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Post by Die Bullen on Mar 10, 2021 12:15:54 GMT
Ha....wimps! At least you didn’t impale your hand on a whammy bar like Pete Townsend did!! My strumming hand is pretty calm. I don’t attack the guitar like Bruce Spingsteen or others do. I’m more of a “wristy” player. I used to rest my hand on the ashtray of my old Telecaster and once I started palm muting, I would rest it around the bridge or hover over it to strum. Back in 2017, we played a festival in a place called Brentwood, which is in Essex, England.
Whilst trying to get something out of a flight case the lid banged down heavily on my left thumb. I lifted the lid back up, went dizzy falling back onto the door entrance. When my eyes opened, I fully expected to see half of my thumb missing, but luckily it was still there, just covered in blood.
Couple of the others walked me into see our own Doc, Bob Teague who played Keys, who cleaned it up and diagnosed no bones broken. He put a cold compress on it and also gave me some pain killers.
I was still feeling quite faint so one of the stage crew insisted on taking me to the site medics, who confirmed what Bob had diagnosed and sprayed something on to dull the pain as well as plastering the main cut.
Luckily all this had happened late morning and we weren't on stage until 6 pm. Initially I couldn't move the thumb but after an hour or so the pain subsided and I managed to get some movement back.
By the time we went on, the pain wasn't too bad. The main issue I had was the thumb wasn't as flexible as normal, especially with a plaster and electrician tape wrapped around it. I managed to play most of my solos without a problem, expect one when the plaster got caught in a string. By the time it freed, I lost where I was or supposed to be, which then caused 'interesting' challenges for the others. Suffice to say, it was jazz for a minute or so.
Driving home, the pain picked up again. I should have really stopped and taken something, but didn't. The next day it wasn't too bad, the thumb was just a bit stiff, but not really that painful. It's taught me to be extremely careful with flight cases. If it had happened a lot nearer our set time, I couldn't have played.
I think I should have had stitches as I still have a white scar of about half an inch that's quite ridged.
Oh man that is awful- you are lucky that the adrenaline (and painkillers) got you through that set... |
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Post by johnreardon on Mar 11, 2021 8:23:24 GMT
Back in 2017, we played a festival in a place called Brentwood, which is in Essex, England.
Whilst trying to get something out of a flight case the lid banged down heavily on my left thumb. I lifted the lid back up, went dizzy falling back onto the door entrance. When my eyes opened, I fully expected to see half of my thumb missing, but luckily it was still there, just covered in blood.
Couple of the others walked me into see our own Doc, Bob Teague who played Keys, who cleaned it up and diagnosed no bones broken. He put a cold compress on it and also gave me some pain killers.
I was still feeling quite faint so one of the stage crew insisted on taking me to the site medics, who confirmed what Bob had diagnosed and sprayed something on to dull the pain as well as plastering the main cut.
Luckily all this had happened late morning and we weren't on stage until 6 pm. Initially I couldn't move the thumb but after an hour or so the pain subsided and I managed to get some movement back.
By the time we went on, the pain wasn't too bad. The main issue I had was the thumb wasn't as flexible as normal, especially with a plaster and electrician tape wrapped around it. I managed to play most of my solos without a problem, expect one when the plaster got caught in a string. By the time it freed, I lost where I was or supposed to be, which then caused 'interesting' challenges for the others. Suffice to say, it was jazz for a minute or so.
Driving home, the pain picked up again. I should have really stopped and taken something, but didn't. The next day it wasn't too bad, the thumb was just a bit stiff, but not really that painful. It's taught me to be extremely careful with flight cases. If it had happened a lot nearer our set time, I couldn't have played.
I think I should have had stitches as I still have a white scar of about half an inch that's quite ridged.
Oh man that is awful- you are lucky that the adrenaline (and painkillers) got you through that set... Yes if it had happened a bit nearer the start time, I couldn't have done it. |
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Post by zontar on Mar 12, 2021 4:45:17 GMT
Now imagine it was a guitar with the thumb pokers/them slashers/ or any of the other names for those pointy things on the controls of some Gibsons and similar guitars.
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Post by johnreardon on Mar 12, 2021 8:51:47 GMT
Now imagine it was a guitar with the thumb pokers/them slashers/ or any of the other names for those pointy things on the controls of some Gibsons and similar guitars. I have them on all my current lot except for the LP Standard. Never caught my strumming hand on them though. Lucky I suppose Attachments:
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Post by zontar on Mar 12, 2021 18:58:05 GMT
Now imagine it was a guitar with the thumb pokers/them slashers/ or any of the other names for those pointy things on the controls of some Gibsons and similar guitars. I have them on all my current lot except for the LP Standard. Never caught my strumming hand on them though. Lucky I suppose I took them off my EB3 copy (bass) after gouging my thumb on one Normally I use my fingers I tried my thumb for one song and it wasn’t pretty |
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Post by zontar on Mar 13, 2021 21:09:35 GMT
Start with Strats, then talk about Gibsons...
I suppose a good thing about Strats is they don't have thumb stabbers.
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Post by zontar on Apr 25, 2021 0:11:29 GMT
And a video on 5 things someone hates about Strats.
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Post by infant on Apr 25, 2021 0:48:51 GMT
I’ve mentioned the volume knob being my nemesis. I never had a problem with the bridge or middle pickups as I usually only used the neck pickup for the woman tone or position 2 and 4. I’ve never bumped the selector switch as I’m a wristy strummer, staying right over the strings. Wiring-wise, I would go with one volume and one tone control and move the volume knob down to where the first tone pot resides....just get it out of my way. This one change would make the Strat near perfect for me.
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Post by zontar on Apr 25, 2021 1:01:27 GMT
I’ve mentioned the volume knob being my nemesis. I never had a problem with the bridge or middle pickups as I usually only used the neck pickup for the woman tone or position 2 and 4. I’ve never bumped the selector switch as I’m a wristy strummer, staying right over the strings. Wiring-wise, I would go with one volume and one tone control and move the volume knob down to where the first tone pot resides....just get it out of my way. This one change would make the Strat near perfect for me. I'm okay with one volume for all pickups on a Strat--although on some guitars separate volumes would work better for me-and would be my preference. But if it was master tone & 1 volume per pickup or master volume & one tome fear pickup (Or something along this lines for a three pickup guitar)--I'd go withs prate tones. I have seen people who have moved the controls like you mention. |
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Post by allthumbs56 on Jul 7, 2021 20:10:26 GMT
I love my Strat. It's my desert island guitar - the last one to be fighting zombies off with (Probably would only need my Tele for that anyway). Before her I had owned several Strats and was pretty indifferent. Until this one (see avatar). And I don't even know why. What don't I like? Breaking a string in a dark bar and trying to get the ball end out of the bridge - I hate that!
That's all.
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Post by highdeaf on Jul 9, 2021 15:43:24 GMT
Five things?
1) It doesn't sound like a Les Paul (or 335) even if you stuff if full of humbuckers. I've tried.
2) Doesn't sound like a Gretsch, even if you stuff it with Filtertrons. Haven't tried - and no interest in trying this. Tele's don't even do that, and they are readily available.
3) Doesn't sound like a Tele in the bridge position, even if you stuff a tele-sorta pickup in the bridge position. I've tried - with an SD Twang Banger. Close but no cigar.
4) Too popular. Some jams I go to (went to?), I'd see 5 guys all with Strats. A Lester or Tele was unique and intriguing to some people. Let alone a Gretsch 6120. LOL
5) Control placement is hard to adapt to. I know, like I know a few other inalienable truths, I would never be able to do with a Strat and it's volume knob and vibrato arm, what Jeff Beck does with his. Not in a million years. Never, ever. More than humbling, that's just devastating. He's Merlin the way he plays a Strat. Amazing!
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Post by Bill h on Jul 13, 2021 20:58:41 GMT
Five things? 1) It doesn't sound like a Les Paul (or 335) even if you stuff if full of humbuckers. I've tried. 2) Doesn't sound like a Gretsch, even if you stuff it with Filtertrons. Haven't tried - and no interest in trying this. Tele's don't even do that, and they are readily available. 3) Doesn't sound like a Tele in the bridge position, even if you stuff a tele-sorta pickup in the bridge position. I've tried - with an SD Twang Banger. Close but no cigar. 4) Too popular. Some jams I go to (went to?), I'd see 5 guys all with Strats. A Lester or Tele was unique and intriguing to some people. Let alone a Gretsch 6120. LOL 5) Control placement is hard to adapt to. I know, like I know a few other inalienable truths, I would never be able to do with a Strat and it's volume knob and vibrato arm, what Jeff Beck does with his. Not in a million years. Never, ever. More than humbling, that's just devastating. He's Merlin the way he plays a Strat. Amazing! This applies to number 1, my 2000 usa strat, Still sounds like a strat mostly but sounds great. Attachments:
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Post by laristotle on Jul 13, 2021 21:57:36 GMT
The middle pup's in the way.
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Post by highdeaf on Jul 16, 2021 15:57:09 GMT
The middle pup's in the way.
My first electric was a Unicord Strat copy with 3 humbuckers. I haven't had a problem with 'pups in the way' since I got used to that bad boy.
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Post by Bill h on Jul 16, 2021 23:42:37 GMT
The middle pup's in the way.
My first electric was a Unicord Strat copy with 3 humbuckers. I haven't had a problem with 'pups in the way' since I got used to that bad boy.
My strat is also my main player, I’ve gotten used to the three humbuckers over the years, I had them installed at a shop in atlanta in 2000, the shop catered to fender guitars. No way it will ever sound anything like an lp but I can get some pretty fat non-fender tones out of it. I was looking for versatility as I was transitioning from playing in metal bands for years to playing in rock/blues cover bands. During those years I was using a Gibson explorer. Right off the bat I thought the guitar sounded thin but I thought I could manage it, nope. I dropped in the 3 buckers and haven’t had a complaint since, it’s an awesome guitar. I think the thinness had a lot to do with the hard ash wood just as much as the pu’s. At the same time I had locking headstock tuners put on and they still work well to this day. |
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Post by zontar on Jul 17, 2021 22:12:59 GMT
three single coils I wouldn't find an issue with he middle pickup--a Les Paul or SG?
Maybe--they're closer together with the humbuckers...
But single could on a Strat--I can find space where it's not int he way.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jul 18, 2021 0:23:47 GMT
Personally I never really find the 2nd pickup getting in my way, but I hit the pickup selector switch all the time by accident
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Post by Bill h on Jul 21, 2021 1:16:43 GMT
Personally I never really find the 2nd pickup getting in my way, but I hit the pickup selector switch all the time by accident I do the same thing. |
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Post by markr on Aug 5, 2021 11:32:33 GMT
I am a full on strat guy, I have owned LP's and try to change , I can't . I do not have a pure strat with single coils in all positions, all have a humbucker of some variety . I would like to build one with Vineham Black Strat pickups. I am contemplating getting a Tele as I have never owned one and hardly played them. The Blackie project may have to wait.
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Post by zontar on Aug 7, 2021 2:08:38 GMT
I am a full on strat guy, I have owned LP's and try to change , I can't . I do not have a pure strat with single coils in all positions, all have a humbucker of some variety . I would like to build one with Vineham Black Strat pickups. I am contemplating getting a Tele as I have never owned one and hardly played them. The Blackie project may have to wait. Hey, I like both--but more a Les Paul guy... Still cool to have some variety. |
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Post by highdeaf on Aug 9, 2021 15:58:48 GMT
Personally I never really find the 2nd pickup getting in my way, but I hit the pickup selector switch all the time by accident
Yep, I do that too.
Alternatively, I can hardly find the switch on my Tele when I'm in the heat of battle. I even put a Rock Rabbit angled control plate on one of mine and it helps a bit.
Still a little close to the volume knob but I make do. Hey, as brilliant as Leo was, there were a few issues with the early designs. His biggest faux pas was screwing up the definitions of vibrato and tremolo for countless players for decades to come. Still brilliant, even with that.
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Post by zontar on Dec 19, 2021 1:47:31 GMT
And more thoughts on Strats--from a guy who loves them...
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