Pretoria player

Rabbit

Hi Everyone!

I live in Pretoria, and I am an electronic engineer by trade.

I have been playing music since high school, initially keyboards (what other instrument would someone with am interest in electronics play?), then drums (electronic, if course!) and now guitar. So I know enough to be dangerous on a number of instruments! ?

I first learnt basic guitar when I started playing, but playing an acoustic really hurt my wrist. Recently, I decided to give an electric a go in the hope that the thinner strings would help. Fortunately, the problem seems to have solved itself - though more because I have worked on improving my technique than anything else (the internet is a wealth of useful information if one looks hard enough!).

I really like the small size (compared to my 76-key keyboard and drum kit) and relatively low barrier to entry that guitar offers. I feel like I can easily take a guitar wherever I go, and make a useful musical contribution even with my relatively low level of skill. The quiet nature of an electric also means that I can easily practice without bothering anyone... or waking my 10-month old son, which is far more important! ?

I seem to spend more time learning about how guitars and amplifiers work than playing, but that is pretty normal for me... There is just so much to learn both musically and technically!

My current gear is:
- Squier Bullet Strat which I picked up for next to nothing, but which is a surprisingly good guitar. It is also great for trying things on because the financial implication of breaking it is negligible.
- Ibanez SAS32EX. This is probably my favourite guitar at the moment. Plays like a dream, sounds great and is extremely versatile.
- Alluvium Strat. Ever bought a guitar by accident? I placed a low bid on a nice-looking guitar on eBay, and to my surprise won! So I now have this really amazing guitar with a unique finish of transparent red over a kind of brushed aluminium. It really is stunning.
- Yamaha FG410A. An old acoustic I bought in the mid 1990s.
- Cort Earth 100F. A surprisingly nice acoustic for the price.
- Zoom G3. There are loads of glowing reviews of this unit on the internet, and owning one, I can see why. Easy to use, versatile, great-sounding, small bit not too small and low cost.
- Johnson JM120 amplifier. An early modelling amp which sounds incredible. This is a high-end professional amp which I picked up for a song because of its age and some minor, easily repaired issues.

Nitebob

Welcome (again) !

No mention of the Vintage here...already firewood? ?

Seriously...get some eyedrops, this forum is addictive! I started on guitar again and am slowly making the migration to keyboard/piano, made easier by the best teacher ever (in your area) am keeping up to speed on guitar though, cause that's what I play in bands.

But welcome and buckle up!

Rabbit

Nitebob wrote: No mention of the Vintage here...already firewood? ?

Well spotted! Well, it is not really a guitar at the moment because the back bow is so big that it is unplayable...

beardedmoose

WElcome to the jungle mate! :goodtimes:

Stoffeltoo

Welcome, some other engineers here as well who are specialists in everything from marriage counselling to guitar tuning and even amp building.
Have fun and as the man said get some eye drops. This is an addictive place which needs eyeballing at least once a day ?