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Topic: The Guitar
no photo
Tue 02/12/13 06:36 PM
Hi,
I just started teaching myself guitar. I picked up my very first guitar december 2012. Got an Ibanez on craigslist for $70.

I found a "game" called "Rocksmith" that plugs into ANY electric guitar. It is dressed up as a game but it is more a teaching program. I believe it is working. I can almost move around the neck and be on the right fret without looking. I am getting quicker at my chords. I can even notice when a string is out of tune where before i was totally tone deaf.

It works for xbox360 playstation and pc.

Check it out on youtube.

Good luck. It can be a challenge but it is a lot of fun and rewarding.

Kahurangi's photo
Fri 02/15/13 02:05 PM


Just a quick question for all you gat fans.

Is it worthwhile getting the headstock of an Ibanez acoustic fixed?? And will the quality of the sound be affected by doing so?


I have a part time job doing repairs and whether it's worth it or not depends on the value of the guitar. If it's an entry level model, I wouldn't bother paying a repairer as that might run into $100-$200 for the job. If it's a clean break, use PVA glue (Titebond) and a G-clamp to set the break. Place cloth between the clamp and the headstock so no marking occurs, and wait 24+ hours. Remove and clean up any glue leaks and smudges with a wet sponge. If it's a complicated break, you will need a repairer.

The sound won't be affected by the repair, but depending on the quality of the job, the action and tuning stability may be compromised.


Excuse my bad manners for not responding sooner H, but thank you kindly for your input.

The Ibanez was gifted from a friend to my son, who played it constantly whilst just sitting around talking or laughing with friends and family....and i miss that. That alone to me is priceless.

The pic shows where the break is, which a good friend of mine who is familiar with wood and various types of glue repaired it to the best of his ability, and it seems pretty solid, albeit rather unsightly...but my concern now is, that i'm worried the nature of the break will weaken the headstock and it will break again once its been re-strung and tension is put back on the headstock.



What do you think?

no photo
Sat 02/16/13 09:53 PM
Well since no one else is saying Ms i would personally drill toward the top and close to the bottom from the sides and sink a couple drift pins for added support to the head
Glued in solid as well of course
Then i would sand and re paint the head after removing the tuner keys and mechanisms
You would lose the decals but might be able to buy some from the reference i posted previously
Or you could go for a more personal effect by putting a name on in it's place......?
That's my opinion for what it is worth

\smokin
....V

KiK

Kahurangi's photo
Sun 02/17/13 01:10 PM
Edited by Kahurangi on Sun 02/17/13 01:47 PM
Thank you Kik....i appreciate your input :-)

Edit: Apologies to Mariah (wherever she may be) for momentarily hijacking the thread.

oldhippie1952's photo
Sun 02/17/13 01:11 PM

Has anyone here taught themselves how to play the guitar? Is it really hard to learn? I've written lyrics for years and wanna learn to make a complete song, possible record them. Any tips?



Guitar is easy to learn if you practice. Some chords might be difficult if you have small hands though.

HotRodDeluxe's photo
Mon 02/18/13 02:57 AM



Just a quick question for all you gat fans.

Is it worthwhile getting the headstock of an Ibanez acoustic fixed?? And will the quality of the sound be affected by doing so?


I have a part time job doing repairs and whether it's worth it or not depends on the value of the guitar. If it's an entry level model, I wouldn't bother paying a repairer as that might run into $100-$200 for the job. If it's a clean break, use PVA glue (Titebond) and a G-clamp to set the break. Place cloth between the clamp and the headstock so no marking occurs, and wait 24+ hours. Remove and clean up any glue leaks and smudges with a wet sponge. If it's a complicated break, you will need a repairer.

The sound won't be affected by the repair, but depending on the quality of the job, the action and tuning stability may be compromised.


Excuse my bad manners for not responding sooner H, but thank you kindly for your input.

The Ibanez was gifted from a friend to my son, who played it constantly whilst just sitting around talking or laughing with friends and family....and i miss that. That alone to me is priceless.

The pic shows where the break is, which a good friend of mine who is familiar with wood and various types of glue repaired it to the best of his ability, and it seems pretty solid, albeit rather unsightly...but my concern now is, that i'm worried the nature of the break will weaken the headstock and it will break again once its been re-strung and tension is put back on the headstock.



What do you think?


Well, if your friend used a proper wood working adhesive, there should be no problem. I can't tell from the pic, but breaks that are well repaired are often stronger than the surrounding wood, so, I suggest you string it up and tune to concert pitch and see how it goes.

Kahurangi's photo
Tue 02/19/13 12:51 AM
Thank you H :-)

Guitardid's photo
Wed 02/20/13 12:43 AM
You're right! Writing a song can be really hard. With that said I have had some of my best songs that seemed to have written themselves. My suggestion to you would be start with either the words or the music. Don't try to write them at the same time. Write from your heart, don't get too rhyme rhyme. Try and keep the music upbeat if you choose to start with the music. If you have some old poems see if you can restructure them to fit the mood and beat of your music. My last bit of advise is don't let other people tell you what kind of song you should write. Don't pigonhole yourself. It doesn't have to be any known style it just has to sound good to you.(at first, later you may want others to like it as well.) I'm sure you will do fine. There is nothing like creating music. It's magic. Good luck.

Guitardid's photo
Wed 02/20/13 12:47 AM
Wed 02/20/13 12:43 AMYou're right! Writing a song can be really hard. With that said I have had some of my best songs that seemed to have written themselves. My suggestion to you would be start with either the words or the music. Don't try to write them at the same time. Write from your heart, don't get too rhyme rhyme. Try and keep the music upbeat if you choose to start with the music. If you have some old poems see if you can restructure them to fit the mood and beat of your music. My last bit of advise is don't let other people tell you what kind of song you should write. Don't pigonhole yourself. It doesn't have to be any known style it just has to sound good to you.(at first, later you may want others to like it as well.) I'm sure you will do fine. There is nothing like creating music. It's magic. Good luck.

kvonhass's photo
Sun 06/23/13 12:24 PM
I taught myself the guitar. Currently write songs. Record them. And play shows. Its good for the spirit to express itself.

MoonsDragonLionWolf's photo
Mon 06/24/13 07:08 AM
I want to get a blue electric guitar eventually and teach myself how to play.

artistphil's photo
Tue 09/03/13 04:58 PM
great story, i am touched as well as inspired. :)

insangel's photo
Tue 09/03/13 05:42 PM
I taught myself years ago & been writing, playing,singing & recording ever since.
it's all about practice & if you have an ear for it.
I wish you success in your journeydrinker

Tifalockheart's photo
Tue 09/03/13 11:38 PM
I'm teaching my self now it's great fun I find that tuning my guitar is a challenge.lol any tip's

no photo
Wed 09/04/13 11:41 AM

I'm self taught, but I do suggest that you start with an instrument of at least intermediate quality & make sure you get an electronic tuner (free smartphone tuner apps are available). There are plenty of free resources on the internet, but lessons would be invaluable, especially at the beginner stage.

It doesn't take much to learn a few chords and develop various strumming patterns in order to begin to write your own songs. But don't expect to play classical or bluegrass styles overnight.

http://www.guitarlessons.com/


Youtube has several guitar tuning vids also lot's of lessons.

no photo
Wed 09/04/13 11:43 AM



Just a quick question for all you gat fans.

Is it worthwhile getting the headstock of an Ibanez acoustic fixed?? And will the quality of the sound be affected by doing so?


I have a part time job doing repairs and whether it's worth it or not depends on the value of the guitar. If it's an entry level model, I wouldn't bother paying a repairer as that might run into $100-$200 for the job. If it's a clean break, use PVA glue (Titebond) and a G-clamp to set the break. Place cloth between the clamp and the headstock so no marking occurs, and wait 24+ hours. Remove and clean up any glue leaks and smudges with a wet sponge. If it's a complicated break, you will need a repairer.

The sound won't be affected by the repair, but depending on the quality of the job, the action and tuning stability may be compromised.


Excuse my bad manners for not responding sooner H, but thank you kindly for your input.

The Ibanez was gifted from a friend to my son, who played it constantly whilst just sitting around talking or laughing with friends and family....and i miss that. That alone to me is priceless.

The pic shows where the break is, which a good friend of mine who is familiar with wood and various types of glue repaired it to the best of his ability, and it seems pretty solid, albeit rather unsightly...but my concern now is, that i'm worried the nature of the break will weaken the headstock and it will break again once its been re-strung and tension is put back on the headstock.



What do you think?


If it was glued and clamped properly it should be as strong or stronger than before.

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