I improved exponentially once I stopped all the gear chasing and committed to really learning one guitar. And it became MINE. My musical world calmed down so much, and my focus sharpened. Great advice as always, G. Thanks for all these, as always.
Same. I've been playing for 40 years. Bought a new guitar last year. First time since 2015. Bought a POD GO last year to replace my old POD XT. Stopped chasing gear a long time ago. Spend my time practicing and trying to become better.
Guthrie always plays happy notes, always plays correct volume, has a seemingly endless bag of licks, and he always sounds pure American, pure country, and pure heart. Thank you GT!
Couldn't agree more. Guitarists have a unique gear addition problem. When I was playing woodwinds instruments in ensembles, most people had a single instrument that they would play until it fell apart. Maybe they had multiple mouthpieces for different contexts, but it was rare that someone had multiple instruments to serve different purposes. Only the very best and most experienced players would have a consert sax, a jazz sax, and maybe a marching sax. Most guitar players have 20 pedals and 5 guitars before they can even play in time with a drummer.
For everyone that had read my comments… after 7 months, 16 rounds of chemo including 4 doses of the red devil and a double mastectomy my wife was given a CANCER FREE diagnosis by her physicians! What a damn roller coaster of a ride. I couldn’t have gone through what she did! Thank you GT for letting me post on your videoed cause they gave me a much needed escape during this time! Now back to playing!!! 🩷
I have a stand that fits 5 guitars. If I buy a new guitar, I have to sell and old one. That's my rule. So I keep a maximum of 5 guitars at any given time. This keeps me honest and keeps me focused and I'm not changing strings every few days to keep up. Minimalism but also, I have every tone I need for recording. 5 is plenty for me!
Couldn’t agree more, GT. Been playing for 30 years now. I’ve owned some fancy expensive shit. At 43, I’m down to a Partscaster and a Les Paul I’ll never part with. Covers a lot of ground. Cheers!
THIS is my favorite guitarist friends. His name is Guthrie Trapp, GT, Cousin Guthrie, Mr. Trapp for those of you that don't know him... finest fingers a fretboard has ever felt!! Woooo!! The sound of this guitar is truly my favorite. Perfection on every level. Thank you for everything a million times, sir!!
100% agree. I improved so much when I decided to just play acoustic primarily. No pedals, amplifiers, effects modelers, tone chasing etc to distract. Just pick up and play with nothing to hide behind.
As always Mr GT, solid, no nonsense, expert guidance from a world-class professional...in a world swimming in tons of guitar gear, so easy for the music to get lost. Thanks so much!
Really good advice to all of us out here. GAS and FOMO is real and can get everyone off track to think you have to buy something new or different regarding gear. Just play!💯🎸
Man, this is such great advice. It seems so obvious to just practice on one guitar and not get caught up in gear. It’s super hard for me as a person with a collector brain. I’ve got a ton of pocket knives and other things that I collect. And guitars just look so cool, and there’s so many different awesome looking guitars. But at the end of the day just practicing and having fun on one outweighs having a room of cool guitars. 🤘🏻
@@guthrietrappmusic Totally. I’m just looping it in as an option instead of a boost to bump the od for solos. That’s what I’ve done for the last twenty years and it works a treat!
Mr.Trapp you and Uncle Larry are a constant source of knowledge and inspiration to this old guitar player and while i pretty much know a lot of your tips and tricks regarding guitar setups. I will be learning some of your country licks and chord fingerings as I'm a blues rock guy mainly. So all apologies for coping all those tasty licks and runs from your opening song. :) P.s maybe you should have a tip jar or something to mitigate my guilt.
You cannot imagine how important that video is to me. I always dreamed about Vintage Gibson or PRS. But for the last 2 years I've been practising more. And I've reached a point where I Just can't get enough of my Stratocaster. The only guitar that I own for over 17 years and which is my "Wife". There is sth. special about the instrument that became Just a part of your body 🙏 My pedalboard is Just too big because I have Just couple of pedals that keeps me inspired to play. Thank you Man for the wisdom.
Here is a good one for you all, "The day you stop learning, you start forgetting". Thanks @guthrietrapp for your sincerity and such great advice about gear.
Two months after you posted it but just watched this at the absolute perfect time. To each his own but GAS has robbed me of so much joy… not to mention money. Can’t imagine how good a player I’d be if I still had what I started with and spent all that shopping time, energy and money on playin, practicing and lessons. Actually I can imagine it. So been back to doing it. Thanks man for the reminder. BTW the lessons I’m spending(far too little) on are yours on Artistworks.
What a great pep talk. Some important gear to play well and sound great is a nice, high-quality set of nail clippers and a nice nail file. I know it sounds like a silly comment but if my nails are too long and uneven, it makes playing difficult and not sound good. If it's "all in the hands..." that includes the nails!
Thanks GT ! Guilty as charged ! Lately though, I’ll admit to staying with a core group of Strats to explore and grow with. I’ve not touched my LPs or 335 in a few months. There’s a time and place, but not right now. Also highly agree gear can be a distraction when you revamp your pedal board a few times in a one-year period. Just need the essentials and a decent spring reverb in the amp. Cheers from Thailand !!! 😎🇺🇸🥰🇺🇸⚓️🎸✅☕️😸🤠😎
Ohh man, my version of this is to play one or two guitars at a time, for a time. But I’m definitely not a session guy, just a lower tier band guy. I also always buy cheap guitars with good bones. I like to set them up to be inspiring. And, shit, during the shut down I figured I needed to build 5 strats with 24.75” necks. Only got 2 done before going back. Definitely a little obsessed with that for a minute😎
Sooo true! I have been playing for 59 years, and own 12 guitars. I am on my 5th #1. Each time, I have been completely happy with 1 guitar, and was never "Looking for that next guitar". I am blessed to have been gifted with 5 guitars over the years. I am not that guy you would see in the music store checking out new guitars. I was always happy with what I had, and just played the hell out if it.
Most of my practicing I do late in the evening when I’m all by myself. Not to annoy anyone I just use an electric without any amp as it is the hands that need to do the work. Additional bonus is that this way you hear exactly what is not sounding right as there is nothing to cover up any imperfections or mistakes.
Hey Guthrie, I’m sitting here drinking my morning cups of coffee. I usually do my own set ups, but lately, my Tele has been just not playing optimally. So you convinced me. I’m calling my guitar tech this morning. I am overdue for a high quality setup. Thanks for the kick in the butt.
Been playin my '60 strat since '70 and the last 10 years or so normally as an acoustic, it gets the job done and if I want to get loud i pop in the pick-guard and plug in... always exciting! Play on man!
You’re right on the guitars. I bought a Dillion 335 copy for $650 and it was crap. Did my own setup new nut, filed some frets adjust the action, now plays better than a $8000 Gibson from the 60’s , I will never sell. The neck is great, Hope to come to Nashville see you
You’re so right about simply playing the guitar you have… I have several “good” tele’s. Crook, Lucky Dog, Valley Arts,etc, but my Nash (which I’ve had the longest) is the one that just does it for me. It feels like home. Even in the studio, it’s the guitar that wins every time man.
Much respect to Guthrie. Your tone and approach is always beautiful, immensely skillful and humble. I play an Epiphone Special w Tyson Tone p90s in it, an Epiphone DOT w Tyson Tone Preachers in it, and a Carr Rambler with a ODR1 and a VHT D-Boost. That's all I ever need. Well, there's that D'aderio headstock tuner and the JCM 800 Lead with the oversized MESA 2x12 I use for certain kinds of music and bigger venues. To the annoying beardy advertiser who seeks to divide us into those who succeed and those who don't take his class: The difference between a person who bought a guitar years ago but never got past learning a few chords versus someone who has the experience of watching their family and friends jaw drop is that the second variety are moved by some interior force to actually play every day. And, your beardyboy web class isn't going to make the first variety into the second. You gotta want to have that guitar in your hands all the time, you gotta feel the passion for the sound and drive. That's the secret.
All excellent tips! During the madness of my old band days I had 14 guitars. What a PITA! I’m lucky that I now have 2 of the best Tele’s I’ve ever played. I have zero desire for more than that. At 54 I’m very happy with 2 good guitars, 2 good amps, and no more than 5 pedals on my board. Less is more in my world. Thanks for the awesome videos, Guthrie! They inspire me to pick up the guitar and try to learn something. Anything. 😊
"I guess they don't let you take as many solos (in Nashville) - lol! GT - I love this channel! I have a guitar addiction - I am not a pro but high-level intermediate moving to the next level - I have been experimenting with guitars/sounds as I just haven't done ii. But I gravitate to my Am Pro I tele - then strat - then 335 (but my Danelectro surprises me)- the key to it all as GT said --- get a good setup 100,000,000%!!!
lol, I have bought a few guitars in the last few years, SG, Les Paul special, tele and epiphone les paul....but every time I try to use them live, I go back to the Strat that I bought in 98 new....cant help me
Such perfect words of wisdom GT. Several years ago, I got rid of all my effects and pared down to 1 Tele and a Fender Princeton. I really focused on being a better musician. That effort pays off so many huge dividends… Sometimes you may even discover the gear you have is all you need!
I am also a one guitar guy and unfortunately I am currently in guitar hell - I have 6 damn good guitars but not one exceptional one that I just can't keep my hands off of. All my guitars play well but I just want that one guitar that really inspires and I don't currently have one, so I keep tweaking them and hoping And I am also a reverb junkie - gotta have plenty of delicious reverb.....
I feel called out 😂😂 As someone with a variety of guitars and basses, yeah. I know. At least I don't have too many duplicates or redundant guitars. Though thanks to GT and a few other TH-camrs, I have seen a significant improvement in my playing. After 40 years I feel relatively proficient. Thanks for the insights and wisdom 🙏🏻🤍
I just love my Suhr Alt t Pro: resonant, very well made and sounds/plays beautifully! I think practice makes you appreciate gear more: its like marriage - you just have to work hard for it! :D
I agree with you Guthrie...I never really was a gear head. Just practice and play with decent equipment. It was the same with my golf game. I have the same putter from 1989. I used to be a 1 handicap. Never really went for equipment so much, so worked on my game, my three wood is still a steel shaft 1990s Mizuno...crazy.
GT you're on fire man, love this. At the end of the day of course you are right on with the gear thing but subliminally I think you're telling me to pull the trigger on the single cut Danocaster I'm watching on Reverb !? :) Thanks for all the inspiration.
Everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to gear. But I highly agree. Less is more. I keep a couple guitars around for sentimental value, but I mostly play one or two guitars and invest the money I have into more lessons. Thanks again Guthrie. You are a breath of fresh air 🤩
I dont have a collector mentality at all. Ive got my one tele I love, one amp built for me and im set and happy. You quickly learn that youll always sound like yourself no matter the gear.
Now there's a few other cool guits floating around but nothing that I couldnt live without. I really only play my tele and if someone tried to take it from me, they'll meet my friends Smith and Wesson
This video hit home. I'm guilty of watching endless gear videos on TH-cam when I should be practicing. It's possible you're referencing my comment on your instagram post where I did ask if you were straight into the amp or had a pedal turned on. I don't even know what it is that makes me ask something like that. Anyway your channel has been beyond inspiring , and I'm working on my addiction of wanting pedals or whatever other piece of gear I think is gonna make me sound and play better because I know it won't. Thanks for the inspiration man and keeping the overall focus on making music.
i can play 90 percent of what i want (or am able to play haha) with two styles of guitar a strat and a tele. everything else is just extra stuff. took me too long to figure it out and now i have about 2 dozen guitars i rarely play if ever.
First time watching your channel. Loved this video. So true about gear overload. The thing that makes me sad about my guitars is that none of the new ones came with more time to play them! I also heard once that artist signature models came about because our heroes only had access to one guitar to play. Food for thought. Great show.
I have had a great Dano. Wish I never sold that. I have had other vintage nut width 1.65" Fenders. I have 2 teles one 1.65" and one American standard 2005 1.6875". I was wondering why more aren't the 1 11/16" nut widths with the wide vintage saddle spacing. Not the tight 2 1/16" E to E spacing, or even 2 1/8". I bring this minor detail up because I know it's finger size and preferences.... but. Do you, Guthrie, ever like the killer wide vintage widths on the saddles (like your Dano) but with a more modern 1 .6875" nut widths for adult chords? Or even cowboy area hammer offs / ons with regular chords?
Amen Guthrie. I’ve improved the most as a musician when I put my electric and all the other crap away (pedals) and just played bluegrass on my acoustic and old Kentucky mandolin.
After listening to you talk about playing the chord tones and its connection to CAGED (like over and over) it finally clicked for me last night. I realized that one of the whole points is being able to be in the same position and being able to follow the changes and easily target the chord tones during improvisation. I can't find the video, but it was like one moment where you show following the changes in the same position in one of your past videos. I've been diligently studying CAGED and playing my scales assuming it will pay off and waiting for that moment of insight. Anyway, thanks for all these videos.
Great advice…I’ve been down the gear rabbit hole for sure…now I have 24 guitars and 8 different amps. I really use 2 guitars and maybe 2 different amps depending on what I’m trying to accomplish. The rest of that stuff just sits and collects dust. However it could take a while to find that perfect setup that works for you. I guess now it’s time to sell all the extra dust collectors.
Had one guitar for the longest time, until I broke a string onstage with a guitar with a Floyd Rose Tremelo and locking nut. After that gig I bought another guitar for backup. Then another for dropped and open tuning. One guitar soon turned to fifteen. I don't gig anymore but I still am surrounded by guitars!! By the way your videos rock!!
Guthrie….as always….solid advice. Gear chasing can bite you when you’re young. For lots a reasons. Guys like you are the real deal. I’ve seen you live and know you have a very small and modest board to add some flavor. But I also know you could plug into an amp with just a cable and melt faces. I’m 51, been self taught my whole life and regret not learning the formal side of the guitar. It’s great to develop your ear and self teach but it’s a disadvantage to not have the other things under your belt. So many times I’ve had people say how can you play this or that when you don’t read music. I would say it’s like driving your car to all the places you go to. If you had to name all the streets turn by turn you probably couldn’t. But you knew how to get to your destination. Anyway, self taught is limiting. Hard to play with other people when they are speaking the language on stage and you have to find your way instead of understanding what’s going on. I digress. lol. Long winded agreement on your video topic….forget the gear. Focus on learning the instrument the right way. I’m spending time now with your videos and learning WHAT I’ve been doing and it’s starting to click. To the younger players out there, watch GTs videos and listen to his advice. The man has miles under his belt and knows what he’s talking about.
Love the bonus section on checking if your guitar is intonated. That’s helpful for sure. Sometimes on guitars I’ll do the 12th fret harmonic test just to find out that the nut is off and so the notes still sound out of tune down in the lower frets
Man THAT tele is from the heavens! Lucky catch! And guilty as charged, I needed to hear this message, no matter how infinite a guitar collection is, it comes down to which tools make you want to use them. I sold my Purple Jeff Beck Strat with Dweezils sig this week, tearing up at the UPS store, but noticed after that less distractions bring more focus and I'm digging into the only one I truly can't live without.
Guthrie I use these Dava icks the dearer ones good grip don't wear out for a long time and you can play acoustic guitar 12 string and electric great control but I'm just saying what I like don't buy the cheapest ones thanks for keeping the art of playing guitar alive
I improved exponentially once I stopped all the gear chasing and committed to really learning one guitar. And it became MINE. My musical world calmed down so much, and my focus sharpened. Great advice as always, G. Thanks for all these, as always.
Same. I've been playing for 40 years. Bought a new guitar last year. First time since 2015. Bought a POD GO last year to replace my old POD XT. Stopped chasing gear a long time ago. Spend my time practicing and trying to become better.
Exactly.
Stock tele. Stock Princeton Reverb and 10 fingers. You are done.
@@doubled5383Amen
@@doubled5383This is the way. Which model Tele? And don’t you have Strat? And what about a semi-hollow body for … 😂
Guthrie always plays happy notes, always plays correct volume, has a seemingly endless bag of licks, and he always sounds pure American, pure country, and pure heart. Thank you GT!
And we love him in Australia too
The boy is a genius. You're hearing the genius mind of a proper hillbilly in musical form!! ✌😄
Couldn't agree more. Guitarists have a unique gear addition problem. When I was playing woodwinds instruments in ensembles, most people had a single instrument that they would play until it fell apart. Maybe they had multiple mouthpieces for different contexts, but it was rare that someone had multiple instruments to serve different purposes. Only the very best and most experienced players would have a consert sax, a jazz sax, and maybe a marching sax. Most guitar players have 20 pedals and 5 guitars before they can even play in time with a drummer.
For everyone that had read my comments… after 7 months, 16 rounds of chemo including 4 doses of the red devil and a double mastectomy my wife was given a CANCER FREE diagnosis by her physicians! What a damn roller coaster of a ride. I couldn’t have gone through what she did!
Thank you GT for letting me post on your videoed cause they gave me a much needed escape during this time!
Now back to playing!!! 🩷
Bless you and your wife
That's awesome! My daughter went through the same. Finished the treatments 9 months and so far, so good.
And oh yeah, F#$& cancer.
Congratulations on the clean bill of health for the wife. Wish you all the best for the future.
All the best to you and your wife, mate. ❤
Peace of Christ.
"Play the gear that you've got..." Yep-- subscribed ;)
I have a stand that fits 5 guitars. If I buy a new guitar, I have to sell and old one. That's my rule. So I keep a maximum of 5 guitars at any given time. This keeps me honest and keeps me focused and I'm not changing strings every few days to keep up. Minimalism but also, I have every tone I need for recording. 5 is plenty for me!
It’s like Christmas with all of these GT videos lately.
Dude tells the truth kids. He’s a musical phenomenon
Couldn’t agree more, GT. Been playing for 30 years now. I’ve owned some fancy expensive shit. At 43, I’m down to a Partscaster and a Les Paul I’ll never part with. Covers a lot of ground. Cheers!
Spending time with your instrument is #1.....!!! Common sense, but so many people avoid the reality.
It seems most pros have their one favourite guitar that they play most of the time, makes sense.
It’s definitely not by accident players of this caliber get this good.
THIS is my favorite guitarist friends. His name is Guthrie Trapp, GT, Cousin Guthrie, Mr. Trapp for those of you that don't know him... finest fingers a fretboard has ever felt!! Woooo!! The sound of this guitar is truly my favorite. Perfection on every level. Thank you for everything a million times, sir!!
Oh man, thanks a million. Means an awful lot to me. We’ve got a great crew here on this channel!
100% agree. I improved so much when I decided to just play acoustic primarily. No pedals, amplifiers, effects modelers, tone chasing etc to distract. Just pick up and play with nothing to hide behind.
That is a great way to learn. I went down the same road, and still love playing my acoustics.
One of the best players I've come across here on YT. Or anywhere else for that matter.
yes he never seems to miss a note, though he`d say he misses them all the time. if so they are so fast and minor mortal ears dont hear it.
As always Mr GT, solid, no nonsense, expert guidance from a world-class professional...in a world swimming in tons of guitar gear, so easy for the music to get lost. Thanks so much!
Many thanks!
Really good advice to all of us out here. GAS and FOMO is real and can get everyone off track to think you have to buy something new or different regarding gear. Just play!💯🎸
Man, this is such great advice. It seems so obvious to just practice on one guitar and not get caught up in gear. It’s super hard for me as a person with a collector brain. I’ve got a ton of pocket knives and other things that I collect. And guitars just look so cool, and there’s so many different awesome looking guitars. But at the end of the day just practicing and having fun on one outweighs having a room of cool guitars. 🤘🏻
If we are being honest what we need is a Tele, a drive, a boost/compressor, a delay, and a nice little amp. That’s basically all.
That’s it. And you don’t need a compressor at all. 👍
@@guthrietrappmusic Totally. I’m just looping it in as an option instead of a boost to bump the od for solos. That’s what I’ve done for the last twenty years and it works a treat!
….and a tuner pedal. A guilty pleasure of mine. 🫠
Exceptional advice. Bravo Guthrie.
When it comes to gear, my thoughts have always been; less is more ! Anyhoo.....Love listening to you Guthrie... 😊
Love the stories as well as the guitar wisdom, thanks.
Thanks for listening!
Your intro playing always inspires me to play. Good advice on the gear rabbit hole too! Thanks.
Mr.Trapp you and Uncle Larry are a constant source of knowledge and inspiration to this old guitar player and while i pretty much know a lot of your tips and tricks regarding guitar setups. I will be learning some of your country licks and chord fingerings as I'm a blues rock guy mainly. So all apologies for coping all those tasty licks and runs from your opening song. :) P.s maybe you should have a tip jar or something to mitigate my guilt.
Best advice ever!🎸
Did you hear that lick at 1:51 The timing is utterly impeccable.
You cannot imagine how important that video is to me. I always dreamed about Vintage Gibson or PRS. But for the last 2 years I've been practising more. And I've reached a point where I Just can't get enough of my Stratocaster. The only guitar that I own for over 17 years and which is my "Wife". There is sth. special about the instrument that became Just a part of your body 🙏 My pedalboard is Just too big because I have Just couple of pedals that keeps me inspired to play. Thank you Man for the wisdom.
Here is a good one for you all, "The day you stop learning, you start forgetting". Thanks @guthrietrapp for your sincerity and such great advice about gear.
My rig is a Squire Classic Vibe Tele, and a 50w Katana. I have a tuner pedal and a looper. That's it. Thank you GT for the edification.
I just LOVE the way you play, GT. So unique and tasty! And your opinion on "less is more" is so true. With age comes wisdom.
Two months after you posted it but just watched this at the absolute perfect time. To each his own but GAS has robbed me of so much joy… not to mention money. Can’t imagine how good a player I’d be if I still had what I started with and spent all that shopping time, energy and money on playin, practicing and lessons. Actually I can imagine it. So been back to doing it. Thanks man for the reminder. BTW the lessons I’m spending(far too little) on are yours on Artistworks.
Fingers on string is what makes it sing...too many people focus on the fancy string holders. Good stuff Guthrie!
What a great pep talk. Some important gear to play well and sound great is a nice, high-quality set of nail clippers and a nice nail file. I know it sounds like a silly comment but if my nails are too long and uneven, it makes playing difficult and not sound good. If it's "all in the hands..." that includes the nails!
Hey Guthrie man one of your best videos, thanks for passionately sharing your knowledge and experience ❤
Guthrie
Otis sent me here! Just subscribed……… looking forward to seeing your channel grow!
I have all sorts of gear that I don’t need. And I enjoy it. But I admit it might distract from the overall goal.
Thanks GT ! Guilty as charged ! Lately though, I’ll admit to staying with a core group of Strats to explore and grow with. I’ve not touched my LPs or 335 in a few months. There’s a time and place, but not right now. Also highly agree gear can be a distraction when you revamp your pedal board a few times in a one-year period. Just need the essentials and a decent spring reverb in the amp. Cheers from Thailand !!! 😎🇺🇸🥰🇺🇸⚓️🎸✅☕️😸🤠😎
That intro was the craziest arms I ever heard. Great.
My favorite guitar player❤
Ohh man, my version of this is to play one or two guitars at a time, for a time. But I’m definitely not a session guy, just a lower tier band guy. I also always buy cheap guitars with good bones. I like to set them up to be inspiring. And, shit, during the shut down I figured I needed to build 5 strats with 24.75” necks. Only got 2 done before going back. Definitely a little obsessed with that for a minute😎
Great thoughts man, truth be told and I’m guilty of looking for gear that exceeds my skills man 🤙
Thanks for keepin' it real, Mr. Trapp. Much respect to you!
Sooo true! I have been playing for 59 years, and own 12 guitars. I am on my 5th #1. Each time, I have been completely happy with 1 guitar, and was never "Looking for that next guitar". I am blessed to have been gifted with 5 guitars over the years. I am not that guy you would see in the music store checking out new guitars. I was always happy with what I had, and just played the hell out if it.
Most of my practicing I do late in the evening when I’m all by myself. Not to annoy anyone I just use an electric without any amp as it is the hands that need to do the work. Additional bonus is that this way you hear exactly what is not sounding right as there is nothing to cover up any imperfections or mistakes.
Hey Guthrie, I’m sitting here drinking my morning cups of coffee. I usually do my own set ups, but lately, my Tele has been just not playing optimally. So you convinced me. I’m calling my guitar tech this morning. I am overdue for a high quality setup.
Thanks for the kick in the butt.
Been playin my '60 strat since '70 and the last 10 years or so normally as an acoustic, it gets the job done and if I want to get loud i pop in the pick-guard and plug in... always exciting! Play on man!
The absolute most killer instrumental version of Crazy Arms I've ever heard!......bar none!....and basically off the cuff.....truly amazing!
You’re right on the guitars. I bought a Dillion 335 copy for $650 and it was crap. Did my own setup new nut, filed some frets adjust the action, now plays better than a $8000 Gibson from the 60’s , I will never sell. The neck is great, Hope to come to Nashville see you
You’re so right about simply playing the guitar you have… I have several “good” tele’s. Crook, Lucky Dog, Valley Arts,etc, but my Nash (which I’ve had the longest) is the one that just does it for me. It feels like home. Even in the studio, it’s the guitar that wins every time man.
Another great lesson, real world, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Much respect to Guthrie. Your tone and approach is always beautiful, immensely skillful and humble. I play an Epiphone Special w Tyson Tone p90s in it, an Epiphone DOT w Tyson Tone Preachers in it, and a Carr Rambler with a ODR1 and a VHT D-Boost. That's all I ever need. Well, there's that D'aderio headstock tuner and the JCM 800 Lead with the oversized MESA 2x12 I use for certain kinds of music and bigger
venues.
To the annoying beardy advertiser who seeks to divide us into those who succeed and those who don't take his class: The difference between a person who bought a guitar years ago but never got past learning a few chords versus someone who has the experience of watching their family and friends jaw drop is that the second variety are moved by some interior force to actually play every day. And, your beardyboy web class isn't going to make the first variety into the second. You gotta want to have that guitar in your hands all the time, you gotta feel the passion for the sound and drive. That's the secret.
I remember a video from awhile back where Buk said….always tune up to the note.
All excellent tips! During the madness of my old band days I had 14 guitars. What a PITA! I’m lucky that I now have 2 of the best Tele’s I’ve ever played. I have zero desire for more than that. At 54 I’m very happy with 2 good guitars, 2 good amps, and no more than 5 pedals on my board. Less is more in my world. Thanks for the awesome videos, Guthrie! They inspire me to pick up the guitar and try to learn something. Anything. 😊
"I guess they don't let you take as many solos (in Nashville) - lol! GT - I love this channel! I have a guitar addiction - I am not a pro but high-level intermediate moving to the next level - I have been experimenting with guitars/sounds as I just haven't done ii. But I gravitate to my Am Pro I tele - then strat - then 335 (but my Danelectro surprises me)- the key to it all as GT said --- get a good setup 100,000,000%!!!
lol, I have bought a few guitars in the last few years, SG, Les Paul special, tele and epiphone les paul....but every time I try to use them live, I go back to the Strat that I bought in 98 new....cant help me
Such perfect words of wisdom GT. Several years ago, I got rid of all my effects and pared down to 1 Tele and a Fender Princeton. I really focused on being a better musician. That effort pays off so many huge dividends… Sometimes you may even discover the gear you have is all you need!
I am also a one guitar guy and unfortunately I am currently in guitar hell - I have 6 damn good guitars but not one exceptional one that I just can't keep my hands off of. All my guitars play well but I just want that one guitar that really inspires and I don't currently have one, so I keep tweaking them and hoping
And I am also a reverb junkie - gotta have plenty of delicious reverb.....
I feel called out 😂😂
As someone with a variety of guitars and basses, yeah. I know. At least I don't have too many duplicates or redundant guitars.
Though thanks to GT and a few other TH-camrs, I have seen a significant improvement in my playing. After 40 years I feel relatively proficient.
Thanks for the insights and wisdom 🙏🏻🤍
I just love my Suhr Alt t Pro: resonant, very well made and sounds/plays beautifully! I think practice makes you appreciate gear more: its like marriage - you just have to work hard for it! :D
Golly you just saved me a bunch of money and made my wife happy at the same time!
There was a black and maroon tele you played a lot. Where is it? You should do a video
I agree with you Guthrie...I never really was a gear head. Just practice and play with decent equipment. It was the same with my golf game. I have the same putter from 1989. I used to be a 1 handicap. Never really went for equipment so much, so worked on my game, my three wood is still a steel shaft 1990s Mizuno...crazy.
I love that tune it Gave me Redd Volkaert vibes
Astonishing playing.
Loved your winging it on Crazy Arms Guthrie. Great stuff man.
Much appreciated!
GT you're on fire man, love this. At the end of the day of course you are right on with the gear thing but subliminally I think you're telling me to pull the trigger on the single cut Danocaster I'm watching on Reverb !? :) Thanks for all the inspiration.
An endless bag of licks and chords.... Good advice on the gear chase!
Glad you liked it!
that is the very best conversation on gear I have heard. and It is so true.
Everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to gear. But I highly agree. Less is more. I keep a couple guitars around for sentimental value, but I mostly play one or two guitars and invest the money I have into more lessons. Thanks again Guthrie. You are a breath of fresh air 🤩
Lessons are SO much more rewarding.
Thanks for the pro advice, Guthrie!
I dont have a collector mentality at all. Ive got my one tele I love, one amp built for me and im set and happy. You quickly learn that youll always sound like yourself no matter the gear.
Now there's a few other cool guits floating around but nothing that I couldnt live without. I really only play my tele and if someone tried to take it from me, they'll meet my friends Smith and Wesson
MASTER guitar work!!!!!!
This video hit home. I'm guilty of watching endless gear videos on TH-cam when I should be practicing. It's possible you're referencing my comment on your instagram post where I did ask if you were straight into the amp or had a pedal turned on. I don't even know what it is that makes me ask something like that. Anyway your channel has been beyond inspiring , and I'm working on my addiction of wanting pedals or whatever other piece of gear I think is gonna make me sound and play better because I know it won't. Thanks for the inspiration man and keeping the overall focus on making music.
Thanks for playing classic country, Crazy Arms.
i can play 90 percent of what i want (or am able to play haha) with two styles of guitar a strat and a tele. everything else is just extra stuff. took me too long to figure it out and now i have about 2 dozen guitars i rarely play if ever.
First time watching your channel. Loved this video. So true about gear overload. The thing that makes me sad about my guitars is that none of the new ones came with more time to play them! I also heard once that artist signature models came about because our heroes only had access to one guitar to play. Food for thought. Great show.
Great video - best to you Guthrie
I have had a great Dano. Wish I never sold that. I have had other vintage nut width 1.65" Fenders. I have 2 teles one 1.65" and one American standard 2005 1.6875". I was wondering why more aren't the 1 11/16" nut widths with the wide vintage saddle spacing. Not the tight 2 1/16" E to E spacing, or even 2 1/8". I bring this minor detail up because I know it's finger size and preferences.... but. Do you, Guthrie, ever like the killer wide vintage widths on the saddles (like your Dano) but with a more modern 1 .6875" nut widths for adult chords? Or even cowboy area hammer offs / ons with regular chords?
Amen Guthrie. I’ve improved the most as a musician when I put my electric and all the other crap away (pedals) and just played bluegrass on my acoustic and old Kentucky mandolin.
After listening to you talk about playing the chord tones and its connection to CAGED (like over and over) it finally clicked for me last night. I realized that one of the whole points is being able to be in the same position and being able to follow the changes and easily target the chord tones during improvisation. I can't find the video, but it was like one moment where you show following the changes in the same position in one of your past videos. I've been diligently studying CAGED and playing my scales assuming it will pay off and waiting for that moment of insight. Anyway, thanks for all these videos.
OH yeah ...so much there ...that shuffle is mind bending ...thank you Sir! love those tuning tips.
Glad you enjoyed it!
God you're so good. You, Brad Paisley, and Daniel Donato are my all time favorite guitarists. Always inspiring me.
Great advice…I’ve been down the gear rabbit hole for sure…now I have 24 guitars and 8 different amps. I really use 2 guitars and maybe 2 different amps depending on what I’m trying to accomplish. The rest of that stuff just sits and collects dust. However it could take a while to find that perfect setup that works for you. I guess now it’s time to sell all the extra dust collectors.
That intro was blazin’!
GT, how do you play that type of groove without laughing, I can't and it always infects the audience. Love it, so much fun!
Love all the video action lately thanks
Very helpful as always.
We love you Guthrie!
Had one guitar for the longest time, until I broke a string onstage with a guitar with a Floyd Rose Tremelo and locking nut. After that gig I bought another guitar for backup. Then another for dropped and open tuning. One guitar soon turned to fifteen. I don't gig anymore but I still am surrounded by guitars!! By the way your videos rock!!
Wow
Loved the crazy arms. Showed what’s possible
Guthrie….as always….solid advice. Gear chasing can bite you when you’re young. For lots a reasons. Guys like you are the real deal. I’ve seen you live and know you have a very small and modest board to add some flavor. But I also know you could plug into an amp with just a cable and melt faces. I’m 51, been self taught my whole life and regret not learning the formal side of the guitar. It’s great to develop your ear and self teach but it’s a disadvantage to not have the other things under your belt. So many times I’ve had people say how can you play this or that when you don’t read music. I would say it’s like driving your car to all the places you go to. If you had to name all the streets turn by turn you probably couldn’t. But you knew how to get to your destination. Anyway, self taught is limiting. Hard to play with other people when they are speaking the language on stage and you have to find your way instead of understanding what’s going on. I digress. lol. Long winded agreement on your video topic….forget the gear. Focus on learning the instrument the right way. I’m spending time now with your videos and learning WHAT I’ve been doing and it’s starting to click. To the younger players out there, watch GTs videos and listen to his advice. The man has miles under his belt and knows what he’s talking about.
Motown country. Jimmy Bryant and Ike Turner unite. Thanks G. Love your playing!
You've got da thing, GT! Great take on a great tune. That, and I'm loving the holistic approach.
Much appreciated!
Thanks for the story on the Danocaster. Love that guitar and your approach and philosophy on gear.
Love the bonus section on checking if your guitar is intonated. That’s helpful for sure. Sometimes on guitars I’ll do the 12th fret harmonic test just to find out that the nut is off and so the notes still sound out of tune down in the lower frets
Man THAT tele is from the heavens! Lucky catch! And guilty as charged, I needed to hear this message, no matter how infinite a guitar collection is, it comes down to which tools make you want to use them. I sold my Purple Jeff Beck Strat with Dweezils sig this week, tearing up at the UPS store, but noticed after that less distractions bring more focus and I'm digging into the only one I truly can't live without.
Guthrie I use these Dava icks the dearer ones good grip don't wear out for a long time and you can play acoustic guitar 12 string and electric great control but I'm just saying what I like don't buy the cheapest ones thanks for keeping the art of playing guitar alive
Thanks Guthrie! Great advice, and so refreshing to see someone on TH-cam not selling gear.
I appreciate that!
Im totally with you on the guitars. I sold off a lot to go for quality over quantity. Love the videos bro!
Great post! I think once I get a 335 (and a Blonde Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb!) to go with my Tele, Strat and acoustic, I am done with gear buying.
"Crazy Arms" done like
NEVER B4!!!
Wonderful...
;'0)
M
All you need is a Gretsch and a Fender amp with spring reverb. At least that's all I need.