Thanks @tony ! From the moment i picked one up i could tell the quality difference just in the tuners! Although looks is not THE criteria for a buy it is definitely a reason NOT to buy. Koa is a special look and Iām struck by matte finishes. But feel and sound are the real strengthsš.
Thanks @markr31 , I hear you on the Beat Buddy. I quickly realized for even thinking about using it live you need the footswitch. It allows 4 different functions, 2 when itās playing and 2 when itās not. On not playing once you make a playlist, i have one footswitch set to advance to the next song. This pretty much keeps me from fiddling with it while in a set. It does take some prep to get it live ready but I wouldnāt call it onerous. The only experience i have with playing with others is original songs. I feel playing with a drummer and being in time is really where i need a lot more work and this is perfect for that. My playing already sounds better just after a few days. The whole adding fills, changing drum parts, pauses, and outros is all mind blowing but itās like anything else new. Just a little time and it gets easierš.
The Beat Buddy can be a deep rabbit hole that will suck time but once you root around you will find it incredibly useful. It does help to be computer literate and the Loader program they released this year is way simpler to get what you need done than the original Beat Buddy Manager. Late adopter for the win!
Thanks @judi ! I bought my PRS Parlor online from Sweetwater and had never played it. I think there is a place for that kind of blind purchase. Reputable brands and merchants help a but they donāt allow a connection. I knew my Parlor was not going to be the one so I went with it and took the risk. If you are looking for that one to be THE one, I think you have to spend time in a lot of shops and once you narrow to 2 or 3 then spend some time with them and then youāll be sure. No doubt about it though if Iām on a trip that can support some guitar practice, the Parlor is the one going with me!
Youāve already gotten some good advice on your thread, enjoy the exploration and donāt rush it! Good luck!.. Rod
Playlist is what you need to create using the Beat Buddy Loader program. I have bought some of the premium content with the real song name but Iām also using the default library stuff like Odd Time 6/8. Take the sd card out put in the pc fire up the previously down loaded Loader program available on their site.
Select the left option, there are only a left, right and middle. Click playlist, name it and start finding all the content you want in the order you want, save it. Throw the sd card back in the beat buddy and your playlist will be the first item to select. Then use the foot switch to advance to each item once a song is stoppedā¦. Rod
Yeah, those features (like saving a playlist) werenāt available on the Mini. You had to dial it in every time. I had the foot switch, but it was very limited.
Great story Rod, congrats, canāt wait to see the gear in action. The Taylor looks nice, Iām currently considering a Taylor at the moment so will be interesting to see what you think.
Thanks @oztelemann for that link! I didnāt look at it as carefully as i should have and thought it was the one on singular soundās website. That fella has gone to a LOT of trouble creating that super useful reference.ā¦Rod
Happy NGD Rod. All looking good sir and I hope we get to hear both geetah and drums soon.
BTW way, got meself a sweet PRS SE P20e for Christmas, satin TSB very very nice !
Congrats on the P20e @TheMadman_tobyjenner ! Iāve found it to be a rugged travel partner and all around ready to go companion. I lowered my action about 6 months in to playing it and wore out many a set of strings on it. Iām keeping it for sure. Video will be out later in the week. Just hope it does not involve flames!
Thanks @LievenDV ! The amount of brain cells Iām killing will hopefully be replenished with ones that know what they are doing! Listening for the beat while singing and playing is transformational and Iām only a few days in! Plan on locking in on this space for a long while!ā¦Rod
Happy New Year, Rod and happy NGD. I love the colour.
Good luck for today with your new setup, Iām sure it will go well and the peeps will love it. Donāt forget that recording so we can hear your new guitar in all its glory.
Hi Rod,
Thanks for the link here as I may have never seen your posts here.
The Taylor looks great and I love them. Pricey, but you have to pay to get quality. I have a Taylor 12 sting that is pretty nice.
I always tell folks that play to a metronome, they should try playing to drums. One never knows when the opportunity may come up to play with a band and this will prepare one for that. I also think playing to the beat of drums get you more into the groove and vibe of a song. Of course those are simply some of my thoughts on the subject and are subjective.
Enjoy the NGD and many happy returns on these investments!
LB
Thanks @Richard_close2u a lifelong guitar and a box that is going to change my practice time and live stuff significantly i think. Really enjoying your vintage club sessions sir!
We are on the same page @LBro Iāve attempted metronome work and just canāt stay with it. I have aspirations to play in a group someday and playing to as close to a real drummer as possible seemed like the best path.
Iām with you on price, I wouldnāt call it irrelevant in a guitar search but itās farther down the list. Playing and pricing lots of guitars and brands helps narrow the field and once you find the one you see what you can do but unless you go used the sellers are usually at the same starting point and for this package itās not low .
I canāt fathom a 12 string at this part of my journey, I hope you play that one a lot!ā¦Rod
How are you liking (loving) it a couple months later? This guitar is on my list for ones I want to try when I upgrade later this year (it actually represents the high end of the budget Iām saving for).
Thanks for asking! Itās so rich sounding. You wouldnāt think that slightly larger body would produce such a significant punch over my PRS parlor but it does. They say the more you play Koa the more it settles in tone. All I can say is Iām doing my part by playing it most every day.
Stunning new guitar Rod, certainly getting quite the collection now!! And it sounds lovely, canāt wait to hear you share something from the studio with it.
Pleasing to see youāre still playing for the retired folks, awesome thing to do for them and you.
This is one thing that really piques my interest about koa (in addition to its looks, obviously)! Love the idea of it growing into a fuller tone with time and playing.
ā¦Rod
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