Now that Christmas is upon us, many parents will be buying their sons or daughters new electric guitars. Since for most kids this will be their first guitar, I decided to make a list of general guidelines to follow when making this purchase. This is something I wish I'd had when I got my first guitar 25 years ago. I'm going to focus on low-end guitars because most parents are wary of spending $300 plus on a guitar with a chance that the kid won't play it after a few weeks.
1. Never buy a guitar you can't pick up and hold. Which means don't buy a guitar online, don't buy a guitar at Wal-Mart or similar store, and avoid starter packs. Stick with guitar stores.
Guitars, especially entry-level guitars, vary from guitar to guitar, sometimes drastically. It's better to pick one up and look at it, even if you can't play it. If you can't play, ask one of the techs to plug it in and play it. Have him or her try out all the switches and knobs. Give it a once-over yourself, too. Look at the hardware and look for major defects in the paint and woods. This is important: Run your thumb and index finger along the sides of the neck. If there are a lot of sharp edges on the frets, pick another one.
Most department store guitars are crap anyway. They usually come in boxes, too, so you can't pick them up and check them out. Besides, most guitar stores sell beginner guitars, and you won't really save much money buying one at Wal-Mart.
Starter packs also come in boxes, and you can't pick the guitars up to examine them. Also, the amplifiers in most starter packs are really bad. You'd do yourself and your kid a favor by getting a better starter amp. Of course, you'll have to get a strap, a cord, a tuner and some picks, but rolling your own starter pack is always a better idea, even though it may cost a few more dollars. Speaking of tuners, the ones in starter packs are also not good. I'll go more into tuners later on.
2. Get a guitar with a solid bridge, if possible. Beginner guitars should never have tremolos (whammy bars for those who don't know guitar speak) but unfortunately a lot of them do. I have a Fender Stratocaster, and the standard tremolo is such a pain to keep in tune that I have it disabled. But if your kid likes Stratocasters, they all come with one. If you get a guitar with a tremolo, have the guys at the guitar store disable it for you. This can be done non-destructively, meaning it can be easily changed back. If you don't know the difference between a tremolo bridge and a hardtail bridge, ask the salesman. More reasons to buy a guitar at a guitar store instead of Wal-Mart.
3. Buy a guitar that fits your kid's size. If your kid is small and has small hands, get a guitar with a shorter scale. The scale is the length of the string from the bridge to the nut. Shorter scales have the frets closer together and are easier to play for those with smaller hands. Unless your kid is really small, though, don't get one of those "micro" guitars. They'll outgrow them faster than you can say "I just threw away 100 bucks." Gibson-style guitars have shorter 24 3/4" scales. In the entry-level market, look for Epiphone brand guitars like the Special II, SG Special and Les Paul 100 (Epiphone is owned by Gibson and are "official" copies) or similar ones like the Ibanez GART50 or the ESP LTD EC50.
If, however, your kid is bigger or they can handle a longer scale, you can get any guitar you want. Fender style guitars have a 25.5" scale. Squier is Fender's budget brand, so if your kid is more of a Fender fan you can find what you want in that brand, or in other brands like Yamaha, Ibanez and ESP.
4. Buy a guitar that fits your kid's musical tastes. There are, in general, two types of guitar pickups - single coil and humbucker. Single coil pickups are thin and have one set of six round magnets under each string. These are common on Fender/Squier guitars like Stratocasters and Telecasters. Humbuckers are essentially two single coil pickups side by side and are standard on Gibson/Epiphone guitars. Single coil pickups are generally better for country, blues, Rolling Stones-style rock or punk. They don't handle high gain (distortion) well and aren't good for heavy rock or metal. In fact, if your kid wants to play country, go get him a nice Squier Telecaster and move on to #6. Humbuckers are generally better for classic rock, hard rock and metal. They can be used for blues, too, but they have more mid-range tones and sound better with some dirt. If your kid likes metal, try to stay away from guitars that only have single coil pickups. If you're confused, though, go by the next tip...
5. Humbuckers are better than single coils. If #4 confused you, remember this. You are better off buying a guitar that has at least one humbucker. Unless your kid is married to the classic Stratocaster three-single-coil look, get one with a humbucker in the bridge position. It will still get you the classic single-coil sounds in the neck and middle but will give a little more power in case he or she gets into heavier music as they get older. Squier makes a few models like this (called HSS for humbucker-single-single), and so does Yamaha with their Pacifica guitars (excellent guitars, by the way).
6. Get a small amp that is simple but has a good variety of tones. A 15-20 watt solid state amplifier is a perfect size for a first amp. You want an amp that has features but is simple to use. Complexity may turn off your kid to playing and then you've really wasted money. Most amps in this range are "modeling" amps, which means they mimic the sound of other, larger amps.
There are a lot of good amps in this range, but to me the Line 6 Spider IV 15 and the Marshall MG15FX 15-watt amps stand out. I have a Line 6, and it's a dead-simple amp to use. Plus, it's extremely easy to customize, which your kid will need to do because the standard programs are a little over-the-top with effects. The Marshall is a great sounding amp and really gives that classic Marshall tone on a budget, and it's also easy to use. In fact, I sometimes wish I would've got the Marshall instead of the Line 6. There are other good beginner amps like the Roland Cube and the Orange Crush, but do yourself a favor and try out the Marshall and Line 6 first before moving to the others. But whatever you buy, make sure it has a headphone jack for silent practice (a parent's best friend) and a CD/MP3 input so your kid can play along with his iPod.
7. Don't just look at Squier and Epiphone guitars. Unless your kid wants that famous Les Paul or Stratocaster name, look at other brands, too. There are some great entry-level guitars from other manufacturers. Ibanez makes excellent low-end guitars in their Gio range, like the aforementioned GART50, and I don't think there's a better entry-level heavy metal guitar than the GRGA32. ESP makes good entry-level guitars in their LTD range, especially the "50" models - the EC50 mentioned above (Les Paul style), the Viper 50 (SG style) and the V-50 (Flying V style). The Yamaha Pacifica is a great Strat-style guitar. Dean's XM guitars (Vendetta, ML and Evo) are inexpensive metal guitars. So don't limit yourself to Strats and Les Pauls.
8. Buy what your kid wants. If your kid likes the looks of a guitar, he or she will want to play it. If there are a few that they like, tell them to pick out the one they think looks the best. Also, have them sit with the guitar. Even if they can't play, they'll get a feel for it. Have them sit with it on both legs (ask the salesman for help if they don't know how to hold a guitar) to make sure it fits them and it feels comfortable for them. But one thing is for sure - if you buy a guitar that you like, not what they like, that's one guarantee that you just wasted your money.
9. Get a chromatic tuner. Basic tuners just allow you to tune to the standard notes on a guitar - EADGB (the top and bottom strings are both E). This is fine for a beginner, but once your kid gets to intermediate level, he or she may want to change tunings. A chromatic tuner will allow them to do that, and they don't cost much more.
10. Stick with standard heavy picks. There are a ton of picks out there in different shapes, sizes and thicknesses. For a beginner, stick with the standard pick shape and get heavy picks. Heavier picks are more precise and don't flex as much, which is better for a beginning guitarist. You can get either the standard cellulose picks like the ones made by Fender or you can get some Dunlop tortex picks which are made of a grippier material that doesn't slip as much.
11. Entry level guitars are good, but don't forget used guitars. Many people will say to avoid entry level guitars and go for the next level up, but I've played my share of bottom feeders and they aren't bad. There's just a higher chance of finding a bad one, which is why you should always buy a guitar you can touch. However, there are always good values in used guitars. But the first rule is even more important here, because not only could a used guitar have factory defects, it also could have been abused by its previous owner. Stick to guitar shops if you can, but if you decide to get one from the local classifieds, bring it into a guitar shop so they can go over it.
That's it. Remember, to roll your own starter pack, you'll need a guitar, a case (gig bag is fine), a strap, picks, an amp, a cord, and a tuner. If this long post is a little confusing (I do tend to ramble), just remember these basics: shop at a guitar store, don't buy a guitar you can't pick up and hold, get a guitar with at least one humbucker, and buy a guitar your kid will want to play. The salesman can help you with the rest.
I hope this helps anyone who's looking to buy a guitar this Christmas. Done right, you can be buying your child something that will be a part of them for the rest of their lives.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Trem update (random guitar post)
It's been all weekend - the long kind that lasts for four days, thanks to Thanksgiving - and Triumph the RG has stayed in tune the whole time, just a little fine tuning here and there. So I can safely say that the tuning stability issue has been fixed. And, per request, I will have pictures of the knife edges posted soon. Hopefully you can see the Chap Stick.
Speaking of tremolos, I've been noticing that I've been getting some hits from people searching for BladeRunner tremolos. I mentioned in another post that I was considering upgrading my Strat with a BladeRunner tremolo, so apparently that's the page people are getting when they Google "BladeRunner tremolo." So there's no way I'll milk this by repeating the words "BladeRunner tremolo" in my post. I'm just not that way.
However, I'm curious to see how a BladeRunner tremolo would work in the Strat. It would be nice to have the option of a working tremolo on it, especially as it has been detuned to E-flat and is now the blues guitar in my rig (Triumph is now my main axe). Perhaps it will be a project for next year.
Yes, Triumph is now my go-to guitar. I can't seem to put it down. It just plays so well and sounds so good. I was afraid all my other guitars would now feel like crap, but I picked up the Strat for a few minutes and it held up well. I haven't played the Les Paul since bringing Triumph home, so hopefully it holds up, too. Keep your fingers crossed.
I also started learning some Dream Theater. I got a tab for "Under a Glass Moon" online and started picking my way through it. The intro isn't bad except for an uber-fast sweep picking riff that lasts for all of one beat. I suck at sweep picking, so that one beat will take me a little while to master. The solo, on the other hand, will probably take me a year to learn. If I'm lucky. I don't know whether to love or hate John Petrucci.
That's all for today. I'll get on those knife edge pics as soon as I can.
Oh, one more thing - BladeRunner tremolo.
Speaking of tremolos, I've been noticing that I've been getting some hits from people searching for BladeRunner tremolos. I mentioned in another post that I was considering upgrading my Strat with a BladeRunner tremolo, so apparently that's the page people are getting when they Google "BladeRunner tremolo." So there's no way I'll milk this by repeating the words "BladeRunner tremolo" in my post. I'm just not that way.
However, I'm curious to see how a BladeRunner tremolo would work in the Strat. It would be nice to have the option of a working tremolo on it, especially as it has been detuned to E-flat and is now the blues guitar in my rig (Triumph is now my main axe). Perhaps it will be a project for next year.
Yes, Triumph is now my go-to guitar. I can't seem to put it down. It just plays so well and sounds so good. I was afraid all my other guitars would now feel like crap, but I picked up the Strat for a few minutes and it held up well. I haven't played the Les Paul since bringing Triumph home, so hopefully it holds up, too. Keep your fingers crossed.
I also started learning some Dream Theater. I got a tab for "Under a Glass Moon" online and started picking my way through it. The intro isn't bad except for an uber-fast sweep picking riff that lasts for all of one beat. I suck at sweep picking, so that one beat will take me a little while to master. The solo, on the other hand, will probably take me a year to learn. If I'm lucky. I don't know whether to love or hate John Petrucci.
That's all for today. I'll get on those knife edge pics as soon as I can.
Oh, one more thing - BladeRunner tremolo.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Cautious optimism: Why IbanezRules.com rules
I think I fixed my Ibanez.
I couldn't have done it without IbanezRules.com. Seriously, anyone who has a guitar with any kind of Floyd Rose-style tremolo, not just an Ibanez, needs to visit this site. Despite the 90s-chic design, it's simply the best set of setup instructions I've ever read, especially the "Stretching Strings" section and the "Lockdown and Fine Tuning" section. This site is proof that substance trumps style any day.
Before following the setup instructions, though, I had to take the whole thing apart, strings and all. I found where the set screw fell out - it was the bottom set screw for the trem arm, and really, I have no idea why it's even there. You can't get to it without taking the tremolo out, at least any way I can see. While it was apart, I figured I try something else I found on the 'Net - Chap Stick on the posts. Supposedly it helps the knife edges stay where they belong.
I don't know whether it was the Chap Stick, the excellent instructions or a combination of both, but when I was done, it was stable. I've been playing all morning (pretty much) and I only had to fine tune the G and B strings once. I'm not abusing the tremolo, but I'm not really a big trem user in the first place. I'm just playing it normally, something that was impossible to do yesterday.
So I'm cautiously optimistic that the issue is finally fixed. Which is good, because I absolutely love playing my RG. I've never played a guitar as comfortable or as easy to play. It makes me want to buy a bunch of them just to have spares. I did notice, though, that the knife edges on the Edge III were starting to wear a little bit, which is a concern since it's only a week old, so I don't expect it to last for years and years. At the very least, I think it can last a little while, and when it wears out, I'll replace it with an Original Floyd Rose, which, from what I've read, is a drop-in replacement.
Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I couldn't have done it without IbanezRules.com. Seriously, anyone who has a guitar with any kind of Floyd Rose-style tremolo, not just an Ibanez, needs to visit this site. Despite the 90s-chic design, it's simply the best set of setup instructions I've ever read, especially the "Stretching Strings" section and the "Lockdown and Fine Tuning" section. This site is proof that substance trumps style any day.
Before following the setup instructions, though, I had to take the whole thing apart, strings and all. I found where the set screw fell out - it was the bottom set screw for the trem arm, and really, I have no idea why it's even there. You can't get to it without taking the tremolo out, at least any way I can see. While it was apart, I figured I try something else I found on the 'Net - Chap Stick on the posts. Supposedly it helps the knife edges stay where they belong.
I don't know whether it was the Chap Stick, the excellent instructions or a combination of both, but when I was done, it was stable. I've been playing all morning (pretty much) and I only had to fine tune the G and B strings once. I'm not abusing the tremolo, but I'm not really a big trem user in the first place. I'm just playing it normally, something that was impossible to do yesterday.
So I'm cautiously optimistic that the issue is finally fixed. Which is good, because I absolutely love playing my RG. I've never played a guitar as comfortable or as easy to play. It makes me want to buy a bunch of them just to have spares. I did notice, though, that the knife edges on the Edge III were starting to wear a little bit, which is a concern since it's only a week old, so I don't expect it to last for years and years. At the very least, I think it can last a little while, and when it wears out, I'll replace it with an Original Floyd Rose, which, from what I've read, is a drop-in replacement.
Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tremolo issues on the new Ibanez
I love my new Ibanez. It's a stunning instrument and a fantastic guitar to play. Something happened recently, though, that's frustrating the hell out of me.
Damn thing won't stay in tune.
It has the Edge III tremolo that I've learned is much-maligned. Apparently, they give many Ibanez players fits and many of those end up replacing them with other tremolos, if they don't end up just getting rid of the guitar. The problem I'm having is that every time I push the bar down and release it, all the strings go flat. Really flat, like a full semi-tone. When I pull up on the bar and release it, all the strings go sharp. Another full semi-tone. If I move the bar around I can find the sweet spot again, but any kind of string bend (which also tilts the tremolo forward as if I were pushing down the bar) puts all the strings flat again. It's become unplayable.
I've tried everything I know to get it back to a playable state, but so far I've been unsuccessful. I found a few online resources (I even joined an Ibanez forum at Jemsite.com) and I'm going to try again, but if that doesn't work I have a serious decision to make.
I can bring it to a tech and see if he can't get it to work, which will cost some money but if it makes the guitar playable again, it would be worth it. I can see about replacing the tremolo with another kind. From what I've read, an Original Floyd Rose is a drop-in replacement, which, again will cost some money but would be an excellent upgrade.
I have one more option that is more time-sensitive: I have 30 days to return the guitar to Guitar Center for an exchange. I really don't want to go through the whole process of finding a guitar (again), although much of the work has been done already. Unfortunately, most of the guitars that ended up at the head of the Short List were Ibanez guitars with the same Edge III tremolo. Maybe I got a bad one, but if they have a bad reputation maybe I should stay away from them.
This problem started happening after a small set screw fell out of the tremolo. I noticed something rattling around near the springs and found a tiny screw (a few millimeters tops) that came from somewhere, but I couldn't find anywhere for it to go. I don't know if it's causing all these issues, but it is entirely possible.
This sucks. I thought by getting a locking tremolo I'd eliminate these issues. I know I need a guitar with a tremolo, but really, this reinforces why I hate them so much! For the record, the Jackson licensed Floyd Rose on my old Charvel never acted like this. That thing would stay in tune for weeks with just a little fine-tuning every once in a while.
Damn thing won't stay in tune.
It has the Edge III tremolo that I've learned is much-maligned. Apparently, they give many Ibanez players fits and many of those end up replacing them with other tremolos, if they don't end up just getting rid of the guitar. The problem I'm having is that every time I push the bar down and release it, all the strings go flat. Really flat, like a full semi-tone. When I pull up on the bar and release it, all the strings go sharp. Another full semi-tone. If I move the bar around I can find the sweet spot again, but any kind of string bend (which also tilts the tremolo forward as if I were pushing down the bar) puts all the strings flat again. It's become unplayable.
I've tried everything I know to get it back to a playable state, but so far I've been unsuccessful. I found a few online resources (I even joined an Ibanez forum at Jemsite.com) and I'm going to try again, but if that doesn't work I have a serious decision to make.
I can bring it to a tech and see if he can't get it to work, which will cost some money but if it makes the guitar playable again, it would be worth it. I can see about replacing the tremolo with another kind. From what I've read, an Original Floyd Rose is a drop-in replacement, which, again will cost some money but would be an excellent upgrade.
I have one more option that is more time-sensitive: I have 30 days to return the guitar to Guitar Center for an exchange. I really don't want to go through the whole process of finding a guitar (again), although much of the work has been done already. Unfortunately, most of the guitars that ended up at the head of the Short List were Ibanez guitars with the same Edge III tremolo. Maybe I got a bad one, but if they have a bad reputation maybe I should stay away from them.
This problem started happening after a small set screw fell out of the tremolo. I noticed something rattling around near the springs and found a tiny screw (a few millimeters tops) that came from somewhere, but I couldn't find anywhere for it to go. I don't know if it's causing all these issues, but it is entirely possible.
This sucks. I thought by getting a locking tremolo I'd eliminate these issues. I know I need a guitar with a tremolo, but really, this reinforces why I hate them so much! For the record, the Jackson licensed Floyd Rose on my old Charvel never acted like this. That thing would stay in tune for weeks with just a little fine-tuning every once in a while.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
And the winner is...
 |
| The Ibanez in repose. |
When I finally got to Guitar Center, I went right for the JP50. It was still there, which was surprising, especially since it they knocked $100 off the price for a Christmas sale (yes, it's not even Thanksgiving yet and we have Christmas guitar sales). So the JP came in with a $100 advantage from the start.
After handing over my Telecaster for an appraisal, I grabbed the JP and tried to find a place to plug it in and try it out. The Christmas sale was obviously working for them, because it was packed. Ideally I would've liked to play it through the same amp I played the Ibanez through, but someone was already there. I sat in front of a bank of Peavey Vypyrs and plugged in. After getting the hang of the built-in tuner, I started tuning it up. It took forever, and it gave me flashbacks to my Strat before I locked down the tremolo. Not good. First minus point for the JP.
Of course, the guy behind me thought he was the only person in the building and was blasting his guitar through what I believe was a Line 6 Pod HD, so I couldn't hear a damn thing. It sounded bad, too - I don't know if it's the player or the Pod, but let's just say I won't be trying one of those things out. Ever. I ended up moving to a line of Vox amps but the only one that was on was an AC4TV tube amp. I plugged in anyway and it sounded OK, but it didn't have the kind of gain a guitar like the JP needs. Still, I cycled through the pickups and it wasn't bad. Not the best pickups, but not shabby either. I still think the ones in the Schecter Omen 6 I played were nicer. Not to mention the ones in the Ibanez I played last week. Another minus point for the JP.
Then, I had the salesman get me the Ibanez so I can compare the two side-by-side. I plugged the JP into a Marshall MG30 (nice amp, by the way) while the salesman grabbed the Ibanez. It sounded OK and played pretty well. Although the bar wasn't in the tremolo, I tried to move it by hand to see if it would knock out of tune, and it did. Another minus point.
The Ibanez finally arrived and I switched guitars. The second I picked it up, I knew it was over. It felt so much better. Then I plugged it in. It sounded so much better. And it was still in tune from when I played it last weekend (I don't think anyone played it because they had it high up on the wall, out of reach). I looked at my wife and said, "This is the one."
The JP50 was a nice guitar, but it couldn't compete with the Ibanez. The RG looked better, felt better, played better and sounded better. Plus, I just didn't trust the non-locking tremolo on the JP. I've been burned by them too many times.
So the Short List winner is the Ibanez RG4EXQM1. I've never named guitars before (I never really got into that), but I think I will name this one "Triumph." Not only does it commemorate its victory over a slew of contenders, it's also a name of a great motorcycle company.
On another positive note, I didn't get raped in the trade-in, either. I got about what I expected on a sale, which means I was able to walk out of Guitar Center with the Ibanez, a hardshell case, a strap, a new set of Dean Markleys and some picks, and all I had to pay out of pocket was 27 cents. Nice.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Short List - the final battle
Today is the Epic Final Battle. Ibanez RG4EXQM1 vs. Sterling JP50 (if it's still there), with a third-party candidate in the GRGA32T.
It will be a monumental fight to the death!
To make things even more win-tastic, I got a Guitar Center flyer in the mail yesterday that showed the JP50 with an even bigger price cut to $349 (it was already marked down to $449 last weekend) and a mail-in rebate for a free gig bag with the RG4, which doesn't come with a case (the JP50 does).
I'm hoping they'll let me try out the tremolo on the JP50, because that's my only source of trepidation. I've used non-locking tremolos before with disastrous results, but everything I've read about the JP50 says the tuning stability is excellent. I want to see for myself, though, before I buy one. The two Ibanezes (Ibani?) already have double-locking tremolos, so they automatically have an advantage over the JP. Still, I'm anxious to try the JP because of its ergonomics. Maybe the asymmetric neck profile will work better with my DeQuervain's which, if that's the case, will put the JP in the win column.
Exciting stuff! Full report to come...
It will be a monumental fight to the death!
To make things even more win-tastic, I got a Guitar Center flyer in the mail yesterday that showed the JP50 with an even bigger price cut to $349 (it was already marked down to $449 last weekend) and a mail-in rebate for a free gig bag with the RG4, which doesn't come with a case (the JP50 does).
I'm hoping they'll let me try out the tremolo on the JP50, because that's my only source of trepidation. I've used non-locking tremolos before with disastrous results, but everything I've read about the JP50 says the tuning stability is excellent. I want to see for myself, though, before I buy one. The two Ibanezes (Ibani?) already have double-locking tremolos, so they automatically have an advantage over the JP. Still, I'm anxious to try the JP because of its ergonomics. Maybe the asymmetric neck profile will work better with my DeQuervain's which, if that's the case, will put the JP in the win column.
Exciting stuff! Full report to come...
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Correcting an error - selling two Telecasters in one year
Earlier this year, I bought a new Telecaster and sold my old Telecaster to make room. Although I don't regret selling my old Tele, buying the new one has proven to be a regrettable mistake.
Not that the new Tele is a bad guitar. On the contrary, it's a beautiful, rare guitar, which is why, on that fateful January 31, I had to have it.
I explained it to my wife this way: Say you need to buy a car. You can either do research and find out what you really need and choose one with good ratings and reviews that fits you best, or you can choose the shiniest, prettiest one on the lot, needs be damned. That's pretty much what happened with the Telecaster. I was captivated by its beauty and disregarded everything else. The "gotta have it" eclipsed the "need to have it."
I knew almost immediately that I had made a mistake. First and foremost, it hurt me. Something about the neck, whether it's the thickness or the profile, really brings out my DeQuervain's something fierce. I tried everything I know to make it more playable - put on lighter strings, brought down the action as far as I could with the saddles and truss rod - but you can't change a neck profile, at least without changing the whole neck.
It was also very uncomfortable for me to play, even more than my red Tele. I found out that it has the "sharp '52 style body radius," and the sharp edges are just not comfortable.
I then made the mistake (although now I consider it more of a revelation) of playing a beautiful purple Ibanez a few months later and realizing just how much better a guitar like that fit me than my Telecaster did. This revelation was the first step in the undertaking that became the Short List, and now that the list is down to the final three (with a clear leader), it has become apparent that the Telecaster must go to make room for the guitar I should've bought in the first place.
So the Telecaster is now on Craigslist and I'm hoping for a quick sale. If anyone is interested, comment below or use my contact form. Even though it wasn't the right guitar for me, it is a stunning instrument and many people love the way Telecasters feel. Just not me, although I do love the way they look.
On a side note, I noticed that the guy who bought my old red Telecaster is selling it on Craigslist. I'm half tempted to call him and get it back. I must resist the sentimentality and remember why I sold it in the first place!
Think "Ibanez...Ibanez...Ibanez..."
Not that the new Tele is a bad guitar. On the contrary, it's a beautiful, rare guitar, which is why, on that fateful January 31, I had to have it.
I explained it to my wife this way: Say you need to buy a car. You can either do research and find out what you really need and choose one with good ratings and reviews that fits you best, or you can choose the shiniest, prettiest one on the lot, needs be damned. That's pretty much what happened with the Telecaster. I was captivated by its beauty and disregarded everything else. The "gotta have it" eclipsed the "need to have it."
I knew almost immediately that I had made a mistake. First and foremost, it hurt me. Something about the neck, whether it's the thickness or the profile, really brings out my DeQuervain's something fierce. I tried everything I know to make it more playable - put on lighter strings, brought down the action as far as I could with the saddles and truss rod - but you can't change a neck profile, at least without changing the whole neck.
It was also very uncomfortable for me to play, even more than my red Tele. I found out that it has the "sharp '52 style body radius," and the sharp edges are just not comfortable.
I then made the mistake (although now I consider it more of a revelation) of playing a beautiful purple Ibanez a few months later and realizing just how much better a guitar like that fit me than my Telecaster did. This revelation was the first step in the undertaking that became the Short List, and now that the list is down to the final three (with a clear leader), it has become apparent that the Telecaster must go to make room for the guitar I should've bought in the first place.
So the Telecaster is now on Craigslist and I'm hoping for a quick sale. If anyone is interested, comment below or use my contact form. Even though it wasn't the right guitar for me, it is a stunning instrument and many people love the way Telecasters feel. Just not me, although I do love the way they look.
On a side note, I noticed that the guy who bought my old red Telecaster is selling it on Craigslist. I'm half tempted to call him and get it back. I must resist the sentimentality and remember why I sold it in the first place!
Think "Ibanez...Ibanez...Ibanez..."
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Almost ready to start recording again
It's been a long time since I made my last recording post, but I should soon be experimenting with recording again and posting my results. I had a few recording platform plan possibilities (say that ten times fast) and I finally have a setup I'm creating as we speak.
At first, I was going to get a MacBook and use Garage Band. I have a MacBook Pro, but my wife uses it for school and there will be times I can't use it. I then saw a product from a company called Indamixx, an MSI netbook loaded up with Linux-based recording software. I was going to get one of those, but I noticed that they're going with more of a touchscreen-based system for future versions, which I don't really want.
Also, I finally got my Dad's old computer and saw just how good it was. When my Dad passed away in July and I originally asked if I could have it (being the computer geek of the family, it just made sense) my sisters said that it wasn't a good computer. Of course I still wanted it, but after getting it, I realized how good it was. My Dad didn't buy a lot of stuff - he was a hard-working, blue-collar guy - but when he did finally get something, he didn't skimp. He got the best he could find within reason. Instead of buying a garden-variety Dell or HP, he went to a local computer shop and got one custom built. It may not be a 64-bit powerhouse, but it has good specs and is plenty powerful enough to be used as a recording PC.
It came with Windows XP Professional, but over the weekend I installed Ubuntu 10.10 with dual-boot capabilities. I'm going to install some of the Ubuntu Studio packages (but not the desktop - I like the new Ubuntu interface) and once again try my hand at Open Source recording. I was impressed with Ubuntu Studio when I had it on the Crappy Lappy. I can't wait to try the same tools on a more robust system.
I always have the Mac to use, too, plus I can get Windows-based software if the Open Source tools don't pan out. So be ready for a lot of home recording posts in the very near future.
At first, I was going to get a MacBook and use Garage Band. I have a MacBook Pro, but my wife uses it for school and there will be times I can't use it. I then saw a product from a company called Indamixx, an MSI netbook loaded up with Linux-based recording software. I was going to get one of those, but I noticed that they're going with more of a touchscreen-based system for future versions, which I don't really want.
Also, I finally got my Dad's old computer and saw just how good it was. When my Dad passed away in July and I originally asked if I could have it (being the computer geek of the family, it just made sense) my sisters said that it wasn't a good computer. Of course I still wanted it, but after getting it, I realized how good it was. My Dad didn't buy a lot of stuff - he was a hard-working, blue-collar guy - but when he did finally get something, he didn't skimp. He got the best he could find within reason. Instead of buying a garden-variety Dell or HP, he went to a local computer shop and got one custom built. It may not be a 64-bit powerhouse, but it has good specs and is plenty powerful enough to be used as a recording PC.
It came with Windows XP Professional, but over the weekend I installed Ubuntu 10.10 with dual-boot capabilities. I'm going to install some of the Ubuntu Studio packages (but not the desktop - I like the new Ubuntu interface) and once again try my hand at Open Source recording. I was impressed with Ubuntu Studio when I had it on the Crappy Lappy. I can't wait to try the same tools on a more robust system.
I always have the Mac to use, too, plus I can get Windows-based software if the Open Source tools don't pan out. So be ready for a lot of home recording posts in the very near future.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Maybe a winner?
I took a trip to Fort Collins on Saturday (an expensive one, thanks to the fine folks at the Colorado State Police) and stopped by Guitar Center. I didn't have time to play a lot of guitars, but I saw a lot of them that are (and were) on the Short List and ended up playing one of them.
Here are some observations.
As I suspected, all of the non-Gio Ibanez guitars that I have left on the Short List have identical specs, including woods, pickups and hardware, so any choice among the RGs will be made strictly on looks alone. They had both flavors of RG5EX1s in stock - black and pewter - and although the pewter one was definitely better looking, neither of them floated my proverbial boat. They also had an RG350DX (the white one) and while I liked it better than the RG5EX1, it still wasn't my favorite.
I was surprised to see that they had a Sterling JP50 in stock, especially since their Web site didn't say they had one. Another surprise was how small it looked in person. It always looks huge in photos, but it's really not, especially the neck. Music Man guitars are known for their narrow neck profiles, which players either love or hate. I didn't play it, but I will be back to try it out.
The one I did play, though, was impressive. Amazing, actually. It was the RG4EXQM1 in red (Blackberry Burst, to be more precise). It really was a work of art. The quilted maple top was high quality, the sunburst paint was flawless, and it had added niceties like a bound body, a bound neck, and a chrome logo on the headstock. I had to play it. I ended up going through a Line 6 Spider Valve 112, which was surprisingly awesome (many surprises on this trip). The guitar played and sounded incredible. The 5-way switch and HSH configuration did everything from clean to bluesy overdrive to all out shred with ease. This is the third RG I've played and it was by far the best. Unless the JP50 really blows me away, methinks I found a Short List winner.
On a side note, my first attempt to play the RG4 (as I will call it now) was thwarted by a bad cable, but being the geeky troubleshooter I am, I picked up the first guitar next to me to make sure it was the cable and not the guitar. That guitar turned out to be one of the new Gio RGAs that are on the Short List (a black one) and although I didn't end up playing it, it made a good first impression. It felt solid, the carved top was nice, and the knobs had a quality feel. I especially liked how the knobs were grooved. It made them nice and grippy. I still want to try one out.
So it looks like the Short List is down to three guitars, with one clearly in the lead:
Ibanez RG4EXQM1 (ahead by a few carlengths)
Ibanez GRGA32T
Sterling JP50 (back on the list now that I know I can play one).
Here are some observations.
As I suspected, all of the non-Gio Ibanez guitars that I have left on the Short List have identical specs, including woods, pickups and hardware, so any choice among the RGs will be made strictly on looks alone. They had both flavors of RG5EX1s in stock - black and pewter - and although the pewter one was definitely better looking, neither of them floated my proverbial boat. They also had an RG350DX (the white one) and while I liked it better than the RG5EX1, it still wasn't my favorite.
I was surprised to see that they had a Sterling JP50 in stock, especially since their Web site didn't say they had one. Another surprise was how small it looked in person. It always looks huge in photos, but it's really not, especially the neck. Music Man guitars are known for their narrow neck profiles, which players either love or hate. I didn't play it, but I will be back to try it out.
The one I did play, though, was impressive. Amazing, actually. It was the RG4EXQM1 in red (Blackberry Burst, to be more precise). It really was a work of art. The quilted maple top was high quality, the sunburst paint was flawless, and it had added niceties like a bound body, a bound neck, and a chrome logo on the headstock. I had to play it. I ended up going through a Line 6 Spider Valve 112, which was surprisingly awesome (many surprises on this trip). The guitar played and sounded incredible. The 5-way switch and HSH configuration did everything from clean to bluesy overdrive to all out shred with ease. This is the third RG I've played and it was by far the best. Unless the JP50 really blows me away, methinks I found a Short List winner.
On a side note, my first attempt to play the RG4 (as I will call it now) was thwarted by a bad cable, but being the geeky troubleshooter I am, I picked up the first guitar next to me to make sure it was the cable and not the guitar. That guitar turned out to be one of the new Gio RGAs that are on the Short List (a black one) and although I didn't end up playing it, it made a good first impression. It felt solid, the carved top was nice, and the knobs had a quality feel. I especially liked how the knobs were grooved. It made them nice and grippy. I still want to try one out.
So it looks like the Short List is down to three guitars, with one clearly in the lead:
Ibanez RG4EXQM1 (ahead by a few carlengths)
Ibanez GRGA32T
Sterling JP50 (back on the list now that I know I can play one).
Thursday, November 11, 2010
One last pruning...
The Dean has to go. I've read too many bad things about their low-end guitars to take the chance. Maybe if I'm bored and it's still in stock at Guitar Center I'll give it a whirl, but otherwise it's no longer a Short List candidate.
I'm keeping the Gio RG on the list because I'm curious to see how good it is, plus it has a different neck profile than the standard RGs so it may make a difference. For those of you who don't know what I mean when I say "Gio RG," Ibanez has an entry-level range they call their Gio range. (To put it in SAT terms, Gio : Ibanez :: Squier : Fender.) The tip-off is that the model numbers start with G - in this case, GRGA32T - and the Ibanez headstock logo has a smaller "Gio" logo along with it. To dive even deeper into Ibanez nomenclature, RG is the series (they have others, like the S series and the ART series), A means it's a carved top, and T means it has a tremolo.
I get the "T = tremolo" thing, but where the hell did they get "A = carved?"
Moving on...
The Short List is now complete. I think there's a good chance I'll end up with an Ibanez. You think so?
Epiphone Les Paul Nightfall ($499, GC)
Ibanez GRGA32T ($299 GC, SM)
Ibanez RG370DX ($399, SM)
Ibanez RG350DX/MYE ($399, SM)
Ibanez RG4EXQM1 ($449, GC)
Ibanez RG5EX1 ($399, GC)
Schecter Damien FR ($449, GC)
I'm keeping the Gio RG on the list because I'm curious to see how good it is, plus it has a different neck profile than the standard RGs so it may make a difference. For those of you who don't know what I mean when I say "Gio RG," Ibanez has an entry-level range they call their Gio range. (To put it in SAT terms, Gio : Ibanez :: Squier : Fender.) The tip-off is that the model numbers start with G - in this case, GRGA32T - and the Ibanez headstock logo has a smaller "Gio" logo along with it. To dive even deeper into Ibanez nomenclature, RG is the series (they have others, like the S series and the ART series), A means it's a carved top, and T means it has a tremolo.
I get the "T = tremolo" thing, but where the hell did they get "A = carved?"
Moving on...
The Short List is now complete. I think there's a good chance I'll end up with an Ibanez. You think so?
Epiphone Les Paul Nightfall ($499, GC)
Ibanez GRGA32T ($299 GC, SM)
Ibanez RG370DX ($399, SM)
Ibanez RG350DX/MYE ($399, SM)
Ibanez RG4EXQM1 ($449, GC)
Ibanez RG5EX1 ($399, GC)
Schecter Damien FR ($449, GC)
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
More (possibly final) Short List pruning
As all one of my readers knows, I recently pruned the Short List down to just guitars that fit the Satch mold - basically, a heavy metal guitar. Dual humbuckers, locking tremolo, 22 or 24 frets. I then added guitars that also fit the mold that I may have overlooked.
Well, certain circumstances have changed that may allow me to fulfill the Short List's goal much earlier than anticipated. I want to be careful with this purchase, as I expect it to be the last guitar purchase I make in a long time, most likely the last guitar purchase I make, ever. I don't want to make the same mistake I made when I bought my Telecaster (that mistake may be "corrected" some day). Because of that, and because of the shortened time frame, I'm going to further prune the list to include only those guitars I can actually play. So if it's not in stock at either Guitar Center or Spotlight Music, it's off the list.
Here is the newly pruned list, ready for me to take with me when I'm guitar shopping. I'm adding a "GC" or "SM" to indicate where each guitar is in stock.
The (Really) Short List:
Dean Vendetta 1000 ($299, GC)
Epiphone Les Paul Nightfall ($499, GC)
Ibanez GRGA32T ($299 GC, SM)
Ibanez RG370DX ($399, SM)
Ibanez RG350DX/MYE ($399, SM)
Ibanez RG4EXQM1 ($449, GC)
Ibanez RG5EX1 ($399, GC)
Schecter Damien FR ($449, GC)
As you can see, the list is quite short. There are a few Ibanez RG variants, so that choice will most likely come down to looks as they all probably play and sound the same. I'm a little wary of the Gio RG and the Dean, because they're both a bit cheap, and I want this next guitar to last.
Now I get to do some real guitar shopping!
Well, certain circumstances have changed that may allow me to fulfill the Short List's goal much earlier than anticipated. I want to be careful with this purchase, as I expect it to be the last guitar purchase I make in a long time, most likely the last guitar purchase I make, ever. I don't want to make the same mistake I made when I bought my Telecaster (that mistake may be "corrected" some day). Because of that, and because of the shortened time frame, I'm going to further prune the list to include only those guitars I can actually play. So if it's not in stock at either Guitar Center or Spotlight Music, it's off the list.
Here is the newly pruned list, ready for me to take with me when I'm guitar shopping. I'm adding a "GC" or "SM" to indicate where each guitar is in stock.
The (Really) Short List:
Dean Vendetta 1000 ($299, GC)
Epiphone Les Paul Nightfall ($499, GC)
Ibanez GRGA32T ($299 GC, SM)
Ibanez RG370DX ($399, SM)
Ibanez RG350DX/MYE ($399, SM)
Ibanez RG4EXQM1 ($449, GC)
Ibanez RG5EX1 ($399, GC)
Schecter Damien FR ($449, GC)
As you can see, the list is quite short. There are a few Ibanez RG variants, so that choice will most likely come down to looks as they all probably play and sound the same. I'm a little wary of the Gio RG and the Dean, because they're both a bit cheap, and I want this next guitar to last.
Now I get to do some real guitar shopping!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Short List is about to get a lot shorter
I've been listening to a lot of Joe Satriani lately (which reminds me - I must get more of his stuff) and I want to try to learn his songs again. I know it'll be difficult, but ultimately it'll make me a better player. Because of this, I came to a realization last night while I was running on the treadmill with "Surfing with the Alien" playing on my iPod - I need to get a Satch guitar.
Maybe not necessarily a Satch signature guitar, but a guitar that's capable of pulling off Satch's music. A guitar with a fast, thin neck, dual humbucking pickups, and a locking tremolo. I would like 24 frets, but since most of Joe's signature guitars have 22, I'd be OK with that.
So that means the Short List needs some pruning. All guitars that don't fit the Satch mold will be jettisoned. I'll also add a few that fit the new criteria that may have been overlooked. So without further ado, let the pruning begin:
Dropped off:
Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Schecter Omen 6
Dean Cadillac Select
ESP LTD EC-50
Fender Blacktop Stratocaster (after less than a week, what a shame)
Ibanez ART100
Sterling JP50
Sterling SILO20
Chapman Guitars ML1 (Sorry Chappers!)
Chapman Guitars ML2 (And again!)
DWG Contender
The new list, with updates:
Agile AL-2000 with Floyd Rose ($279)
(NEW) Dean Vendetta 1 with Floyd Rose ($299)
Dean Vendetta 1000 ($299)
(NEW) Epiphone EM-2 Prophesy FX ($399)
Epiphone Les Paul Nightfall ($499)
(NEW) ESP LTD MH-50 ($289)
(NEW) ESP LTD M-100FM ($319)
Ibanez GRGA32T ($299)
Ibanez RG350DX/EX ($399)
(NEW) Ibanez RG4EXQM1 ($449)
Ibanez RG5EX1 ($399)
Ibanez S420 ($499)
(NEW) Jackson JS23R ($329)
(NEW) Laguna LE400Q ($399)
(NEW) Peavey Predator Plus EXP ($239)
Schecter Damien FR ($449)
I'll try to play some of these as soon as I can. I'll also keep on the lookout for good used deals, especially on older Japanese Ibanez Roadstars or a Satch signature JS100. It's nice to finally have a goal in mind for the Short List. I felt that I was all over the place for a while, but now I can concentrate on one style of guitar.
Let the testing begin!
Maybe not necessarily a Satch signature guitar, but a guitar that's capable of pulling off Satch's music. A guitar with a fast, thin neck, dual humbucking pickups, and a locking tremolo. I would like 24 frets, but since most of Joe's signature guitars have 22, I'd be OK with that.
So that means the Short List needs some pruning. All guitars that don't fit the Satch mold will be jettisoned. I'll also add a few that fit the new criteria that may have been overlooked. So without further ado, let the pruning begin:
Dropped off:
Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Schecter Omen 6
Dean Cadillac Select
ESP LTD EC-50
Fender Blacktop Stratocaster (after less than a week, what a shame)
Ibanez ART100
Sterling JP50
Sterling SILO20
Chapman Guitars ML1 (Sorry Chappers!)
Chapman Guitars ML2 (And again!)
DWG Contender
The new list, with updates:
Agile AL-2000 with Floyd Rose ($279)
(NEW) Dean Vendetta 1 with Floyd Rose ($299)
Dean Vendetta 1000 ($299)
(NEW) Epiphone EM-2 Prophesy FX ($399)
Epiphone Les Paul Nightfall ($499)
(NEW) ESP LTD MH-50 ($289)
(NEW) ESP LTD M-100FM ($319)
Ibanez GRGA32T ($299)
Ibanez RG350DX/EX ($399)
(NEW) Ibanez RG4EXQM1 ($449)
Ibanez RG5EX1 ($399)
Ibanez S420 ($499)
(NEW) Jackson JS23R ($329)
(NEW) Laguna LE400Q ($399)
(NEW) Peavey Predator Plus EXP ($239)
Schecter Damien FR ($449)
I'll try to play some of these as soon as I can. I'll also keep on the lookout for good used deals, especially on older Japanese Ibanez Roadstars or a Satch signature JS100. It's nice to finally have a goal in mind for the Short List. I felt that I was all over the place for a while, but now I can concentrate on one style of guitar.
Let the testing begin!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
My next amp - yet another list
Time for another list.
This time, I'm looking for a new amp. This list may circumvent the previous (short) list, as a new amp is more important than a new guitar. Since I have a modeling processor - my DigiTech RP90 - I have little use for a modeling amp. My Line 6 Spider III 15 served me well, but it's time to move on to better things and let someone else enjoy the Spider, most likely a beginner or another picked-up-the-guitar-again-after-a-long-break player like me.
I want to get an amp that's small but still powerful that has its own tone and can handle having the RP90 plugged into it. My criteria are as follows:
Additionally, some features that I would like to have (but won't disqualify an amp if they're missing):
There are only a handful of small tube amps on the market, so they'll almost all make it on this list. Where possible, I'll substitute a stack for a combo if the price of the stack is less than $500. Nice thing about a stack is that I can upgrade the speaker cabinet in the future if need be and keep the same head.
This time, I'm looking for a new amp. This list may circumvent the previous (short) list, as a new amp is more important than a new guitar. Since I have a modeling processor - my DigiTech RP90 - I have little use for a modeling amp. My Line 6 Spider III 15 served me well, but it's time to move on to better things and let someone else enjoy the Spider, most likely a beginner or another picked-up-the-guitar-again-after-a-long-break player like me.
I want to get an amp that's small but still powerful that has its own tone and can handle having the RP90 plugged into it. My criteria are as follows:
- All tube - no more solid state for this guy
- 5 watts or less (don't need any more than that)
- Headphone output for silent practice
- EQ/tone controls, even if it's just a single tone knob
- Out-the-door price less than $500, ideally WAY less than $500
Additionally, some features that I would like to have (but won't disqualify an amp if they're missing):
- Power attenuator or master volume to get high gain at low levels
- Dual channel (clean/dirty) with footswitch
There are only a handful of small tube amps on the market, so they'll almost all make it on this list. Where possible, I'll substitute a stack for a combo if the price of the stack is less than $500. Nice thing about a stack is that I can upgrade the speaker cabinet in the future if need be and keep the same head.
Without further ado, the list:
Marshall Class 5 ($399 at Guitar Center) - This amp is currently my favorite based on reviews and videos. Why? Well, it's a Marshall, it's made in England, it looks cool, and did I mention it's a Marshall? Although it has a headphone output, it doesn't have a master volume or attenuator so the only way to get that classic Marshall crunch is to crank it, which would be extremely loud. I don't think the wife and/or the neighbors would appreciate that.
Blackstar HT-5 ($499 at Guitar Center, but I've seen it for $399 elsewhere) - Easily the second favorite, the HT-5 hits all the marks - dual channel with footswitch, headphone jack, master volume - with the only negative being price, although I could get it for $399 if I don't mind getting it shipped to me.
Vox AC4TV ($199 for combo, $349 for stack) - The AC4TV is a great looking little amp in stack form. The combo looks a little wimpy, but fortunately the stack is so inexpensive that the choice is obvious. The amp gets positive marks for the power attenuator but loses big time by not having a headphone jack.
Bugera V5 ($149) - The Bugera is the cheapest of all the small amps on this list and is also the most full featured. It has a power attenuator, separate gain and volume controls, a headphone jack, and even adds digital reverb. The V5 is really small. Usually, small amps look wimpy (like the AC4TV combo) but the Bugera looks pretty cool for something so small. I played one of these before but I didn't know enough about it to give it a proper test. I got a lukewarm impression of it back then, but I'd like to get another chance to test it out.
Blackheart Little Giant ($349 for combo or stack) - With identical prices for the combo and stack, it's a no-brainer that I'd pick the stack version. While it's a nice looking amp (and sounds pretty good based on videos I've seen) it's missing the all-important headphone jack. Still, it's got a pentode/triode attenuator for lower volume gain and the price is right for a proper stack.
There are a few notable amps missing from this list, including the Fender Champ and Epiphone Valve Jr. While both are great amps, they both only have a volume control, so they are missing too many key features to be considered. Also missing is the Bugera V22, the V5's bigger brother. It's a 22-watt amp, which is probably way too much for a bedroom/recording amp, but if I had to look for an amp to use on gigs, it would be at the top of my list. It has all the goodness of the V5 (minus the headphone jack) and adds a dual-channel setup with footswitch and a pentode/triode switch that replaces the attenuator on the V5. The fact that it's only $349 - well within the budget of this list - makes it worthy of a second look.
So where does this leave me? A lot depends on funds. If I don't want to spend a lot of money, the V5 is the winner, hands down. Its combination of features, looks and price are unbeatable in this category. If I don't mind spending a little bit more, it'll come down to a grudge match between the Marshall and the Blackstar. The HT-5 may have more features, but the Class 5's classic looks and made-in-Britain authenticity make this a much closer fight than it appears to be.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Some minute blog changes
I made a few small changes to my blog. Nothing fancy, just some better organization.
Up until now I've tagged everything guitar related as "Guitar." Since this blog is pretty much all about guitars anyway, I decided to split them up into more specific categories. Posts about guitars will still be tagged "Guitar," posts about guitar playing will be tagged "Playing," and posts about gear other than guitars will be tagged "Gear." I went back and re-tagged my old posts so the categories now show up in the right panel.
I added my blog to NetworkedBlogs on Facebook. You can now follow my blog through Facebook by clicking on "Follow This Blog" on the new widget on the right. You can still also follow it through Google Friend Connect, too. Please, follow and share!
I put some ads back on my site. I figured, "What the hell." I kept them to a minimum so as not to clutter up my blog. If you find something interesting, feel free to click through.
Now back to your regularly scheduled boredom.
Up until now I've tagged everything guitar related as "Guitar." Since this blog is pretty much all about guitars anyway, I decided to split them up into more specific categories. Posts about guitars will still be tagged "Guitar," posts about guitar playing will be tagged "Playing," and posts about gear other than guitars will be tagged "Gear." I went back and re-tagged my old posts so the categories now show up in the right panel.
I added my blog to NetworkedBlogs on Facebook. You can now follow my blog through Facebook by clicking on "Follow This Blog" on the new widget on the right. You can still also follow it through Google Friend Connect, too. Please, follow and share!
I put some ads back on my site. I figured, "What the hell." I kept them to a minimum so as not to clutter up my blog. If you find something interesting, feel free to click through.
Now back to your regularly scheduled boredom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)