[JoeT]

I have dabbled for years and joined TAC in Feb 2022, I have seem considerable progress but still struggle tremendously with changing chords up to tempo. What works for me, and again it has everything to do with where your going with your chord progression or coming from, but as an example on Friday’s challenge, I will fret the Em with ring and pinky, drop down to the Am dropping my middle finger to fret the first fret of the B string, that allows me to slide that exact finger shape up two frets to grab the bar for the Bm. Then after the Em using ring and pinky back to that same shape for the Bm and then just slide down to the Am releasing the bar then finish off on the Em. I find that cuts my speed in half. I do try it the convention way at times, maybe one day I’ll get it like the pro’s do lol

[JoeT]

I saw that a couple of months ago myself, impressive, however I own a D-28 myself. Not sure how it can sound any better and I could not justify the expense. Anyway Fred, I hope it brings you hours and hours of enjoyment, and look forward to a post of you and your new companion. Rock on.

[JoeT]

I do the same thing Jeff, I check all of mine as soon as I wake up in the morning and the minute I walk in the door when I return from work, sets my mind at ease.

[JoeT]

You should make a very small investment in a fret rocking tool, which is basically just a straight edge that covers three frets at a time to see if your frets are level. If your instrument has been subject to a dry environment then the fretboard has shrunk a little (and we’re only talking about a few thousandths) and what will happen is the fret wire will raise out of their groove, since they are only pressed in. As far as the “set-up” link, I would stay away from lemon oil to lubricate your fretboard, it contains acids. Check with your guitar manufacture to see what they recommend to clean and lubricate your fingerboard. The good news is, whatever the issue is, it can be repaired. Like others have said, find yourself a good luthier in your area and have he or she get to the bottom of it…..good luck!

[JoeT]

From the sounds of it sounds like fret buzz, What does the neck relief look like? do you have a fret rocking tool, it will tell you if those frets are higher than the rest, they may have raised off of the fingerboard due to humidity issues or lack of or too much fretboard conditioning.

[JoeT]

The term “setup” refers to adjusting the height of the strings off of the top of the frets and the amount of bow (straightness) of the neck. To increase or decrese the straightness of the neck you turn the truss rod, to lower or raise the strings you you would lower or raise the height of the saddle. There is no set height, straightness or dimension, it is player specific, meaning what is comfortable to you. If you use your search engine on the internet you will get a more detailed explanation and the do and don’ts on how to go about it, or have a qualified luthier do it for you. Hope this helps.

[JoeT]

Thanks Denise, I just spoke with Martin and they said it’s measured the same way.

[JoeT]

Interesting stuff Denise, thanks, I will definetly frequent that.

[JoeT]

Thanks Rando

[JoeT]

How much does a life membership cost?

[JoeT]

Sorry for the typo “hang” not hand my apologies.

[JoeT]

Good morning Randy, OMG I’m so sorry to hear that. I too have that nightmare being as though I work with my hands on a daily basis, with power tools etc. First and foremost I hope you recover well, Have you considered the option of trying to learn left handed, again speedy recovery and hand in there.

[JoeT]

Thanks guys, I will experiment both ways. I guessing if you’re going to sing at the same time one input would be for the guitar and one for the singing mic, and if it’s a non electric acoustic you’d need two mics one for the sound hole and one for singing. Double amplifying the guitar to me would not make for a “clean” sound, but I will try it eventually.

Thanks again.

[JoeT]

You’re welcome, rock on!

[JoeT]

I use a Mac, and it works for me. All I do is open up the challenge , and then click on the tab link underneath the video and after that click on the “pip” (picture in the picture) little icon which is within the video itself, bottom right. Done!