Goldfinger with her "Got Guitar" plate

     Hi everyone.  I've had a few people asked if this blog is no more.  The answer is no...I just took a break.  I felt like I was forcing out posts, which I didn't want to do, so I wasn't feeling to creative with it.  Anyways, I'm back... just not on a weekly basis.

"Toby" a Tobias Standard IV Bass

     I have a couple of things going on since my last post.  Most notable is that Guitar Lessons with Jim Ronan is now offering beginner bass guitar lessons.  Many of you may not know but I played some bass in high school and ended up switching to guitar out of necessity.  I just started recording my practice hours as I want to see how long it takes me to get to the recommended 10,000 hours (I calculate that I have roughly 9, 999 hours & 20 minutes to go).  If you are one of those people that think that bass is easier than guitar....SHAME ON YOU!!!  It's refreshing for me to be back at square one again as I notice that playing bass feels more like...work.  As a guitar instructor, it helps me understand what my students experience.

     In two weeks I'm traveling to Erie to record an episode of Dirty Dog Live.  For those of you not familiar with this show they have subscribers in 5 states (NY, PA, Ohio, Maryland & Deleware... I think) and invite local musicians & bands as guests.  So, I'm the featured guest on one of their episodes.  The taping is open to the public if anyone is interested in attending.  Please email me if you plan to attend.

     Speaking of Guitar Lessons with Jim Ronan... NEW LOGO!!!  I was hesitant about making any logo changes (surprise there) but Mary Fair really came up with a great idea.  The new logo is already on our Facebook page for viewing.  I'm hoping that this will inspire me to look at some new ideas for swag and marketing.  Regardless, I'm sending out a big THANK YOU to Mary for sharing her talent & coming up with a KICK ASS LOGO (that's the best way to describe it).

     Hope to see you out there in live music land sometime soon.  As always, visit Clean Slate's website and stay alert for Facebook events for those opportunities.  Visit my website for information on guitar lessons, beginner bass lessons and other happenings.  As always don't forget to "Play Guitar...Play Guitar Often" ... or bass!!!

     So many holidays to choose from including the major holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter) to the manufactured holidays (Grandparents Day, Administrative Assistants Week, Sweetest Day).  I can live with them or without.  My favorite holiday is not on the calendar and can happen sporadically.  My favorite holiday is.... NEW GEAR DAY!!!!

     New Gear Day is the holiday that celebrates the new purchase of musical equipment.  It can be celebrated if the gear is for you or someone else.  It can be absolutely new gear or gear that is purchased used.  You can even go as far as celebrating when you sell your gear because you've freed up space and cap room to buy more gear!!!!  Personally, I like all scenarios to celebrate NEW GEAR DAY!!!

My dog Penelope is just as curious!

     I am inspired to write this post because I am celebrating New Gear Day (as of this post is being generated).  At 11:40am on March 19, 2015, I heard the pitter patter of the Fed Ex man's feet on my porch.  I didn't need to look at the calendar to know he'd be coming today... I had the tracking number.  As he walked up my stairs I could feel my heartbeat increasing and a surge of adrenaline almost sending me through the front door.  The Fed Ex guy and I have done this dance before as he often responds to my gleeful appearance with "what did you buy now?"  I am a happy to oblige him with an answer each time as I think it makes his day.  Quickly we end the conversation and I rush back into the house to gently open the box.  In this particular instance (and most others) there is a box inside the box!  I try to keep both boxes in functional shape as you never know if you'll need them again.  Once they're opened I extract my new gear from the boxes.  Plug it, plug in cables, the pedalboard and BOOM!!!!!!!!  My new purchase is working!!!!

The box within the box

     As I mentioned, you can celebrate the purchases of others.  Typically, I get to join in on the excitement of a student bringing in a new guitar.  To them, I refer to "NEW GUITAR DAY" instead of the previous NEW GEAR DAY as a sub-holiday.  It's beautiful to watch the look in their eyes when they open a foreign case and out comes the new acquisition.  Since most new guitar owners are early on in their learning I will play their guitar to show them the possibilities down the road for them: It's the least you can do.  Sometimes this leads to new strings added to the new guitar which really raises the excitement level.  For me it's exciting to see that look on their faces as they're proud to show you what they have.  Also, it's a very fragile moment as they look to you for approval of their new instrument, so be careful. 
    

The Vox out of the box.... it's the one in the middle.

       I hope at some point soon you have a happy NEW GEAR DAY!!!  This is not a holiday specific to musicians but can be for anything.  So, remember how special that purchase was as it probably made you very happy!!!

CLEAN SLATE- Brett P. on bass, JP on drums...oh, I'm on guitar...

 MORNING GUV'NOR

     I don't have much equipment to take to a typical gig, but I make sure that it's working.  The big thing for me is charging batteries.  My pedalboard runs on a lithium ion powered pedal that keeps most everything powered.  Fiona & Ginger Quicksilver, my robot guitars, can take up to twenty minutes to fully charge. After they're charged, I play them similar to a quarterback rotation in the NFL: Fiona getting the majority of the reps and "GQ" getting some work just in case.  This worked out because the most recent gig required me to put "GQ" in play thanks to loud ambient noise & the retuning process. Just like Forrest Gump's response to a famous t-shirt..."It happens." 
   

A previous incarnation of the "Big Boy Board"

 GOOD AFTERNOON

    Two hours before it's time for Goldfinger (my van) to depart it's time to play my version of Tetris: Pack the Van!  I try to make things as compact as possible making sure that my Vox amp is safely surrounded and doesn't move (an attempt to protect the guts of the amp).  Guitars DO NOT enter the vehicle until it's time to roll.  Other equipment includes the not-so-big banner, mic stand, guitar stands, miscellaneous box, monitor, pedalboard and amp.  My jacket (see above) stays in the van at all times.  This past week I almost forgot one of the most important mojo inspiring pieces of equipment: Ace Frehley action figure.  This resulted in a new tradition of Ace riding shotgun in the van to & from the gig.



Jammin'!!!

FIVE MINUTES, MR. RONAN

     Setting up is a nice peaceful time to collect your thoughts and make sure everything is in its proper space.  This time can also include some friendly ribbing of each other and/or getting a small meal (you prepare for this depending on the location). You also have some time to mingle with patrons, pass out business cards & get your beverage of choice.  Whatever is going in your world is about to take a backseat to your duty to ROCK!!!

Visit our website

POST GIG

   Pack up, get paid & go home.  Hopefully, the drive is a safe one.  Personally, I like the drive & a little talk radio.  Put the gear back in the guitar cave upon arrival home & relax.  The circle is now complete, that is, until the next gig.

Gibson guitar...Fender shirt...Wasn't expecting pictures that day...

     Welcome back!!!  I really enjoyed drafting the first entry so much that I figured why not post a second?  Regardless, I'll be discussing my thoughts on naming guitars and why my guitars have the names they have.

     Over the years I've known guitar players that have named their guitars and others that think it's just plain stupid to name an instrument.  Regardless, I'm one of the "namers."  My reasoning? I have a few of them:

   1. Owning a guitar can be a rewarding relationship.  Unlike most human relationships, you immediately get the appropriate feedback for what you've put into it (i.e., if you play mad, you get mad sounding music in return.  Other feelings... same result).

   2. They're beautiful!!!!  Not just in appearance but sound and feel as well (okay... a little creepy but you get it ?).

   3. It's a challenge to come up with the right name.  Keep in mind, I'm the guy that lobbied to name his oldest son Coltrane (which would've been cool).  I almost won the second time when we found out Alex would have a brother: "How about Eddie?"  almost worked until it slipped that I was referencing the Van Halen brothers ???

So, I have eight (8) guitars in the guitar cave: Two Fenders, Three Gibsons, Two Gretsch and a slide guitar (there's more to that story).

FENDER:  50th Anniversary Stratocaster and an American Special Telecaster aka- "Josie" and "Blondie."  Josie (Strat), not only a Steely Dan tune, but also a great name for a girl.  I never dated a girl named Josie so I guess that fantasy is fulfilled ?.  Blondie was my wife's idea as I was thinking "dead man walking" when she noticed I'd purchased yet another guitar.  I was so relieved when she asked about her name.

A little Tom Foolery with Josie

GIBSON:  2011 60's Tribute SG (Layla), 2014 SG Futura (Ginger Quicksilver) and a 2015 Les Paul Studio (Fiona). Layla was a gift from a friend that doesn't name his guitars.  Again, I just love the name ?. Ginger Quicksilver has two references with one being champagne related and the other one from X-Men.  Fiona got her name because she looks like a Fiona to me.

Layla & Ginger

GRETSCH: 5120 Hollowbody (Gretschen) and a Jumbo Rancher Acoustic (Georgia).  Gretschen is a typical Gretsch name while Georgia's color is Savannah Sunrise.  Again, simple reasoning.

      Welcome to "Plugged In."  I hope you enjoy what you read.  My goal for this blog is to help you stay connected with all things guitar.  In this entry I'd like to discuss an all encompassing topic that I find important and to keep you "plugged in" (really? ? lol) to all of the great gear that's out there: Subscriptions!!!!

      Yes, subscriptions!  They can come in many different forms such as catalogs, emails, bookmarking a website, videos...etc.  Regardless, there are many valuable sources out there that can help you stay up-to-date on available gear.  Personally, I do a little bit of each to get the info I need and STILL fall short of knowing about everything out their.

       Getting started.... Here's what I've done over the years:

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS: I've had lots of subscriptions over the years to GUITAR WORLD, GUITAR PLAYER, GUITAR FOR THE PRACTICING MUSICIAN, PREMIERE GUITAR and others.  I've always been attracted to the colorful action photos of my favorite players with the hottest new guitars, amps & pedals (my holy trinity of great).  This is probably my longest standing method of gear info.  These days you can even get these magazines delivered electronically to save cupboard space!!!

CATALOGS: The big music stores typically send you a monthly hard copy version of the hottest gear available once a month.  I'm constantly getting catalogs from GUITAR CENTER, MUSICIAN'S FRIEND, SWEETWATER, SAM ASH and a few other non-mega music stores.  Also, my inbox gets flooded with holiday deals, weekly gear specials, "stupid deals of the day" and wherever else will get you to buy something.

SOCIAL MEDIA: I use FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE and TWITTER to follow various gear review groups, discussion forums and gear company does to get reviews from the pros and everyday Joes to find what they like & don't like.

CONCERTS: I've been lucky a couple of times to be able to talk to such artists as Johnny A., Devon Allan, Mike Zito and John Pizzarelli about their gear.  Also, I'm fortunate to live in a small community with some knowledgeable individuals that are fluent in speaking guitar gear.  Regardless, in vivo discussions of gear have a big influence in this area.

Now that you're armed with resources you're ready to search and review every piece of gear you find.  However, if you find something you're interested in you should take your time and not make any impulse purchases.  I admit, I've done it.  It's cost me a lot of money to find (and sometimes sell) the ultimate piece of equipment that will help me rule the guitar kingdom ??.  To help prevent me from making mistakes in buying gear I've tried to live by three gear buying rules:
   
     1. Have I done at least one month of research on this product?
     2. Can I pay for this product?
     3. Am I conflicted by a similar product that I'm interested in?


Keep in mind that it's fun to have gear... but your sound, what makes you sound great, starts with your fingers.  So, please live by a code when buying gear.

If you find a source I haven't mentioned please email me: dragonflygs@gmail.com

Until next time....stay PLUGGED IN!