"The Epitome... of Epiphone..."

mrrsm

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For the longest time now… I've wanted to own a Gibson Les Paul Guitar. But I could never afford getting one as ones on the Premier “Top of The Line” ...especially Vintage Models… these Guitars can range as high as $10,000.00... with an average of somewhere between $3,500 to $5,000.00 for one of these Babies. Fortunately for me… Gibson bought out the “Epiphone” Guitar Manufacturing Company back in the 1950s and created identical lines of their Prime Guitars for a lot less money, as these Axes were being hand-made by Chinese and Korean Labor for a lot less money than here in the United States and therefore ...the good ones are available for around $1,800 on the High End ...down to around $800.00 on average for others in the same class. In some cases… like anything else… you can “Find Gems among the Rock Piles” if you're patient and look for those that are both available and worthy over very carefully. This WIKI on the History of the Gibson Les Paul Guitar and Epiphone provides the right facts and information for anyone interested in having one:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Les_Paul#Studio_(1983–present

Recently… after watching Joe Walsh performing a “Set Up” on a Gibson Les Paul Alpine White Studio Deluxe that is really a Plain Vanilla Finish (...and I DO mean LITERALLY...VANILLA) in color that I actually thought was quite cool as most Studio Quality Guitars have all of the Electronics and HQ Wood Materials that match the Quality of the flashier machines… but without all of the “Bling, Bells and Whistles” and appointments of the ‘Stage Bling’ that Studio Musicians really do not need to be able to play with the same quality action and sound made possible when matched with their knowledge and Skill of How To Play Guitar:


I decided to check out Youtube and investigate if anyone else was paying any attention to what I am coining as being “The Arctic Studio Axe” since it definitely bears resemblance to the Thick Coat Color of a Polar Bear's Fur from top to bottom… save for the Mother of Pearl Trapezoid Inlays on a Rosewood Fret Board. Lo and Behold… there was a Canadian Luthier (Think..."Guitar Tune-Mechanic") that had a similar one on his repair stand having to tune it and fix two damaged Strap Pegs/Locks and also to make some subtle adjustments to “The Nut” and String Heights by using his Tools and Height Gauges and somewhat following Gibson’s Set Up Specs. But THIS one bore the name “Epiphone” Les Paul Studio De Luxe” … and I thought, ” Hmmm… Now I wonder if I can get my hands on one like THAT…?”

So after trying Amazon and eBay… I could see that most of the Epiphone Les Paul Standards and other Certified Guitars of Quality were hitting an Average Price of around $1,500.00. But I persisted and found the identical one I was looking for after viewing the Guitar featured in the below Youtube Video… and later available from someone else in MUCH better condition on eBay for only $289.00.

At first, I was a bit skeptical of this Guitar … that is until I did my due diligence and confirmed that there were no hidden damage flaws to come back and bite me. I decided to pull the pin and get the Guitar since it was drawing WAY too much attention “Being WATCHED” ...and once I make up my mind … I never sit on “MAYBE”. I pulled the trigger after that and have not been disappointed for making this decision. Here are the Images I just took of this Guitar:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126111508@N07/albums/72157672794176737

BOBSLESPAULSTUDIODELUXE.jpg

The Guitar was sent along with FREE S&H to my house in less than Three Days and during the follow on un-boxing, I could tell that it was thoughtfully and professionally packaged in a combination of Saran Wrap and Bubble Peanuts ...and further packed snugly inside of a Guitar Case mummified in even more Saran Wrap… which I did not purchase as part of the deal... but which the Seller decided to use to ensure that this Fine Instrument would arrive safely. For some reason … in my experience... Guitars never photograph well and so I was delighted to find that it looked even better than the eBay Images after I unpacked its mummification and could hold it in my hands. A quick check of the Guitar from Top to Bottom revealed nothing awry and I laid it out for some Photos to add to my “Flickr-Bucket” for all to see:

After giving it a basic Tune...I plugged it up to my Marshall MG30FX…. And O...M….G….! This Guitar more than meets my expectations for paying only a fraction of the average going rate for such a nice playing Axe (very filthy possibilities are here with all of the Marshall’s FX's built in, too!), So… if you are musically inclined and have a desire to play a Better Than Average Electric Guitar…. Keep your eyes peeled for one of these Epiphone Les Paul items… as they are more common in the “Standard” Flavor... with much more colorful Maple Tops…. But they also will cost more as well. I like mine…. Even if it is “Just Plain Vanilla”…. It is Just as Cool and Smooth as Vanilla Ice Cream. :>)

THIS is why I LOVE my Marshall MG30FX AMP:



This added Video is worth more to watch as the Canadian VOP (Video Original Poster) is so seriously entertaining and funny ...AND.... Well ...because of how much information this Specialist reveals that competent Luthiers and Tuners would want to know... AND... he was working on the Very Same Guitar that I wanted to Buy:


This is an even Plainer “Plain White Wrapper” version of the Guitar (NOT like the Studio De Luxe Version I got ...this one is without any Gold Appointments...) and New for $500.00:


Yup... Treat yourself to the Stuff You Want NOW, Guys ... Because as BB King once said in The Blues Brothers:

"Hey Everybody... Let's have some Fun...
Let's Go Out Party... '
Cause when you're DEAD You're DONE...
Let The Good Times Roll...
Yeah... Let The Good Times Roll...
I Don't Care if You're Young or Old...
Get Together ...Let The Good Times Roll"

May the Good Lord ... Rest his Sweet Soul...

RIP BB King
 
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I_Shoot_Back

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I have owned a few of both over the years and honestly I had very good luck with the epiphones. I shrunk my collection to now a 2004 gibson sg and a fender strat 2004 50th anniversary,which I made into a fat strat real fast as I did not like the 54 sound it gave me. I sold my epiphone lespaul a few years back and have regretted that a lot.Miss that guitar.
 
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bfairweath

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You aren't the only GMT wrencher that plays. I've got an American Standard Strat that I bought off Ebay about 12 years ago from a guy and Waco, TX at a price substantially less than what it was worth.

Les Paul was from Waukesha, WI which is a western suburb of Milwaukee. Supposedly, he gave guitar lessons to Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band when he was young. Steve Miller is from Milwaukee.

I live about 90 miles north of Milwaukee. I've been through Waukesha several times. They have "Home of Les Paul" signs everywhere.
 
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mrrsm

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Thankfully... there many Members with Many Talents here at GMTN ... and the purpose of my posting was not to lay claim to being the Sole Guitar Hack present ...with some modest Mechanical Chops as well. Rather, I wanted to invite others to share in the possibilities I just realized for myself if they too wanted to own a High Quality Guitar on a Budget that will be much more reasonable... and not have to suffer from any lack of quality. This recent acquisition means a great deal to me... and the more Members who share in this love of The Guitar who participate with their own thoughts and information...the better.

This Video is both Interesting and Educational... but it may have to be deleted if it sounds too much like "Dr. Epiphone" is making a Commercial for the Gibson-Epiphone Guitar Company than giving Visitors a lecture about Les Paul... Gibson...and Epiphone Guitars:


...and here is a Japanese Interviewer visiting the Gibson-Epiphone Factory in China... and it provides more proof of just how much actual hand-made labor is still necessary to create a decent long lasting and beautiful instrument. The Language Barrier of Japanese poses no problem from a Visual standpoint in appreciating this tour...

Wakarimasu ka? Hai... Wakarimasu!:

 
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mrrsm

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Almost as soon as I managed to get this Instrument here and have the chance to play it... I realized that having the Soft Carry Bag would not be enough to protect it from me tripping over my feet and having to use a cane to steady myself often enough not to "Crash, Bang... and BOOM!" my way around the house, my garage and The World ...at large. Consequently, I figured that my best bet would be to find one of the "Form-Fitting" Professional Hard Cases made for the Original Gibson Les Paul Guitars. But after scouring Amazon and eBay... even the USED Hard Box Cases were going for around $300.00... which is more than I actually paid for the Damned Guitar!

Then I realized, "Hey Dood... Why not just search around using the Gibson-Epiphone Name in the search string...?" and Voila' ...I found a Brand New Les Paul Gibson-Epiphone Hard Case on eBay for right at a "Single C-Note"...and THAT was worth getting. The appearance of this case oozed High Quality as shown in its (4) Lock containment versus only (3) on the standard Flat Case....and the Case Body is sculpted to match the Guitar perfectly. When I set the Guitar down into the case... it was like watching what happens when you get into a HQ Foam Mattress. The Guitar slowly sank inside and the fit was precisely SWEET!. The last little bit of "Bling" involved the fact that the Epiphone LOGO was embossed in Gold on the Case and stamped in the Leather Lift Tab on the Accessories Box inside. So for right around $100.00... It makes for a Complete Professional Musician's Package that makes me very happy now. :>)

So to show what the results of getting two Lucky Breaks looks like ... Here are the latest images:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126111508@N07/albums/72157672794176737

EPIPHONECARRYCASE18.jpeg

EPIPHONECARRYCASE17.jpeg
 
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mrrsm

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Picked up another Acoustic Guitar... Just wanted to try out a Small Body Yamaha FS830 for a change of pace ...and this Pretty TSB (Tobacco Sun Burst) caught my eye last week while browsing them on eBay.

The Smaller Body is not only easy on the eyes and very nicely appointed with an upgraded Bone Nut and Grover Tuners:

GROVERSTATITETUNERS.jpg

... and Very Attractive MOP (Mother Of Pearl) Inlays... it has a very pleasant tone in the low end and is quite a bit easier to relax with than my larger body Dreadnought HTG (Honest To Goodness) Japanese Built 1985 Alvarez Acoustic Guitar.

I like it... and the Black Leather Concert Custom Hard Case was nice addition to the deal. It plays my favorite tune, "La Paloma" very nicely. Sorry Mr. Joe Walsh... But, I think I'll keep this one, too. :>)


YAMAHAFS8TSB1.jpgYAMAHAFS8TSB2.jpgYAMAHAFS8TSB3.jpgYAMAHAFS8TSB4.jpgYAMAHAFS8TSB5.jpgYAMAHAFS8TSB8.jpgYAMAHAFS8TSB9.jpgYAMAHAFS8TSB10.jpgYAMAHAFS830CASE1.jpgYAMAHAFS830CASE2.jpg

This is a VERY Nice Demo of THIS Identical Yamaha Guitar in various strumming and finger-picking styles:

 
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mrrsm

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If you love playing your Guitars as much as I do with mine, You'll appreciate the following:

A Beautiful, Talented Young Woman...
Playing a Beautiful, Perfectly Tuned Taylor Guitar...
While showing us all How to Strum and Finger-Pick...
The Dire Straits Classic... "The Sultans of Swing..."

 

Beacon

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@MRRSM are you familiar with the the guitar played by Alan Wilson of Canned Heat? in the woodstock video it looks like a les paul body, but the pickups do not.
edit: added best screen shot pic I could get
2020-11-26 (2).png
 
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mrrsm

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Alan Wilson played a “Gibson Les Paul Gold Top” mostly as a Slide Guitar and also did serious justice to a 'Blues Harp' (Harmonica) for Canned Heat. We shared the same appreciation for the Original Blues Men and his love of those who played “Bottle Neck” Slide Guitar on Home Made Guitars created with a Broom Handle and Old Wooden Cigar Boxes; sometimes having as few as Three Strings.

ALANWILSONSBANGEDUPGIBSONLESPAUL4.jpg

But with his sad death came the historically bad treatment of his “Gold Top” Electric Guitar. Booze and Barbiturates would leave him laying dead on a lonely hill side at only 27 years of age back in 1970. What a Waste. I cannot help feeling angry at what he might be still playing for “Blues on a Gold Topped Les Paul Guitar” had he only lived. Here he is playing the Blues Tune, “Sloppy Drunk” ...and sounding more like the primitive way I once played the Blues than perhaps he ever should have:


Sometimes… The Blues Tunes I play when I am alone in the near dark at the front of the house late at night, leaning back on my couch in the front Living Room… I weep at my 50 year struggle to emulate the Blues Tunes created by Black Men who had to endure unbelievable difficulties with their lives on the Mississippi Delta. Somehow, they managed to memorialize all of their pain and anguish so often and so well in 12 Bar Blues with Chords and Lyrics that penetrate my mind and my soul to this very day… from B*lls to Bones.

Over so many years, I’ve struggled with being a self-taught Guitar Player, with no more ability to read and write music than Robert Johnson ever had way back when he was “Up North” playing the “32-20 Blues” and “I’m a Steady Rollin’ Man” and so many others of his Classic Blues Standards ...all his alone and luckily memorialized almost by chance during a just a handful of Live Recording Sessions.

Sometimes, I feel embarrassed because I can feel him in the room with me, wondering silently “What reasons could an Old White Man like you ever have … for feeling So Damned Blue?”

I believe that of all the Musical Instruments ever devised and designed by the Hand of Man, the Guitar is the only manifestation of its kind capable of truly capturing the essence of what we feel emotionally in all of its ranges ...from the Highest Highs to the lowest lows.

So when I see a Guitar like “Golden Top” ending up in such a Sad State of Repair… In spite of Wilson’s talent and his connection to playing meaningful Blues… The apparent lack of care rendered to his own person and ultimately, to this Instrument ...just makes me angry that he Died So Young.

But then ...I listen to him playing on the Complete “Hooker and Heat” Album and being called by his name ...by John Lee Hooker, himself… Right then… I just have to keep forgiving him.


Alan playing his Golden Gibson Les Paul in Better Times...


And here singing “Going up the Country…”


As for the Odd White Guitar Pick-Ups... Perhaps these were the earliest versions of the Pre-Humbuckers that Les Paul in his inimitable brilliance was later using on the mid to late 1950s Series of his Gibson Guitars. Here is Alan's Guitar...Tired, Care Worn and yet STILL Magnificent!

ALANWILSONSBANGEDUPGIBSONLESPAUL1.jpgALANWILSONSBANGEDUPGIBSONLESPAUL2.jpgALANWILSONSBANGEDUPGIBSONLESPAUL3.jpggibson-les-paul-studio-50s-tribute-humbucker-satin-gold-top-dark-back-1169603.jpg
 
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mrrsm

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In spite of not being able to play any of my Excellent Guitars anymore ...finally... due to the physical damage from having "The Viking's Disease" (Dupuytren's Contracture) of the fingers and palm of my left hand, my appreciation for Music will never diminish... Not One Iota. This too means that as Ever The Viking Optimist, I have not lost interest in observing and appreciating the intricacies possible when others perform Difficult Guitar Finger-boarding.

In specific, the best example of this that I can think of is Bach's Toccata and Fugue in "D" Minor NOT when being played upon the Keyboards of a Grand Church Pipe Organ, but upon a 6 String Classical Guitar, when plucked by the fingers of a very talented and skilled Classical Guitarist, Mr. Tariq Harb.

Listen, compare and enjoy Bach's superb music in these two contrasting videos and experience a Treat for the Ears and a Fascination for the Eyes. I cannot help but envy him just a bit as he explores complex music that is so very difficult to play ... with a skill and precision that was far beyond my own abilities to ever achieve:

First...The Version of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in "D" Minor we have all heard from time to time:


Then.. Bach as interpreted 'in the very capable hands' of Mr. Tariq Harb:

 
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Beacon

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445
SouthWestern PA
Sorry to hear about your hand. I could hear the excitement in your words about the Les Paul. I feel compelled to share this, since today you added to this post, and today, I held a guitar again, after 30ish years. I just got this 40th anniversary squire telecaster. Let the chicken pickin' begin!
I've lost a lot of flexibility in my fingers. I need to find some stretching exercises
 

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mrrsm

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Very Thoughtful... Thanks. Man...

That is a One Sweet Fender, Brother... VERY NICE FIND! Just Remember what "THEY" Say...

"Make HAY While The SUN Shines..."

Because ALL Good Things eventually come to an END. Enjoy making that AXE behave like it's "Finger Pickin' Good' for as LONG as Blue Grass is GREEN and Blue Skies are BLUE... :>)


Here is a Long, Last Look at Alan's Gibson Les Paul "Gold Top" singing and playing 'On The Road Again' at the Original Woodstock appearance with the band known famously as "Canned Heat":


....and another of a Beautiful Pure White Studio Quality Fender Strat featured with close ups all throughout Robert Plant's Live Performance of "Big Log":

 
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mrrsm

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Two Versions of the One Song every Guitar Player should have in his Kit to Play on the Day we all have to Say Good-Bye to The World... done here by Two of THE BEST Guitar Players ever to Pick Strings, Harmonize, Play Chords and ...Create Magic on Stage... Chet Atkins and Mark Knofler playing:

" I'll See You in My Dreams"



And in Honor...and for ALL of the Brave Men Fighting, Dying ...and Winning... "The Good Fight" out in the World; Played upon the MOST Lyrical Gibson Les Paul Electric Guitar ...EVER:

Dire Straits... Mark Knofler's "Brothers in Arms"


...and way back in The Beginning:

Dire Straits, "The Sultans of Swing"

 
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mrrsm

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...and for @Beacon's Vintage Telecaster... The Set Up Video to go along with such a GREAT FIND!


...and... Some "Telly Tips and Tricks" from Joe Bonamassa:

 
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mrrsm

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And with much respect and admiration for @Beacon 's Choice of Classic Fender Electric Guitar...Here it is featured again ...by a Guitar Instructor explaining "How To Play the Mark Knofler & Chet Atkins Version of "I'll See You In My Dreams...":

 

mrrsm

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It may seem that Freddie Mercury from "Queen" and Brian Wilson of "The Beach Boys" might have nothing very much musically in common... that is, until you listen to their very complex harmonies, layered vocals and chord patterns that both men uniquely used to create some quite unforgettable and beautiful music.

The instance in this case is a focus on the Song "The Bohemian Rhapsody" when played in the Original by "Queen" and then when played on a Classic Guitar as yet another example of just how incredible music making can become with a mixture of Wood and Strings that makes up most Acoustic Guitars and played with the talented hands and fingers of a Master Classical Guitarist:

First... The Original... from Freddie Mercury and Brian May of "Queen":


Then when Played Upon a Classical Guitar by Senor Alejandro Aguanta:

 
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mrrsm

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Lucas Imbiria demonstrates what an Off-The-Charts Wildman Virtuoso Performance he can lay down on any Ebony or Rosewood Acoustic Guitar Fret Board with his interpretation of Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page Signature Tune: Stairway To Heaven:


...and again with "Bohemian Rhapsody":


...and "The Sultans Of Swing" too (Hit the CC Button):


And finally... The Members of Led Zeppelin being Honored at the Kennedy Center:

By "Heart"...


With John Bonham's Son on Drums... RIP John...
 
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mrrsm

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Another Very Expressive "Voicing" of "The Bohemian Rhapsody" on a Guitar played by Kfir Ochaion ...One that is identical to Brian May's (that he Custom Designed & Built with his Dad)... So Very Long Ago...:


And a More Sedate and carefully instructed (TABS and Chords) version of "How to Play Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven"

 
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mrrsm

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For Blues Lovers who seldom listen to Johnny Winter... Or Rick Derringer for that matter circa "Rock and Roll Hoochie-Koo"... THIS Video captures ALL of Johnny's Riffs and Gimmicks necessary to play practically any of his Old Studio Jams...and instead of only playing a few Bars here and there... it is played at length ...and then played SLOWER for Training Purposes:



...and here is an Early Vid Cap of him and his Boys...Toying in a Backstage Jam Session:


Johnny was playing Gigs right up until his apparent Death from Emphysema in Switzerland at the age of 70. And unlike most of us... instead of the more mellow Classic Gibson Les Paul featured in the Second Training Video... he preferred the Gibson SG instead because the action and the brightness and punch of the higher treble and neck action and because it behaved more like a Fender Strat-O-Caster.
 
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mrrsm

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You wouldn't think very much of what is known in the Music Industry as "Studio Session Players" until you realize that SOME of these Dudes REALLY Made The Grade (in The SHADE) of Anonymity. Take the Steely Dan Song "Peg" ...with the Lead Guitar emulating a Hawaiian Steel Guitar as played by Jay Graydon:


But when you THINK about it... THESE Guys are PLAYING ALL THE TIME... NOT Just on Occasional High Profile Gigs! Take Tim Pierce in this next segment...winding up contributing substantially to the "Don't Dream Its Over" Tune by Crowded House... and you'll get the idea:


Or... Steve Lukather's Super Guitar Lead on TOTO (and as a Full-Fledged Member) on the Classic Tune, "Rosanna":


And here is Steve Again...on Randy Newman's Lead Guitar Solo for "I Love LA":



...He and the others to this very day... can enter ANY Music Production Studio Session... Take a Stool and then make ALL the difference in whether Any Song on Any Album is either a HIT... or a MISS.
 
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mrrsm

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How About Dean Parks (another Session Musician) who played back in 1977 on Steely Dan's Donald Fagan's "ABSOLUTE FAVORITE" Stage Song called "Josie".... now over 46 Years Ago... and here he he sits with his "Axe" and breaks down with some of his Studio Stories about "The Session Play". I DOUBLE DARE You NOT to Crack a Smile... :>):

 
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mrrsm

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When you get the the privilege to Walk on This Earth for as long as I have ... Nearly Three Quarters of a CENTURY...one might expect that life would hold out very few things left that might amaze you. But... in keeping with this On Topic Theme of Playing the Guitar... My Daughter-In-Law sent an email to my Wife, knowing my interest in Guitars and having heard and commented with enormous surprise that I was, "That is Not THAT Bad, ...Dad" with a funny, sort of admiring smile on her face. What she wanted and was asking for was if I might advise her on getting my Grand Daughter... an "Inexpensive, Basic Guitar... You know... For Christmas?"

Well... considering that in eleven years, I have never really had a chance to get anything for her that my Wife insisted in getting her that was in keeping with her interests... such as EVERYTHING being either a Blue or Purple, or A Glittered Up Pony Toy or all manner of paraphernalia that had anything to do with the Movie "FROZEN".

So THIS moment quite simply *stunned me still* because in that instant, I decided that rather than subject her to the rigors of trying to extract a decent sound out of anything like the Cheap, Bulky and Clumsy, Rubbish of a Korean Guitar that I had obtained way back when I was in my 20's. THERE WAS NO WAY that I was going to get her a Musical Instrument that was CHEAP!

But this set me in motion to consider her physical size vs. "How BIG of a Guitar should I get her?" and that lead me back to what we call "Travel Guitars". Well... in THIS realm of such 3/4 Sized Guitars, there really are Only Two Choices: Either a Martin LX Travel Guitar... or a Taylor BT-1 (Spruce Top) or a Taylor BT-2 (Mahogany Top) with an Ebony Fret Board and Very High Quality Chrome String Tuners. I took enough time to listen to BOTH flavors along with settling on the BT-2 "Baby Taylor" Guitar along with a Quality Professional Travel Case:


And for Blues....Ohhhhhh Baby!




I decided right then and there to give this child ...a Gift of Music that from the very first time she holds it in her hands and strums and plucks those strings...that the High Quality Sound and Beautiful Hand Craftsmanship will serve to make her happy for her entire life if she so desires to learn to play... and keep on playing.

Her mother ALSO wants to learn... along with her Best Friend and her BFF's daughter, who is already playing her own guitar and taking lessons as well. So... I am over The Moon about this development because being able to quietly occupy one's self when playing and expressing music will add a very great deal to her pleasures in life. Here is what just arrived at their door step:

TAYLORBT2MAHOGANYGUITAR.jpg
SKBGUITARCASE.jpg
 
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mrrsm

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If you have young children who've neither seen nor heard any Guitar, such that they would recognize the sounds it can produce versus what their tender ears have otherwise taken in say from watching the Disney Channel or Old Nickelodeon Television Shows...

Let them see and listen to David Russell playing Francisco Tarrega's famous "Capricho Arabe" on a Classical Nylon Six String Guitar. Watch the expressions on their faces change with the beginning of what will become a musical appreciation they may thank you for many times over as they grow up and perhaps... some may even want to Learn To Play The Guitar:


...and let them hear and see Tariq Harb Playing Claude DeBussy's beautiful "Claire De Lune":

 
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mrrsm

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If you want to see more (and learn more) about Jay Graydon and Dean Parks and their contribution to Steely Dan's Album, "AJA" (pronounced "ASIA") ... instead of me trying to link yet another YouTube Video that might get "Blacked Out" again or FUBAR'd or redirected for exclusive viewing on YouTube...

Instead, Visit THIS Link and Download (in the Matroska Format) this 1999 Documentary about Steely Dan, Donald Fagan and Walter Becker along with the whole host of other Studio Players appearing on th "AJA" Album in much higher quality and detail, and direct from the Internet Archive.

Follow down the linked page to the Lower Right Hand Side and observe the Direct Download Options. You CAN watch it right there... but... the Video and Sound Quality are MUCH Better if viewed using Videolan (VLC) on your own Computer. It is also a great chance to SEE SO MANY GUITARS being played by superb musicians and to gain much musical knowledge and insights about studio production from these Legends, too:

 
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mrrsm

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I was thinking of @Beacon when perusing the Blues-Like Country and Western YouTube Hit done by Randall Hank Williams, "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound" because of Bocephus playing on an Old "Blonde" Fender Telecaster. And while I am only occasionally enamored of a C&W or choked up inside for being the Sinner that I truly am from listening to a Gospel tune (... think Ricky Skagg's doing 'Rank Stranger' here) ...We are always "Talking about Guitars Here"... and the one that @Beacon lucked into ...is a Genuine KEEPER.

Merry Christmas, Brother...



And here again, arguably my favorite from the Man and still playing on "The Blonde":


One Last Word about HW-JR... Any Man who can fall 500 Feet off the side of a Mountain onto a solid Rock along the Continental Divide, get Shattered like a Pane of Glass, endure 17 Reconstructive Operations ...AND... then take years to learn how to speak and sing again... can sing ANY kind of Music that strikes his fancy...and HE will always be Okay in My BOOK!
 
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