tomteriffic Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 A little background: for as long as I've been playing guitar (58 years +-), I've always been a Hamer/Gibson guy when it comes to fingerboard radius. I just couldn't come to grips with the 7.5" and later 9.something" on the Fenders. Thus the only two Strats I have have 12" and14" radii, respectively. Not looking for the sympathy vote here, but I had a pretty good stroke on Christmas Day. So any fupped duck spelling/typing here can be blamed on that. Anyway, since my brain and left hand weren't on speaking terms, I viewed it as an opportunity to re-learn guitar and maybe take a miss on the bad playing habits I'd acquired since I was a kid. eLDuave hooked me up with a Martin acoustic to rehab on and it's been great. Thanks again, Dave. And re-learn I have. Good progress has been made and I seem to have overcome some of those bad habits and laziness since my hands forgot about them anyway. Anyway, until I got my T-51, finding the right Tele was a challenge. The Hamer radius, among other features, made it the perfect Tele for me. Then, yesterday I popped in to my local Mom and Pop for no particular reason and the owners had built a couple of parts Teles, using all the good stuff and excellent detail work. . One of them, with a Fender roasted maple neck and, I assume, the standard Fender radius, called out to me. I picked 'er up and it was like the guitar had autopilot. I was playing things easily that had previously required some serious concentration, every note seemed to pop off the fingerboard and it was just generally glorious. I know that the intensive practice/therapy likely has something to do with it, but this was an experience beyond that. I already have the perfect (for me) Tele. I have a houseful of gear and a very understanding wife. This guitar has the "wrong" radius and is priced like the custom guitar that it is. I'm nearly 70 years old so I can't pretend it's a long term investment. But DAMMIT, that guitar has me by the brain and hands. I have a couple of errands to run today and am intentionally taking a route that takes me by the store again. Guys, I need some enablement/excuses, please? Pronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Scepter Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Do it.. you only live once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptm1diver Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 I also had a major stroke and had to relearn to walk and can only barely play guitar anymore. I’m 64, and I have other health issues, so I try to enjoy every day as it comes. If that new guitar brings you joy, buy the dam thing and don’t look back. It’s only money and you never know what tomorrow will bring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudshark Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 I'm closing in on 70 myself. Might as well enjoy ourselves while we're still on the top side of the ground. Go get that sonofabitch and stay up all night playing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
django49 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 There seem to be a bunch of us hovering at the seven oh mark..... For myself, no major health issues that would affect my playing ability (such as it is). But I have also reached the point of not wanting to have as much stuff as I once did. And I still have a ways to go in terms of downsizing. I am sure way over 200 guitars have passed through my hands in the past 50+ years. But when one particular one popped up about 8 years ago, I had an experience like yours....It just felt like it was reading my mind. It made me a better player. Some objectively "better" instruments has since departed. Losing that particular one would be like losing my left hand. I say go for it. If need be, sell off a few things that do not do as much for you. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncans Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Dave Scepter said: Do it.. you only live once Actually you only die once, you live every day so make it your best and do things that make you happy and give you joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foodermon Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Do it. I have a particular fiddle I picked up a few years ago.. everything just felt right and sounds right with it.. it's the one that sees the most playtime w me. it's not a looker per se. inspires me to do more, learn more, play more. I butt-flinched for some stoopid reason and muddled over buying it. passing on it would have been a huge mistake. I would easily sell off other gear to keep it. and glad to hear you're doing better and better .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamerhead Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomteriffic Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 1 hour ago, ptm1diver said: I also had a major stroke and had to relearn to walk and can only barely play guitar anymore. I’m 64, and I have other health issues, so I try to enjoy every day as it comes. If that new guitar brings you joy, buy the dam thing and don’t look back. It’s only money and you never know what tomorrow will bring. I started with two steps (one wheelchair to another) and any kind of distance still takes it out of me, but a half mile can be done, even on hilly terrain. Keep after it, I'm pulling for ya. As for guitaring, try some of this. It's cheap as chips and I can show you a few exercises that really helped me, once I got past the frustration: https://athome.medline.com/en/medline-hand-finger-physical-therapy-putty-shop-all-pf134267?utm_source=medline&utm_medium=shopnow1&utm_campaign=MDSPTY4OZMH#227=1290&233=960 You can push it, pull it, squeeze it, stretch it, one finger or your whole hand. That and a 3 lb dumbbell in your hand for wrist and forearm flexes did wonders for me. Hope it does for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeofdarkness56 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 At near 70 years of age, you really don’t owe a explanation to anyone on what you do for enjoyment. To find something that still excites you like it did 50 years ago, just do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptm1diver Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 24 minutes ago, tomteriffic said: I started with two steps (one wheelchair to another) and any kind of distance still takes it out of me, but a half mile can be done, even on hilly terrain. Keep after it, I'm pulling for ya. As for guitaring, try some of this. It's cheap as chips and I can show you a few exercises that really helped me, once I got past the frustration: https://athome.medline.com/en/medline-hand-finger-physical-therapy-putty-shop-all-pf134267?utm_source=medline&utm_medium=shopnow1&utm_campaign=MDSPTY4OZMH#227=1290&233=960 You can push it, pull it, squeeze it, stretch it, one finger or your whole hand. That and a 3 lb dumbbell in your hand for wrist and forearm flexes did wonders for me. Hope it does for you. Thanks, I still walk a little sideways and I used to love skeet and trap shooting and taught shotgun safety at one time. Sine the stroke but was concerned about my hand eye coordination. But with the help of friends, I tried it again. Can’t shoot skeet worth a dam anymore, but for some strange reason I can still shoot decent trap scores. My scores suck compared to my earlier days, but it’s fun to be with friends and just participate. I can’t play guitar worth a shit, but I really enjoy fiddling around with my guitars and basses. I have too many of each.. LOL. Tomorrow, who knows what can happen. Thanks for the advice. I was doing pretty good, all things considered before COVID-19 with PT, but being cooped up has not helped. I don’t sweat the little stuff anymore, just enjoy life, friends, family and the little things. Take care and be well. Enjoy yourself. it’s funny you mention Tele’s. I never was comfortable with one, then I built one my way and liked it. Then I came across a Hamer t51 for a few hundred dollars an loved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kizanski Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Well I've never had a stroke, but I play like I have. This never stopped me from buying an inordinate number of guitars solely for the purpose of amusing myself. Buy the fucking guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveH Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 No excuses needed, in fact, if it was speaking to you in the way that you described you would need an excuse to NOT buy it. Guitars just don't do that everyday. BUY IT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shark Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 3 hours ago, tomteriffic said: A little background: for as long as I've been playing guitar (58 years +-), I've always been a Hamer/Gibson guy when it comes to fingerboard radius. I just couldn't come to grips with the 7.5" and later 9.something" on the Fenders. Thus the only two Strats I have have 12" and14" radii, respectively. Not looking for the sympathy vote here, but I had a pretty good stroke on Christmas Day. So any fupped duck spelling/typing here can be blamed on that. Anyway, since my brain and left hand weren't on speaking terms, I viewed it as an opportunity to re-learn guitar and maybe take a miss on the bad playing habits I'd acquired since I was a kid. eLDuave hooked me up with a Martin acoustic to rehab on and it's been great. Thanks again, Dave. And re-learn I have. Good progress has been made and I seem to have overcome some of those bad habits and laziness since my hands forgot about them anyway. Anyway, until I got my T-51, finding the right Tele was a challenge. The Hamer radius, among other features, made it the perfect Tele for me. Then, yesterday I popped in to my local Mom and Pop for no particular reason and the owners had built a couple of parts Teles, using all the good stuff and excellent detail work. . One of them, with a Fender roasted maple neck and, I assume, the standard Fender radius, called out to me. I picked 'er up and it was like the guitar had autopilot. I was playing things easily that had previously required some serious concentration, every note seemed to pop off the fingerboard and it was just generally glorious. I know that the intensive practice/therapy likely has something to do with it, but this was an experience beyond that. I already have the perfect (for me) Tele. I have a houseful of gear and a very understanding wife. This guitar has the "wrong" radius and is priced like the custom guitar that it is. I'm nearly 70 years old so I can't pretend it's a long term investment. But DAMMIT, that guitar has me by the brain and hands. I have a couple of errands to run today and am intentionally taking a route that takes me by the store again. Guys, I need some enablement/excuses, please? Pronto. Sounds like when I met my first wife. Lasted eleven months... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 44 minutes ago, ptm1diver said: it’s funny you mention Tele’s. I never was comfortable with one, then I built one my way and liked it. Ooh... I like that. Details, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamerCustomEr Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Buy it! Musical instruments should inspire you to play, not hold you back. If this one inspires you, and you play well on it, don't even think twice about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
django49 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 34 minutes ago, The Shark said: Sounds like when I met my first wife. Lasted eleven months... Hope she at least gave you a couple of good strokes in the interim...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie G. Moseley Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 I'll be 71 in July. The rules are different in retirement age (to include bucket lists) due to diminishing time. If it'll get you playing more as physical therapy, that's all the more reason to go for it, IMO. I have had some recent symptoms similar to ones described in other posts on this thread, and my GP finally insisted that I get an MRI in early May. My diagnosis could possibly mean some major changes around the house, including what happens to what's left of my collection. Stay tuned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoogieMKIIA Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 If you have no real money worries, buy it. For physical and occupational therapy, if asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbonesullivan Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 I'd go for it. If you played it, and it really calls to you, then it's worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shark Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 6 hours ago, django49 said: Hope she at least gave you a couple of good strokes in the interim...... Kind of like Dean Markley strings, if you know what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchman Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 You've spent 70 years or there abouts looking for that guitar! Buy it, own it, play it!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BubbaVO Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Ditch what doesn’t work. Get what does Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchee Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 I'm surprised no one's mentioned the old Hamer Rick Nielsen magazine ad yet, with the phrase: "my motto: life's too short to spend it with a crappy guitar. Get a Hamer T-51." No affiliation with this Ebay listing BTW, I'm just attaching it for reference purposes only, I tried to find another source for the ad but no luck: https://www.ebay.com/itm/373513113788?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=373513113788&targetid=1068484695762&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9014720&poi=&campaignid=11615952643&mkgroupid=114836832882&rlsatarget=pla-1068484695762&abcId=9300457&merchantid=222532636&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyZmEBhCpARIsALIzmnLSm8jKQECgCG_NWuVYediFAL0d8Mf7-3auM2983OXE1E5ZFG7KWmUaApmyEALw_wcB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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