# 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:** 97
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1922 "2011-08-15T12:33:34Z")
I was wondering how many of us transpose from the original chords? I almost always do, in order to find the easiest chords normally, but also in hopes of finding a key I can sing in. The website “chordie” (I think one of you guys actually recommended this to me) is great for that. They list the song with lyrics and the chords which someone has figured out and then to the right is a transportation engine. Sure makes it easy. Thanks 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:** [August 15, 2011, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1923 "2011-08-15T23:24:29Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > I was wondering how many of us transpose from the original chords? > > I almost always do, in order to find the easiest chords normally, but also in hopes of finding a key I can sing in. > > The website “chordie” (I think one of you guys actually recommended this to me) is great for that. They list the song with lyrics and the chords which someone has figured out and then to the right is a transportation engine. > > Sure makes it easy. > > Thanks > > Q I love Chordie. You can transpose things super easy, and you can also change the chord box to whatever other instrument you play (such as ukulele!) You guys remember the friend of mine who had the blueberry guitar? Well, I tried it out. I looked it over, there are some slight cosmetic issues on the back of the guitar. It looks like the wood itself is discoloured or something. He says it was like that when he bought it. This is why he’s selling it relatively cheap. I wasn’t too sure about it. Then I strummed it. OMG It was like **BUTTAH**. Seriously. Loud, but not brash, but clear, and rings for a **LOOOONG** time. I’m not a “serious” musician, but Oh. My. God. this thing sounded fantastic. But, I’m still gonna wait. One week. If I still want it, then I’ll buy it. Yeah, I’m totally gonna buy it! ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1924 "2011-08-17T14:24:48Z")
Anxiously waiting the new addition to my collection. A Fender Telecaster FMT HH. I love playing my single coil Tele, I hope I enjoy this one as much. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1925 "2011-08-17T15:47:25Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > Anxiously waiting the new addition to my collection. A Fender Telecaster FMT HH. I love playing my single coil Tele, I hope I enjoy this one as much. Looks [nice](http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0262000520) – what color didja get? ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1926 "2011-08-17T15:51:18Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > I was wondering how many of us transpose from the original chords? > > I almost always do, in order to find the easiest chords normally, but also in hopes of finding a key I can sing in. > > The website “chordie” (I think one of you guys actually recommended this to me) is great for that. They list the song with lyrics and the chords which someone has figured out and then to the right is a transportation engine. > > Sure makes it easy. > > Thanks > > Q Recently, I’ve lost the high end of my voice, so I have been transposing/capoing alot. Funny thing is that I was cleaning out my basement and found my old handwritten songbooks. All the scribbling between the lines suggest that I did transpose things back in those days as well. Thanks for the link, I’ll check it out. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1927 "2011-08-17T16:02:34Z")
CBEscapee, it’s gorgeous, but… what’s the point in a Telecaster without a Telecaster bridge? Does it still have the twang, or is it different? More like a LP? ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1928 "2011-08-17T17:15:32Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Looks [nice](http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0262000520) – what color didja get? I got the one like the pic in your link. The darker red color didn’t do anything for me. ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1929 "2011-08-17T17:23:40Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > CBEscapee, it’s gorgeous, but… what’s the point in a Telecaster without a Telecaster bridge? Does it still have the twang, or is it different? More like a LP? The point is obviously it offers different tone than a standard Tele with single coil pickups. But with the coil tap it is more versatile than a standard Tele. Maybe less Tele sounding but I have a nice standard Telecaster for the twang if that is what I want. This body has the cut out on the back like a Strat which I find more comfortable to play. Only the more expensive Telecasters have that feature. And if I can’t get enough twang from the Tele, I can get even more from my Danelectro 56 U2. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1930 "2011-08-17T18:34:28Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > CBEscapee, it’s gorgeous, but… what’s the point in a Telecaster without a Telecaster bridge? Does it still have the twang, or is it different? More like a LP? My AD Tele has a Strat-style hardtail bridge, plenty of twang in it. Although it does have the full ashtray plate unlike the FMT. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1931 "2011-08-17T23:32:41Z")
Right, it’s the ashtray that’s the critical element. As I understand it. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2011, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1932 "2011-08-17T23:51:58Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Right, it’s the ashtray that’s the critical element. As I understand it. Huh, I didn’t know that. I thought there was a brass plate under the bridge pickup or somesuch == twang. But hadn’t paid much attention. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1933 "2011-08-17T23:58:46Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Huh, I didn’t know that. I thought there was a brass plate under the bridge pickup or somesuch == twang. But hadn’t paid much attention. Bingo. (on vacation for a bit so can’t post long 😉 ---
**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:** [August 18, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1934 "2011-08-18T23:15:42Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Bingo. > (on vacation for a bit so can’t post long 😉 Hmm, [this article](http://www.tdpri.com/resourceBASEPLATE.htm) by Bill Lawrence seems to say the bridge pickup plate makes the tone both thicker and twangier: > [@](#): > > Leo Fender used copper-plated steel baseplates on the Tele bridge pickup to stabilize and to increase the magnetic force of the relatively weaker Alnico 3 slugs. The ferromagnetic steel plate increases the inductance of the coil (like increasing the number of turns on the coil). The steel baseplate also transmits from the steel bridge mount via the steel mounting screws some of the body vibrations into the pickup, **resulting in that typical Tele twang.** > […] > Baseplates made of steel, copper, brass or aluminum are the cause of eddy current interference. Eddy currents shift the resonances toward the lows, **resulting in a fatter, more pleasant tone** , especially in the bridge position. “Fat” and “Twangy” seem to me to be opposite poles in the tone spectrum, so I’m a little confused what this plate contributes, and how it could add both fat _and_ twangy tone. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1935 "2011-08-19T02:28:44Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > “Fat” and “Twangy” seem to me to be opposite poles in the tone spectrum, so I’m a little confused what this plate contributes, and how it could add both fat _and_ twangy tone. …by subtracting the midrange? The classic Tele bridge pup sound is more “twangy” than “fat”, but there is a bit of low end thump in there, particularly through the right amp. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1936 "2011-08-19T02:55:55Z")
Okay, so right, baseplate does not equal ashtray. Got it. So, does this humbucker have a metal baseplate? ---
**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:** [August 19, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1937 "2011-08-19T04:17:00Z")
I’m not buying the guitar. It was a really nice guitar, but I decided that for half the price, I could buy a REALLY NICE ukulele. And I am hardly playing my guitar, but so diggin the uke these days. Anyone have any recommendations for a nice uke? Something maybe solid wood perhaps? Maybe concert or tenor size? ---
**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:** [August 19, 2011, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1938 "2011-08-19T15:11:33Z")
> **[Making a Guitar Video](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=620992)** > > I would like to make some videos of myself playing guitar. I would appreciate any suggestions by folks who have done something similar. Am I good with a Flip or should I invest in something better? I want HD (1080p), but could be convinced that is... ethelbert would like some help recording his guitar playing. ---
**Author:** ![BigShooter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@BigShooter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigShooter)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1939 "2011-08-19T20:59:21Z")
Just thought I’d show you guys what my wood connection came through on today: [![](http://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) ](http://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) That’s one solid piece of beautifully figured walnut just screaming to be made into a Les Paul jr or a Tele. Got two more body blanks off the same slab. I’ll be busy for a while 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1940 "2011-08-19T22:04:52Z")
> [@BigShooter](#): > > Just thought I’d show you guys what my wood connection came through on today: > > [http://i55.tinypic.com/25rm243.jpg](http://i55.tinypic.com/25rm243.jpg) > > That’s one solid piece of beautifully figured walnut just screaming to be made into a Les Paul jr or a Tele. Got two more body blanks off the same slab. I’ll be busy for a while 😃 Purty!! **CJ** I checked with my mom (who has 55 ukes, not 40 like I thought :eek:) and she said basically to play as many as you can - but she likes ones made by Kamaka in Hawaii and a less expensive make Kala (I think) from China. She likes the ones her uke-group buddies have. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/1941 "2011-08-19T23:04:02Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Purty!! > > **CJ** I checked with my mom (who has 55 ukes, not 40 like I thought :eek:) and she said basically to play as many as you can - but she likes ones made by Kamaka in Hawaii and a less expensive make Kala (I think) from China. She likes the ones her uke-group buddies have. Ok, thanks, I know amazon sells brand new Kamakas, but I’m not sure where I’d try one out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=96) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=98)