PapaG's Long & Winding Road

[Papa_G]

Hi Everyone,

So here’s my backstory…

I started playing as a teen, never got better than a substandard level of mediocrity, and 50 years later as a grown adult would have thought that the notion of ever playing guitar at any level again dead. Then one day I crossed paths with a sorry looking old stray dog in the form of a black Dean starter strat sitting on the shelf of a Goodwill store. Well, looking up at me with those puppy-dog eyes sparked something inside. Twenty bucks + tx , out-the-door, gig bag included. Sold.
Man, that turned out to be one sweet little guitar after it was nurtured back to health.

That was June, 2019, and I remember it well because it was within a day or two of my 67th birthday.
Between then and the date of this writing (roughly 3 1/2 years), perhaps 2-3 dozen or so different guitars and amps have passed through my hands. Some are of notable mention, like a Fender Princeton and a '95 Fender MIJ TB FotoFlame Strat - and still I remember that Dean. Ahh, first love…

I’ve been a member here for a couple of years, I think. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without this site - it is one of the most remarkable resources I’ve ever come across. I’ve completed a number of courses, but I’m currently studying Theory, Folk-Finger style, a number of songs, including Justin’s sublime arrangement of ‘Desperado’. I suppose there are some things you never stop learning - I’m counting on that part. I’d like to engage more socially here because there are some truly terrific folks that share my love of music and guitars. I’m retired and play from morning till night whenever I can, and the wife has been told to bury me with my favorite guitar cradled in my arms.

My musical tastes are wide - it’s probably easier to say what I don’t like. My playing choices are the same. I started with electric; mostly Blues lead solos, but having just got a 25th anniversary Taylor, I’m now more appreciative of acoustic.

I do smattering of home recording and use a Scarlette 2i2 and AbletonLive Lite11, although I’m not very good at it yet - but I’m learning.

I currently own 10 Guitars Here’s one of them I particularly like. It’s a 1967-68 Kent; a Japanese made guitar believed to be manufactured by Kawai, best known for their pianos. Pretty sexy looking, isn’t it? And plays and sounds as good as it looks. In the back is a Tayor 510 AB 25th, and on the right is a Classic Vibes Squier Tele. I seem to play these mostly. The amp in the back is a Crate Vintage Club 50. I really came to prefer the sound of tubes/valves’ over SS and seldom power up my VOX VT40, even though it’s a T/V hybrid and a respectable amp for its class. I also have a Firefly E338 Sunburst, and an Ovation CC57 that get their fair share of attention, too.

I recently picked up this amazing little gem that’s going to keep me busy for a while!

Well I think I have a handle on posting to this page - it is pretty straight forward. So many learning curves to navigate these days…

So, I thought that I should post this photo of some of my other gear to keep things current. I told myself to sell some, but I can’t seem to part with any. I suspect there’s something wrong with me…

L>>>R: LTD EC-100QM; '98 Squier, Yamaha 112dlx;'rescued '03 Squier Bullet. That’s a VT40 below.

[tony]

Hey Gary, great to read your story, the images looked just fine. I started playing at the age of 53 after dreaming about it for many years. I often wonder what would I be playing if I’d started much earlier as my music tastes have changed lot over the years. If I’d started as a teen I’m sure it would have been an electric guitar yet now my tastes are very much acoustic. Great to hear from you and look forward to hearing more.

[adi_mrok]

Hi Gary thanks for quite an insight to your story, always interesting to get to know fellow guitarist! interesting the DigiTech multi fx is first fx I got to know when I started first as a teenager. I couldn’t afford one like this and I remember in my dorn there was a guy with one and he let me play it a bunch of times - I think the unit was a reason why I gave up partially due to thinking that without it I am unable to learn stuff I wanted to. Partially I was correct but amount of stuff I haven’t learnt before I started with Justin is mind boggling - and that’s probably where our stories join together all the best!

[roger_holland]

Hi Gary,
How nice to get an insight like this, I find it interesting to read what better guitar players have chosen and choose for a path,… thanks for that…
You have beautiful guitars, and I see a pattern in your color preference (or is this really a coincidence)…
Such a LL is applicable for anything and everything, … you could also post pictures of …, for example,… well let me come up with something like that … the art you make , … .i am very impressed and it is stuck in my head now from what i saw of you an hour or 2 ago…
Thanks for sharing,
Greetings,Rogier

[ChasetheDream]

Gary, thanks for posting a learning log. There seems to be a number of us more advanced youth on this forum that have returned to the passion for guitar.
I am amazed at the talent level of some of our older members. It definitely provides a path of aspiration!

[Papa_G]

@tony;@ adi_mrok; roger_holland; hasetheDream

Thanks for the responses - A lot of like-minded folks here; feels like home! Never to late to start. I figured at 70, if I have 20 years left, I’m going to re-live ages 17-37. Seems to be working out ok so far…

[suzieq]

@Papa_G Hello! Glad to hear you are already enjoying the site. . Oh dear another sufferer of GAS! You can never have too many.

[TheMadman_tobyjenner]

Had to take out some time from the family visit to read this Gary and well worth it.

Lovely intro and story on your progress to date and a sneak preview of the collections.
Kind words about the Community, which I wholeheartedly echoes, as there have been times in the restart journey when I was ready to jack it in again. The old Forum kept me going, as does the new one. I don’t visit any others and those I encounter have been by accident when seeking tech type answers but I doubt any out there are as supportive and friendly as this one. So you are in the right place, so never be afraid to stick your hand up and say Help !

As for pictures, if you have them on your PC/Laptop you can just drag and drop direct into this text box and the Discourse software will automatically embed. Simples.

Thank you for sharing, always good to me new, oldies.

Cheers

Toby

[dobleA]

Hi Gary, thank you for sharing your story. For me also a multi-effect pedal is all the fun and sound variety I need for now.

[Papa_G]

Thanks for saying hi

[Papa_G]

Thanks, Toby - yes I was able to get some up. Very straightforward and user friendly - whew!

[Papa_G]

There is a point it seems, where I get bored with playing the same old and need to shake things up. I’ve heard that hitting this ‘wall’ is not an uncommon thing and a lot of players deal with it. Justin, covers this excellently in his post (How To Rekindle The Love For Guitar? | JustinGuitar.com). Some switch between acoustic and electric, explore a new genre or try to learn a new technique, just to get over the bump and keep the mojo humming - all good stuff. Lately, I got the notion to try to partner up with another player of comparable skill level, so I posted an ‘ad’ (ink on paper & thumbtack) on the bulletin board of my local guitar shop thinking it may be the next natural step in my trek - we’ll see. Anyway, I’m always looking to add new ideas to my toolbox, and interested in hearing if others have any tips, suggestions and/or stories.

Update:
Although I hadn’t expected it to come this soon, I’m close to realizing the main goal I set for myself when I started out learning about 3 1/2 years ago, which was to be able to get up on stage and jam/hold my own with a working band. I posted a listing on the bulletin board of my local guitar shop and also Craig’s List for a jam buddy or non-pro just-for-fun band to expand my range and was approached by the bass player and drummer a local working band with paying gigs who needs a guitarist. The thing is that, I’ve never, ever played with anyone outside my imaginary mind. Frankly I’m petrified, but resolved to see it through.
I’m appealing to those who may be more experienced in this and who may be able to give me advice. Is there a band etiquette or protocols I should be aware of? I’m thinking of what extras to bring to the audition as well, like extra strings, cords, batteries pedals, etc, All advice is welcomed and appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

[Papa_G]

Anyone else have this ‘problem’?
I collected these over the 3 years since I started playing. There are a couple of ‘pound dogs’ in here that I rescued - they seem to be my weak spot. It seems that when I see a neglected ax I just want to take it home and nurse it back - sigh.

[roger_holland]

Hi Gary,
It looks like you have a problem …an addiction?,…a nice collection in such a short time, yes that of course…,… or a person with a little too much compassion with a guitar? …You should talk about it I wanted to tap, but luckily you already do ,… we have that with plants in a nursery, the worse they look the sooner they go…and when we have the land for it in a few years, that will happen with animals …
I would say,…have fun with it because healing is no longer possible
Greetings,Rogier

[TheMadman_tobyjenner]

What problem ? I see no problem ?
You could stack em and rack em to save floor space, so giving the perception of there being less.

[roger_holland]

Yes, encourage him Toby … one addict tips the other to disguise things

[Papa_G]

The JG community has been very good to me over the years, and for this I’m compelled to ‘report in’ after an extended absence and share my progress since my last post, which was some time ago.

When I rediscovered the guitar, about a week from my 67th birthday 5 years ago on a fluke find in a thrift store, little did I ever think it would lead me to where I am now. At that time, I also discovered JG. I started with step one, just as if I never touched a guitar in my life. I took the theory class back when it was practically free- twice. Turns out, it was the best time and effort musically ever spent. It wasn’t easy at first, and took about a year (and counting) to get a grip on it, but with resolve it opened up the music world in ways I never imagined.

I set my goal, per Justin’s suggestion, 5 years ago as, “to be able to hold my own as a guitarist/musician with a house band on stage.” Then 66, I had no intention of joining a house band, but that was the goal at the time.

Five years later, I’m no master of anything. But after starting with rock and blues (Fender Player Strat, Kent 834) and applying what I learned about theory, new worlds did not open up- new universes did. This last year, I’ve explored many other genres, like bossa nova (Cordoba 32E); pop standards & jazz (Epiphone Emperor Regent), folk and country (Taylor 510AB). But even more significantly for me, understanding theory made learning other instruments easier. I’m about 2 months into learning alto saxophone (Eastar Windband Prof) and about 3 weeks into learning Bb clarinet (Eastar Student). I also came upon a keyboard (Yamaha PSR E303) and currently am looking at xylophones and flutes. Learning these means I’m also learning to read notation and theory stitches it all together. Turns out, I have a passable voice, too.

Since my last post, I’ve played with many local musicians, joined a regional songwriter’s association (SVSA) and write and home-record songs, one of which, "Tailpipe Smokin’ Fire Under The Hood (Stream PapaG music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud), I’ve entered in an international songwriting contest (I’ll let you know if I win anything). I’ve performed at three open mics (very scary) and plan to do more. Home recording is a lot of work but extremely gratifying. If anyone told me 5 years ago this is where I’d be today I would have laughed them out of the room. My new 5-year plan? “To be able to hold my own as an alto saxophone-clarinet- keyboard player with a house band.”

I hope all is well with everybody and thank you for reading. Live like every day could be your last. One day, you’ll be right.

Gary

[glpguitar]

Hello Gary,

That was a great read and glad to hear you’re going strong in the universe of music! Good to see you’re able to connect theory knowledge with new instruments!

Keep us posted about your gigs, songs, new instruments and you might want to even join the community online open mic (next one coming in July)!

[roger_holland]

Hi Gary,
How good to read all of this, it’s really amazing what you have achieved in such a short time…enjoy it to the fullest indeed

Greetings,Rogier