Thanks everyone for all the kind words!
The guitar is actually the same length as a Les Paul (24.75"). My idea when I specced it out was to have a Fenderized ES335, moreso than a Starcaster.
One cool thing, besides the great vibrato system, about Fender offset guitars is that the neck sticks out more so you have easier upper fret access, so that makes it look long.
On this guitar look how much room is behind the bridge before the end of the guitar, A telecaster is less than half that I think.
Also, this has a 23 fret neck, and I wear it high on a strap so that makes it look longer too.
I do love baritone guitar though maybe someday... I always play in drop D tuning, and on this blue guitar I have .014-.055 TI flatwounds, so I am a sucker for those low thick sounds.
As for the bass, I have always been a bit ambidextrous but I started left handed with guitar, and at one point I had some really bad right (fretting) elbow pain.
I had to lay off playing, but it was really grating to not be able to play so I picked up some bass, playing the other way so my elbow could rest (before I got into steel guitar).
Weird for a few days, but it stuck once my muscle memory started to catch up with my brain, and I got a really good deal on this green G&L fiver, a nice, solid American made instrument and that sealed the deal...
Tim Toberer wrote:That was gorgeous Joe! What no vibes??? I am disappointed.
Seriously though beautiful arrangement I look forward to seeing more! I am jealous of your crazy talents. 2 questions though, you play bass right handed and standard guitar left handed? Was that a baritone guitar ? Looked like a very long scale. Lovely voicings on that. I see you also have the Mel Bay Masters of the Plectrum guitar. All I have done with mine is try one arrangement, then cry.
I've actually been looking out for a set of vibes...
That Mel Bay book is such a great resource, I play out of it all the time.
I feel you, it is tough for sure, I played the first song in that book, Harry Volpe's "Midnight Clear" almost everyday for a few months before I could begin to play it smoothly and in rhythm.
There are a lot of cool pieces in there that not on youtube, or even seem to have ever been recorded, especially some of the duets in the back...
Anyway, I tried to transcribe the guitar intro from the beginning and the solo for you if you want to check out some of those voicings, some of the rhythms might be a bit wack but I think the notes should be right...
I'll try to write out the steel parts too when I get some time.
Thanks again,
Joe
