DianeB

I bought the Strat from Gregg Cobler a year and a half before he died in 2023. (For those who don't remember Gregg, here he was "Cntryblues".) At the time he was recovering from a serious surgery (sarcoma) to his leg and decided to thin out his collection. He texted me with pictures of three guitars that he was about to take to Guitar Center to see what he could get for them. I had been window shopping for a Strat, and I wanted a California model. "Don't you dare take that Strat to the store," I shot back. "Take it to FedEx or UPS and send me the bill. I'll sell it here if I have to, but I think I'm in love." A few days later, it was on my front porch: a 1999 American Deluxe, and not a scratch anywhere. Practically mint condition. He had replaced the plastic knobs with the knurled Tele style. Sniffles and Trixie approved, making it unanimous.

Maddie, I hope you won't mind us giving a little space to your talented predecessor, Jared Scharff, who held that special seat for years. Only now am I getting around to learning about him. From 2021, here's a profile in Guitar.com. For the best part of four decades, Saturday Night Live has remained one of the most popular and influential shows on US TV. Since the late-night comedy showcase debuted 1975, only five guitar players have occupied the full-time guitarist’s chair in the Saturday Night Live Band....

Into the home stretch. We've rehearsed outside to check the PA system, and today we had a final run-through. Word on the street, so we hear, is of residents looking forward to the show. The 55+ development has 125 homes, so if 25 people turn out, in good weather, I'll be thrilled.

The "workshop" Nancy is referring to is Guitar Intensives, which runs in late July.

Meanwhile, the hype machine comes to life.

Yeah, you can guess what this bunch is up to. Four rehearsals in, "Blurred Vision" is tightening up. Stay tuned. 😉

@Anon Hi there, and welcome to the forum. You probably noticed that your post required approval. It's a new requirement that Steve had to implement because we were recently inundated with spam from new "members" who signed up for that sole purpose. We regret the inconvenience. Such is the online world these days. As you settle in and look around, you will find from reading that many of us have shared your experiences. You're not alone in having to start over from scratch. The same work that rewards us, humbles us. Carry on, keep us posted of your progress, and join us for Steve's Live Lessons about every other Tuesday night (7:00 pm Central).

@dan0725 Well done, Dan! Good guitar work, in time, and a smooth vocal.

A heads up about two documentary films out this month in limited engagements. First, "Coastal", a new black-and-white iPhone film, shot by Daryl Hannah, of Neil Young's recent California tour. Second, a re-release of "Pink Floyd at Pompeii 1972" in 4K. Check online and your local theater for dates and times.

Last night I had the thrill of seeing Kaki King perform in town. She's on tour, a double bill on most dates with the California Guitar Trio. As expected, she used her projector for visual effects with her custom Ovations, and demonstrated her Passerelle bridge, which essentially turns the guitar into a 12-note lyre. The California Guitar Trio has been around for decades, now comprised of Paul Richards, Bert Lams, and recent addition Tom Griesgraber, who plays a Chapman stick. There were terrific originals as well as goosebumping covers of "Jessica" and Ennio Morricone's theme to "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". Kaki joined the Trio for the finale: Kaki & CGT.mov

Wikipedia has a good discussion of the format and the compromises that compression requires.

Wow, Mike, that's just lovely. Worthy of a a soundtrack!

@hespeler Welcome to the forum! I'm inclined to agree with @Fretless, who I know is an accomplished guitarist. Your feelings of frustration might arise from a natural tendency to compare your guitar skill to your proficiency in, shall we say, your neighboring skills. They give you a great head start. An experienced music educator could help you make the most of them without having to start from the very beginning, like many of us here. Stay in touch.

From the Guardian: 'A Part of You is Gone' ... In a city known for its creative output, the fires ravaged two neighborhoods musicians called home on opposite ends of Los Angeles. The fires affected high-profile performers as well as dozens of working musicians, destroying the instruments and home studios essential to their craft ....

Watch Live Lessons on the Guitar Gathering YouTube Channel HERE. 7:00 pm Central Time US 2025 LIVE LESSON DATES JANUARY 14th – Great Chord Moves in D 28th - Great Chord Moves in G FEBRUARY 11th - Great Chord Moves in C 18th - Jazz Guitar with Paulo Oliveira MARCH 11th - Improvise a Celtic Irish Song on Guitar 18th - Fingerstyle with Bryce Mullins APRIL 8th - The Belmont Guitar Ensemble MAY 6th - Great Chord Moves in A 13th - How to Change Chords Quickly 20th - Scott Bernard Future dates and topics to be announced.