And here he is, ladies and gentlemen, the fashionably late Blueman...
Diego baby, I think you're a cool guy and you have some good posts. Okay, since you've been up nights pondering this:
- I've seen many local blues and rock bands at lounges and festivals, and the majority of guitarists have Fenders, sometimes all of them. Now, I was raised to be a non-conformist (both parents are strict non-conformists), and I just hate to go along with the crowd on things, unless I'm really sold on what they're doing. I get much more satisfaction showing up on stage with a 335, and having them look at me like I came from another planet. I love the puzzled looks ("What the hell does he think he's doing?"). Then I plug in and cut loose.
- I always get compliments on my tones, which are warm and rich, with some nice crunch and bite. People like the sound, and they like my British style. Muscular and aggressive. I don't know, maybe they just appreciate an occasional break from all the SRV/Allman Brothers sound-a-likes.
- A lot of my heroes play(ed) Strats, but I don't feel the need to personally use the same tools as them. You know, if 3/4's of the local boys didn't have Strats, I might be tempted to get a few (I did have one when I was in college). It comes down to this, a numbers thing: most local blues players here are mediocre and most have Strats. I just want to disassociate myself from that whole scene. I can love Jimi and play his songs, without using a Strat. Jimi played Gibsons too; the music was in his fingers.
- I have a bunch of friends with Strats and Teles; we all get along fine (in spite of what any hysterical teenagers on this forum would have you believe). We all have our own approaches and we all respect each other. We make fun of each other's instruments once in a while, and have a good laugh. All that really matters is what you do with it.
- There's plenty of guys to do everything that can be done with a Strat. They don't need me. I'd rather champion the cause of guitars that I rarely see being played around here, especially 335's and SG's. To me, it's a lot a cooler for a guy to cut loose on one of those. That puts a smile on my face.
- I listen to many genres of music, but when it comes to playing guitar, my heart belongs to the Brits, circa late '60's. I've loved that stuff since I was a kid, when it first came out. My whole life I've wanted to play like that. It's still magic to me, Gibson thru a Marshall: the look, the sound, the vibe. In my own way, that's what I try to offer on stage. People still dig it. Just as powerful as it ever was.
