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Well,

On a wild hair, I went out and grabbed a sweet OM-21. Considering that my guitar playing has always been marginal and my bass playing is mostly decades in the past. It was a little bit out of character for me.

Whatever. I did it.

I intend to learn fingerstyle blues. The reference above from Ramonesfreak is noted. He was very enthused about it. What else should I look at? I have a strong theory foundation and played jazz, classical, rock, blues, surf and punk in my past. My intent is to do something that works my brain. This is a pre-retirement strategy. I also despise reading music.

TIA!

I don't see how you're not going to like the Martin. Post a pic or two!

I'd suggest calling Stevie Coyle. He's an outstanding guitar player and teacher- he owns a high-end used guitar store in Lafayette, CA called Mighty Fine Guitars. I'm sure he'd be happy to spend a few minutes chatting with you and pointing you in a good direction. He's also a online fingerstyle instructor on PegHead Nation. I think fingerstyle is his forte. I don't know how this compares to what's on TrueFire. You should be able to get a feel for what he's like here:

https://www.pegheadnation.com/string-school/instructors/stevie-coyle

Reading tabs is much more direct than reading music. They chart what fret and string(s) to pluck.

I have a room in the house where I keep the guitars that I'm not playing, temp is 67 to 71*F, humidity is 38 to 41%. The guitars I'm playing I keep in the living room, empty room except for the music stuff, constant 71*, humidity is 35 to 38%.
I'm a rookie, started playing a couple of years back, I think I'm in the ball park for temp and humidity but I'd like some feedback.
Also sizing up my next guitar, looking at the Mexican Strats, any one have one? How do you like it?

Finn

If the two post bridge doesn’t bother you for a few hundred more you can pick up a 90’s American standard. Mexican strats have cheap hardware and pickups and don’t hold their value. Pay $800 walk out the door you have a $500 guitar.

I got my first Mexican Strat for $300 new in 1996. It was in an economic enterprise zone in NJ, so 3% sales tax too. I wouldn't buy one new these days. Too many great deal out there. $500 would get you a very clean one on Craigslist. They are great platforms for modding, since you don't have to worry about vintage value. I out EMGs in mine, sanded the neck down bare and was a very nice guitar. When I get a bigger man cave in the next house, I'll probably grab another.

You can fill holes with Honduran mahagony and re drill to original size.

Hey! I can contribute RE: Mexi Strat.

I have had a few different strats. My second favorite is on the rack now - a Mexican sunburst.

Here is the Ranking: (I may have left one or two off)

#1 1985 Japanese 1963 grey market reissue. Set up by Robert Cray's Luthier and practically played itself. PU's sounded too clear. It was bell-like, which was still cool. (I sold it in 1993 when I bought my first house and thought I needed that $375! Felt like selling my child. Still miss it.)

#2 Mexican Sunburst. It is a higher end Mexican Strat. Not sure the model. Has raised pole piece PU's. Seems like a perfect vintagey strat. Has some growl. Plays very well. Has had a pro-setup prior to me. Looks and feels great.

#3 & 4 Generic Mexi Strats. Meh. Cheap guitar. Pretty good for playing in a rockband where you drink beer and dent up guitars. Sound ok. Feel ok. Nothing wonderful about them. Both were cheap. I think I paid $125 and $150 for them. Get what you pay for.

#5 American Std from the late 80's or early 90's. WHAT A TURD. Yuck. Sounded really bad. Didn't feel right. Uninspiring and disappointing.

The humidity recommendations I see for acoustics is 45-55% or 40-50%, so I think you're a touch on the low side. Maybe you can get a humidifier for the two rooms. I doubt electrics are as sensitive if they're solid bodies.

I've heard good things about PRS electrics. But I don't know about such things.

45-55 RH is right. With electrics I’ve never had an issue with humidity except fret sprout on a few guitars. This is a real crappy problem to have but, with the right set of files is a doable fix. I prefer avoiding this so I do check all my guitars frets every few days. All my guitars have always for almost 40 years been on stands 100% of the time, including acoustics. I have multiple RH gauges in any room where there is a guitar and check daily.

Congrats on the new guitar

Keep it simple. Pick a finger style “style” and stick with it until you’re happy. If you start jumping around from paul Simon style to john hurt style you’re gonna get frustrated. You really need to get your thumb technique down.

I like to take a tune like the stones’ dear doctor and play it finger style. It’s a simple blues progression with a melody you recognize and can adhere to that gives you a foundation or structure to practice finger style technique

All your past experience will help but if guitar is new to you, not being fluid with your chord changes will hamper your development. Make sure you can easily play all chords in open position and stay down there until you have your thumb technique down

Here’s a good free lesson to start with. Don’t worry about the thumb pick. If your comfortable with it I highly recommend it but I’ve never used one except with banjo

https://youtu.be/u0ocjT3gObE

Sorry cant embed with this iPad

Btw, If you do end up trying TrueFire, I recommend Finger Style Blues Factory by David Hamburger

It’s sorta easy but obviously assumes you can get around on guitar

This guy plays great fingerpickin style and picks great songs too...lots of ideas. check out his channel


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Fred Sokolow has some good lessons on YT as well. He teaches at McCabe's in Santa Monica and has lots of lessons available on the web.

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Gibson SG my first electric---humbucking pickups -- gave it to my brother ----DAMN

Well, time to kick this baby back to the top. I was going through my "Stuff" with the Wife and we're putting together a list of things we need to get rid of.

I've got a fishing kayak, a Lincoln 175 wire feed welder and a few guitars. I've got some Rickenbacker's and too many Dreads so that's where I'm cutting back.

Anyhoo, I'm checking out Reverb and some of the guitar forums to figure out pricing and lo and behold, this baby pops up. I've always wanted a Gibson J-200 or 185 and this guy is selling a John Walker "Ruby Elite". It's John Walker's take on a J-185 (he's in Montana and makes about 25 guitars a year).

Here's some pics and a "build sheet"...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1677962910.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1677962929.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1677962951.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1677962987.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1677963009.jpg

So if any Pelicans are looking for a deal on a Rick Fireglo 360 or a Mapleglo 660/12 I'm your guy.

Also thinking of selling a Martin D-21 Special and a Stonebridge D-34SR in Sunburst finish (a Unicorn).

And I'll throw in a set of steak knives to sweeten the deal! :)

Had to look up MJH

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Here's a good old tune...

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That's a beautiful jumbo, Craig! Hide glue, some Brazilian, and a short scale. Looks like fun.