I did not start playing until almost 40, and really after that. Interestingly enough, it was punk and grungey/indie (I know indie is overused. maybe garage is better) sounds that made me want to play guitar. Both electric and unplugged. The Clash, MxPx, Weezer, Green Day, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, The Kinks, stuff like that. And jazzier sounds. I love lush, jazzy chord voicings. The traditional guitar heroes were not even a consideration for me. I learned to appreciate them, and want to learn some of what they played, later.
Also interestingly, the seemingly simple punky, garage stuff is not so easy for me to play. It may be simple, but to do it well, you need good rhythm chops and timing. A lot of those songs can point out weaknesses I can hide better playing blues and blues rock lead lines.
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson