STUDENT NEWSLETTER 14 February 2008 
Hi Everybody!
Guitars are magical. Time machines. Therapy. Exercise for the brain and heart. Learning and playing guitar builds self esteem and confidence. The feeling of self accomplishment of doing something so very worthwhile is very lifting for the spirit. The guitar not only makes the player a happier person; it will make the people around the guitar player happier at the same time. Not to mention the guitar's ability to get chicks! I fell in love with the guitar the first time I saw my uncle play one in 1958. All the benefits were very pleasant surprises. For me it has been almost 50 years of fun with no downside.
One of the best things about passing on the information that has served me so well as a guitarman is how many cool folks I get to meet. Each student has a great story. You all know how cool guitar players are.
Last week a new student came to me that is a good example of the cool people I get to meet that if not for the guitar would have not likely happened.
James V. Lee is my new oldest student so far. James is a very young 81. He is already a great singer and former member of the Dallas Rotary Chorus. He has played guitar for a while and can accompany himself very well. James can sing and play many songs. He just wants to bump up his ability. James has been a published author for the past ten years. Check out his books at his website Salado Press .com . I asked for his permission to mention his age. I said I could say he is just 79 if he wanted. I told him that he has potential! So for all you youngsters in your 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s James is proof that you are as young as you feel that you can get away with. Living life to the fullest is the only way to go. James is very inspiring. No wonder he is in demand for book signings all over the U.S.
All of my students are very interesting. Currently I have a V.P. at Lehman Bros. learning country guitar. He just bought a high end Telecaster. Also a recording studio engineer that just bought a vintage Les Paul, several computer guys, a couple of business owners, and several lawyers. Young folks too take guitar lessons. Currently I have a very serious 10 year old lefty that is doing very well. What a future ahead for this kid. Several teenagers are here now that all enjoy classic rock and are growing fond of country.
I am very proud to be a part of the student's guitar development. I have dedicated my life to it. It is a big honor for me to meet you all. Anyone that shares my love for the guitar is ok in my book.
With the cold weather we must remember the 'Four Ps'. Pets, plants, pipes, and guitars. The furnace runs around the clock drying out the air to almost zero humidity. Guitars like 50% humidity. Otherwise the wood dries out, cracks can develop in the wood, and the neck can warp. The acoustic guitars are especially susceptible to this humidity issue. Of course they have a gadget to help. It is not very expensive and worth the effort.
HEY! ANOTHER Ebay CROOK is trying to sell one of my bass guitars that I STILL own!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320213215955&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011
Ebay won't do anything about it because they would loose the listing commission. BUYERS BEWARE!! If you remember this same thing happened to me two months ago.
UPDATE: The bass sold for $8,655. That is $3,660 more than I am asking for it. Smells fishy to me.
The most common guitar catastrophe is the broken headstock. There is about 200 pounds of pressure focused at the nut. The pressure on the nut acts like a wedge. Thinnest part of the neck. The wood on the guitar is very dry. Especially on an older guitar. Even in the case the guitar neck can break with a strong enough jolt. It is one of the factors that makes vintage guitars appreciate in value. Every year there are less unbroken guitars. You would not believe all the "broken guitar nightmare stories from my students in the past six months". All sensible people. The guitar strap has only got to come loose from one strap button for the guitar to fall.
Wood can be glued but it is NEVER the same. It cuts the value of the guitar by 70%. I pass on the repaired headstock guitars. No matter how good the job is. I just saw this guitar on Ebay that had one of the worst headstock repairs ever.
Wood screws, nut, washer, and bolt to hold the guitar back together. Talk about an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Very sad. That ain't original.
Before 1970 Gibson had a "no volute" neck like this.
It was very prone to break. Unbroken examples are VERY rare.
Then in 1970 they added the volute at the base of the headstock in an attempt to beef up the weak spot behind the nut. Here is an example of the early smaller volute.
Click pic for close up.
In 1971 Gibson went to the large volute still used today.
There is a lot to consider when buying vintage guitars. There are so many guitars out there for sale that I see no need to buy one that has been broken, refinished, repaired in any way, had any modifications, swapped tuners, and I am not crazy about celebrity signatures on my guitars. It is hard to improve on perfection. Take care of your guitars.
The search for the perfect tone never ends. But after years of consideration, trial and error this is my rig more or less. It is not easy to find the original vintage stuff anymore, so this is the new equivalent.
Every bit of my new gear comes from MusiciansFriend.com or Guitar Center for the past eight years. Best prices, selection, and return policy there is. AND they bring it to your door! If you click thru to MUSICIANS FRIEND .com or Guitar Center.com from this web site to buy something, I get an advertising credit and it does not cost you a penny extra! Musicians Friend and Guitar Center is where I get all my new gear. Click on the link below to go there. If the link does not appear on your browser go here and click on the MusiciansFriend or Guitar Center link at bottom of that page.
New feature on this web site:
Always Stay Tuned. A lot is going on around here!
Rock On,
Joe "TheGuitarman" Pacciano, C.G.P.
86 43