• From: South Coast UK
  • Registered: 2014-12-03
  • Posts: 24

Topic: Hello from sunny England

...well sunny at the moment anyway...

I'm Susie. I'm a gigging guitarist (when not doing IT) and Joe fan. I've got tickets for Joe's Hammersmith Apollo gig on March 20th 2015 - can't wait! :-)

My favourite guitar is my 2013 cherry Gibson SG on which I've fitted a Bigsby, Tusq nut and roller bridge. It's a min-e-tune model which I get on OK with but I'm not so sure about its accuracy of tuning - it tends to tune sharp but I've set a custom tuning which seems to help. The Bigsby didn't adversely affect the tuning accuracy, but the roller bridge and Graphtech nut seems to have improved things. It's great for quick changes to open tunings and Eb though, although I don't tend to use those live.

The SG is slowly being displaced by my Hofner Verythin which I love- I have flatwound 10s on it for a more rockabilly vibe and am coming to really like the heavier strings - I have 9s on the SG. I'm now making an effort to play at least an hour a day and it's certainly helping my fingers survive the heavier strings.

I fell out of love with my Les Paul, which is a beautiful AAA flame maple trans amber, mostly because of the weight of it. I also suffered a bit with the fat frets and light strings causing tuning issues on open chords during frantic rhythm playing. I may put 10s on it and string it top wrap Joe-style to hopefully give a more slinky feel to the 10s, and hopefully the tuning will be better if I'm gripping a bit tight.

A final mention for my newly restored Watkins Westminster tremolo amp. It's lovely - a perfect complement for my Hofner Verythin. I'm doing a small country gig at the weekend (no jokes about 'which small country?' please), and I'll try the Watkins - hope the original 1960 speaker survives!

Susie G
http://youtu.be/c3Ujld18NFY
Gibson SG, Hofner Verythin, Gibson Les Paul Standard 2013, Brian May Red Special, Hofner Shorty, Fender Stratocaster, Yamaha SC800, Godin XTSA, Ovation Elite
Mesa Boogie Express+ 5:50, Watkins Westminster, Fender Champ XD
  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Hello from sunny England

Hi welcome to the group...enjoy the topics

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Central Illinois
  • Registered: 2014-04-24
  • Posts: 293

Re: Hello from sunny England

Welcome to the forum, Susie!!  I really enjoyed your first post, it sounds like you will have a lot to contribute to this forum!!!  Enjoy the topics and the great people here!!

  • From: South Coast UK
  • Registered: 2014-12-03
  • Posts: 24

Re: Hello from sunny England

Thanks xland and airportdon.

I forgot to mention I own a JB signature MXR fet driver too :-)

Susie G
http://youtu.be/c3Ujld18NFY
Gibson SG, Hofner Verythin, Gibson Les Paul Standard 2013, Brian May Red Special, Hofner Shorty, Fender Stratocaster, Yamaha SC800, Godin XTSA, Ovation Elite
Mesa Boogie Express+ 5:50, Watkins Westminster, Fender Champ XD
  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 1,308

Re: Hello from sunny England

Hi and welcome

  • From: Massachusetts, USA
  • Registered: 2014-04-12
  • Posts: 663

Re: Hello from sunny England

Welcome Susie, great first post! Enjoy the topics and great people here.

Play some cards & drink black coffee,
How I’d love to see you smile....
JBLP Std Goldtop
2015 R9 LP
  • From: St. Charles, IL
  • Registered: 2013-08-01
  • Posts: 636

Re: Hello from sunny England

Welcome Susie!!

  • From: Moved to Maryland
  • Registered: 2012-07-13
  • Posts: 1,961

Re: Hello from sunny England

Hi Susie, nice to have you here!

"To repeat a good thing is to sit still; to take a chance is to grow." - Joe Bonamassa
I need some Joe...NOW.
Joe = Joy
  • From: South Coast UK
  • Registered: 2014-12-03
  • Posts: 24

Re: Hello from sunny England

<Waves to sally12333, edragoo, Rusty, wvgirlinky>
Hi folks!

Susie G
http://youtu.be/c3Ujld18NFY
Gibson SG, Hofner Verythin, Gibson Les Paul Standard 2013, Brian May Red Special, Hofner Shorty, Fender Stratocaster, Yamaha SC800, Godin XTSA, Ovation Elite
Mesa Boogie Express+ 5:50, Watkins Westminster, Fender Champ XD
  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Hello from sunny England

Hiya Suzie. Looks like you fit right in. Welcome!
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • From: South Coast UK
  • Registered: 2014-12-03
  • Posts: 24

Re: Hello from sunny England

RickB wrote:

Hiya Suzie. Looks like you fit right in. Welcome!
Rick

thanks Rick. Love the avatar!

Susie G
http://youtu.be/c3Ujld18NFY
Gibson SG, Hofner Verythin, Gibson Les Paul Standard 2013, Brian May Red Special, Hofner Shorty, Fender Stratocaster, Yamaha SC800, Godin XTSA, Ovation Elite
Mesa Boogie Express+ 5:50, Watkins Westminster, Fender Champ XD

12 Reply by cindyron (edited by cindyron 2014-12-04 09:22:08)

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Hello from sunny England

Hi
Welcome to all things Joe
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Hello from sunny England

hi Suzie from another Brit. A lot duller and colder here though. Enjoy a great forum. big_smile

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • From: NB, Canada
  • Registered: 2014-04-04
  • Posts: 373

Re: Hello from sunny England

Hiya Suzie!

Welcome to the forum!  smile

Ur gonna fit right in here .. enjoy the topics

Cheers!  cool

The BonaMaritimer .. All Dials To The Right!
  • From: South Coast UK
  • Registered: 2014-12-03
  • Posts: 24

Re: Hello from sunny England

Another thanks to the welcoming posts.

I mentioned a gig I was doing at the weekend. I didn't get to use the Watkins Westminster and we couldn't fit 2 amps in the car - my other half is the boss of the outfit and insisted I use the reliable Fender Champ - shame as it sounds flat compared to the Watkins. (The Mesa is too big for the car with all the other gear and would have been overkill for the small room).

The gig was a 60th wedding anniversary with loads of family - really packed into the day room of a care home. This is real world gigging! They were a scream - really lively, dancing away, and lapping it up - we pitched the song selections just right. They loved us.

I seem to have a knack of dropping bum notes into my solos - I guess that's the problem with playing standards - not so much room for improv. I hope no one noticed, but I did a howler in the opening number. I can usually claim to have played a blue note, but that was a completey different shade of blue :-)

Another gig this Saturday - 80 miles away, so sharing cars again, and limited on amount of gear :-/

Susie G
http://youtu.be/c3Ujld18NFY
Gibson SG, Hofner Verythin, Gibson Les Paul Standard 2013, Brian May Red Special, Hofner Shorty, Fender Stratocaster, Yamaha SC800, Godin XTSA, Ovation Elite
Mesa Boogie Express+ 5:50, Watkins Westminster, Fender Champ XD
  • From: Massachusetts, USA
  • Registered: 2014-04-12
  • Posts: 663

Re: Hello from sunny England

susie_g wrote:

Another thanks to the welcoming posts.

I mentioned a gig I was doing at the weekend. I didn't get to use the Watkins Westminster and we couldn't fit 2 amps in the car - my other half is the boss of the outfit and insisted I use the reliable Fender Champ - shame as it sounds flat compared to the Watkins. (The Mesa is too big for the car with all the other gear and would have been overkill for the small room).

The gig was a 60th wedding anniversary with loads of family - really packed into the day room of a care home. This is real world gigging! They were a scream - really lively, dancing away, and lapping it up - we pitched the song selections just right. They loved us.

I seem to have a knack of dropping bum notes into my solos - I guess that's the problem with playing standards - not so much room for improv. I hope no one noticed, but I did a howler in the opening number. I can usually claim to have played a blue note, but that was a completey different shade of blue :-)

Another gig this Saturday - 80 miles away, so sharing cars again, and limited on amount of gear :-/

Hey Susie, it sounds like you keep busy! As for "hitting bum notes" we all do it, Even Joe once in a while. On one of Joes youtube videos he hits a wrong note, turns to the camera and says, "mistakes are free of charge"

Play some cards & drink black coffee,
How I’d love to see you smile....
JBLP Std Goldtop
2015 R9 LP
  • From: South Coast UK
  • Registered: 2014-12-03
  • Posts: 24

Re: Hello from sunny England

Rusty wrote:

Hey Susie, it sounds like you keep busy! As for "hitting bum notes" we all do it, Even Joe once in a while. On one of Joes youtube videos he hits a wrong note, turns to the camera and says, "mistakes are free of charge"

I've seen that video! When Joe plays a bum note though it sounds great :-)

Susie G
http://youtu.be/c3Ujld18NFY
Gibson SG, Hofner Verythin, Gibson Les Paul Standard 2013, Brian May Red Special, Hofner Shorty, Fender Stratocaster, Yamaha SC800, Godin XTSA, Ovation Elite
Mesa Boogie Express+ 5:50, Watkins Westminster, Fender Champ XD
  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Hello from sunny England

Welcome Susie!

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"