I’m Steffen from Karlsruhe in southwest Germany. With an age of fourty-five I’m musically located in the 60ties, seventies, eighties and nineties fo the last century - or the last millenium

I would rank my playing grade as an advanced beginner. I startetd on an age of 14 years to play like Slash showed us all on MTV but stopped when I got my driving license. Thats when I exchanged my 6-String Yamaha Pacifica to an two-Stroke Yamaha RD 350.

I came back to the guitar in about 2012 where I saved an old Suzuki acoustic guitar from being thrown away. Started fingerpicking on a low level just for fun - the Pink Panther Theme or “eint no Sunshine”, leaving the bass line when it was too complex and hat a lot of fun playing “wish you where here” accompanied from my wifes cello.

I finally took it seriously in 2018. Hanging around for about one or two hours a day in the nearby music store - thanks to Rock Shop Karlsruhe for your patience - for more than 12 weeks I finally picked a used Gretsch Jazz guitar in orange. It sounded very warm and “fat” to me and I also like the idea of playing it without an amp. That was my birthday present from my beloved wife back in September 2018.

I used a very cheap and small 100$-guitar-set-inclusive-10W-Amp which was enough for me to start. I also bought my first Justin beginners book after having watched him for several months.

After 2 years I got an very cheap copy of a Cherry red SG model. It’s cheap but somehow things get easier to learn on this standard neck. And as soon as I’m into it I can transfer it to the Gretsch. I play both guitars very regularily and like them both very much. I also do the maintenance and small repairs on my own for I like to know details about the things I’m using.

in 2021 I watched Justins video on the Boss Katana MK II 100Watt. Should I really invest 350 Bucks for an amp? I already had a very funny modelling amp which I gave away after several month for I don’t liked the complexity. But I took the risk and spend the money and woooah! A brand new guitar world came upon me! Never hadf so much fun as the first days when by chance my next door neighbours where on holiday. Thanks for that hint, Justin!

These days I also bought an western acoustic guitar for my very first live appearence, a funeral service. We - my wifes brother and me - played “wish you were here”. Not very good, but warm and with a lot of tears instead of text. Somehow I liked it to be “on stage”, but I don’t know if I’m going to do it again.

Nevertheless, I still practise and play on at home for my own pleasure. I’m looking forward to find a jam buddy, but I also enjoy the flow while playing alone. Let’s see what comes up next.

Cheers,

Stereo