Finally got my first guitar

[shiva]

... though it took 30 years to do so.

Okay. Long story. I got custody of my son a year ago. Any male who has ever had to go through that knows how hard that is, but he's here now (and doing far better) The Kid's life was pretty much spent being parked in front of a TV set, so there was a lot of work to do. I decided to expand his horizons a bit, and introduce him to new things, like music, so I raised him on the classics. AC-DC, Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Jimi, that sort of stuff.

Taught him the devil horns, got a cheap mp3 player, got him hooked on metal. So, he liked video games, and he wanted Guitar Hero, because he thought it would be so cool to be a rock star. Stupid me, I pointed out that "rock stars" do not play live concerts in front of 16000 people with a cheap plastic toy guitar and that if he wanted to be a rock star, a real one m-a-y be a tiny bit better.

So of course, that's what he wanted. Then my friend came over, who just happened to be a guitar player and totally insane person when it comes to that, and he decided to show off pictures of his 12 guitars, 30 pedals, mixing stuff and 2 complete Marshall stacks. On top of it, he has girls for children (3 of them, and the wife, poor bugger) so he made it his goal in life to corrupt my son, and sort of encouraged him about playing. As for me...welcome to the road of financial ruin...

So, I decided, fine. Got him a cheap kit, because it was on sale, and figured that was that. There was a 99% chance he will pick it up, use it for a week, and then it goes into a closet for the next 20 years. My friend, knowing he is safe as he lives 5 hours drive away from me, visits again, sets it up and tunes it, and then "suggests" something, because right afterwards, the kid starts telling me how nice it would be if we played and learned together.

Of course, my "friend" is far gone by then, so fine. I visit a couple stores, did some research, and picked up a Ibanez gio black night model. Great basic beginners guitar, very cheap considering, and has a real dirty sound. Kid thinks it's great, but one problem. No amp for it. He has his little 5 watt one, but "Dad needs a amp".

Fine, back to researching and visiting several stores, I find a 50 watt amp, great price, with overdrive, reverb, 12 inch speaker. Got a cord, showed it to the kid. My friend shows up again, the same day, loves the amp, gives me a Zoom G1 effects box, and then a list of other stuff I will now need. (We then spent 3 hours trying to figure out how to get the G1 to work, and if anyone knows a university that offers a course in the operation of the G1, please let me know.)

Fine. So I now have my guitar. I guess it's a real nice one, because despite all the threats of impending doom if he touches it, I still have to wipe off tiny fingerprints every day off my guitar for some reason.

Okay, so he loves my guitar just a bit much there. In fact, that seems to be all he talks about, about how cool it is. (Well, he is my son, so he got the good taste DNA from me) and I am going no... no... NO! Leave my guitar alone.

So I had some spare time today, and went to a new store to get strap locks, and guess what I came back with...

http://www.esnips.com/doc/4807e01f-3679-4e45-94dc-918b5764670d/Ibanez-gio-shot

Of all things, I found the exact same model, just in the blue finish. Pretty scarce in this area, and what were the odds, they were not even a Ibanez dealer. To make matters worse, it was even cheaper than the black one I have. My son has the fortunate ability of having his 10th birthday in a month, so maybe now I won't have to buy a bottle of cleaner every month to get those fingerprints off.

I sent a email to my friend telling him what I picked up, and I know exactly when he read it, because despite the fact he's a good 5 hours away from me, I could still hear him laughing. I'm hoping though my kid likes his new guitar, and that it's not to damaged from when I use it to beat my friend senseless the next time I see him.

So, tally so far... 3 guitars, 2 amps (5 and 50 watts, guess what I have to buy next) 2 cables, a zoom G1 multi effects thingie, guitar locks, various picks, a new guitar strap, 2 guitar bags I found used, electronic tuner, and a couple guitar stands. Not bad after a month and a half, especially since neither one of us can play a note yet. (we strum fine though)

The moral of the story? Don't have children

[alitivity]

I have the G2, and 7 guitars now, along with a bass and a drum kit. My oldest boy is almost 13, and I may have another guitar in mind for that birthday next month. He was six when I got him an Epiphone flying VeeWee, and he couldnt keep his hands off mine. He has picked the guitar up and put it down several times over the last 7 years, learning a little bit more each time. I tried to let him move at his own pace, and gain interest on his own. Last year He started lessons for the second time, and has been going ever since. He enjoys Classical music on the guitar, which is fine by me since Metal is full of Classically influenced guitarists. Again its his choice, I havent steered him into anything.

No matter How many guitars the kid gets though, He still wants to play mine. I guess its just the forbidden fruit thing
_________________
Check out Al Diamond Phillips/Nevermet on the web
http://www.reverbnation.com/nevermet

[Mysterioman]

I bought up a digital guitar bout a year ago, it was Line 6 variax and the 2nd most expensive model, and I'm very happy about it. It has all different sounds... so I only need one guitar, not 20.


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Come on and dance for The Lord Of The Last Day...

[shiva]

Thanks guys.

I was thinking about my friend today, and I guess everyone can figure out, we've been friends for a long time. He's such a guitar nut, big fan of Dio and Sabbath ever since I put on the heaven and hell album for him to listen to, and more than likely, changed him from a drummer to a guitarist. Guess it's his way of pay back.

Anyway, his guitars are very expensive, and he's on the road a lot, and won't take any with him because he's so worried they will go missing. Very depressing to see a 6' 4" 250 pounder walking around with a sad puppy dog face because he can't play his guitars, even I take pity on him.

I'm working on him to get a road guitar, and also, I'm thinking about my next guitar as well. Be around 500 dollars I figured I would spend, and came across a Hagstrom dealer in my area. Fell in love with the Super Swede they had there, just a drop dead gorgeous one. The friend is a Gibson guy, and the SS is a mix of fender and gibson, and every review I have read just raved about the Super Swede, most couldn't even believe it was Chinese built.

In case you didn't know about them...
http://www.hagstromguitars.com/superswede.html

Has any one ever played or owned one and can tell me about it? The re-issue of course, since the company returned to production.

[Mysterioman]

My very first guitar was a small acoustic kids guitar, I bought it around the sixth grade... and I was like 12 years old back then. Then I switched to adult acoustic, and had that guitar for years and I still have it... Thinking about selling it and buying a new, better one.


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Come on and dance for The Lord Of The Last Day...

[Mysterioman]

[shiva]

Well, added a little Fender G-Dec amp for his birthday, so that should make him happy (I hope at least) and more bits and pieces.

Looks like I will be getting a Hag, really eyeing the Select Swede. Sigh, welcome to the road to-wards financial ruin....

[Rainbowinthdrk]

Congrats, Shiva. You have now acquired G.A.S.

What is G.A.S. you ask? Gear acquisition syndrome. It is a common but often fatal disease with no known cure. Symptoms may be relieved temporarily by over the counter supplements, but the relief is proportional to the quality and/or quantity of the supplements. Although there is no known cure, U.S. Government studies indicate that manufacturers may be using some sort of pheromone additive in the paint they use to trigger G.A.S. Ongoing studies have found no cure to date, but manufacturers are developing new products daily to ease it's symptoms.
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http://ladyrock.informe.com/

[shiva]

Yeap.... G.A.S. Pretty funny, though I doubt my bank account is laughing at the moment.

Just confirmed, a brand new Hagstrom Select Swede in Blue is on it's way to my doorstep. Of course I h-a-d to buy the top of the line Hag. Kid will freak though, come to think of it, so will my friend, as these are suppose to be very good, almost high end gibson like.

Mind you, I heard the new gibsons are overpriced and lesser quality now. Pretty good week, Iron Maiden last tuesday, new guitar, kids birthday Friday.