I'm increasingly finding myself in a rut with my playing and haven't improved for years. Anyone got any good advice?
im by no means great, but when i feel like im in a rut, i find that learning a cover or part of a cover is helpful. it lets me see why i like something and how to make something similar. typically i try to go for covers that are things i like but are not things i think im particularly good at. I feel like it causes a shift in perspective that allows for better playing on my end.
you can always tweet it or privately post it on facebook in an album that only you can see and grab a link from there
You can also just attach it to your post. If you click more options on the quick reply there is a paper clip. You must be in portrait mode on mobile for it to appear.
More people need to understand this about musicians. Just because you have a famous talent doesn't mean you have a personality that embraces fame or likes all that social pressure. For a lot of musicians that's their least favorite part of the job haha
Also if anyone is looking at a guitar buy from Gebhardt guitars in Vermont. Have him ship it to you. He will include the hard case and all. He makes Nocasters, i.e., self built guitars assembled from various Fender "parts". And he legit puts Fender's factory quality control to shame and will also sell you the custom guitar for like, a third what Fender would sell that same level of craftsmanship. He made me a mahogany thinline Tele with a guitar body that had been discontinued in the late 60s. The mahogany hollow body gives me some of those low mids and that bass thickness that was missing from my old American Standard Tele. It also has a full rosewood neck, as in not just a maple neck with the rose fingerboard - the whole neck has the warmth, friction, and that gorgeous dark brown color. I've never seen or felt anything like it, makes the guitar so much more responsive both in playability and in the percussiveness of the notes reflecting off the rosewood. This thing plays like a 3000 dollar Fender and I snagged it from him for 1100 flat. The man described his process, he literally goes down to refretting the neck if the intonation is slightly off, he replaces stock Fender screws in the bridgeplate with a leveled and hexed set to improve sustain and string stability... he can do anything. I've seen a semi hollow Jazzmaster with a Bigsby tremolo (like ones you'd find on a Gretsch) and a Les Paul neck that I wanted so bad in his photos of previous guitars he's made. Sorry to spend paragraphs singing his praises but those of you looking to step up to a profesional guitar, don't buy from a factory. This guy and the guitar I bought from him have showed me what you miss out on when you buy a Guitar Center guitar. Legitimately never played anything so crisp sounding, so well rounded, so versatile, so easy to develop a feel for.
Anyone have any recommendations on a good, small (15-30w) tube amp and maybe a couple of essential petals? I think I'm gonna get rid of my Line 6 Spider III half stack and Vox Valvetronix in an effort to downsize and get more quality sounds.
I'm looking at the AC 15 Valve Reactor which is way cheaper than a normal AC 15, but it's a combo tube/solid state that I don't quite understand. You know anything about this distinction?
Mm got ya. For now I'm thinking about $500-600, but that's largely dependent on how much I can get for selling the amps I mentioned earlier, maybe along with an Alesis Micron synth if those are still worth anything. Alternatively I've thought about just keeping the Valvetronix and investing in a couple pedals instead, but I barely use all of its onboard amp models and effects and would rather invest in upgrading my rig
Stay away from VR line. Sounds like piss. I've had an AC30C2, AC15C1 and they both sounded amazing. I currently have no amp but am looking at the AC10C1. Tube amp for a great price and I can confirm that it sounds amazing. You can use it in your apartment or on the stage too. It sounds good at both low and high volumes. Really nice to crank it though. Vox AC10C1 - 10W 1x10" Guitar Combo Amp
Earthquaker dispatcher is amazing. can be used as a delay pedal, reverb pedal, or combined. it's perfect for atmospheric noise.
you can find better amps than the VR series for that price point easily. i'd check reverb too - might be able to get something a bit nicer for less if you go used
For what it's worth, I'm not going to say the AC15 is a bad suggestion, it's great... But I sold mine when I got an Orange Tiny Terror. Check that bad boy out, same price range, all tube, 15 watts.
I bought a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe off craigslist for 300 or 350 a year ago. 40w combo, so it's loud enough to play with a band. The drive channel is decent but the clean is magical. I think it's the single best deal in amps, especially if you're going to use pedals with it. I know nothing about the VR series but I would go full tube over a hybrid. I've got a '63 Super Reverb and I'd be lying if I said it beat the HRD by any significant margin.