Chabenda
Hi,
I have been playing guitar semi-pro since around 1985. I lived in Zim for some years then but moved to Tete 13 years ago. I am a big fan of Fenders and used to collect them obsessively (there were many in Zim in those days). I had a collection of thirteen pre -'73 Fenders alone at one stage, never mind the inevitable SG's, Les Pauls and assorted Japanese makes. Anyway, you can only play one at a time and sometimes you need the wardroom space for clothes! I have stuck with my '72 Strat and '68 Tele (both exchanged for Aria Pro II's). I have a '61 Jazzmaster that I bought as a write off (it had been in a "High Density Suburb" for years and the slab fret board had to be shaved until it looks like a normal one to get the grooves out!) and I have been rebuilding it over the years. I have had a wide selection of amps - Old black face Fenders - many (generally too bright and thin sounding, could never find a Twin Reverb), Marshall Super Lead Plexi's (x2) - they give you arms like an Orangutang but what a sound, Mesa Boogie - who needs a smoke machine when one of those regularly self combusts? (crap rhythm sound anyway). I now use a Roland Cube 40XL - so convenient, great sound, no need for effects pedals, one trip from the car to the stage or, more importantly, from the car to the house at 4AM whilst needing to use one hand to cover one eye so you can walk straight! I still have a fantastic old '64 Princeton but that is being used as an exotic lamp at the moment as one of the valves is glowing a beautiful purple colour. I also own or have owned a number of Marshall combos (trying to find that old Super Lead sound in a more manageable package) but have not been too impressed. I have a MG30DFX that isn't too bad for a cheapo - not enough mids though.
I was an absolute Fender freak but have got over that. I have seen that feel, sound and build quality vary so much between instruments (I used to do a lot of re-fretts, repairs and set ups in Zim for other musos) and at the end of the day it's whatever satisfies your need for street cred and 'That Sound' that counts. Owning a guitar for twenty odd years also strengthens that bond. Having OCD with guitars is a terrible thing!
I am currently involved in a serious affair with my Telecaster, In the '80s a friend of mine plugged it into the Princeton and played some c/w and blues through it - man, what a sound! It's all in the fingers! Better start finger or hybrid picking. I believe that a Tele takes you back to the very roots of guitar playing - electrified acoustic. If you want it to sound good then play it! From the heart and with your Mojo!
Nice to meet you all! It's really great to be amongst people who share the same passion.
Cheers,
Chabenda
vic
Hi Chebenda.....welcome ! Nice introduction. ?
Sean
Hi ? ...yes, very nice intro. Welcome. I've enjoyed the pics you've been posting in other threads. Those naturally worn guitars of yours are fantastic btw
Alex-B-Broadway
Welcome! Really love the pics you've posted so far. ?
Chabenda
Thanks guys! :woohoo:
vic
Chabenda, just for interest sake...I remember Rhodesia had a few well-known bands in the '50/60's....one of which was The Cyclones....a Shadows-type band with Strats and all.
Any others that come to mind ?
Chabenda
Vic, I arrived there in the early seventies as a piccanin and only got involved after independence in the '80s. Otis Waygood was the one band of old held in reverence in my circles. Klunk was also top on my list, their guitar player - Benny Miller (ex Otis) was a legend, a phenomenal player whether it was punk, blues, rock and roll or Run DMC. A Peavey T60. sixties SG or Strat straight into an HH amp, no pedals. Otherwise there was Heritage - a very professional show band. There were a number of other bands and some really amazing guitarists. I used to stand in front of the guitarists to watch what they were doing. My ears used to ring a lot!
