Dude,
I got Marty to sign Risk… the last album before he left, and a commercial failure. That’s like rubbing salt in to wound.
Scenes is a great album. Had a few downloaded tracks but it wasn’t until one of the trip to Singapore
Those were good days and I am sure there are many more to come.
Back to history class now……
Somewhere in 2006, I thought I was ready to invest in another guitar. There were no references and no plan on what the next purchase is going to be. At that time, the BIG shop only accepts flexi payment from one particular bank – and I happened to have the credit card.
I have previously mentioned about the Tele inspired by Gone Wrong and a Larry Carlton’s concert. Larry was playing this achingly beautiful ballad with a 24-fret Charvel Tele. I believe I gave you the concert in mpeg format.
As such, the aim was narrowed to a Tele shaped, or at least, a Tele sounding guitar. It’s interesting to note that this is also the time I started on Brad Paisley and found new joy in country music.
Wait a minute, I think I was also looking for a beat around axe…that’s right. So, price is another determining factor.
We took a weekend visit to the BIG shop downtown and my memory is quite vague how I ended with the California Series Squier Tele. I remember getting a yellow one out of the box – upon confirmation to purchase – only to find a crack at the body-neck joint area. So my latest guitar was still, off the shelf. With a nice grey Ritter bag, I brought it home.
Now, this Tele is no country gentleman. This guitar was RUDE!!! The scariest part is that, this is the best sounding Strat I ever have. That’s right, the best Strat. The neck position is more Strat sounding than any Strats I have come across (at that time at least, cos’ now the EJ Signature can easily smoke any single coil configuration out there).
I am not sure if this identity crisis was an accident, but I am rather glad with it. The guitar was comfortable and at USD157.90, I have no complains (except for the weight).
Since then, the guitar has been in 4 live performances – 3 weddings, 1 gig – and my favourite would be at your brother’s wedding. The combination with TS7 and Marshall was sweet for the intimate setting yet losing none of the “ball-siness” and rock edge.
What was planned to be a beat around became a reliable and live performance companion (and I know it was build for more – your shredding was well recorded as a testimony of the guitar’s versatility and potential).
I’ll keep this short and sweet. The Tele is gonna be around for a long time.
Dude,
ReplyDeleteThe tele you have now is a legend. It's very comfortable to play and after your set-up, it sounds very good too. Highly responsive guitar. I know your love affair with "Squirrel" guitars, and think that it's great. It's a nice guitar, with excellent tone, and anyone who "laughs" at that, don't know better. Because it's more expensive, does not make it better! People who play guitar will understand that, and it's bullshit if they think otherwise. I had to put up with laughs from the Guitar Store people thinking I am a beginner because I bought a AXL, and one of them told me "when you become more experienced, maybe you can use a Cort or Godin". At that point in time, I already owned a US Strat - so can you imagine?
Anyway, to reiterate, the Tele is a legend,and it sounds good live! That's what is more important!
The strat I had was really rubbish la....nonsense, and I am glad I got rid of it. I traded it for a chorus pedal and RM290....I don't think that's a bad deal, but it helped me purchase some other guitars after that.
Dear Squier, please provide Kek with an endorsement as he has been going everywhere advocating your guitars!!!! He will sell more than Sham Kamikaze....