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Guitar - General/Questions Answered by Expert The Doctor
| Subject | Date Asked |
| large hands and fingers | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: I'm an adult fulfilling a long time dream to learn to play acoustic guitar. My large hands, and big ... A: You might consider learning on a nylon string guitar, then transitioning over to electric. The ... | |
| fender champ 12 | 4/28/2011 |
| Q: Hey Doc, have a late80's fender champ 12,and the gain channel is uncontrollable. Turn gain knob ... A: Make sure the gain is as low as possible, adjust the normal volume to accommodate for the low gain. ... | |
| Modal Interchange | 2/2/2011 |
| Q: my name is Sean, I'm 27 and an avid guitar player, and I have a question for you about "Modal ... A: Before I answer your questions I will respond to your first paragraph of comments. It seems that you ... | |
| 7 stringers | 9/15/2010 |
| Q: ok i've been playing the guitar for almost seven years. i play a lot of blues and even more metal. ... A: You will discover that the 7-string guitar is a great instrument. It takes a little getting used to, ... | |
| Vantage Accoustic | 8/31/2010 |
| Q: could you please tell me if you know anything about a Vantage VW250 Accoustic-steel string.Not sure ... A: I'm sorry, Michael, but I stated in my volunteer information that I do not answer questions of that ... | |
| speaker cabinet matching | 12/3/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought a Fender "The Twin" amp. I has 2 12's. The manual says that it has 2 8 ohm ... A: Short answer: match everything. You have power (watts) and impedance (ohms) at your disposal. If ... | |
| Scales and Theory | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: I have been playing guitar for almost 2 years and am trying to learn scales and haven't a clue what ... A: You have a lot of questions that would require a lot of time replying to. For a free volunteer ... | |
| Scales confusion and melody making | 4/3/2009 |
| Q: I am quite confused about a specific aspect of scales. I understand the importance of chords and ... A: Here is a direct response to the topics you discussed: You asked, "...how can I determine the scale ... | |
| Bass Buzzing | 8/9/2008 |
| Q: I have what seems to be a vintage (80's ish) Vantage bass. I know it's a company that seems to be ... A: If you know the buzzing is definitely coming from the bass, there are a couple basic options that ... | |
| difference between acoustic and studio guitars | 7/10/2008 |
| Q: are they the same ? A: Here's the short answer: There isn't a difference. Here's a more lengthy answer: Various models ... | |
| Restringing and tuning | 6/13/2008 |
| Q: I bought a used guitar recently and tried to teach myself to play. The guitar's sound was very good, ... A: It might help me in helping you if I have more information. Perhaps my questions, below, will help ... | |
| Regarding buzz on my bass guitar | 6/12/2008 |
| Q: I am having problems with one of my bass guitars. Its making this buzzing noise. It is not fret ... A: The infamous mysterious buzzing noise... it drives us all mad. Have you checked near the tuning ... | |
| Beginning guitar player... | 6/9/2008 |
| Q: I recently picked up one of my friend's guitars at his house, and just started plucking away, ... A: A solid beginner "package" for learning guitar could consist of: Guitar (acoustic or electric; if ... | |
| Applying theory | 5/15/2008 |
| Q: I took about a year of theory and learned about everything from the staff to analyzing compositions ... A: You are right, it certainly is scattered, though I will get right to the point, given what you have ... | |
| Music.. | 2/29/2008 |
| Q: I have a few questions related to music theory. Would I still remain in the key of C major, if I ... A: Let me answer all of your questions with one answer: Regardless of what key you are in, you can ... | |
| Theory questions, from a budding Rocker! | 2/21/2008 |
| Q: I've read your bio and am pretty damn blown away! Wow! Anyway, my name is Sean and I've been ... A: I'll provide a summarized glance at the subjects you mentioned in your questions. 1. How do these ... | |
| Mystery Guitar Chord | 11/6/2007 |
| Q: I was watching a musician play a normal chord progression in G (G, C, D, C) he then threw in a chord ... A: If the individual who told you the chord he played was both a "flat 7" chord *and* a chord ... | |
| upside down strat | 7/29/2007 |
| Q: hi ive been playing guitar for 3 years and im right handed and i was wondering if i bought a left ... A: Short answer: Yes. A little explanation to that: The key differences would be in the pickups. They ... | |
| chordal theory | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: whould i be correct in saying that Bb7(9) and Bb9 are the same chords? if so, why say Bb7(9) and not ... A: A Bb9 has the 7th, if you see it written as Bb7(9) then they likely mean that it is definitely a 7th ... | |
| Bass Guitar Strings | 7/2/2007 |
| Q: I have a question related to bass guitars, but it can also apply to other guitars as well. The ... A: The present day bass strings, in order from thickest to thinnest (strings 4 through 1), E, A, D, and ... | |
| Acoustic Amps | 5/12/2007 |
| Q: I'm needing to get an acoustic amp for gigging as i'm sick of having to rely on the sound board of ... A: That amp could work well for gigs, though you might consider getting something with about 200 or 250 ... | |
| Music question.. | 4/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a music theory question. If I play a couple chords in a row(that are out of key) and hold ... A: I found your question in AllExperts' "question pool" - apparently a previous volunteer had decided ... | |
| General Guitar Question | 8/8/2006 |
| Q: What does the term Dreadnought mean as it applies to the acoustic guitar? A: A good explanation is from themomi.org site: "The dreadnought guitar with its large body came into ... | |
| Practise | 4/11/2006 |
| Q: i am just wondering what advice you have for setting up a proper practice timetable, i am currently ... A: I'll just give you one possibility in how you can approach a practice routine. The possibilities are ... | |
| Electric Guitar Pickup | 3/25/2006 |
| Q: I was wondering if you have experience with electric guitar pickups? I like the sound of two ... A: From my experience with guitar pickups, in both standard and custom guitars (store purchased or ... | |
| Guitar strap | 3/4/2006 |
| Q: Ok.. My questions may sound like common sense to you, but i really am not that great with guitars ... A: You asked some excellent questions - I have yet to receive those in this volunteer service. Now, ... | |
| Different scales | 3/3/2006 |
| Q: Uh, I hope I can ask this the right way: There are different scales, Aeolian, Ionic, depending on ... A: The scales you mentioned are also known as modes. They serve the same purpose as any other scale, ... | |
| Hi I was wondering if you... | 2/12/2006 |
| Q: I was wondering if you ould give me info on books that i could use to deeper my understanding of ... A: First I'd like to let you know that I have been out of town and set my status on AllExperts to "on ... | |
| beginner questions... | 2/4/2006 |
| Q: I have been playing electric guitar for about a month and a half now, and i can already play some ... A: You asked some good questions on topics that many people don't consider while learning the ... | |
| Guitar tuning | 1/31/2006 |
| Q: Hey, Just a real quick question, what is the Hz level that a tuner should be set at for the ... A: Good Question. That's very odd that the tuner was set at 465. Yes, definitely tune to A = 440 Hz ... | |
| Bass Guitar | 11/19/2005 |
| Q: I have noticed that some bass guitar players either use their finders or use a guitar pick to play a ... A: It's mostly a matter of personal choice. There are obvious technical and sound differences, though ... | |
| guitar pick | 11/5/2005 |
| Q: I've been playing the guitar for four years and i don't use a pick. I can't figure out how to use ... A: There are various ways to hold a guitar pick and approaches towards how to use it. Some hold it ... | |
| Bass Guitar Beginner | 11/1/2005 |
| Q: i want to start bass but if i should try a different insturment that would help me learn music ... A: You are right, it is mostly up to the individual getting the instrument. However, some good options ... | |
| Bass Guitar Beginner | 10/30/2005 |
| Q: i want to start bass but if i should try a different insturment that would help me learn music ... A: Number one: take lessons. However, before you pick that up you can get a head start by getting a ... | |
| vintage guitar - change strings? | 10/5/2005 |
| Q: Hey there! Hope you're having a wonderful day! My name is Atman,,, I just got this late sixties ... A: Below each question is my response... "willl changing the strings improve the sound or are the ... | |
| What Bass to Buy | 10/3/2005 |
| Q: I own a Fender Precision Bass (the cheap $300 kind). It is my first bass and I need to upgrade. ... A: There are so many options for a great upgrade that it could make someones eyes pop out of their ... | |
| What kind of bass should a beginner learn with? | 9/22/2005 |
| Q: I also have a Degree in Music and recently decided I want to learn the bass guitar. Please advise ... A: Fender basses are great beginner (and advanced) instruments. You can always go with Ibanez or ... | |
| tuning problem - electric guitar | 9/17/2005 |
| Q: I'm a bassist really but just picked up a Danelectric 56 pro to play around with and I've noticed ... A: Strings and frets both effect the change in pitch when depressing a string on a fret. Having a ... | |
| Electrical problem? | 9/13/2005 |
| Q: Hey, You might remember me as the kid with the amp that got too hot. I now have a new amp: a 100 ... A: I almost responded with the auto-reply "cannot help" but figured I could at least give a little bit ... | |
| Guitar strings | 9/7/2005 |
| Q: (www.schecterguitars.com) The problem is I frequently break strings. Mainly the A and D string. ... A: You can consider various possibilities for the cause of the strings breaking. You've already taken ... | |
| guitar | 9/4/2005 |
| Q: i've been playing guitar for 5 years. In september of 2004 i got an electric guitar. Now i would ... A: Getting effects pedals is a common option for guitar effects. There are other options, such as rack ... | |
| Possible amp problem? | 8/30/2005 |
| Q: Hey, You seem to be an expert on guitars and I hope you can help me out with this problem. ... A: It sounds like there are potentially multiple factors to consider as causes for your amp not working ... | |
| instrument output/ amp wattage | 7/14/2005 |
| Q: I contacted Crate amps to ak them if their Powerblock head really worked for basses like I had read ... A: That is a good question few people consider asking. All amps have their own limitations based on ... | |
| bass amp | 6/29/2005 |
| Q: i am looking at buying a carvin r1000 bass amp head... is this a good choice... i want clarity and ... A: You could go with either the r600 or r1000 of the Carvin series. I do suggest going for Carvin over ... | |
| song | 5/17/2005 |
| Q: A compliment from you is definitely a step in the right direction for me. Anyway, I have a hard time ... A: Well, it sounds like you are already headed in the right direction. As for coming up with fills or ... | |
| song | 5/14/2005 |
| Q: I set up an email account with yahoo: ibastratepi@yahoo.com The password is: monster750 There's ... A: Hey Rob, Sounds good. Great job on the over all flow of it. There are changes throughout as it ... | |
| songwriting | 5/9/2005 |
| Q: All I can say is WOW! You ROCK man! Plus the cool thing is it really sounds like you're just havin a ... A: My apologies for the delay, my internet was disconnected and had to go through a whole ordeal ... | |
| modes | 5/7/2005 |
| Q: ------------------------- Hi Sean, What you wrote is amazing! You literally summed up pages and ... A: I'm glad to hear that what I provided was helpful. It was only a very brief summary that, with more ... | |
| modes | 5/4/2005 |
| Q: I'm a little bit confused about modes...If I want A Dorian then I move the A Major pattern down 2 ... A: Before I get specifically to your questions I'll describe the basics to modes and the pentatonic ... | |
| guitar stool | 4/9/2005 |
| Q: Fender makes a promotional swivel bar stool that comes in 30 inches and 24 inches in height. Which ... A: I wouldn't be too concerned over specific numbers, as it depends much on the height of the person, ... | |
| Motivation For The Beginner | 12/10/2004 |
| Q: My husband is a frustrated beginner student. He did very well for a while but when playing becomes ... A: Wow, motivation is a big issue for all musicians. Even as a professional I face the complications of ... | |
| Guitar multi-effects processor | 9/20/2004 |
| Q: S. Darby, I own a small home recording studio, and I want to buy a new guitar multi effects ... A: Dan, Thank you for writing. Good questions. Generally Boss and Roland provide great quality ... | |
Guitar - General
Answers by Expert:
The Doctor
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I answer a variety of guitar related questions. I have multiple music degrees and years of experience in the field.
When asking your question:
1. Please be clear in your message.
2. Provide actual question(s).
3. Please keep it short and concise.
4. Save my one-question-per-day for someone else if you can find the answer on your own.
Please, *no* questions regarding: serial numbers, appraisals, pricing, value, restorations, or when a particular instrument was made. I do *not* answer those questions. Thank you.
Experience
15 years professional experience.
Education/Credentials
BM, BME, MM, DMA.
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