Crusoe

Which guitarists would you say have the most distinctive sound? Recently, I was playing one of those "Heardle" games, where 1" of a song intro gets played and you have to guess the song and artist. If you can't or get it wrong, 2" gets played and so on. I didn't recognise the song but almost immediately recognised Tony Iommi's guitar playing.

Welcome to the club Luke!

I popped in on Saturday to buy a music stand for my daughter. There was a young lad in with his dad, buying what was obviously his first guitar. Great to see it.

Ooh, I forgot all about them. They don't come with free bottles of beer though.

Two bottles of Grolsch lager. Can you guess why?

I remember getting one free with the Beano

I've just thought of another good argument for physical shops. A few days ago none other than Mr Robert Plant called into Matchetts, in Belfast, to buy a harmonic. Yes a bona fide rock legend might buy something off your website, but you aren't going to be able to get him to pose for a photo.

Yeah, certainly with the lower spec models, like the TE20. Some of their higher priced gear seems comparable with the likes of Squier, so definitely a loss leader or close to it.

I also reeeeaaaaalllly want a Laney Cub Super 12 combo.

The AR520 in black looks fantastic. The AS series has some lovely instruments too (I may be biased though, owning an AS73 TCD). I need to stop looking at the Thomann website. This has caught my eye. Harley Benton TE-70RW Deluxe Series – Thomann UK How can they produce something like that for under £200?

Good grief! What is going on with the frets? They look to be wonky. Is it just the angle in the photo, or are they actually like that?

Welcome Fred!

Welcome Aurora!

I'll plump for the ST62 Deluxe.

Looks interesting. Can't wait to see the developments

Nobody else can get a word in edgeways!

Mid-life crisis. I've had an acoustic for years but never really did anything more than strum a few simple tunes on it. Back in March, I saw people talking about Harley Bentons, on Basschat, so had a look. They had a TE-20, amp and accessories for £150 so I thought I'd take a punt. Six months later and I also own an Ibanez AS-73 and am taking lessons, hoping to do the grades.

Good stuff!

Welcome Andy. I'm another Ibanez player - AS73 TCD

Welcome to the site. It can be a bit quiet, but hopefully as the community grows it'' be a bit more active.

SImon McBride has joined the band as his replacement.

Peggy Sue is another great song using those chords. First song I ever played on guitar. We tried to do a punk version of it

Would you be going to these lessons in person, or online? It mighty be a good idea to go for the trial lessons to see what you think of them. I don't think you need to buy an expensive guitar. The Yamaha acoustic you bought is a decent guitar for a beginner.

Some people find an electric guitar easier to play as the strings can require less pressure to fret, but you do have to factor in the price of an amp and leads as well. IF you do decide to go down that route, Thomann do some very good bundle deals on guitar an amp. I got a telecaster style guitar and an amp for £150 and am really happy with it (the guitar is great, the amp is just ok, but will do for now). Justin Guitar's lessons are really good, so I'd say stick at them. Marty Music does some good ones too.

It does take time to master changing chords. Persevere with it. Why not try just practising the chord changes with the left hand, without strumming, until you get the feel for where your fingers are supposed to go. Then practise the strumming, without forming the chords. Then try putting it all together. What you can try doing is using the tip of the topmost finger (eg for an A chord it will bee the finger on the D string), have it touch against the against open string so that it doesn't ring out if you do accidentally hit it. Justin's lessons are good. Stick at it and good luck.