[The year ends....]

Mark, it is great when the chemistry of the band comes together and it looks like you are finally there!  I love all my guitars and currently don't have any PRS guitars. But I can tell you that from my experience PRS guitars are the most versatile guitars out there.  Get a PRS with a Trem and they can sound close to a LP & SG, and the coil tapping is surprisingly good for Strat & Tele tones.  If I could only have one guitar for a gig, a Trem equipped PRS with coil tapping would be the one.  I will eventually get another PRS DGT,  but I have two kids with college expenses right around the corner.

And don't let anyone tell you that Guitar -->input cord ---> amp is the only way to play.  NO professional plays this way.  Clubs don't allow you to play loud enough anymore for amp only distortion. Even Robben Ford uses a zen drive to goose his $50K Dumble.  You aren't less of a guitarist if you use pedals.  Your tone doesn't suck if you use pedals.  Hello, David Gilmore forever has used a clean amp and pedals for his OD/Dist and no complains of his tone.  EVERYONE use pedals.

One question; How long are you banned from driving? That really stinks.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

 

 

[there comes a point of no return....]

That's a shame Mark, but you showed a lot of patience. Time to move ahead with a new guitarist. Life is too short not to enjoy yourself playing out at gigs!

[Well, would you believe it!]

Mark, it is always good to feel vindicated. And why is it that the truth always comes around after the fact?

 

I am glad the band is still together and hope your drummer is up and running (or at least up and walking) soon!

 

Yea, turning on the footswitch for the lights helps. Lately, I learned that plugging the input cord from my pedal board to my amp helps make my guitar sound louder!!!! Ha, ha

[Moving forward]

Mark, I am really glad you were able to solve this issue in a civilized manor. I know many here on the HOC were advising you to fire him, but maybe now the message came through loud in clear. It's my experience that she will go through cycles of good & bad behavior, so I would be prepared that the "bad" wife may come back. Hopefully, another quick talk to the husband will get her back on track if needed. Bottom line, it's like rebooting your iPad or computer....you don't have to reboot that often but it fixes the problem quickly until the next glitch & reboot.

 

Again, I commend you on your patience and civil behavior especially when you did nothing wrong.

[Band politics and other nonsense]

Yes, your patience is something I envy. I probably would have been more direct and made the situation worse. But the "playing" members of the band should all have an equal vote on band matters (not wives or girlfriends). It is really petty and selfish of the band member (with the wife) to back out of a gig when he agreed to do it. If the band says "yes" that should be the end of it.

I can also speak from experience, that there are no amiable separations from a band. Leaving members will hold a grudge and say, "Let's keep in touch" but like when your girlfriend breaks up with you and says, "Let's still be friends" both parties know you will never speak again.

I guess the moral of the story is; at all costs try to work it out before leaving because it will be hard (if not impossible) to restore what you once had.

 

FWIW, I LOVE my Gretsch Penguin. I had a couple hollowbody Gretsch guitars, but the feedback was a real problem with stage volume so I sold/traded them. I would go with a solidbody or semi-hollow for more flexibility and an actual usable guitar on stage. That Duesenberg is HOT!!!

[It's not always fun]

Mark,

 

I feel your pain. I basically quit a some would call successful acoustic duet because it seemed I was the only one trying to find new gigs and figuring out new cover songs. My buddy had plenty of "free exposure" gigs he found and discount gigs for friends (free food & drinks), but the kids were getting older and I needed at least something in my pocket to justify being away from the family. Then when due to a medical illness I was forced to quit drinking, I didn't mind that my buddy would drink, but he started to get hammered past the point of where he could perform. The first 12 years of the acoustic duet band was great, but I would rather play at Church every Sunday then go back to gigging every weekend and do all the work for practically no money.

 

As far as flubbing a solo, we have all done it (myself numerous times). But it is my experience most people listen more to the chords, melody & lyrics then the solo. Honestly, I doubt most people noticed.

 

Keep on playing because, trust me, you will miss gigging in front of an audience..... I know I did.

 

Best,

John

[Sometimes it's hard work.]

Sounds like some real good progress with the band, Mark. Congrats!!! I am playing and singing (praise leader) tomorrow. Our praise band is having a few issues with dedication and direction. I am going to offer my services for another church that is starting a contemporary worship band. My hope is to stay in both for now.

 

Keep plugging away and get that amp checked out. It is always easier to play when you aren't thinking about your tone when you play!!

 

Best,

 

John

[The first gig]

It is ALWAYS harder to concentrate on playing well when you have tone/mix/monitor issues. But I am glad to hear you trudged through it and know what to concentrate on moving forward. Good luck and keep on striving for better tone and a better dynamic mix!!!