[Restoration of a Vintage Stella 12-string]

Here is a cool (and brief) video showing the restoration of a vintage Stella 12 string.

[4th of July Gig]

Awesome Greg!

[Live Lesson: Fingerstyle with Casper Esmann!]

Wow - I had not heard of Casper before. His music is awesome. Should be a great evening.

[NGD - Taylor 714ce]

Nice looking guitar - congrats Mike!

[GG2018 Student Showcase Videos]

To all you Student Showcasers (if that is a word):

I have photos of all of you during your performance. Message me and I will forward your photo to you.

-Dave

[Thanks to all that made the Guitar Gathering]

13 hours ago, Eracer_Team-DougH said:

I'm happy and sad at the same time.

Very happy it was a great Guitar Gathering for everyone 

Sad cause I'm not sure when I can attend another one.

 

You were missed Doug!

[Not at the Guitar Gathering? What are you doing (while wishing you were there)?]

Bryan - FLLW's houses certainly are a treat - particularly those at Spring Green where he spent a lot of time and did a lot of experimenting. My favorite is Fallingwater. If you are ever in southwest Pennsylvania, I highly recommend taking a tour.

[Fretboard Journal]

For the next week, you can save 20% off the regular subscription price of the Fretboard Journal. If you are not familiar with the Journal, it is a beautiful coffee-table type magazine that focuses on all aspects of acoustic guitar. I highly recommend it. They also produce a weekly newsletter and podcast.

You can use the discount code SUMMER18 when you check out at fretboardjournal.com and save 20% off your order. Applies to single issues, new subscriptions, renewals or the forthcoming electric annual. Offer expires on July 7, 2018. Click here to shop now. 

[Steve's Chord Tricks]

Mark - thanks for posting this!

[Thanks to all that made the Guitar Gathering]

Marion - it was great meeting you! Thanks for traveling halfway around the world to join us. I'm glad you made it home safely and that you had a great time.

[GG2018 Acoust Night Video]

Paul - this is awesome! Thanks for all you do!

[Smart Practice - a new book by Jeff Scheetz]

Thanks for posting this - I have a couple of Jeff's courses and have found them to be very good. Ordered the book!

[Let’s hear it for Steve!]

Hope you are feeling better Mark - it was a pleasure meeting you.

[News from the 2018 Gathering]

What a week! The entire conference was outstanding. Thanks to Steve, Paulette, Timothy, and the host of instructors and performers that made it all possible. Can't wait until next year.

[Give us your one best practice tip!]

Here are some tips from John Knowles' session at the Fall Fingerstyle Retreat that I found to be helpful:

• Every time you learn to do something, learn how to do it somewhere else.
• Your best work happens when you are working in areas where you 60% know and 40% can’t do yet (this is where adventure happens).

• Each one of us has a different tolerance for being confused.

• When I’m working too hard, I put it down and play something I know how to play.

• When you are learning, there is exploration, new technique, musicality, tempo, and expression (you can’t think of all these things at once).

• It never has bothered me that I can’t do it YET!

• Tomorrow I will be closer – don’t be discouraged by the barriers.

• There is no destination, only so far – so far – so far – so far – then they write your obit.

• Set modest goals and celebrate.

• Need patience, need to love it, and curiosity.
• I play what I love and work on what I can't do yet.

• Chet Atkins (in response to someone saying ‘that looked easy’): ‘It didn’t use to be.'

[Perseverence]

3 hours ago, randyh1953 said:

After making a schedule of available time in my day, I find I have a lot of time since I'm retired. I sat down at my stool and picked up a guitar, dusty ol thing, and it felt foreign to a point of terror to me. I think that's natural since I haven't touched a guitar in a year. I'm starting over from scratch, I guess. 

The important thing is to start. Enjoy your journey!

[Live Lesson: June 12th Ask Your Guitar Questions & Albert Kings Guitar!]

Here is a demo of the Flying V at Premier Guitar.

[Video Surgeon - Highly Recommended]

For those of you who have considered purchasing Video Surgeon - they are currently having a half price sale.

No affiliation with the company, just a satisfied customer.

[Guitar case or not for an extended period ?]

Yes Randy, during the summer when I am not in my study (where the AC is turned off), I find the rest of the house to be a bit too frosty for me.

A small price to pay to keep my wife happy. ?

I use an Essick Air humidifier year round and add case humidifiers in the coldest part of the winter. 

[Guitar case or not for an extended period ?]

And don't forget the summer as well. The humidity level in our house often drops below 30% during the summer due to our air conditioning sucking all the moisture out of the air. Can't convince my wife not to run the AC 24/7. ?

[Starting Session 20]

Wow - congratulations!

[History, Development and Construction of the Archtop Guitar]

Great article Neil - thanks for posting!

[Live Lesson: Flatpicking Champion Adam Wright]

That was a great live lesson - Adam will be a great addition to the Guitar Gathering.

[Guitar Gathering 2018 - Wed June 20-Saturday June 23rd]

37 minutes ago, colder said:

That is another good question I suppose. I don't use guitar stands, I like them safe in the case However, should I bring a music stand? Will there be enough for everyone? I can bring my own if not. 

Guitar stands are quite useful (especially during the sessions held in the main conference room). You may be able to camp out in a spot that allows you to have your guitar case nearby - however that room was very crowded last year. 

Regarding music stands - I have brought one each of the past two years and have not used it. 

[Guitar Gathering 2018 - Wed June 20-Saturday June 23rd]

I believe the survey will be sent out tomorrow.