The single guitarist I respect most just keeps going through this creative metamorphosis. I became a fan about 3 years ago after a 15 year hiatus from playing guitar or even listening to good music. In fact, this artist is the one single reason I've re-discovered the instrument.
One of the things I admired most from the very beginning was how, along with his music and technique, his gear, the tools he created great music with, changed. His amps, guitars, effects. All of it. I thought that was so unique and cool. I recently learned, some of his tools, are going to change again. I think that's great because, if he's inspired enough to make another change, it's going to inspire him to make more great music. And I can't wait for that.
My favorite artist is John Petrucci.
I have to admit I feel a bit goofy making statements like this since, hell, I'm a few months older than him and I have a wife and three kids and 40 year olds like me shouldn't be such "fans" should we.
I wish I had realized this a few days ago. I would have realized then that this was more important than what I thought about the aesthetics of the changes to John's guitar.
Honestly? Maybe part of me didn't want to like yet another guitar I'd have to figure out a way of adding to the collection. I mean, how many times can I say to the wife:
"Hon, c'mon. Given the average life expectancy of white males in this country, how much time do I have? It'll be a funny story at my wake!"
Seriously, I went back across that locked thread and re-read John's post and when I came across the "I've been tracking with it" line the second time it hit me. I thought "Holy crap, he's in the studio, and inspired by this instrument. Who knows what great song or songs we're going to get because of it?" I remember John saying that the day he received his first 7 string, he wrote a song immediately. Something on "Six Degrees" if I'm not mistaken. The Dream Theater album a friend of mine lent me that made me hang on to my last guitar before I'd sold it. Now 3+ years later, I'm a better player than I ever was and I have awesome gear. John did that. There were other reasons but it was mostly that album and John's playing.
What can I say? I have 3 small kids, a wife and a demanding job. That means I'm always yelling at some short person or muttering under my breath at my boss. And sometimes, that means, I should probably wait a while, before I react to something new I see.
What can I say but, I'm a dullard and a mutant. But today I'm a slightly wiser dullard/mutant than I was several days ago.
Sterling, my apologies.
Dave A. Frattaroli
One of the things I admired most from the very beginning was how, along with his music and technique, his gear, the tools he created great music with, changed. His amps, guitars, effects. All of it. I thought that was so unique and cool. I recently learned, some of his tools, are going to change again. I think that's great because, if he's inspired enough to make another change, it's going to inspire him to make more great music. And I can't wait for that.
My favorite artist is John Petrucci.
I have to admit I feel a bit goofy making statements like this since, hell, I'm a few months older than him and I have a wife and three kids and 40 year olds like me shouldn't be such "fans" should we.
I wish I had realized this a few days ago. I would have realized then that this was more important than what I thought about the aesthetics of the changes to John's guitar.
Honestly? Maybe part of me didn't want to like yet another guitar I'd have to figure out a way of adding to the collection. I mean, how many times can I say to the wife:
"Hon, c'mon. Given the average life expectancy of white males in this country, how much time do I have? It'll be a funny story at my wake!"
Seriously, I went back across that locked thread and re-read John's post and when I came across the "I've been tracking with it" line the second time it hit me. I thought "Holy crap, he's in the studio, and inspired by this instrument. Who knows what great song or songs we're going to get because of it?" I remember John saying that the day he received his first 7 string, he wrote a song immediately. Something on "Six Degrees" if I'm not mistaken. The Dream Theater album a friend of mine lent me that made me hang on to my last guitar before I'd sold it. Now 3+ years later, I'm a better player than I ever was and I have awesome gear. John did that. There were other reasons but it was mostly that album and John's playing.
What can I say? I have 3 small kids, a wife and a demanding job. That means I'm always yelling at some short person or muttering under my breath at my boss. And sometimes, that means, I should probably wait a while, before I react to something new I see.
What can I say but, I'm a dullard and a mutant. But today I'm a slightly wiser dullard/mutant than I was several days ago.
Sterling, my apologies.
Dave A. Frattaroli
