All Activity

Man, I was drooling at this one - that color is fantastic! I had to take a look at mine (albeit Crown fret markers) with a quilt top. Now I don’t feel as bad having missed the one posted.

That was a fun one.

Will purchase if still available. PM incoming.

Zimm's and The Music Store...meh. I like Dave's idea. Go visit the MIM. It's fantastic - major collections of instruments with audio examples as you walk around in your wireless headphones. Maybe even see a show there. The concert hall is nice. Good food options out that way. Perhaps we should arrange an impromptu AZ HFC beer/meetup? Dave and I probably live ten minutes apart and have never met. I'm not sure I'd want to meet me though.

Also the Music Store is just a couple of miles away from Zimms... there's also Guitar Center not too far from there... https://maps.app.goo.gl/bQLErBbGg52pZWXH9?g_st=ac

I need a towel. For the drool! I swear!

What's "under the hood" pickup-wise? Enquiring minds must know...

A bit of follow up (and future reference if anyone is searching): I updated the pedal with some sample presets at home linked to the PC (and app) via USB-C. I got to practice and decided a different effect would be better so I attempted to change the preset with my phone, then my iPad. Neither worked. While I could connect with Bluetooth, I couldn't get the app to recognize the connected pedal. After some research I discovered I needed to delete and reinstall the Toneprint app on both devices. When I did, the Plethora X1 showed up as a pedal choice (missing previously). I was able to modify presets after this update. I just discovered the price on Amazon fell by 20% ($37) just after I bought it. I asked Amazon if they would adjust and they refused, preferring I send the pedal back and buy it again at the lower price. That's not how we fund future space exploration, but policy is policy. It will be a bother to pull it off the board but 20% is 20%. I didn't even mention the Amazon listing was for the noir version and they sent the white version. It wasn't a big deal, but then again, I ordered the noir version. I'll order the replacement from Sweetwater. Lesson learned. I hope to post some photos of the new board with the CIOKS ISO power supply. That thing is incredible and half the size (specifically, height) of the VooDoo Labs and capable of 9V, 12V, 15V and 18V and 660mA (at 9V) out of any of the five outputs switchable.

Thanks Dave - Zimm's is one I was aware of that's close to one of our BNB's. Not that I mind driving 2-3 hrs if the shop is worthwhile (we live on the flat, bald prairies where some people drive an hr or more just for a coffee/donut). Will check into the others as well. Cheers!

My 4 digit Standard... That one still hurts... I had $650.00 in it, sold it for $1500.00 and thought I was the greatest guitar salesman in the world. Until I sold my 1960 Gibson Doublecut Jr. for $1500.00 that I had $500.00 in. Then I was the greatest salesman. SMH....

I mean, there is another Marshall right next to it. Not sure how they were hooked up. They did bring up another amp from behind though. Guess they had to recalibrate everything.

Yeah, I was gonna chime in... there used to be a lot of mom and pop shops around here, but COVID mucked things up... most of the shops are typical bread-and-butter guitars, but occasionally they'll bring in something nice "but timing is everything"... There's Zimm's guitars https://maps.app.goo.gl/BaQsT5E7uHcZuZUz6?g_st=ac The Music store https://themusicstorestudios.com/ I can't vouch for these places anymore since I haven't been to these places in a while as I'm poor 😪 Honestly, the best thing to do is google map and call ahead... BTW, You can always visit the Music Instrument Museum, while you're out here... Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, AZ https://share.google/RCiH0JJAOWFUF2fxl Be warned, Arizona is pretty large and sprawled out and you'll be driving a lot Good luck on your trip 😀👌

Bambino spoke for me as well. I mean, yikes!

Thanks guys - got some followup to do here, for sure. Appreciate your suggestions.

Scottsdale is not too far away. You might look up Artistic Guitars. I have made three purchases there, but not any time recent. There was one I seriously coveted 2-3 years ago, but at $14k or so ("discounted") there was no way. The 3 I did get were all spectacular, but way less than half that. IMO. they were very fairly priced. But markets have changed. Gary is a private operation. He generally has a very small collection of very high end, usually custom ordered guitars. Not the one to look at for a casual browse or drop in. If anything on the site appeals to you, best to contact him for an appointment. I am not sure how many things in "Gary's Collection" imply current ownership, let alone whether they are for sale. But fun to look at.

I’m surprised @Dave Scepter hasn’t chimed in. There used to be a high-end shop (ESP, Jackson/Charvel CS, etc) in Phoenix and a pretty decent mom/pop in Chandler. This was 25yrs ago so take my advice with a jaundiced eye.

Wow!!!! stunning isn’t the correct adjective to describe this!!!

I'm not sure 'pretty special' quite covers it. Stunning.

JeffRo took mine. For such a large city we don't have much that I can recommend. Acoustic Vibes is a decent visit though. Most of the cool smaller shops in Phoenix have either closed or shifted way downrange in what they stock. McKnight used to have a decent shop, but one day I heard him talk to an employee in a way no human should treat another, and I lost all respect for the guy. They closed the store anyway and he seems to be focused on sharing his expertise online. Ziggy's was historically cool and would have been worth a visit, but they finally closed their doors in 2024. Bizarre Guitar & Drums has been around since the Stone Age and manages to keep the lights on. Rainbow Guitar in Tucson is still kicking as far as I know (edit: appointment only now, according to their website).

This one is pretty special. 2004 Artist Custom with upgrades: ebony board, bound and pearl inlaid headstock and Victory inlays. Near mint condition. No Hameritis or really any visible wear at all. I haven't seen another in this finish, which looks teal blue to blue/green depending on the lighting. Intense quilt maple top. Photos are in no way enhanced. - just taken with my iPhone, good lighting and no filters or retouching. Weight is 7 lbs. 13 oz. $2,750 plus $100 shipping U.S. only. Add 3% for PP (or $0 for F&F or Zelle). Happy to meet and waive shipping in the westen Chicago suburbs/Rockford/Madison WI area.

It's all part of the journey if you ask me. Sometimes we just have to experiment to see what works and what doesn't hardware-wise for ourselves. Next thing you know, you've passed that stage and end up with a hardware drawer full of stuff you may/may not use down the road (you can always sell/trade or share it with others down the way and build some good karma). Once we get past all the choices and nuances of our setup and gear, the real player development takes place IMHO. Playing the crap outta your favourite guitar, and playing a lot of different ones challenges your skills and abilities and makes you more adaptive. Playing while watching content/TV helps develop subconscious learning and familiarity with the entire fretboard to help aide your muscle memory. Jamming with other musicians, especially those beyond our skill/experience level, helps to develop our "ear" and to how to listen/play interactively with others, maybe even pick up a few technical bits or expand our musical horizons. Playing scales, learning theory and practicing our finger work is all fine and dandy, but giving ourself challenges can really pay dividends. Making a song from a single note using every kind of nuance/technique in our arsenal is a worthwhile exercise. Exploring alternate tunings, slide work, fingerstyle, capo and partial capo'ed strings. Explore how to manipulate feedback! (YES!!). Playing guitar like another instrument really helped me - think percussion instrument, piano, sax or horn, mandolin, bagpipes (ha ha) or whatever - world is your oyster! Each of us has our own musical journey to take and explore. I'm enjoying mine and I hope you enjoy yours. Guitars rock -literally and figuratively!!