[How to Record your Practice]

I use the iPhone app Voice Memos, works great and keeps it simple. The only problem that I have had is that the replay doesn't sound as good as my playing /singing.

Henk

[Photograph of the Black Hole!]

I think the picks are covering the money spent since starting to play the guitar.

Henk

[My new (toy?) a wearable metronome]

Yes, this is very interesting since I tend to also fail to "hear" the metronome. I know that just about everyone in music recommends using a metronome but I seem to find it a difficult device to be continually fighting with. The idea of feeling a pulse on my fretting wrist may just work. Nutty 1, I would be interested in your review.

Henk

[NGD and NAD!]

Congratulations S Bach, that is a very, very nice guitar. I am a big PRS fan with an SE Santana. You will absolutely love the sounds that this axe will make with various types of music, plus they feel great to play. Enjoy!!

Henk

[The Nut Job]

Thanks for posting Triple-O, a very interesting video. Randy obviously likes a low nut action by making the setting at .018 across all the strings at the first fret. I checked the recommended settings at StewMac (See chart below) which shows a higher gap for low E and lower gap for high e. I would suppose that in order to try Randy's settings and didn't like it, all it would cost me is a new nut.

Henk

Suggested action settings
 

Steel-string acoustic guitar		Bass E		Treble E
Action at the 1st fret		.023"		.013"
Action at the 12th fret		.090"		.070"
Relief: .002" at the 8th fret
Nylon-string acoustic guitar		Bass E		Treble E
Action at the 1st fret		.030"		.024"
Action at the 12th fret		.156"		.125"
Relief: .002" at the 8th fret
Electric guitar		Bass E		Treble E
Action at the 1st fret		.024"		.010"
Action at the 12th fret		.078"		.063"
Relief: .001" at the 8th fret

[Tonewoods]

My Seagull S12 has a cedar top and cherry back/sides, I love it. At the time of purchase it had a very bright sound which is expected from a 12 string but the salesman said it will take a few years for the guitar to mellow. The S12 is now three years old, sounds great and the cedar top is darkening as it ages. The down side of the cedar top is that the wood is much softer than a spruce top and requires one to be a little more careful when handling the instrument to prevent marking the top. The S12 is always played for the Gordon Lightfoot songs.

Henk

[Important Medical PSA for Guitarists]

I definitely have the symptoms, unfortunately if another PRS comes into the house I will be looking for new accommodations.

Henk

[It Is Well with My Soul]

Mike that was very good, I could feel myself relaxing as I listened. The fact that you composed this song yourself makes this doubly impressive.

Henk

[New Original "First of Spring"]

Excellent tune CapM, thoroughly enjoyed it. Makes me look out the window hoping to see the daffodils.

Henk

[RIP **** Dale]

As I lament on the passing of Mr. Dale, I think of other players who have predeceased him and think of the sound. These artists have had distinct sounds attributed to them. In this case I will never forget the "Surf Sound" from this amazing guitarist.

Henk

[Eye Lashes]

Happy for you John, I have always worked with tools and remember listening to "protect your eyes". Glad that everything is working out.

Henk

[Finished Session 4 - 5 Weeks and a Gallon of Sweat]

Congratulations Cliff, looks like you are doing very well in only five weeks. Once you begin to play songs, the enjoyment factor rises and makes all the practice worth it. Enjoy the ride.

Henk

[Possible to cut a new nut.]

Try this site at GraphTech:

http://www.graphtech.com/products/brands/tusq

They have a large selection of nuts with various string spacing's for different sized necks. I have purchased from them without any issues.

Henk

[Sheet Music for "I Love You Too Much" by Santana]

Ron, you can find the tab here, www.tabcrawler.com

Henk

[First Looper Pedal]

@S Bach, I have been using the Boss RC-3 for about a year and I am very happy with it. I'm sure all the looper pedals available can accommodate basic looper functions but I tend to look for ease of use and what else can this pedal provide. In the case of the Boss RC-3 it provides backing tracks from Boss Rhythm download site, a  USB 2.0 port allows you to connect to a PC and import/export WAV audio, 99 onboard memories for storing loops(more than you could ever use).  The addition of the optional foot switch provides single start/stop function.

As with all of these electronic additions, there is a learning curve which can be frustrating at times and reduce the playing time but once you get the hang of it, it is a lot of fun.

Henk

[Chellee Compy Compression Pedal Demo/Review]

Good review Old Guy, but perhaps a little less playing and more description of the control knob settings would be beneficial. I am interested in where in the chain that you place your compression pedal?

Henk

[N Stuff music and Luck]

Nice catch Blue Dog, it's a beauty. Now make it sound great.

Henk

[Acrylic nails]

They seem like a nice alternative to long nails, but the starter kit at $149. US is too much for me.

Henk

[Traynor Amp Drop.. will it still work]

Thank you for the L & M history lesson Doug. As a customer of L & M I had always wondered about its history. It is a very classy store (staff wearing ties & very knowledgeable), a great selection of products and ideas. Hoping to hear the next chapter from 1972 to the present 80 store franchise mammoth company.

Henk

[Members Recordings - Songs, Lessons, Open Mic!]

Just super Neil,  constant tempo throughout. You are really learning to use all that recording hardware. Love the Willie Nelson songs, each one tells a great story.

Henk

[Guitar Kits]

That is a very nice build you have created, Bob. I have been sitting on the fence with regard to a build but now both you and the Old Guy have really made me interested enough to start looking. I see that Solo has a store near the airport (Pearson) so I may need to visit. I would love to find a 1 3/4" neck with a SH mahogany body. The web site seems vague on the pick ups, so I will need more information. Maybe you could help me with that?

I think it is fantastic that you have started this journey at age 71. Never stop learning and improving.

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
― Henry Ford

Henk

[Fretwire LP Guitar Build Thread]

Old guy, you asked in the video about any advice regarding the neck fit to the body. After many years of experience woodworking and I have all the tools. I would sand or shave the neck joint until it is a perfect fit. It would be a weaker joint if you used glue to fill the gaps. A perfect fit also evens the vibrations transferred from the neck to the body reducing any stress points. Just my take on it.

Henk

[Breakout Gig]

Just super Greg, nights like this will send your confidence soaring. Nothing like playing in front of a crowd. Your heart begins to flutter, your fingers try to stop working and you start looking for a place to hide. Luckily the brain takes over and the songs come automatically. I would suggest a high stool, not standing but not sitting.

Henk

[Monthly Recording Challenge 65 - "Couldn't Stand The Weather"]

Well played Kevin, great tempo.

Henk

[A Selection Of Guitar Books]

This is not an instructional book but rather a biography of the Eagles. Last week we went to a Don Felder concert and thoroughly enjoyed the old Eagles songs. The gentleman next to me suggested that in order to understand the real story of the Eagles, I should read the book written by Don Felder, titled, "Heaven and Hell, my Life in the Eagles". It is a fantastic read which has given me new insight into how a band that fought so much, still managed to rise to Hall of Fame stature.

Henk