I remember the Danelectros Longhorns from the 60’s. Some college friends of mine were playing 2nd hand longhorn basses in the 80’s. They were good, solid instruments.
Glad to see they are being made again. I’ll add them to my list to consider. Thanks for the tip scabpicker.
Seconded. A lot of people have said that the '59 (5f6a) Bassman is the best-sounding guitar amp ever built. Here’s a nice example, if you want to hear one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0r1kVXSX3Q
I’d say the same in reverse. The JTM45 is very nearly a clone of the '59 Bassman, with the differences being in the negative feedback (or “Presence” circuit), and the use of British tubes and speakers vs. American. The MIG 50, on the other hand, (with its extra gain stage in front of the tone stack) is designed with more distortion in mind, and sounds more like a hot-rodded Marshall.
But it’s true that the similarities overwhelm the differences, and a huge number of rock guitar amps built today are based on Leo Fender’s '59 Bassman circuit.
This. I’ve got an Ibanez guitar built out of medium-density fiberboard, and it sounds terrific (and makes me wonder whether the type of wood on an electric guitar really makes much difference).
Was away for awhile but just got caught up on this thread and see there have been new uke posts since I posted about me getting one. Still loving the little thing but I cannot get an E chord down. It’s a finger pattern I’m not used to and a stretch. For now I’m happy playing songs based on what seems to be the bread-n-butter of ukes: C, G and F with some variations thrown in. However, I love a lot of songs with E so I’ll keep trying it out. I know there are some barred variations but I cannot back-bend my index finger enough to do it cleanly yet either.
Over the holidays I realized there is music that I love that has uke and I didn’t realize it. I listened to the Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs and realized it’s used on many songs. And they seem to be built around the easy uke chords. 
Yeah, judging by photos, playing ukelele looks hard - like trying on your old high school swimming suit.
I wonder if this helps?
I’ve found it amazingly easy…except for the E (I’m sure there are some variations that will be tough). A, B, C, D, F, G are all easy. I even have my wife playing and enjoying it and she has never played guitar. It has a thin neck, only 4 strings to tackle and is easy to hold. The strings are nylon so they are easy on the fingers (if you are just starting this is a biggie). I got the tenor version so there is a bit of room for fingers (unlike the little soprano). A baritone would’ve been even easier for me since it is standard guitar tuning that I already know.
Thanks for the link though. I haven’t had time to do look for other variations but I think there has to be something amongst those 10 I can do. Now that the holidays are over, I need to find some time to play again. 
Got the first ding in my otherwise unblemished Taylor. Goddamn cat (who hates when I play) knocked over my music stand and hit the top of the box on the way down. Couldn’t hit the pick guard; oh, hell no. Okay, kitty, the gloves come off now: I’m cranking it to eleven. :mad:
Pull out the Arbiter Fuzz Face, Chefguy! Let’s find out what Hendrix on acoustic sounds like.
Sorry for the ding. They add character, but sometimes you don’t want character. Especially on the guitar’s top, ouch.
Have you considered catgut strings?
It looks like a B chord on the guitar. While you’re still experimenting around, I’d suggest trying the 4442 pattern, but see if you can fret all 3 strings on the 4th fret using just your middle and ring fingers? Maybe the middle finger on the 4 & 3 strings and ring on the 2nd? Or try ‘cheating’ and just mute a string you can’t manage to fret. Maybe the 1st string?
Wrap your hand over and barre chord it from the top. Give that uke a little of the ol’ pizzaz. 
Interesting piece of PRS history from 1986. The first production PRS Bass . Given to a former employee, Larry Melton.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1986-PAUL-REED-SMITH-PRS-5-STRING-BASS-GUITAR-PRIVATE-STOCK-SIGNED/380988826141?_trksid=p2050601.c100272.m3467&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140813112422%26meid%3Dee757daa55d74d078b28970daa32e808%26pid%3D100272%26prg%3D20140813112422%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D391004558299%26clkid%3D3214826791860624497&_qi=RTM1963931
Even better, Larry gigged with it. It wasn’t just a wall decoration.
18k yeah, I’ll fish that spare change out of my pockets. Still, its nice to see the first and I saved the photos.
I’m not connected with this sale. At this price its a fantasy dream purchase that few could ever afford. I thought people would be interested in the PRS history.
Wheres that drool smilie when I need it?
Interesting. For PRS fans, a big deal.
Here is another rare PRS:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1524317
A 1979 guitar made for the person who supplies them with their tremolo bridges. Frankly, I think it is butt-ugly because it has P-90 dog-ear pickups (i.e., with little flanges on either side = “dog-ears”) used to attach the pickups and adjust their heights. Since the covers are huge and custom wood, they just don’t look good with the bright sunburst finish. But I believe the guitar is listed for $100,000 because of what it is - one of Paul Reed Smith’s individually-built guitars made prior to becoming a factory operation.
I have no idea how PRS is doing - near as I can tell, they continue to do great and have legions of fans. That is why the old examples are on the market for such high prices. More power to 'em if they can get it.
Howard Leese formerly of Heart has the first maple-topped PRS, along with a sunburst Les Paul, a '58 Flying V and some other just amazing guitars:
Imagine picking out and book matched the wood for your own personal instrument. The Perks of working for a luthier.
The fade finishes and quality book matched wood have made PRS instruments quite popular with people that can afford them. Even the more moderately priced S2 line has really nice wood tops.
It’s also one of the perks of learning to be a luthier, since I’m building a custom Martin style OM with a cypress top and lacewood sides. I like PRS guitars a lot, although some of the tops with the quilted maple are almost too much. Almost.
Chefguy, I feel your pain. My stupid cat knocked over my cordless drill which toppled into my brand new (then) cedar top Seagull 12 string, leaving a nice ding in the lower bout. Good thing the cat can run…
Hey, it wasn’t pretty to watch, but Richie Havens always sounded good to me.
I guess it’s like getting that first scratch on your new car. Stupid cats; they should know to avoid the stuff we leave out.
Man, I would love to learn luthiery (is that a word?). My neighbor makes his own and is self-taught, but he doesn’t have time to teach someone.
Ok, so I’ve probably lost my mind on a completely new level. Over the misgivings of those who love me (and surprisingly, to the delight of my band mates), I’ve purchased a pedal steel guitar. It, a tone bar and a volume pedal should be here next week.
It’s probably not the best guitar, or the most modern (3 pedals, 1 knee lever, can only do E9 copdepents). In fact, some people would advise against getting this specific model, a Sho-Bud Maverick. But, I had a GC gift card to burn, and it was the only student-level model they had nationwide. Even though it has limited changes available, I haven’t found anyone saying they sound bad, and limited instruments just make you work a little harder, IMHO.
So, any steel players with E9 hints for a beginner around here?
Absolutely no clue, but damn it sounds like fun. Keep us posted.
My wife has been bugging me to get one. I don’t have the first clue as to how to play one, of course.
scabpicker, that’s awesome! Pedal steel looks hard as hell to learn, but it’s a fascinating instrument that I’d have no hope of figuring out. Good luck, please let us know how it goes!
Wait, what? Wife-goalie is urging you to GAS on something? Has this ever happened to anyone ever?