Now, not only do I love listening to music, but I also love playing instruments as well. The drum kit is something I’m gaining more knowledge and experience with as time goes on, and I’m really REALLY interested in learning how to play piano. Yet, the one instrument that started it all was the guitar.
Way back in 3rd grade, my parents decided to give me for Christmas my very first electric guitar, which was made by Japanese company called Vantage. Since there are no pictures of the model I have floating around the internet, and my digital camera bit the dust, I can only describe how it’s a natural wood color, two humbuckers, and kinda has the look and feel of a decent Paul Reed Smith model. Since I was just a wee lad, I managed to create more noise than melody out of that thing, courtesy of a trusty Squier practice amp (with dual cascading gain, so it kicked ultra ass). My inexperience with how to handle the guitar and its controls ultimately led to its demise, with the input jack busting and the tone knobs becoming fully clockwise (which should NEVER happen). Nowadays, the Vantage (named “The Fonz,” don’t ask why) just stands in the corner, a nice reminder of the past.
After a period where I lost interest in playing guitar (hey, Nickelodeon was far more cooler to me back then), I managed to get sucked back in again in the 8th grade when my dad gave me his old-as-hell Jackson Fat Strat knockoff. It looked like something that fell off the Queensryche tour bus, with a SHARP ANGLED headstock, a whammy bar, and a neck that was thin enough for me to try my best Eddie Van Halen tapping impression. It even sounds like the image; this guitar (I named it “DeGarmo,” after the Queensryche guitarist) was meant to be played with distortion and other special effects, not as a clean guitar (unless there was a nice chorus or flange effect). It worked for my pseudo Cobain guitar skills, but I knew I needed something more.
This would begin my era of using Squier guitars, the affordable Fender brand from Asia. From 8th grade to 10th grade, I would acquire four guitars from the company: A 1997 Affinity Series Duo-Sonic in black, a 2002 Affinity Series Telecaster (pictured above), a red 2003 S-65 (an SG copy formerly made by Guild’s affordable DeArmond brand), and a 2003 Telecaster Custom. Now, there is an unfortunate stigma attached to the Squier name (especially in my high school years) which would have me automatically ejected from bands. But, affordability aside, they are genuinely good guitars for the player on a budget.
Now, the Squiers were pretty good to me. But, I needed to evolve in my arsenal. My dad would give me his cherished (and very heavy) 1977 Wine Red Gibson Les Paul Standard, equipped with strap locks, coil tap, and DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups. It’s probably one of the most RAWK guitars I have, but its age and wear keeps me restrained from totally going bonkers with it. So, as I was still on a budget (and still am, thank YOU college), I found comfort with Epiphone. They didn’t have the stigma Squier guitars had and their guitars sound remarkably on par with their more expensive Gibson brothers. Two guitars from them, a 2007 Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90 (pictured above), and an vintage white SG, would enter my collection.
I may not be tooooo nuts about entering the music industry as a musician, as the many pitfalls and risks honestly scare me straight. But, I enjoy the guitar as a wonderful hobby; it’s the best way (along with blog writing, duh) to release whatever is lurking inside my head.
Judas Priest – The Sentinel *just learned this the other day!!*
