I wish you'd stay. I always read your posts.
Thx man;
As usual, didn't explain myself very well. The word "experience" was a poor choice as was the title... not often that I'm a loss for words (lol). I'm on the dark side of 55 and often feel totally out of touch. I don't feel that I have much to offer in terms of the actual guitars, I really only play three, my Studio, CU24 and acoustic. They get gigged regularly. All the others just sit around looking pretty. When someone asks whether a 58/10 is better than DGT pickup, I have absolutely no idea. I like what they come with stock for the most part. The only thing I know about pickups and amps is that there is an overwhelming choice of them and I simply don't have a clue.
This will be one of the comments that probably gets me in trouble and puts people's noses out of joint at times ... as long as the equipment is reasonable, I always sound like myself for better or worse. I'm pretty good at putting "lipstick on a pig" as far as playing with crappy gear. I also think that guitarists, in particular, spend way too much time and effort on this endless, obsessive quest for the "holy grail" of gear and tone. It simply doesn't exist. It's made by supremely talented musicians. There is nothing magic about a "PAF". It's a pickup, some wires wrapped around a magnet ... pickups are not high science. It's magic because of the guitarists who indelibly put their stamp on it, and they were likely sitting around with their buddies sayin' "damn, these pickups suck. wish i could find something better" (lol). If you are recording, a music engineer, charging people for your services, own/working in a studio, then, yeah, tone and gear become more important but they don't make the musician nor the music. They would be far better off putting the time and effort into developing their skills by practice, jamming and playing in a band. It's all about your level of skill, creativity and musicality not gear.
Muscially, playin' in bands, things I've seen and done over the years ... I feel I have some interesting tidbits here and there. I tend to focus on where I've been, what I've seen and what I've been doing lately. I try to relate stuff that might be of general interest to some, yak about my experiences and express an opinion or two. That always offends someone ... that's life. If you have an open mind, it might be possible to learn something from some of my posts. Like my dear, old Dad said as he kicked me out into the cold, cruel working world ... "Son, remember you will always learn more from your enemies, than you ever will from your friends". He also said ... "don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out", his name was also "Sue", but that's a different story. I suspect that a lot of members think I'm arrogant and self-serving. That isn't my intent, but I don't understand why I should pretend that I can't play. I know a lot of guys here can play, many much better than me.
Sometimes, when a person goes out to a bar, "sh1t happens", sometimes a person has a bad nite and vents a little. Like one member put it to me rather well ... "if you don't like my posts, don't read them, particularly don't comment on them" ... I learned something from that and try to make sure it doesn't happen anymore.
Were I come from, the highest compliment you can pay a male, is that he is a "good guy". I like everyone on the forum and think everyone is a good guy. Not every hour, not every every minute, not every second but the vast majority of the time, just like I try to be.
To all the nasty message posters on this thread, please see my post re: "Sweet Home Alabama" ... never mind, I'll save you the effort ... you can all "Kiss My Ass".
Go listen to "Good Rockin' Tonight" by Powder Blues ... cheer you up and you can tap your toes while sittin' on the can wankin' away.
p.s. I'm posting because I have a lot of respect for some the guys that took the time to respond.