The Musical Instrument Thread

[Chris]

I thought there may be an appetite here to to exhibit and discuss our love for playing music (however skilled) and our chosen tools. I don’t think that the Music Appreciation Thread is exactly the correct space for such. So…

I know that, among others, Om, Boone, and most recently RedWolf have some axes in their arsenals. Feel free to share photos of your personal musical weapons, your gear, and any stories associated with them or related to your music making back stories.

 

[Chris]

I’ll start this one off.

I am as decidedly more right-handed than anyone could possibly be (I’ll explain later) and I play left-handed. This is my baby, my most prized instrument.

Taylor 618e Grand Orchestra model. I custom ordered it from Taylor through Empire Music in Pittsburgh, PA. Taylor had never previously built this model in lefty so I consider it a 1 of 1. Sitka Spruce top, Big Leaf maple back & sides, ebony fretboard, and Mission fretboard inlays in mother-of-pearl. Big voice with deep bass notes come out of this big-bodied acoustic.

 

[Commander PK]

In a former life I was also a musician. Spent a year at Maryland in the Music Education program. I played Saxophone and Percussion. Put it to the side and sold my horn when I realized I wasn't going to be able to pay the bills with it, and didn't want to come out of school owing money for the rest of my life. I hope to get back to it at some point.

Music was/is still my passion.

 

[RedWolf]

My 2001 Taylor K14CE all Koa with Rosewood fingerboard

 

[Canadian Hog]

I am the BGO resident drummer. Max Weinberg is one of my drum heroes. I have played since I was 14 (so 30 years). I have scaled back with the time I have invested in it over the past ten years or so as a result of children. Drums aren't exactly the type instrument you can fiddle with or practice to wind down at the end of the night when the kids are sleeping. I recently sold my drums as I am looking to buy a new kit. My youngest son is showing interest in playing so I am doing my homework to find him a quality kit that the two of us can enjoy long-term.

 

[Chris]

Max is a master! The heartbeat of the E Street Band.

 

[RedWolf]

Ok my #1 electric. Paul Reed Smith 35th Anniversary single piece 10 top maple. Mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fingerboard. I have not seen another single piece 10 top anywhere.

This thing came right out of the box ready to play. It does not go out of tune no matter how hard I am with the whammy bar. Not only do I have humbuckers but I can split them into various single coils. She is a dream to play. The best guitar I've ever had. The pictures does not do her justice it looks like a blue ocean, the faint waves of green are not visible

 

[Chris]

PRS is the shit. I am very predominately an acoustic player (because for the life of me me I can’t learn to adequately navigate a fretboard) but I bought a PRS because I so respect Paul, his passion, and his absolute dedication to excellence. (Doesn't hurt that he is a Maryland boy of my generation) I only spent for the entry-level SE Custom and rarely play it, but I so love looking at it.

I'll post a couple of pics tomorrow.

 

[RedWolf]

Guitar music...EVH Spanish Fly on Frankenstrat




Full acoustic version cover

 

[Chris]

The PRS-

 

[RedWolf]

Chris Nice grain. Coil splits? I hear those SEs are an excellent value, that the quality is amazing.

 

[Chris]

I have no idea what that means. 🤣

I honestly have no idea how to gauge quality when it comes to electrics but I trust Paul.

 

[RedWolf]

I have no idea what that means. 🤣

I honestly have no idea how to gauge quality when it comes to electrics but I trust Paul.

There are two coils for pickup. I think those little switches down by the volume and tone knobs allow you to split the coils, turn one of the coils off in the rear or in the front Etc

 

[Chris]

There are two coils for pickup. I think those little switches down by the volume and tone knobs allow you to split the coils, turn one of the coils off in the rear or in the front Etc

Yes, it does. 3 options; upper, lower, or both.

 

[Boone]

I will be posting pics of my beauties before the weekend is out. Great thread Chris !

 

[Chris]

I will be posting pics of my beauties before the weekend is out. Great thread Chris !

Does the internet not work in Germany? I know Om has some righteous gear.

 

[Boone]

Yeah - he does. Someone turn on the Om light

 

[RedWolf]

Does the internet not work in Germany? I know Om has some righteous gear.

Most likely he's at the Gasthaus drinking beer and eating wursts and/or goulash?

 

[Chris]

Okay, quick story about how a very right-handed person becomes a left-handed guitar player. First a couple of self-explanatory photos to save me some keystrokes-

I developed an interest in trying to play guitar while in Covid lockdown since I had a lot of time on my hands. Belligerently I thought I could MacGyver a way to play traditionally (maybe even fashioning something to use as a slide) so I bought an inexpensive Ibanez and quickly found out…that I was wrong. 😑

So…I then bought another Ibanez in lefty and found that I had a better chance.

At first I played with a modified prosthesis but it was a little long and gave me a limited ability to involve my wrist which affected natural strumming.

Fast forward in the MacGyver lab…and I created this-

Now, I cannot finger-pick or palm mute and I’m not that great at picking individual strings, and I’ll never be a shredder, but…I am pleased with my ability to play ‘3 chords and the truth’. 🤣

 

[Chris]

The top pictured guitar is the first ‘real’ one that I bought. It’s an entry level Taylor 114ce with a torrefied spruce top, sapele back & sides, maple neck, and ebony fretboard. It’s one of their Made in Mexico models and was only $700 but it sounded like a million to me. In fact, even though I have a few much more valuable guitars now…it is still the first one that I pick up. Very, very well voiced and very comfortable to hold.