Awkward.

Oh yeah, I remember now; I play guitar. It's a bit of a shock to the system when all you do is play bass all the time. Feels a bit awkward especially in the solos. But it was hellish good fun.

Truth...

... is a telecaster through a valve amp

Mama'Stel

Unlike "Lightning Boy" Ralph Macchio in the film Crossroads I will not be utilising elements of classical music to beat the devils champion at playing the guitar. I will mostly be playing the blues. My new band Mama'Stel plays its first gig on Friday. It's been a long time since I played guitar in a band.

Part of the Process

Part of the Process by Morcheeba was playing on the radio as I got in at 1am.
I'd just returned home from a refreshingly different night playing my new cigar box guitar through my old pignose amp while drinking Old Jake alcoholic Ginger beer (nice). All I could hear surging round my head as I was playing was the rich and fat slide sound on the album Big Calm. That sound must be hard wired into me after listening to it over and over for years and now I have an instrument that makes that noise.
I'd messed around on it since Monday but wasn't really getting anywhere so I've no idea why I would take it to a jam but take it I did. Alongside the other instruments it rapidly found it's place in the mix. Sometimes right at the front, sometimes towards the back and sometimes totally out of it. It amazes me that I can't play slide guitar for shit but bolt a 3 string neck to a cigar box with a pickup on it and I get inspired to throw myself at it. The broken bottle slide was a freebie that made the purchase viable of course. Fair play to Chickenbone John for taking these lesser worthy items and transforming them into objects of fascination and value to the likes of me.
All my mates knew I'd buy one before I did. I'd even forgotten that they would be at the annual guitar show. I walked in with a stinking hangover having gone to an after-gig party with a madman. We played funk til late after a good, full-on rockin gig. I peeled myself away as he started telling me how much he loved me- however innocent it was I wasn't up for a bromance so I drank all his raki and split.
The moment I saw the cigar box guitars I knew I was off to find some scarce cash and make one mine. I left almost immediately afterwards and found myself walking home along the railway siding. I felt like a proper hobo having spent what little funds I have left on an oddball instrument. I had somehow managed to justify it to myself so I was pretty sure my girlfriend would see the sense in it. Not so... but she's coming round.

Harmony

1970s USA made Harmony classical parlour guitar. Solid top, solid back, solid sides; I've always wanted an all solid shitbox guitar and more recently have been drawn to the warmth of nylon strung and the sound of a smaller body. This one fit the bill in all but looks when I first saw it but since it landed from ebayland it's grown on me; much nicer than I expected to find. Very cute and lovely sounding.