My apologies to all the ladies who play guitar – I can only write from a guy’s perspective.

Saturday afternoon I took my son Ben “guitar shopping” with me. (He knows that going to a music store will not be a quick process, but I quickly silenced his protests with the promise of ice cream from McDonald’s…) This was the second time that week I’d gone guitar shopping. I’ve haven’t bought anything, mind you, and don’t intend to for a while. I’m trying to decide on what kind of electric guitar to purchase. All the while I’m saving up some extra cash.

Why all the time and trouble to look for a guitar? Because I have what is known as “The Fever.”

You can’t just go out and buy any old guitar. There is a special connection between and guy and his guitar, and you have to keep searching until you find the right one. You may not know exactly what you’re looking for, but you’ll know it when you find it. It just feels right.

After you’ve played a guitar for a few years it starts to feel like part of you. I bought my Taylor 414ce in 1997 and it has been a faithful companion ever since. (I love Taylor guitars, by the way. They’re expensive but worth every penny.) You love the feel of the guitar in your hands. The little nicks and scratches aren’t flaws; they’re beauty marks. Even the familiar smell when you take it from the its case is strangely comforting.

When I walked into the music store today, I don’t know if she saw me. But she caught my eye, and I asked if we could visit for a while. She obliged, and once she was in my hands I felt that special something that only happens once in a while. She told me we could make beautiful music together. But I couldn’t take her home with me today. Maybe someday soon we’ll be together.

As I turned to leave, I said, “What’s your name?”

Telly, she said.

I have a feeling it’s not the last time we’ll see each other.

Now just a link for my donna lee attempt rather than a crap embedded object from flickr.

My project for the year:  to restore my Dad’s Fender Telecaster bass.  This thing was in decent shape when I first started learning to play bass….so long ago I’d rather not mention.  I put some hours on this thing as you can tell by the wear at the edge on the bottom left.

I think it’s a 72, if this site is correct.  The serial number on the neck plate is in the 350000’s.

This is what it’s should look like.

To be quite honest, The Who are responsible for my new fascination with classic rock.  It all started because of the Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago.  My parents took us there, and while waiting for our food my dad walked around with me and looked at all the memorabilia.  What stood out the most was a guitar that Pete Townshend smashed.  It was a Fender Telecaster to be exact, which is the same guitar I play.

After doing some research on the band, I can to the conclusion that this album should be my first exposure.  What a great decision!  I not only enjoyed their style, but their lyrics were just great.  That says a lot coming from someone who rarely listens to the lyrics on the first play.

The song that stood out the most was ‘Going Mobile.’  Why?  Because if that song were written today, Al Gore would have a heart-attack.  Check out these lyrics:

I don’t care about pollution
I’m an air-conditioned gypsy
That’s my solution

There goes green peace.  Anyways, I enjoyed this album very much.  It not only lead me to listen to more music by one of the monsters of rock, but spun me off to explore a genre I had know little about.  Even 45 years after their formation, they are still winning fans.  Enjoy this video of one their most famous songs: Baba O’Riley.

I give this album the top rating without any question.

Rating: 5/5

]]> http://mojocaster.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/nik-huber-dolphin-jr-played-thought-a-swart-ast/ Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:46:52 +0000 mojocaster http://mojocaster.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/nik-huber-dolphin-jr-played-thought-a-swart-ast/

Another review of my Huber Dolphin Jr played through a Swart AST amp, using a Danelectro Cool Cat Vibe and a Visual Sound Route 66 pedal.