Tres Aardvarks

For workingman's guitars I'd say you have to keep it simple. Few options, no crazy fancy stuff. A couple kinds of inlays(dots or crowns), your pick of bridge but not too many choices(Floyd, classic trem, tom, etc). Maybe start with a couple models like a Studio and a more stratty double cut(but dont just make a strat copy, the Chaps and Calis had distinctive shapes). Let the users pick their pup config. With even just those two you could cover a LOT of bases. I'd a Studio type with fixed bridge, HB bridge and P-90 neck and mid. Throw crowns (or something similar) with a mahogany body and ebony or rosewood neck and you'd have a tasty fiddle!

As in what would we want, or what would we pay for it? I honestly think that was a lot of the appeal of the less tricked out Hamers. Still the same awesome build, great sounds and playability but a little less pricey.

That shape looks almost like an upside down Jackson Warrior?

I got into guitar rock courtesy of Ibanez endorsers (mostly): Satriani, Vai, Gilbert..it expanded over time, but those were the guitars I associated with the shredders. I've never owned anything but a super strat (starting with a Peavey Vandenburg). I actually don't consider super-strats "shredders", since so many have different feels, sounds, etc. My iridescent Cali is the most shreddy thing I own (due to its flat and thin neck), but none of my others really are.

As someone who grew up playing low brass, almost every piece we saw was in a flat key. People got bitchy when we'd have a piece in G, and riots would break out if you had any more sharps than that(like D, OMG)! Playing bass I never cared. Now that I'm playing jazzier stuff on geeeetar and having to learn more chords, certain keys will give me fits

Spent my first 26 years outside Cleveland, and agree with all of this. I've never been to the RnRHoF, and I DRGAF about who they enshrine or not...I gave up caring after the nth year that Rush wasn't on the list

I dig those DGTs!! Way out of my price range, but I sure wouldn't mind trying one!

#1 guitar and #1 bass

Holy cow!!! I borrowed one of those from my bass player (since I stored my only amp at his place rather than hucking it back and forth). It wasn't horrible as long as you didn't get anywhere near distortion..then yes, the horribleness was unreal!! Edit to add: my 3 year old LOVED playing his guitar through it!!! My first guitar rig sounded like absolute SHITE! But what did a silly young bass player in junior high in the mid 80s know about not using a Peavey 15" bass combo for guitar...funny, my TurboRat sounded like poop through there too!!

Holy cow! I don't know which one is more amazing: the Chap or the Cali!!! WOW!!!!!

You know, as odd as it is that huge percentages of the current youth population feel the need to be on YouTube for everything, I'm impressed with anyone who will upload a video of them performing to it. I mean, you just KNOW someone will tear you to shreds (or in her case, just talk about her body). Do they not read the comments? Do they not care about the negative responses? Most people I know who play would never find the stones to post a video of them playing solo to YouTube.

My only remaining amp is a Line6 Flextone 2..not exactly the holy grail of tone to most people. I've spent a lot of time with it though, and used to go in and set those sounds to be exactly what I want. It covers all the bases for me, including when I used it for the high end on my bi-amped bass rig. Now, if you don't edit the tones, a lot of them sound like total CRAP!!!! I don't know why they ship with those shit presets...

You know, it makes me laugh, but to each their own. Who knows what they've run into, they're trying to let people know what to expect. On the other hand, I know when Marty Friedman showed up to audition for Megadeth he didn't have "good" equipment, and looked a mess. They hired him on the basis of how he could play and then fit him into the band(equipment, clothes, and supposedly a haircut but who the heck could tell???). I do agree with Kevin though how some of the ads are dead giveaways as to what they sound and look like. I'd be afraid to look at the craigslist "looking for musicians" in Nashville

You know that the next step is? Follow me to the holy land: someone else's basement!!!! Whooop!

School trained on horn, did it from 5th through 12th grade. Tried guitar, but the guitar at our house was so bad my little hands couldn't hold chords. My sis picked up a bass at a flea market and I started playing it (Especially since I could already read bass clef). Found out about guitar mags with tab, got a cheap Cort from a buddy and learned a bunch of guitar tunes. Pretty much self-taught everything I do. Fast forward to the last 2 years and I started playing lead guitar with some friends. This time though I said I didn't want to do it from tab, so I forced myself to learn stuff by ear...I use apps on my iPad to slow songs down enough that I can figure out solos even. In just a couple months I developed my ear more than I did all the rest of the time. I also wish I had taken some lessons, as it would have jumped me over some hurdles. For instance, my chordal/music theory knowledge is minimal, and that seriously irks me.

Yes. I do owe it to myself to try one or a few. I like the made-in-USA angle, the fact that they kind of do their own thing. But the website is hideous. 3D type, explosions, hype like the "rapid play neck assures the best possible string action..." all add up to an "as seen on TV, act now, not sold in stores" vibe that scares me away. I know this is about the guitars not their marketing but their image isn't very appealing to me. Compare to the Hamer site or the Suhr site, which come across as quietly high quality. But I'm old fashioned. I think that has to do with the whole "buy direct" business model. Their ads have been like that as far back as I can remember (late 80s), and I think they just instilled a certain idea about themselves with that tone. Almost like they were trying too hard (which they probably were since you couldn't just walk down the street and go try one out). If the pickups are the bad part, that's an easy fix. Heck, there's only one guitar I own that I actually really LIKE the pickups that it came with (my flamed Cali). The OBLs in my iri cali don't do it for me, and someone violated my Chapparal with EMG Selects before I got it. I did get the chance to dink on a new Carvin for a few minutes back in February. Neck felt nice, but I didn't get to plug it in. The guitar's owner kept the original pickups(C22?), but they are also under covers. It was the CT624M with a 2x4 reverse headstock(which I have to say is the first Carvin model I really dig).

You and my best friend must be about the same age. I'd never heard most of the songs he wanted me to play on guitar! Personally, since I have no shame, I don't have to worry about any bands I've liked. My wife(on the other hand) is a Michael Stanley Band fan, thankfully she keeps that in the closet

Crozet - west of Charlottesville, base of the Blue Ridge (right by I-64)

$6 for a 6-pack? Gyah! I don't remember them being so much, and if I was going to stock up I'd pick mine up for a lot less. I like Gator Grips or Tortex, and can get them 12 for $4! The only music store I've stepped foot in since moving to Virginia was BCR Music, so I have no idea what the going rate around here is.

oh, I forgot this one...

I'm with GMan, it depends if I want to stay there for a bit (and work my way out), or if I need to get out as fast as I can! If I'm going to stay there, I've got plenty of depressing singer songwriters/alt-rock stuff. If my wife hears it, she knows I'm in a sad state. If I'm angry (like a pissy day at work), out comes the Anthrax, Testament, and such. If I've had a bad day but I need to get better quick (especially around the family), I put stuff on that is upbeat, filled with melody, and makes me want to sing a long. Note: don't put trite music on if you are in a mood, it'll make you want to strangle your speakers!

a year ago, I was the best on guitar I've probably ever been(especially since I've been a bassist more than guitarist). Was playing lead guitar and singing lead with two buddies, practiced 2-3 times a week at lunch in one of our training rooms. Then I quit, got a new job which required a home office (company is West coast based), so no chance to practice at lunch (the wife wouldn't appreciate that since she is watching the kids all day). So the only time I played was actually AT guitar night. Then we moved across the country to Virginia and now the only time I play is when I travel for work and it makes sense to bring a guitar...

You know, it's probably a good thing that when I asked about Hamer making shredders they said no. I would've gladly paid out for a Watson. By the time they had changed their mind I was married and dropping that kind of coin was strictly verboten Wait, no, it's not a good thing. I still wish I had a Watson!!

Yuengling's everywhere in VA. I have it every once in a while, but I've noticed that anywhere it's NOT available people really, really seem to want it! I noticed that on trips back East (and now that I live here). I can take it or leave it, when I first had it I thought "WTF is all the fuss about??". St Ambroise in Quebec is better (for my money).

The US is crazy about Microbreweries. Having spent 13 years in Colorado (where every city had at least 3-5 microbreweries), I thought it was nuts. Then I started going to Bend, OR for work. Might have the highest # of breweries per capita in the country (our holiday party was at the Deschutes Brewery). Now I live in Central Virginia, and we are surrounded by microbreweries AND micro-cideries (yeah, hard apple cider is a quickly growing segment here). My fave beers are hard to find. I love Crux's Saisson (little brewery in Bend). My wife can't stand beer so if I bring anything home to the house, it's cider.