# 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:** 172
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3424 "2013-11-27T02:12:37Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > It is funny, though. When I was in high school in the 70s, and saved up my money from my supermarket stockboy/delivery boy job to buy a Telecaster, Fender’s then-current line was regarded as near-junk by the cognoscenti. Now, apparently, those same guitars are “vintage,” and command a premium price. That’s the point; younger guys are bidding up the prices when they see Franz Ferdinand or other bands playing 70’s Fender and dealers market them using the same language as other vintage listings. The cognoscenti from the era are the ones claiming they will never be “vintage”…and the 10-page flame wars begin… ---
**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 27, 2013, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3425 "2013-11-27T05:17:40Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > [http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1979-Solid-Brass-Ibanez-Artist-2622-Guitar-One-of-a-Kind-AND-Functional-/230982079148?pt=Guitar&hash=item35c79ad2ac&afsrc=1](http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1979-Solid-Brass-Ibanez-Artist-2622-Guitar-One-of-a-Kind-AND-Functional-/230982079148?pt=Guitar&hash=item35c79ad2ac&afsrc=1) > > A mere 76 lbs - makes Jerry Garcia’s Tiger look featherweight by comparison at 14 lbs. > > Buy it Now price of $24,995. Must’ve been a promo piece, though I can’t imagine who would have hauled around a 76 lb guitar for 34 years, only part with it now. And for a bargain price, ha. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3426 "2013-11-27T12:40:55Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Must’ve been a promo piece, though I can’t imagine who would have hauled around a 76 lb guitar for 34 years, only part with it now. And for a bargain price, ha. Yeah, it was built for a NAMM show and is apparently fully functional… ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3427 "2013-11-27T13:38:58Z")
I expect it spent most of it’s 34 years on a stand in a plexiglass case or hanging from a hook on a wall. I knew a guy who build himself a double neck guitar. Bass and 6 string. He played it so much it distorted his posture and he had to take to wearing a shim in his left shoe. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3428 "2013-11-27T14:03:11Z")
In the late 70’s when heavy guitars were all the rage - they add sustain!!; makers installed brass “Sustain blocks” under the bridge, etc. - I was a puppy of a player, but damn those things hurt my shoulder. Thank god my idols weren’t fixated on guitar weight at the time…but there were plenty of other bad design choices besides that…I’m looking at you, locking Floyd Rose-type bridge, o/w known as “the tone-sucker”… ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3429 "2013-11-27T18:59:16Z")
[http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/trigger?fullpage=1](http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/trigger?fullpage=1) A great article from 2012 - not sure if it has been posted here… ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3430 "2013-11-28T01:33:49Z")
Wow, great article. Better than most music journalism, and way better than most gear-focused journalism. Thankya ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2013, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3431 "2013-11-28T13:03:00Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Wow, great article. Better than most music journalism, and way better than most gear-focused journalism. Thankya I agree; I haven’t read a better piece on a loved instrument. Lord knows more has been written about Clapton’s Blackie or even The Fool SG, Hendrix’s Strats, Jerry’s Tiger :rolleyes:, but none speak to the full relationship this way. Do non- guitarists check this thread anymore? Should I start a sep thread to highlight the article? I think non-players might appreciate the insider glimpse. And, hey, it’s Willie. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3432 "2013-11-28T14:06:26Z")
Hmm. Part of me says “absolutely”, it’s a good enough story that non-guitarists may be able to get past the gear worship aspect - it tells the story of Willie through his guitar. But part of me also says that I’m a musician born in Texas post-Willie. So naturally, I worship him. I might not be the best person to ask. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3433 "2013-12-05T15:20:20Z")
I picked up Rocksmith last night, tried it out this morning. Liking it so far. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3434 "2013-12-05T15:43:54Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I picked up Rocksmith last night, tried it out this morning. Liking it so far. PC, XBOX or PS3? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3435 "2013-12-05T16:03:11Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > PC, XBOX or PS3? PC (only tried it on my laptop so far). Why do you ask, does it play differently on different platforms? ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3436 "2013-12-05T16:05:57Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > PC (only tried it on my laptop so far). Why do you ask, does it play differently on different platforms? I’ve read that there have been latency issues with the XBOX and PS3 versions. If you don’t mind my asking, what’s your overall level of guitar proficiency? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3437 "2013-12-05T16:14:49Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > I’ve read that there have been latency issues with the XBOX and PS3 versions. There’s an odd breakup (kind of a stutter) during the recorded lessons, but that doesn’t bother me too much. During the gameplay, I hear the sound of my guitar pretty much as I play it; haven’t tried enough to really say if it syncs well with the gameplay aspect. > [@](#): > > If you don’t mind my asking, what’s your overall level of guitar proficiency? Somewhere between beginner and novice, I guess. I took one class, have been learning on my own, but been slacking the last few months. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3438 "2013-12-06T03:59:48Z")
Okay, had a little more time with it. It seems to throw a lot of new things at you very quickly. I was playing the fourth-easiest song (which already includes slides from one note to another) and suddenly the notes jump up to the ~15th fret. I didn’t even know which string it wanted me to play; they’re color coded but I hadn’t even seen those colors on the easier songs. It seems to try to adapt itself to how well you’re playing; if you’re doing well it cranks up the difficulty a little bit. Maybe my little bit of experience got me through the first songs better than most total beginners and it ramped the difficulty up quickly. Or maybe it just expected me to spend more time on the easiest songs, and get those to a little higher mastery before trying new ones. Still enjoying it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3439 "2013-12-06T04:02:25Z")
Oh, it also started giving me notes with no number on them. It took me a while to figure out that it wanted open strings for those. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3440 "2013-12-06T12:48:27Z")
Is it strictly lead guitar? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3441 "2013-12-06T13:02:21Z")
From what I’ve read and seen, you can choose lead, rhythm, or bass (which it will let you play on a six-string). I’ve only tried lead, so far. Two other observations: 1. I was a little surprised how much online interaction is mandatory. I tried to install it on my laptop, which I never use for online stuff at home. Figured I’d just play around with it for a while, then go online when I wanted to get some of the downloadable content.[sup]\*[/sup] It wouldn’t let me. It had to go online, and through Steam and one other service, before I could use it. 2. The software froze when I tried the tone designer stuff (amps, effects pedals, etc.). Don’t know if that’s a repeatable error or not. Anyone else trying this yet? I know there were a couple other threads, but I don’t see them active. It would be interesting to compare notes (sorry) with other users. But if I’m the first to take the plunge, that’s fine. - One of the downloadable songs is _Soul Man_. I love that riff; that helped sell me on the software. ---
**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:** [December 6, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3442 "2013-12-06T17:18:32Z")
Are you playing Rocksmith or the new Rocksmith 2014? I’m having fun with the original version - just downloaded it on my PC, had the Xbox version before. Same cable works for both. ---
**Author:** ![Stormcrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/0ea827/32.png) [@Stormcrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stormcrow)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/3443 "2013-12-06T17:26:15Z")
I’ve got both versions, though I haven’t played with Rocksmith 2014 much yet. I haven’t had any technical issues - the game does give you some info on the ideal setup for your system to minimize latency issues. I need to get back in the swing of things, I quit practicing for a while and am finding it hard to form some chords as well as I could a few months back! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=171) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=173)