Pretty old for a newbie

helliott*** · January 13th, 2007, 05:06 PM

Greetings from Southern Ontario, Canada. I stumbled across this very cool site, and being constantly starved for discussion about guitars and guitar music, I had to give it a try.
I've been playing for 40 years or so. From that first Silvertone bought with paper route money to the current collection (which is not about to grow if I want to stay married), I've been nuts about all things guitar. Played in bands in the teen years, played to make some money and pay for college, played in bar bands in as a second job in Western Canada and when we re-located back here 20-odd years ago. The late hours and a demanding professional life make a working band difficult now, so I try to keep loose woodshedding, playing pickup gigs where they come up, even some open mic stuff.
Like many players who've been at it for a long time, there are lulls from time to time, but most days I'm in the basement at some point, blowing off stress with the Mesa cranked, or trying to figure out Stevie or Warren Haynes pulled off a certain thing. (Speaking of the latter, if you haven't listened to the closing solo in Beautifully Broken live one the Deep End CD and DVD, find it now and listen.)
Anyhow, I've enjoyed lurking briefly and seeing what other players are up to. I hope to have some talk and learn some things from some of the obviously gifted musicians who hang out here. That's the most gratifying thing about this instrument for me -- there's never and end to what I can learn and be inspired by.
Cheers

Robert**** · January 13th, 2007, 05:46 PM

Welcome and cheers from Alberta! Looking forward to getting to know you more.

helliott*** · January 13th, 2007, 06:05 PM

Thanks for the welcome. We spent about 8 years in Alberta in the 80s, spent about five in Fort McMurray and another two in Grande Prairie. I saw your web site earlier -- very cool.

**ted s** · January 13th, 2007, 06:16 PM

Welcome helliott in Hamilton, I'm a stones throw in Burlington.

**sunvalleylaw** · January 13th, 2007, 06:26 PM

Welcome! One of the first few songs I learned is about Alberta.

**warren0728** · January 13th, 2007, 06:49 PM

welcome helliott....this is a great forum....i think you will like it here....

ww

note: this welcome copyrighted 2007...no unauthorized use of this welcome will be tolerated

**Hogfullofblues** · January 13th, 2007, 06:49 PM

Hi H. Welcome from your neighbor just over (under?) the border. Well, as it happens I am pretty old and newbie for real! Hearing someone of your experience talk of always more to learn gives me some hope.
Cheers back atcha.

Spudman*** · January 13th, 2007, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by helliott

Thanks for the welcome. We spent about 8 years in Alberta in the 80s, spent about five in Fort McMurray and another two in Grande Prairie. I saw your web site earlier -- very cool.

Welcome helliot.

The early 80's is when I used to tour Alberta. We did all the hot spots, Pincher Creek, Crows Nest Pass, High River. Maybe we bumped into each other? You probably still owe me an Okeef's Extra Old Stock.

Enjoy the forum.

Robert**** · January 13th, 2007, 09:50 PM

Sounds like we should all get together for a big Freternizing Guitar party here in Alberta, since ya'll talking about Alberta!

helliott*** · January 14th, 2007, 12:31 AM

Very warm welcome for many folks, so thanks again. To those who recall playing Alberta gigs: Pincher Creek and Crowsnest are big stops compared to what I was doing. How about the Friday night legion gig in Fort McMurray, with the odd sojurn to Lac La Biche for a wedding? Or the Anzac Powwow? Or the summerfest in Plamondon? Tell ya what, we wuz beatin back the fans with our wicked rendition of Cars classics. Uh oh, it really was magic -- of some sort.

**SuperSwede** · January 14th, 2007, 02:37 AM

Welcome Helliot! Looks like you have a nice collection of guitars! I borrowed a Casino for a Beatles gig many years ago, I really liked that guitar. How is the reissue series?

**Lev** · January 14th, 2007, 03:59 AM

Welcome, great gear collection you got - I sure wish I had a Mesa Lone Star in the basement!! You'll have to post some clips of that amp

**tot_Ou_tard** · January 14th, 2007, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by SuperSwede

Welcome Helliot! Looks like you have a nice collection of guitars! I borrowed a Casino for a Beatles gig many years ago, I really liked that guitar. How is the reissue series?

I'd like to hear 'bout the Casino too.

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

O & welcome! The Canadian contingent is getting quite large.

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Spudman*** · January 14th, 2007, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by helliott

Very warm welcome for many folks, so thanks again. To those who recall playing Alberta gigs: Pincher Creek and Crowsnest are big stops compared to what I was doing.

Oh, I didn't know there were smaller towns? You really were in the trenches. Did you make it to the end of the Pow Wow gig or did it end early?

helliott*** · January 14th, 2007, 10:58 AM

As I recall, it was still going strong when we wrapped the set. It was in the middle of summer, one of those nights when it never gets totally dark. And we were playing on a flatbed trailer. People in various stages of inebriation kept climbing aboard and dancing with the band. At one point I noticed someone inching closer to my old SG hanging in a rack. No doubt being rather obvious, I moved the rack right in front of my amp and kept a wary eye on all my gear from that point forward.

helliott*** · January 14th, 2007, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Lev

Welcome, great gear collection you got - I sure wish I had a Mesa Lone Star in the basement!! You'll have to post some clips of that amp

Yes, I'm very fortunate indeed, and appreciate it daily. I also figure that after 40 years, and who knows how much money earned on the back of one instrument or another, I get to have some nice stuff. Self-indulgent, I know, but it works for me.

helliott*** · January 14th, 2007, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by SuperSwede

Welcome Helliot! Looks like you have a nice collection of guitars! I borrowed a Casino for a Beatles gig many years ago, I really liked that guitar. How is the reissue series?

--------------
I like it alot, though it gets less face time than the PRS/Strat combo. I't strung with very heavy strings for a great jazzy sound. And it also makes a great slide guitar with 13s on top. I'll get some imaging at some point, but we're digitally challenged at the moment as my wife is a film loyalist.

**Big_Rob** · January 15th, 2007, 09:56 AM

Just like the Jethro Tull song,

You're never to old to rock and roll

**M29** · January 18th, 2007, 08:11 AM

Hello helliott,
Welcome to the Fret.Net.
It sounds like you almost got your geetar stolen or borrowed for a moment. It would be intersting to hear some stories of the road from the members I bet there are some duzzies.

Again Welcome helliott good to have you aboard.

M29

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