# 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:** 108
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2142 "2011-11-12T00:24:52Z")
Yeah, you are. As is just about everyone in this thread. We ALL have something to share with each other, whether it be failures, successes or frustrations. Every time I look at the “sisters” (my guitars are named after my Mother and her 3 sisters), I know where I can go for help, and it’s right here. My guitars and my drums help me to relax and deal with my batshittedness, and this thread helps me realize I have friends who too may have trouble getting that B7 “just right”! Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2143 "2011-11-12T00:30:14Z")
**BubbaDog** , after reading your note and taking a look at the vids, I’m gonna have to retract what I wrote earlier, my friend. No, I wouldn’t take it onstage, but to take it with me as a travel axe? Damn right! Not a pink one, of course, but those things are mighty cute, ain’t they? 🙂 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2144 "2011-11-12T04:12:28Z")
Guys, do pianists also make good guitarists, like automatically (for want of a better word), or is it the other way around? I’ve seen Lennon and McCartney play, but unless I am missing something, it’s mostly chords… Thanks 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:** [November 12, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2145 "2011-11-12T04:46:22Z")
Here’s an odd question: if I got a small amp head (like a 15watt Tweaker), would it be bad to use my Blue Jr as the extension cabinet, i.e. unplug the speaker cable from the Blue’s Jr amp and plug it into the other head (probably via an extension cable) ? I know the Egnater cab is partially open back like the Blues Jr, so the response would be similar, right? Just trying to save a few bucks, and I’m not gigging, just fiddling guitar at home. No opinion on if pianists make good guitarists. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2146 "2011-11-12T12:01:33Z")
Quasi - I find the musical mind can dig in more easily, like a person who knows a few languages can acquire another more easily. But I find the mechanics and coordination new. The two hands coordinate very differently. Most of the vids I’ve seen, john’s just pulsing chords. Squeegee - just make sure the ohm ratings match between the amp and speaker - 4, 8, or 16 ohms. I know it’s important but don’t know why ;). Otherwise, not a prob; done all the time; jus a pain to balance the head on the combo’s handle. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2147 "2011-11-12T20:10:43Z")
**Quasi** - what, exactly, is it about the B7 that’s messing you up? I’m assuming ('cause I can’t see your hands from where I’m sitting) that it’s either the D# on (4) or the open B on (2) that is being accidentally muted by either your 2nd finger or your 3rd finger, respectively. So, going on that assumption, I have some suggestions. 1. Aim your 2nd finger for the 2nd fret of (6) instead of (5), and let it lie flat enough to stop both strings. Might work if your fingertips are big enough. 2. Can you thumb wrap all the way to (5)? If so, consider covering the F# and the B (on (6) and (5), respectively) with your LH thumb. I couldn’t do it, myself - my thumb is too short to wrap well. 3. Longer term, you may prefer a wider neck to fit your fingertips on without muting/clamming/buzzing adjacent strings. That’s why classical guitars have such wide necks. 4. If it’s the open ‘B’ that’s getting muted or clammed, consider flattening the 3rd finger to play a B9 chord. Yes, it changes the sound and makes it seem a little more jazzy. Sue me. 🙂 If it makes it easier to play, go with it. That’s all I’ve got for now; gotta run. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2148 "2011-11-12T22:27:55Z")
Well, it isn’t _placing the fingers_ so much as it is getting them up there fast enough so as not to disrupt the flow of the tune, **La de Da** , but I’ll try your tips tonight and let you know how they work for me. Thanks so much on behalf of myself and all the others for sharing your knowledge with us here! 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:** [November 12, 2011, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2149 "2011-11-12T22:56:29Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Squeegee - just make sure the ohm ratings match between the amp and speaker - 4, 8, or 16 ohms. I know it’s important but don’t know why ;). Otherwise, not a prob; done all the time; jus a pain to balance the head on the combo’s handle. Well, done and done. **Tweaker 15 head acquired** , after a while test driving it in the store with a Tele. And I am using my (8-ohm 12" Jensen) Blues Jr as the cab, which seems to work fine. First impressions of the setup are too fragmentary to write about now, maybe I’ll post something about it in a few days. But so far it sounds pretty freaking cool. And $349 (w/ GC’s 30-day return policy) was just too tempting not to. ---
**Author:** ![Clockwork\_Jackal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Clockwork\_Jackal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clockwork_Jackal)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2150 "2011-11-12T23:07:06Z")
Remember that Ukulele I bought from amazon? Finally got around to taking a pic: [Flickr](http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/69697514@N06/6335125180/) Looks and plays beautifully. The pics I took don’t do it justice. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2151 "2011-11-12T23:10:10Z")
The link you provided isn’t letting me see the pics, **CJ** , sorry! Q ---
**Author:** ![Clockwork\_Jackal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Clockwork\_Jackal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clockwork_Jackal)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2152 "2011-11-12T23:17:53Z")
Hmmm I wonder what’s wrong with my darn link? It works on my iPhone. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2153 "2011-11-12T23:19:35Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Well, done and done. **Tweaker 15 head acquired** , after a while test driving it in the store with a Tele. And I am using my (8-ohm 12" Jensen) Blues Jr as the cab, which seems to work fine. First impressions of the setup are too fragmentary to write about now, maybe I’ll post something about it in a few days. But so far it sounds pretty freaking cool. And $349 (w/ GC’s 30-day return policy) was just too tempting not to. Sounds like fun - after \*\*BigShooter’s \*\*write-up I was waiting to see who might pull the trigger. Looking forward to a report… ---
**Author:** ![Clockwork\_Jackal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Clockwork\_Jackal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clockwork_Jackal)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2154 "2011-11-12T23:25:15Z")
Try this? [http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/69697514@N06/](http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/69697514@N06/) ---
**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:** [November 12, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2155 "2011-11-12T23:29:33Z")
> [@Clockwork\_Jackal](#): > > Try this? > [Flickr | The best place to be a photographer online.](http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/69697514@N06/) Both links worked for me. On a PC. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2156 "2011-11-12T23:32:27Z")
I keep getting flickr “sign in”, “view recent uploads” and some family scenes, a pretty sunset and Spanish language (I think). Quasi ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2157 "2011-11-12T23:32:46Z")
I just realized today, that I have not been checking this thread very often My bad. I started lessons again, after many decades of “self teaching” and it was not as ugly as ya might think. My right hand needs a bit of work, but again, not as horrible as expected. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2158 "2011-11-12T23:42:11Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Sounds like fun - after \*\*BigShooter’s \*\*write-up I was waiting to see who might pull the trigger. Looking forward to a report… Yeah, me too 🙂 One bummer is that the neck pickup pot on my Xaviei e P90 guitar is messed up (thanks, AllParts), so I can’t hear that nice P90 rhythm grit through the amp until I solder a new pot in that guitar. My SCN Tele can pick up the slack, no problem, but there’s definitely tone gear missing from my tests right now. P90’s are so addictive, noise be damned. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2159 "2011-11-13T20:36:21Z")
Dear Guys, First a sincere apology to \*\* Le’ Ministre"\*\* for deliberately messing up his name upthread. That isn’t the way I communicate, and I apologize. Next, I subscribe to a guy, (“Griff”) who has a Blues Guitar tutorial he’s offering online. Without spamming you, can I let you see one of the notes he’s written about making a particular note? # ======================================================= "It looks like the chords might have been a little tougher than the single note riffs we did first. I got a few questions via email and a few more on the blog, so let’s take care of those now. The main thing I’m hearing is that it’s hard to position the 3rd (or 2nd, depending on which you’re using,) finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string in such a way that it DOES NOT TOUCH the open 2nd string. Yup, that’s a tricky one. And the good news is there’s a trick that almost always fixes it. … are you ready? … it’s kind of silly, but… … it’s a footrest. I know, “are you kidding me?” … Nope, not at all. In order to get your fingers right on the tips, and out of the way of that 2nd string, it helps a TON to get the guitar neck higher and closer to your own face. One of the easiest ways to do that is to sit down in a chair and place your right (or left, whichever one holds the guitar up) foot on a footrest about 8-12 inches tall. # A couple of big books will do fine too. I have this little cheap thing I got at IKEA for about $2 and I use it every single day, without fail. It makes all the difference in the world." ====================================================== # And here’s something he says about chord books: ====================================================== "Okay, 2nd thing. There was a great comment on the blog, something like “these chords are not in my chord book, what’s up?” # Funny thing about chord books, they contain a wealth of chords that are theoretically possible, yet only about 10% of them seem to be chords that are used much. ======================================================= So… what do y’all think about this? First of all, is his explanation of how to chord that note valid, and have y’all noticed this about the books? Thanks 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:** [November 13, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2160 "2011-11-13T22:02:25Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > … it’s a footrest. Well, it seems easy enough to try. Try it, see if it helps. I think I’ve seen **Ministre** make a similar recommendation. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2161 "2011-11-13T23:44:37Z")
Question About My Takamine Accoustic/Eletric Jasmine I have had her for 18 years, and she has her electric workings (battery, etc) inside of her body, so that when the battery dies, one has to loosen all the strings to get inside and replace it. Only thing is, with my arthritic right hand, I can no longer fit inside the hole (sounds sexy, don’t it?), so I am wondering if that whole amplified package can be relocated so that the battery can be inserted from _the top_ of her body, like my Galveston bass, and probably , many other accoustic/electric guitars manufactured much more recently? Anyone? Thanks, Quasi [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=107) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=109)