Feeling a little bummed about my playing right now

[Tatosh Guitar]

I am not allergic to cortisone, that I do know. I have had it before. I am still gonna speak to my doctor on this anyway.

[TravisW]

I did PT for my right shoulder some years ago, and it did wonders (along with a regular regimen of exercises to keep that shoulder strong and limber). I also dealt with tendonitis in my elbows for the better part of the last 20 years as well. Every one of those things left their mark in my playing to some degree, which has led to me relatively recently relearning to lighten up my approach with both hands. I'll echo what Dave was saying - maybe an MRI or a visit with a specialist will give you a better idea of your options. Playing through pain is tough. Playing through numbness, lack of coordination, and lack of endurance is much tougher. I had that around 2014 when I got a weird sort of virus that affected the coordination and endurance in my left hand for the better part of two months. You'll find a way through it, just find your options and follow through.

[Tatosh Guitar]

Quick update: I seem to be doing WAY better. I have been doing some practicing and speed seems to be getting better. Picking is also good, and those videos Nick has been posting on YouTube have been a huge inspiration.


I just realized that the times i have had more trouble, was when I was playing on a Les Paul, which as I posted on that other thread about the truth about Lesters, is more often than not lately. So now I am thinking it might be the body shape.


When I play the Strats, the problem is almost non existent. I suppose there is truth to the whole "original contour body" and all that. That shape is just way more ergonomic. I am now thinking I am gonna be needing a mahogany strat with humbuckers and a 24.75 scale neck.... :#

[Dinosaur David B]

Tatosh Guitar said:


I am now thinking I am gonna be needing a mahogany strat with humbuckers and a 24.75 scale neck.... :#

[/quote]That doesn't really work IMO -- at least the mahogany part. In other words, a mahogany Strat never fooled anyone into thinking it was a Gibson. You'd think the scale length would help, but it didn't make Jake's strats sound like a Gibson either. If you're trying to make a strat sound like a LP, your most effective tool would be an EQ pedal.

[Tatosh Guitar]

Dinosaur David B said:



Tatosh Guitar said:


I am now thinking I am gonna be needing a mahogany strat with humbuckers and a 24.75 scale neck.... :#

[/quote]That doesn't really work IMO -- at least the mahogany part. In other words, a mahogany Strat never fooled anyone into thinking it was a Gibson. You'd think the scale length would help, but it didn't make Jake's strats sound like a Gibson either. If you're trying to make a strat sound like a LP, your most effective tool would be an EQ pedal.


[/quote]


Hehe, I know that. Only a Les Paul sounds like a Les Paul. Not even Vs or Explorers sporting the same pickups. Heck, I have read post of luthiers explaining why 50's Standards sound different from 50's Customs. There´s a lot of stuff involved, and millions have tried without ever reaching a satisfying outcome.



Still, I would be willing to try just for the heck of it, if I were able to get a set neck version, which would probably require a good luthier and would cost me a sizeable amount, so I will probably never do it.



BTW, I didn´t know Jake's guitars have a Gibson scale. You learn something new everyday...

[MAdX]

Get an SG man, they are lightweight, have unrivalled fret access and a contoured body. I'd say it gets you 90% into Les Paul territory sonically. If you play mainly sitting down you're not going to be bothered by the infamous neck dive so much.

[Tatosh Guitar]

MAdX said:


Get an SG man, they are lightweight, have unrivalled fret access and a contoured body. I'd say it gets you 90% into Les Paul territory sonically. If you play mainly sitting down you're not going to be bothered by the infamous neck dive so much.


[/quote]
Not a bad suggestion, actually. That's the only classic body shape from the Gibson line I don't have. I have a V copy, a real Gibson Explorer from the early 80's (the one on my avatar) and the Les Paul, which is the most recent on my stable and which IMHO kicks the living heck out of the other two. An SG might be a good option to get those tones at a lighter weight and with a more confortable feel.

[Dinosaur David B]

They ARE super light. You've got to play them in person, though, to see if the neck is too whippy to stay in tune.

[Tatosh Guitar]

Dinosaur David B said:


They ARE super light. You've got to play them in person, though, to see if the neck is too whippy to stay in tune.


[/quote]
I have played SGs before, but I will concede that they seem to be all over the place as far as QC goes. One of my wife's cousins has one, which was sorta ok. One of my friends was a distributor for a bit, and he had a couple for sale, same model and all. One was good, almost great, and probably only needed a good set up to really shine. The other one wasn't as good, as in at all. So I would probably have to try them before going for it. For what it's worth, the wife told me they looked nice, so I would probably have a good shot at getting her approval LOL...

[Dinosaur David B]

I'd sooner get the WAZA headphones. You'll have a lot more fun with those.