DetroitBlues

I’ve been back on the Heritage Owners Site, posting sparingly at first, but watching the other members’ posts with great interest. What I really like is the random gallery generator at the top of the screen. Nothing worse to set off a fit of G.A.S pain then seeing all the other Heritage options out there I could be playing. I think after having my 140 for a few months, the honeymoon is over. I guess at this point, I understand now why Brentrocks astounds us with his near daily transactions on both Heritages and other rare guitars. This past month, Brent’s near famous ability to sniff out bargains across the web has netted him a beautiful, yet neglected H150 Goldtop from Rhode Island. Immediately after reading he pulled the trigger I sent him a PM that when (since we know it’s not a matter of “if” ) he decides to move the guitar for the next purchase down the road I'd like to have it. I was shocked to know two unnamed others already solicited Brent for the guitar. Amazing to say the least that others think the same as me. But the focus of my blog for this month is not about someone else’s trading habits, but rather my own feeling of G.A.S. I’ve been eying several different options, just something different that what I already have. The only certainty I have is knowing that I want one single coil type guitar (Stratocaster or Telecaster) and a humbucker/P-90 type guitar at the least. This past month, I was able to secure a 1990 HFT-445 thanks to Brentrocks passing on his custom HFT-450 to KPB810. So my acoustic G.A.S. has been addressed. But what about some other kind of guitar electric guitar I’d like to play? I placed an advertisement on Craigslist about trading my recently acquired 1996 Fender Tex-Mex Stratocaster for an equivalent valued Telecaster. After waiting a couple of weeks and no responses, I’m keeping the Stratocaster- for now. But I did see a couple Paul Reed Smith Mira’s on Craigslist for sale or trade. One guy was interested in the 140, but wanted some cash on my part. That offer was hardly a deal to me. But the bug has bitten me. A solid mahogany, two humbuckers, single cutaway has become my new source of G.A.S. pain. I began to ask others about the Heritage 137 guitar. I played Steiner’s last year and really enjoyed that guitar. It has a nice cherry finish to it along with a black pickguard and some sweet P-90 tones to it. Since a PRS Mira doesn’t seem to be an option, perhaps a Heritage 137 will be the newest affection I have. Then there was a fateful trip to Guitar Center. I went to Guitar Center with another co-worker and one time Heritage Owner to look at a Peavey Wolfgang Special (MIA model). While he was wheeling and dealing with the guitar sales dude, I picked up a vintage Gretsch Corvette. Solid Mahogany, single cut, tremolo, humbuckers (GT Filtrons actually), in a nice cherry finish; not bad for a vintage guitar. But the guitar had a poor neck reset and the electronics were marginal, so much for that value vintage piece of gear at $499. I did notice the Gibson Les Paul Specials, but this time I decided to try a Gibson Les Paul 60’s Tribute Gold Top with P-90’s. Now I have another guitar I want. The action was right, the tone was great, and the finish was cool. So now what do I do? I put a post up on our beloved HOC forum, “FS/FT TWO FOR ONE.” I put both my H-140 and my Tex-Mex Stratocaster on the forum asking if anyone would be interested in trading my two guitars for a gold top H-150. Doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen as headstock repaired guitars, as sound as the repairs are, are almost a kiss of death on a resale. While it bothers me a little too much that no one wants it, it is a reminder of something my wife and I say to each other often, “God only gives you what he thinks you can handle”. That means to me, if he wanted help me get rid of my guitars, he would. So I’ve removed the listing again then began discussing why I’m not liking the 140 with Brian (KPB810). My problem boils down to tone. I’m an avid blues player and trying to get my 140 to play the blues in a tone that is warm and buttery to me is near impossible. I can grab my strat and get what I want out of it every time. I’m going to replace the remaining old pots and one of the caps to see how that affects the tone. Brian is a big help and an all around great guy. I’m a free advertiser for his amps because the quality is outstanding and his belief in backing up his work is second to none. He has the same attitude when it comes to my 140. He wants me to be happy with it too. As this month wraps up, I still have the same guitars I started the month with and added a couple new pedals to the mix. G.A.S is a terrible thing to us which I think there is no cure. Many on the HOC have what others may consider as ultimate collections, but even to them it’s never complete. I realize G.A.S is something I should learn to deal with and know that there are many important things in life I need first before another guitar. Life has a funny way of reminding us of that.

I have to admit, old habits die hard. I'm still a posting fool.

Bulldog- Haven't noticed a thing. Thanks for reading. I'm hoping to more of a monthly blog than a hailstorm of daily posts.

BTW- I just picked up the AmpKit Link for my iPod. I'm hoping to records some of my progress tonight if all goes well. My amp is in for some more hot rodding by KBP.

Thanks! I'm glad I'm not the only one concerned with their ability to play rather then post...

As some have noticed, I have not logged any posts on the HOC for most of September. (Thank you to Tully, Slammer, Koula901, and Steiner for asking me if everything was ok). I recently came to the conclusion that I spent way too much time on a forum discussing guitars, amps, and gear, rather than actually playing, practicing, and learning guitar. I’ve been a member of the Heritage Owners Club since the 9th of August, 2010. At the time I’m writing this passage, I’ve logged in 3,427 posts. 3,165 have been discussing various subjects on our forum. I decided that I must become a better guitar player first instead of a better critic. I’ve dedicated the past few weeks to learning songs I’ve thought about, but never actually took the time to learn. My goal was to have a complete set of songs that I could sing, play rhythm, and play lead to. I figured one set of songs is eight or nine songs for a 45 minute set. I thought if I can stretch out some solos, I could extend out some of the songs, but I haven’t gotten there yet. Learning solo’s has been so far the trickiest part of my learning process. Since I have a blues rock orientation, I wanted to stray from songs that have the standard “I, IV, V” formats. Like all rock songs, the roots of the blues are there, but mostly in the soloing minor pentatonic scales. I’m trying to put together some recordings with backing tracks to demonstrate my progress. My Line 6 Pocket Pod didn’t allow me to do both. My goal was rather lofty as I quickly learned. Being a husband and father of two, I cannot neglect my family to pursue my musical interests. I found I only learned five electric songs and one acoustic during the past few weeks. The solos on the songs are shaky at best. But I still jam to the songs every night. I think I’m getting closer and closer to getting each of them right too. I’ve been meaning to learn more, but I usually only have about an hour each night to play. During the evenings, I can use my amp, but without the proper effects and backtracks being heard, I cannot really perform the songs correctly. Typically, those sessions are ½ hour or so and I’ll play my blues covers during that time. My current song list is as follows in no particular order: All Right Now- Free Jenny Jenny (867-5309) - Tommy TuTone Jessie’s Girl- Rick Springfield Layla (Electric) - Eric Clapton Bad Case of Loving You- Robert Palmer House is a Rockin- Stevie Ray Vaughn You and Tequila- Kenny Chesney I spent a lot of time trying to learn all these songs, I had many more I wanted to learn, such as Takin’ Care of Business, Just Got Paid, Boys are Back In Town, Run to You, Hold on Loosely. Which perhaps, I’ll learn those songs next month, time permitted again. Perhaps next year, I’ll make another attempt at joining a band, but from the feeler’s I sent out, there are many songs out there that decent paying bands play, that I need to learn if I’m going to succeed. Since I was a boy listening to Foreigner, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Leonard Skynard, etc., I’ve always wanted to play guitar in front of an audience. Only much later in life did I realize it takes a lot more than courage to get in front of a group of people, it takes time, patience, and talent to prepare for that moment. I’m putting in my time and I hope I’ll have the opportunity to do what I’ve wanted to do for over 30 years. The patience and talent is still something I hope to develop as I go. As a footnote to this blog, I also wanted to point out how difficult it is to break the habit of being on the HOC nearly every moment I’m in front of the computer. Generally, I’ve only logged on to answer a message from another member. Other than that, I’ve stayed away. I recently caved in and logged on to see Mr. Brentrocks has picked up a gem of a Gold Top 150 which I offered to trade my ’85 Amber 140 for when he chooses to part ways with the Gold Top (as we all know he will! ). Today I also posted my Pocket Pod being for sale after witnessing just how incredible the new Peavey Ampkit is for learning, recording, and as a live multi-effects software through my iPod. While I didn’t look to hard into it, I suspect many were glad not to see virtually every new topic with me leading the way in responses when they log on. I put on my status, “What is was, what it is, and what it will be”. I wrote that because what I was is a forum junky, what it is, I’m guitarist, what it will be is a musician. I hope I haven’t missed much and I also hope to keep any offensive postings off the grid.

Nice blog, reminds me of my previous bands woes. They lost their lead guitarist because he was doing to much and got so little in return... Now they can't find a guitarist to play lead and sing. Your band seems to have a much improved mutual respect for each other, something we just don't see around here (in Detroit)