# 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:** 134
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2012, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2663 "2012-07-12T12:03:20Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Lent it to a friend who begged. He got inspired and played Pete Townshend. He bought me a new one, then I bought me a new one, then I gave the first new one to WordMan. Then I shimmed the neck and gave it to my son, who is playing mostly Radiohead and Zep riffs on it…but has recently started listening to The Who. This may come full circle 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2664 "2012-07-12T17:12:31Z")
Story on [MSNBC.com](http://MSNBC.com) [here](http://entertainment.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/12/12701556-experts-uncover-bob-dylans-long-lost-newport-folk-festival-electric-guitar). I plan to DVR the PBS History Detectives ep; seems interesting. PS: Just checked the odometer - this thread was at exactly 319,000 views. Lotta mileage, but still running smooth. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2665 "2012-07-13T11:50:13Z")
Here is a link to a video making the rounds in guitar circles - a guy from the Chicago Music Exchange plays 100 of the top rock riffs, in chronological order, from start to finish in one take - about 12 minutes. I am about 2 minutes in and am really impressed with the craft of it. And the riffs are cool, too 😉 https://player.vimeo.com/video/43426940?h=407ae7f5a7&app_id=122963 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2666 "2012-07-13T12:08:59Z")
Watched the whole thing. Pretty damn impressive - really great technique throughout, moving from standard picking, hybrid picking, fingerpicking, slide, hammer-ons, on-the-fly retunes to Dropped D and back - he works for it. He adapted a few songs correctly played in Open G or other alt tunings so he could play them in standard tuning - no arguments, but it limited his access to, say, Rolling Stones songs. And to not have Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’, Gimme Shelter, Honky Tonk, Start Me Up and others on a list of all-time riffs is simply incorrect. But given the complexity of what he was doing anyway, it amounts to a quibble. The only egregious things I noted was that when he played Sedated by The Ramones, he used up-and-down strokes. Bzzzt!! Pencils down! Incorrect answer - if you aren’t playing Johnny Ramone licks with all downstrokes, you aren’t playing Johnny Ramone licks. Suck it, Trebek! Otherwise, I tip my cap to him - really fun and I recognized all of the riffs pretty much immediately - the last one is St. Vincent, who I have heard of but hadn’t heard - so credit to him. And apparently he is playing a '58 Strat - the CMExchange is using the vid to pimp their inventory of vintage guitars, just like Fretted Americana does with videos featuring Phil X. Pretty decent tones throughout - you miss hearing a Les Paul or other ballsier guitars on many of the riffs, but again, given his execution, it’s not that big of a deal… ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2667 "2012-07-13T12:45:54Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > The only egregious things I noted was that when he played Sedated by The Ramones, he used up-and-down strokes. Bzzzt!! Pencils down! Incorrect answer - if you aren’t playing Johnny Ramone licks with all downstrokes, you aren’t playing Johnny Ramone licks. Suck it, Trebek! I thought the same thing when he got there - although some of the others weren’t exactly “right,” that was the one riff that was really off. Still, that was a fun 12 minutes. Bill Kirchen does a similar thing (without quite the variety in technique) in his live shows with [Hot Rod Lincoln](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGpr-Zy_wRs) (he gets started at 2:30 if you don’t want to listen to the whole song). ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2668 "2012-07-13T13:55:43Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Here is a link to a video making the rounds in guitar circles… Good stuff! Might as well mention my very minor nitpicks: How do you not play the classic _opening_ riff from “Sweet Home Alabama” instead of the one he played from later in the song?! Oh, and it’s probably the simplest riff in rock and roll, but I think the opening of “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks should have been fit in there, just for influence alone. But all in all, thoroughly enjoying. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2669 "2012-07-13T14:18:01Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Good stuff! > > Might as well mention my very minor nitpicks: How do you not play the classic _opening_ riff from “Sweet Home Alabama” instead of the one he played from later in the song?! Oh, and it’s probably the simplest riff in rock and roll, but I think the opening of “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks should have been fit in there, just for influence alone. But all in all, thoroughly enjoying. He didn’t include Black Dog, Sunshine of Your Love, a Bo Diddley beat song (e.g., Who Do You Love by George Thorogood), Whip It, anything by UFO, Iron Maiden, One Thing Leads to Another by The Fixx (a classic New Wave riff, and I am sure there are tons more, like Dancing with Myself, I Want Candy, Blister in the Sun, Save it for Later, etc). So yeah, it could lead to a ton of discussion about choices… **ETA** : By the way, I started an independent thread [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=658396), so that non-guitarists who are tired of slogging through the GOGT (I know, hard to believe, but it is possible ;)) might see the video… ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2670 "2012-07-13T14:23:13Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > So yeah, it could lead to a ton of discussion about choices… Absolutely. I’m not complaining in any way. Might even learn about some new riffs if others mention their missing favorites. Unfortunately, I know all the ones you mentioned! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2671 "2012-07-13T18:13:29Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > Bill Kirchen does a similar thing (without quite the variety in technique) in his live shows with [Hot Rod Lincoln](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGpr-Zy_wRs) (he gets started at 2:30 if you don’t want to listen to the whole song). I have his live album and have seen Bill Kirchen do this two or three times. It’s really more of a tribute than an attempt to truly imitate these players. The longer it goes, the less accurate the impressions. I am wondering what this bit included the very first time he did it–I figured maybe he just did two or three of his biggest influences, then it grew organically from there over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2672 "2012-07-13T18:49:15Z")
Regarding the Kirchen clip: “Nick Lowe’s ex-grandmother in law” and Martha Raye (the Big Mouth) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2673 "2012-07-14T16:11:29Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > How do you not play the classic _opening_ riff from “Sweet Home Alabama” instead of the one he played from later in the song?! Because the segue from that lick into Walk This Way was brilliant! ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2674 "2012-07-14T17:06:45Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Because the segue from that lick into Walk This Way was brilliant! Seque, schmeg-way. 🙂 We’re talking about the signature lick from one of the great songs of the seventies. And its rhythmic nature would contrast with that of the WTW lick in an even more interesting and cool way, don’t you think? Okay, the real, and embarrassing, reason is even though I’ve heard that lick a thousand times, I had to play the song over in my head from the beginning before I could finally convince myself it was identified correctly! ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2675 "2012-07-14T22:20:11Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Seque, schmeg-way. 🙂 We’re talking about the signature lick from one of the great songs of the seventies. And its rhythmic nature would contrast with that of the WTW lick in an even more interesting and cool way, don’t you think? > > Okay, the real, and embarrassing, reason is even though I’ve heard that lick a thousand times, I had to play the song over in my head from the beginning before I could finally convince myself it was identified correctly! OK, you’ve convinced me. On reflection I agree–the opening is what is recognizable. And it also would have led in perfectly to WTW. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2676 "2012-07-15T05:39:47Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Lent it to a friend who begged. He got inspired and played Pete Townshend. He bought me a new one, then I bought me a new one, then I gave the first new one to WordMan. So what did you finally do about the pickguard? I assume that was for this guitar, but maybe that was for the other version of that guitar ?? ---
**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:** [July 15, 2012, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2677 "2012-07-15T11:59:43Z")
The replacement body had a pickguard with it. … and, of course, now GFS has a new shipment of JT90s, including a new color. And a facebook page. That has a ‘buy an offset, get a free case’ deal. > **[Guitarfetish.com](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guitarfetishcom/47638982339)** > > Guitarfetish.com. 256,803 likes · 35 talking about this. Website: www.guitarfetish.com > > Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/GuitarfetishTV > > Instagram: www.instagram.com/gfs\_guitarfetish/ > > TikTok:... Anyhow. Rock on. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2678 "2012-07-15T15:03:45Z")
: > [@CookingWithGas](#): > > OK, you’ve convinced me. On reflection I agree–the opening is what is recognizable. And it also would have led in perfectly to WTW. 🙂 🆒 ---
**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:** [July 17, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2679 "2012-07-17T13:04:44Z")
> **[Guitarfetish.com](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guitarfetishcom/47638982339)** > > Guitarfetish.com. 256,803 likes · 35 talking about this. Website: www.guitarfetish.com > > Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/GuitarfetishTV > > Instagram: www.instagram.com/gfs\_guitarfetish/ > > TikTok:... Guys. You have to check this. GFS bought a warehouse full of returned guitar bodies and necks. There’s all this kinds of awesome stuff there. I see Deans and Fenders and Yamahas and what might be a PRS doublecut. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2680 "2012-07-17T13:15:14Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > [Redirecting...](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guitarfetishcom/47638982339) > > Guys. You have to check this. GFS bought a warehouse full of returned guitar bodies and necks. There’s all this kinds of awesome stuff there. I see Deans and Fenders and Yamahas and what might be a PRS doublecut. Wow. You could get a great deal if you know what you want and what to look for. If I was going to gear up for a 3rd parts-o-caster project, I would be all over this… ---
**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:** [July 17, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2681 "2012-07-17T15:23:15Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > [Redirecting...](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guitarfetishcom/47638982339) > > Guys. You have to check this. GFS bought a warehouse full of returned guitar bodies and necks. There’s all this kinds of awesome stuff there. I see Deans and Fenders and Yamahas and what might be a PRS doublecut. There’s nothing up on the guitarfetish site about all this, but I expect we’ll see something there eventually, right? Or do they have other plans to get rid of this stuff? ---
**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:** [July 17, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2682 "2012-07-17T15:34:50Z")
[Yet another article](http://www.fretboardjournal.com/blog/montreal-musings-observations-2012-montreal-guitar-show) about the 2012 Montréal Guitar Show. I have to go to the next one in 2014… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=133) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=135)