First, by you, I mean me. Some of you are doing exactly the right things to become a better player. However, I am not alone in doing less than I should to improve my chops. Second, feel free to replace guitarist with musician or whatever you call someone who plays…
One of the best ways to learn an instrument is to figure out the solos of the musicians you love by listening to them. I would be a better guitarist if I followed my own advice. Before I was born there were musicians who wore out 78 rpm records playing…
I purchased a Morrell 6-String Pro lap steel guitar after the Recording King lap steel I attempted to buy was back-ordered beyond my patience to wait. I am fairly happy with the Morrell guitar, but not entirely so. There was a slight hum when I played the guitar through any…
I’ve been putting off adjusting the action on my wood bodied tricone resonator guitar. The action has been on the high side of acceptable since I purchased the Royal guitar from Imperial Guitars. Then, last week, an internal post came loose after changing the tuning. I couldn’t have the post…
I hope everyone is staying safe while sheltering in place. Many of you are going stir-crazy, cut off from friends, family, and colleagues. There have been spikes in interest for baking bread, cooking, sewing (face masks are a good project). But if you’re into music (why else would you be…
I’ve lived with an annoying string buzz on my AR371CE archtop since I bought the guitar six years ago. I should have taken it to a luthier but never got around to it. If your guitar buzzes only on certain strings when playing only in certain positions, it might be…
I’ve started writing a review of my new Quilter 101 Mini Head. Hopefully, I’ll finish and publish it, but don’t wait up. It’s the holiday season. In the meantime, here’s a post of how I’m making this small amp head work for me. If you’ve seen any of my several…
Before I moved to North Carolina I got rid of the cabinet I had modified to keep my guitars humidified during New England winters. I sold many instruments to prepare for the move and now have fewer that would need humidification. And, North Carolina — do I even need to…
My wife and I did it. We moved from Massachusetts to North Carolina. Although there were many stressful aspects of the move, the one of most concern to me was how do I get my musical instruments safely to our new home. You might find yourself in the same situation…
I’m still loving the Goodtime open back banjo I recently purchased. But I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the sound when I bought it. I’ve been experimenting with typical mods often made for a more old-time sound. Specifically, I changed the head from the top-frosted Deering head (actually a Remo Weatherking…
