Playing an instrument is good for the brain

[boingy]

My first attempts at playing guitar were back in schooldays, I was given a cheap acoustic guitar and it was difficult to play. I didn’t know anything about it back then but it had a very high action and a wide (classical) guitar neck. I learned a number of Shadows numbers and a couple of Elvis songs but didn’t stick with it. Years later my son wanted to learn and was recommended to start on an electric guitar with a narrow neck and low action (an Aria Stratocaster); I also learned to play ‘properly’ on that instrument. If only I had known back in those schooldays what I know now…….!

I really like guitars, not just as musical instruments but also as lovely looking objects! I find it difficult to resist buying more. The last one I bought was in an auction for £70, a Crafter Cruiser, and it is lovely to play and has a great tone. I recently saw an Aria Pro-II Fullerton in Stamford music shop, very nice, very tempted! What I really lust after at the moment, though, is a Fender Acoustasonic………!

Guitars are great. I had 14 up until 5 years ago? Down to 7 now but my wife won’t let me sell any more. I use maybe 4? In the studio. (I’ve also got a tenor Sax which will be sold when I get round to it)
Learning on an electric is a good idea for the reasons you said. I mainly write with my Faith jumbo acoustic, low action and a deep resinous tone. I have a hofner bass copy and the other two I use are a Gibson 330 semi acoustic, and a Crafter hybrid. All of them play great despite the value disparity.

[kettering_baggie]

Guitars are great. I had 14 up until 5 years ago? Down to 7 now but my wife won’t let me sell any more. I use maybe 4? In the studio. (I’ve also got a tenor Sax which will be sold when I get round to it)
Learning on an electric is a good idea for the reasons you said. I mainly write with my Faith jumbo acoustic, low action and a deep resinous tone. I have a hofner bass copy and the other two I use are a Gibson 330 semi acoustic, and a Crafter hybrid. All of them play great despite the value disparity.

Apart from the aforementioned Aria Strat and Crafter Cruiser, I have an Epiphone Les Paul, a Telecaster, a Mustang Bass, an unbranded 5 string bass, a Crafter electro acoustic and a Gretsch Parlour guitar. I also use a Tanglewood baritone ukulele, a Hawaiian ukulele (£30 at auction) and a ‘guitalele’ bought for £6.50 from a charity shop! That guitalele scrubbed up really well, the specialist strings cost £18! Buying from a shop is too easy, more satisfying looking at the auctions and charity shops. Not sure about the quality of my playing, though!!!