Fretless

If you take one machine head out and make sure that the measurements of the replacement are the same as the existing one, they should fit just fine. Check not only the bore diameter but also the peg length, the height the string hole will be above the base of the machine head and the location of screw holes. For example, Schaller shows not only a photo of its machine heads (one model is on this page) but if you scroll down you will see the drawings withg all the measurements for you to check.

Over the years I have had about 25 guitars. Sure, you can try one out in the shop but I found that living with one for a year really helped me understand what I did or didn't like about a particular guitar, plus, I was free to do proper set ups, swap out nuts and strings and so on.

As a Boogie owner of some 30 years I am saddened by this news. Randall Smith has been an innovative leader of Mesa Boogie, not the same story as Gibson Brands.

Thank you for the lovely theme, Neil, and Mandy for oganising us all!

Here's thinking of you on Christmas Day, Mandy. With all the Covid-19 restrictions it cannot make it any easier for you but I do sincerely hope you find someone to share some time with this Christmas.

Mandy, it is so nice that you felt you could open up here and let us know what has been happening. I take that as a sign that you know we are here for you. We cannot do it in person so you will have to imagine a group hug from all of us, holding you in our hearts and prayers. Many of us have lost loved ones so have some understanding of what you are going through but I have not lost a spouse/soulmate so I can only imagine how hard it feels right now. Take it easy and take your time with returning to playing your guitar - it will call for you at the right time. If you want to chat via Zoom let me know as I would be delighted to. Maybe there will be a time over the Christmas and New Year when you jest need to talk with a friend. I will send you a PM with my contact details. And thank you for being so kind and thoughtful of me when I was ill for 4 months last year.

What sort of amp is this? A guitar amp (or combo)? A Hi-Fi amp? If it is a guitar combo then Eracer_Team-DougH's advice is spot on - the line out is at line level and that is the right level to plug into your audio interface, the M-Audio USB FastTrack. Any speaker output on any type of amplifier will blow your interface so don't go there, use the line or, 2nd best, the headphone out if your combo has one.

Hi there, ImpulseArts. There seems to be a bit of a mismatch between your expectation (studio monitors, as per the topic title) and the reality (both sets of speakers are cheap and cheeful desktop speakers for plugging into a PC). How loud can you go? Playing your guitar through those speakers the answer will be really quietly otherwise you will risk blowing the speaker probably before blowing the amp. You will get on much better with an amp designed to have a guitar played through it. Is your guitar electric or acoustic? If electric, look at the selection here. If it is acoustic look at these amps. If you are wanting studio monitors then look at these. If you want to play guitar and backing tracks together then a small PA speaker would be another possibility, in which case have a look at these. I have set a filter on each of those links to $200 max so as not to scare you with good quality gear with higher prices. By all means, explain more precicely what you are wanting to achieve and the answers you get should be a closer match with your needs. And if it is of any consolation, my first guitar was electric and I bought the cheapest guitar amp I could find and managed to blow that, so we are on the same track!

Yes, that's right, you have to remember that one flat is F (or Dm). It is the exception to the rule.

Thank you to both if you, Wim and 3rdwaverider, you have both raised the bar for recordings here at Steve's Guitar Gathering.

Hello Nancy, I used to keep my music in ring binder folders, at first punching holes in the sheet music and then I moved to using inserts which unpunched sheet music can be put in and kept without curling the corners. I now use an iPad and as Diane says above, I am one of those that cannot imagine being without it. I am not suggesting you go down that path but if you did ever wonder whether that would be a route to consider, have a look at the conversation a few of us had a while ago, here.

Well done both of you, not only for having a go but also for producing something extraordinary, each in your own special way.

I wanted to record something this month but there is still too must dust and dirt in what is our new music room in the making, so please forgive me for submitting an old recording, Beethoven's Ode to Joy on a 12-string.

Wim, that is quite outstanding, not only the notes but the atmosphere as well, all on one instreument.

I remember, nutty1, when you were having a tough time strumming. This rendition, to me, demonstrates spectacular progress. Top marks!

Tank you, Randy, it is great when someone is really enjoying their guitar.

Well done, Greg, on finding such an instrument. I am glad to hear that you are out there, playing regularly. Keep up the good work!

It is glam (not clam) rock and the name came about because stage outfits became more and more glamorous. Look at Abba's Waterloo outfits as an example. Although followed by punk rock, some of the 80's hair bands continued the glam rock look. Top of the pops was the UK's weekly pop chart top 20 rundown with performers of the songs miming along to their singles. I think pretty much every youngster was glued to their TV on a Thursday evening, including me.

Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water. My acoustic playing is largely based on learning to fingerpick like Paul Simon from my youth club leader a few years after this. The whole list is before I had started delivering newspapers and could afford to buy records. My first was a single, in 1972, Don McLean's Vincent. Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits was not my first LP but one of the first.

rockinrickard, are you kidding me? Barney Kessel is one of Jazz's great guitarists and yet I could have sworn that your jazz turnaround and Barney's playing on Julie London 's I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan are pretty much one and the same. PS. Thank you for the funny sticky note. Can I tell the others? I hope so: rockinrickard says I should change my name from fretless to flawless.

That looks like you had a great adventure trail, from one store to another and then to Collin's studio and the restaurant. I am glad you all had a lovely day.

Electro-Harmonix has an impressive range of pedals that delve into keyboard-voicing territory, including the Lester-G rotating speaker pedal. See it and the short video on the EHX web site, here.