Skybone

TBH, I don't think he knows what he wants (apart from making a noise)! He does like a bit of rock and a bit of acoustic stuff to, from Nickelback (I know...) to Newton Faulkner, pretty much anything we might have on in the car, though I must say, he's not that keen on Pop (where his sister likes One D, The Vamps & other such pre-teen marketed Pop). I think the next step would be to find a guitar tutor willing to teach him, and discuss it with them.

How wee? He's 7, but quite tall for his age, which is why I think that a 3/4 scale would be better for him, and also that it'd last a few years as well. Had a look at the Harley Benton strat-a-like starter kits at Thomann, seems to look like a decent bit of kit (and should withstand a bit of battering too). Showed it to the boss, but she reckons he'd be better off with an acoustic, and that a teacher would prefer him to use an acoustic. I think it wouldn't matter what he played, so long as he was willing, though an acoustic may well be "quieter" when he's "practicing". Seen a few 3/4 scale acoustics that look half decent in the price range, though a bit concerned about the depth of the body. If someone did a cheap thinline acoustic, that would be an excellent "half-way house". Thanks for the input.

It sounds like they've employed a former Gibson Quality Control employee...

Saw them way back in 1988, with their original frontman Chuck Mosely. Never gelled with Mike Patton as a frontman after Chuck left.

My wee lad is after a guitar for Christmas, so the boss has asked me to look into it. He's got a short scale el-cheapo nylon strung acoustic (that's been superglued back together a few times!), and lets just say that what he lacks in ability, he more than makes up for in enthusiasm... Though he does keep saying that he wants a bass. AFAIK, the boss is trying to line up some guitar lessons for him, but I need to find a suitable instrument for him to use, but also which will be a decent "investment" (meaning more that it should last him a few years at least). So, I was thinking of something along the lines of a 3/4 scale guitar. Anyone got any recommendations (types/brands/etc)? The choices seem to be pretty limited to either mainly Strat-like clones, a few Tele-a-likes and LP-a-likes. I like the look of the Epiphone EB LP (simple and sturdy), or should I consider a Strat/Tele (hard tail versions) as well?

Another vote for the EHX Small Clone/Nano Clone/Neo Clone. If you want retro looks, the "big box" steel Small Clone is the one to go for. And no, I won't sell you mine. The last version of the big box reissues was best IMO, the full retro look, but with true bypass switching. I used to have terrible problems with bleed on a previous version that wasn't true bypass (worse on an older Small Stone). I had a Nano Clone as a backup for a while, very nice sounding pedal, but not quite as nice sounding as the Small Clone for some reason. Sold it when I had a clear out of gear a few years back. Haven't tried or heard the Neo Clone, but would expect it to be in the same sonic ball park as the Small & Nano Clones. Don't Behringer make a plastic bodied clone of the "big box" Small Clone?

And for somewhere to store your spare picks, just in case the one in hand goes pinging off somewhere. Quite like the look of the BB424X over the standard BB424.

I was once informed by a Guitar Tech, that the reason my bass had fret buzz was... "You're playing too hard".

Did the Mastodon/Feist split ever come out? It sounded like a very interesting prospect, Feist doing a Mastodon song & vice versa.

All this talk of Canadian rock & no mention yet of Voivod, OK, so they're more "metal" but they have had their "rock" moments, from albums like "Angel Rat" & "The Outer Limits" to the later albums with a certain Mr Jason Newstead on bass (Voivod, Katorz & Infini). Superb band IMO. RIP Denis "Piggy" D'Amour.

Ever tried helping him get the drums set up? You could help load in, get stands up & place cymbals so he can get them set up for him, you could get drums & cymbals out of cases, hi-hat stand etc, etc. While he's faffing about getting them all into position, you can set your gear up. Being in a band is a team effort after all, so if everyone pulls together as a team, all good for the "common cause", which is why you are all in a rehearsal room together in the first place... surely?

Don't you have to wear a red uniform & get chased by dogs a lot to play Post Rock? I'll get me coat...

Some very nice basses in that there collection, good article too. Loved the bit about the custom JayDee.

"Mm Bongo, Mm Bongo, They play it in the Congo" Sorry...

Still think Lady GaGa is Dee Snyder's love child...

"Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be..."

Venom inspired a lot of the thrash era bands, as did a lot of punk bands from the late 70's/early 80's. Pretty sure there were a few other NWOBHM bands that had a similar vocal style, but can't remember their names (old age). Thrash was the start of the gruff/growly vocals, but that also inspired the next wave of Death Metal & hardcore punk in the mid to late 80's, which is where the style became de-rigeur (Napalm Death, Extreme Noise Terror, Doom, Carcass etc)

Love the look and potential of these, just never had the opportunity to try one out.

[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1401109940' post='2460105'] That's done - I even listened to a few tracks!!!( and enjoyed the fact it actually sounds Scottish) [/quote] Scottish Hip Hop? Sounds very interesting indeed!

Seen Alan playing in both Hawkwind and with his own band (Bedouin era), awesome player for a diddy bloke. Always remember the white Ric sounding thunderous.

Heaven knows, he's still miserable...

It is allowed AFAIK, just don't say it too loudly though...

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1398249347' post='2431999']The funny thing is... I can barely play guitar really [/quote] That never stopped anyone buying a BC Rich... Pickups-wise, guess a lot depends on what amp you're using, and what sort of sound you're after. If you're using a modeller, then "off the shelf" pickups sound fine, if you're using a decent valve amp, then something with a bit more "zing" might be needed. I always found machine made pickups (SD's/Gibson's/DiM's/etc) sounded a tad "life-less", even with amp modellers, and especially with valve amps. Anyway, I'd say go for it, that STQ Mockingbird's a great looking guitar, and should be quite versatile if you can think beyond the brand reputation.

I had a BC Rich Classic Exotic Bich a while back, very nice guitar, very well made (MIK), stunning spalted maple veneer top & cloud inlays, but came with ceramic magnet humbuckers (BDSM?), which to my ears were somewhat harsh. Bought a set of handmade Alnico V HotPAF's from Bulldog, which smoothed the sound out brilliantly, but ultimately, with a maple through neck, it lacked the "bite" of a mahogany neck/body. Plenty of initial "bark", which would be ideal in a 2 guitar lineup, paired with an LP/SG or similar mahogany bodied guitar. As the band I was in was a 3 piece, I needed a "fuller" sound, so I went back to the mahogany bodied guitar. Would I have another? Like a shot (if I could afford it that is, and if it had a mahogany through neck). The STQ looks excellent on paper, and if you can get it cheap enough, probably worth spending the extra cash on a pair of handmade pickups from one of the many excellent manufacturer's that have sprung up over the last few years.

Or you could get a humbucker in the bridge and an HB sized P90 in the neck position. As BKP have been recommended already, I'd also throw Bulldog Pickups name into the mix... [url][url="http://www.bulldogpickups.com/"]http://www.bulldogpickups.com/[/url][/url], excellent pickups and an excellent service from a guy who really knows his stuff.