It seems like at least 2 people look at my profile daily so I guess I could justify keeping my blog going. Why not?
Today's topic: messing with gear.
I'm currently partway through a from-scratch build of a doublecut chambered solidbody electric. (compound word extravagana!) It's been a drawn out project in the last 7-8 months or so... I have very little time between full time school and several part-time jobs, so being able to work on it on a weekly basis has been a great escape from everything.
I've been messing with gear now for as long as I've owned a guitar. Some things have been successful (my first build, from parts), and some have been unsuccessful (my fretless, which has been in pieces for over a year now) and of late I've realized that my fascination with how these things work has actually affected my playing greatly in a positive way.
But this isn't about what my projects ARE. It's about what they MEAN.
Just as learning how your car works makes one a better driver, it's my opinion as a musician and teacher that a fundemental understanding of the functional aspects of the guitar will facilitate improvements one's playing over time.
In these internet-equipped times, all the information required to do just about anything to your axe is available on the internet. In light of this, I highly recommend home maintenence and gear customization to anyone who plays the guitar or bass.
I tell my students (when they're ready) to take their stuff apart and mess with it. It really helps you as a player to understand exactly how your instrument works and what the essential components are. This can help to encourage the unique "oneness" with your axe that most guitarists equate with being "in the zone".
Plus, generally any mistake that they make that doesn't involve a power tool can be fixed in 10 minutes or less. I'm happy to do that if the student is taking the initiative to learn something by taking his guitar apart. Experimentation should be rewarded rather than punished, though that's not what they teach you in school.
| My Profile
The build blog
