Burlap and Blues, The Blues Blog

Single Coils (from where) Manifesto has graced the internet for quite some time. I have taken time to translate the best into words that most people can understand.

Collecting guitars is fun. But actually keeping more than five guitars properly set up, in fresh strings, and in tune is a pain. More than five is for collectors, not players. That's just the way it is.

Yes, it is a pain, maybe when you get 12 you should plan on having a guitar tech. I have more than 5 but rarely bring more than 3 to a gig. I have several styles of gigs I do, so each of my guitars gets pretty regular use.

The guitar and amp markets are dominated by lower end gear. The high end gear is the most fun to discuss. But most players are shemps who play in their bedroom on low priced equipment. That's just the way it is.

I agree and I will trade you my Marc Sean Price for your entire collection.

The $800 rule. On solid body guitars you get what you pay for (at regular street prices) up to about $800. After that, quality continues to increase with price, but with diminishing returns. Another way of saying this is that you pay most dearly for that last 10% or so of quality. That's just the way it is.

I still am amazed at the number of people who are trying to gig playing guitars that are not matched to their playing ability or amplifiers. This year I watched a young man play a starter $99 bass guitar into a $750 bass amp. Great amp, crappy tone from a crappy guitar.

Follow up:

Fender and Gibson will continue to dominate the market, give or take about 10% from time to time. Guitar players are inherently conservative about equipment. That's just the way it is.

This may not be a perennial fact if Gibson keeps lowering their QA standards and Fender keeps raising their prices.

Heavier gauge strings sound bigger and fuller. That's just the way it is.

I agree, but don't put 15 flatwounds on your tele.

Most jazz guitarists and the better country guitarists can smoke most rock guitarists. Playing through the chord changes is a good thing. That's just the way it is.

. . . and most rock guitarists think that Jazz and Country players need lessons on how to shred. May I refer you to Mr. L5..

Tube amps will always be around. Vintage gear will continue to increase in value. Guitar players are inherently conservative about equipment. That's just the way it is.

I need more tube amps. So do you.

Digital modeling is not just a fad. Transistors will continue to sound more like tubes. They will continue to gain more market share. That's just the way it is.

But don't put your digital modeling thingy into my tube amp, because it will sound like crap, that's just the way it is.

When used with a decent power amp, a good solid state preamp or high quality solid state stompbox can sound as organic as good tube preamp distortion. That's just the way it is.

Or you can just put it through a tube amp like you should have in the first place.