From The Madman’s Diaries to The Surfer’s Sit Rep !! Enjoyed that Jeff great update and perspective on where you are at. Listened in the car via the phone but will replay later through a decent audio device. Hey and don’t apologise for Tone Hunting, just factor it into practice. Cycle the piece you are working on or developing, play tweak, play tweak wash rinse repeat. You get to practice the playing side while dialling in the tone, just don’t stop every bar for a twiddle, run it end to end. Best of both worlds, simples. Hey and thank for the shout. 
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Thanks Mark! Sure does! 
That’s super cool that you’re working on Enter Sandman! 
Yeah the tone journey is a tough one, soooo many options/choices/variables! 
I can’t recall what your setup is, but Scott’s metal tone course focused on using virtual amp plugins within Reaper, so that is a path I’m only just starting to explore. It will be interesting to see how that compares with Rhett’s once I find time to work through it. Admittedly Rhett’s definitely won’t be at all metal-focused but some of the core principles should still be universal I’m picking.
Fair enough! 
Thanks Toby! Glad you liked it and thanks again for the inspiration!
Great advice! I’ll start doing that! 
I guess no one is listening but me, so no harm in trying one option, play it through, if it sucks then try the next, and so on. Like you say, best of both worlds!
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Metal Zone, gain on 10! With some amp overdrive too. Metal tone done.
Now I just need to figure out how to take 2 hours to say that and I’ll be able to sell a course.
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Hi Jeff, what a nice idea to make a video update! The good news is I could understand your english …well, you know that’ s not something to be given for granted! Happy to hear you’re busy and consistent in your guitar journey…we have something in common: I changed my strings and experimenting with different picks too… You have a very nicely equipped guitar room. Keep up the “work” and above all the “fun”. Cheers 
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Nailed it, JK! 
@SILVIA
Thanks Silvia!! Glad you liked it and could understand my kiwi accent!
Aw cool! You have probably discussed this somewhere and I missed it, sorry! Will need to hunt it out to see what you’ve gone with, always interesting to hear what people find works for them 
Thanks again, Silvia, very grateful you took time to watch 
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Wow, so that’s a pretty huge life update Jeff. I noticed the new room in your blues vid and was wondering if you were going to talk about it in your LL. I guess that explained it all. Kudos to your bravery in sharing it.
Certainly a time of a lot of change for you and I reckon it might take a while to adjust. There would be some pretty big emotions. I’ve had a couple of friends go through similar - it’s a big deal. However after a few years they have been happier.
Good to have you back around Jeff.
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Wow ,man sorry to hear about the rough road and hope things get easier for you. It really sucks when the road gets bumpy like that.i know when i have tough times i play guitar it always makes me feel good . So keep rocking Jeff and focus on a new future ,we are all here for you bro.
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Kettle is always ready here for coffee time with anyone, just reach out bud if you need to.
Look forward to hearing your guitar updates
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Hi Jeff,
Yes, that certainly is a 
big update. Sorry that things have gone that way mate.
Can I just say, you mention courage, and man trust me you have plenty of that just for being able to share your life with us, it’s not easy.
I can only hope that the bumps in the road start to smooth out soon and things work out well for you. I for one am certainly looking forward to seeing more of you here:+1:
.
If you decide to have an r n r trip to The Mighty West mate, be sure to let me know my Tele could do with a work out
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Good to see you back Jeff 
It took a lot of courage to put that out there and I’m sure it will take a while to adjust to your new normal. As always, Dan and I are here for you as your virtual support from far away if you need anything 
Hopefully you get offers on the house soon!
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@jkahn @Jwaters @liaty @CD02 @Jenndye429
Thank you all so much! Your thoughts and kind words mean a huge amount to me! I feel very privileged to be part of this caring community 
Thanks mate 
I wasn’t sure if I was sharing too much 
, actually sat on this for a couple of days before posting but in the end it felt like something important for me to say and it is a significant part of my journey I guess so this is as much a record in time for me as it is an update for the community.
That’s good to know. Shell and I are still great mates however that may not have been the case if we let things slide and just carried on. We’re both feeling good about the change, despite everything, and I’m confident it is the right move for both of us
Thank you! It’s good to be back around!
Thanks Jeff Yep, I’m sure it will, just a case of adjustment to the new normal I guess.
100%! Nothing like getting in the zone with just me and the guitar, I’ve been enjoying that as a distraction
Thanks so much mate! Really means a lot
Super appreciate you checking this out, Dave, and for being there! Maybe one day, in the not so distant future, I will make it to the UK (my sister is in London) and could share a real coffee (beer?) with you I think I would very much like to do that
Thanks Craig It’s all good, I think it will be for the best once things settle in. Takes a bit of time to readjust I guess after almost 25 years (19 married), so just taking things slowly, but in a positive direction
That would be amazing!! Maybe I could stop by there on my way to the UK? 
The Mighty West is definitely on my agenda, looks like an incredibly beautiful part of the world, great waves there too! 
I’ll be in touch mate! 
Thanks Jennifer!
Yeah, it’s a bit surreal some days I must admit 
but it will come right, I guess any change takes time, I’ll just keep on playing in the mean time
Thanks! You guys are definitely my phone-a-friend! Looking forward to a proper catch up soon
Actually, I have an update on that! We have now got one! It is conditional on their lawyer checking a couple of things but hopefully that gets ticked off and it goes unconditional early this coming week. If so… time to go shopping! 
Thanks again everyone! 
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Hope you’re really doin alright mate. Not easy. Heartwarming though that you could share it here freely, and be received so tenderly by this great community. Hats off to everyone here.
All the best Jeff.
Cheers, Shane
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Hello Jeff, oh wow, that’s an unexpected life update. I’m really sorry to hear that you have to go through such hard times. I had to go this path as well (many years ago). Looking back, it was definitely the right decision. But in the beginning I wasn’t always convinced, that I did the right thing. There were many ups and downs and took time…
It’s very courageous of you to speak so openly.
And it’s good to see you back with a guitar in your hands. Sometimes in life, the road gets very bumpy. But the important thing is to keep on walking.
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Hi Shane, thanks so much for your kind words here. I am doing well, thank you, really appreciate your thoughts mate
Absolutely! Feeling very loved This is a fantastic community
Thank you, Nicole, super appreciate your kind thoughts
Sorry to hear that too, but glad it worked out alright. I feel it will be the same for me, we are still close friends so I haven’t really lost someone in my life, just a change I guess
100% relate to this. I have asked myself that question many times, although I think when I listen closely to myself, it is the right thing, for both of us
Thank you. It is so great to have this caring community, I feel safe to share here, a rare thing these days.
It is good! Loving playing at the moment and keen for it to be my main focus for the next good while! You’ll be hearing more from me soon!
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Hey Jeff, sorry to hear about the changes in your life but I’m sure that with time things will turn around for the better, just keep being you mate. That’s good that your still good friends. Not sure if you’ve seen this video but thought you’d enjoy it on your blues adventure. Take care buddy.
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Thanks so much, James, really appreciate it mate
This is brilliant! 
Loved it! Justin Johnson is always awesome and this is clip is so inspiring! A direction for me to ponder on for sure!
Caught the video yesterday Jeff but still running around post family visit, to sit down and reply.
For starters, really sorry to hear about your break up, could not have been easy and no doubt will take you time to adjust and guess the dust won’t really start to settle until the house is sold. No pearls of wisdom from me, as its not something I’ve experienced but loads of kudos for putting out the video and sharing your experience. Not an easy thing to do and obviously things are still raw despite you putting on a brave face, All being well things will sort them selves out in time.
In the mean time, you can channel all that emotion into your Blues explorations and extract some positives from the negatives - will catch up on that recording later as just off out.
Anyway good to see you back and as others have said, here if you need anything.
Take care, keep rocking.
Cheers
Toby
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Like others I noticed and wondered when enjoying your blues post, Jeff.
I’m feeling for you, even if amicable and the right then it is still a huge life changing moment. Don’t want this to be about me, but having been through the same many many years ago and the heart thing a couple of years ago, I am glad you chose to be open and share. That level of openess takes huge courage and in my own experience contributes tremendously to be able to navigate the difficult waters.
If you need a place to unload, somebody to just ‘listen’ you have my number (ok username), feel free to Direct Message if ever it will be helpful.
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Jeff, kudos for your update, a very brave step to share your thoughts and life issues with us. We already talked, so I won’t repeat, what already has been said. I just wanted to add: very sympatic video! You know, there are lots of nice people around here and I’m sure, you could have some free drinks or accomodation all over the world from your fellow guitar buddies! I case you “need an ear”, you know, where to find me . Take good care and happy to see you coming back to this great community!
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