
Looks like I’m spending my evening with my muscian buds tonight, don’t it?🙂 Guess I just feel comfortable here! Anyway, tonight I got to polishing all my axes and noticed the fretboards were getting dry, so I googled it and would up on [this guy’s](http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibson-les-pauls/111927-dry-fretboard.html)site, and what one guy used is lemon oil. Now I don’t know if that means (“Blind Lemon ‘uhhhhh Yahhh’”- Cheech and Chong) Pledge or not, but I wanted you to see this _beeeeeyooootiful_ Les Paul: [http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/Drummerboy49/beautifullespaul.jpg](http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/Drummerboy49/beautifullespaul.jpg). It’s a Gibson, so I imagine it ain’t gonna come cheap (see Musician’s Friend), but I have 4 guitars now and they’re ALL blue (except for my McCartney clone violin bass), even my Epi Paul clone and I’d dearly LOVE to have this one. Back to the dry fretboard: When I worked for Sherwin-Williams way back yonder, we sold something called “Tung Oil” (for folks who have a dry tongue:D), and I was wondering if that would work as well, because I just talked to **D** , and she says she doesn’t know where we’d get lemon oil. Tung oil was another medium for a dry fretboard which was mentioned… Thanks for letting me get a little “loquacious” with you guys tonight!🙂 Q ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2079 "2011-10-31T23:08:08Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Looks like I’m spending my evening with my muscian buds tonight, don’t it?🙂 > > Guess I just feel comfortable here! > > Anyway, tonight I got to polishing all my axes and noticed the fretboards were getting dry, so I googled it and would up on [this guy’s](http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibson-les-pauls/111927-dry-fretboard.html)site, and what one guy used is lemon oil. Now I don’t know if that means (“Blind Lemon ‘uhhhhh Yahhh’”- Cheech and Chong) Pledge or not, but I wanted you to see this _beeeeeyooootiful_ Les Paul: > > [http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/Drummerboy49/beautifullespaul.jpg](http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/Drummerboy49/beautifullespaul.jpg). > > It’s a Gibson, so I imagine it ain’t gonna come cheap (see Musician’s Friend), but I have 4 guitars now and they’re ALL blue (except for my McCartney clone violin bass), even my Epi Paul clone and I’d dearly LOVE to have this one. > > Back to the dry fretboard: When I worked for Sherwin-Williams way back yonder, we sold something called “Tung Oil” (for folks who have a dry tongue:D), and I was wondering if that would work as well, because I just talked to **D** , and she says she doesn’t know where we’d get lemon oil. Tung oil was another medium for a dry fretboard which was mentioned… > > Thanks for letting me get a little “loquacious” with you guys tonight!🙂 > > Q Nice blue Paul. I don’t know squat about oiling a fretboard, but I’d approach it with some trepidation. Once you get some product into porous wood, there’s no getting it out if you chose poorly. ETA: my recollection of tung oil is that it’s used as a heavily applied rubbed-in finish on furniture; don’t be hasty and use it without advice from someone who knows something about guitar wood. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2080 "2011-10-31T23:15:24Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > [So watch him play!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yPEewaalik) Govan has crazy spiderman shreddy hands. Also note the fuzzy nut. [Here’s another good one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jneo36JU3-c&feature=relmfu). Okay, **squeege** , here’s what I noticed: 1. Yeah, he’s got the right length fingers (mine are stubby and fat), and when I get re-in Guitar-nated, I hope I have some like that! 2. He uses the original pick: fingernails and… 3. What’s up with that index finger? I thought at first he’d lost the top part of it, but then I looked closer and that damn thing is bent in half, isn’t it? 4. And wow! You’re right, he’s awesome! But I’m gonna stay with the scrunchy theory. 😉 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2081 "2011-10-31T23:28:46Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > He uses the original pick: fingernails and… Nope, he’s using a regular pick, except when he’s tapping. > [@](#): > > What’s up with that index finger? I thought at first he’d lost the top part of it, but then I looked closer and that damn thing is bent in half, isn’t it? I’m not sure what you mean. He does have crazy long fingers, and the index is bent in a little, I don’t see anything crazy there beyond his playing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=103) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=105)