jimmiesbluz
New member
Usually I'm just a lurker. I read the posts and enjoy hearing how others share my love for EB guitars - the Axis in particular. Normally I wouldnt post but due to some changes in my life I wanted to share a bit of advice for others out there.
I remember years ago being a teenager seeing Eddie Van Halen with this AMAZING looking guitar. Now, I'm an Eddie fan but not an Eddie style guitar player - i dont tap or anything along those lines - so normally what Eddie plays doesnt really matter to me. But this guitar was just phenomenal looking - and at that point I had no idea what it really sounded like or played like. I mean ya cant judge it by what he sounds like - its like apples to turnips LOL. However a few months later picking up some strings they had an amber model on display at the local music store and I asked to play it. Thats when I fell in love with it. The feel of the neck, the amazing crunch - just a perfect guitar. And having never played a guitar with a Floyd before I was stunned - I never went out of tune! For a kid who was used to constantly having to tune up it was a revelation. The way the guitar hung around my neck, just everything about it - even the smell LOL started a love affair that has lasted all these years. That guitar was the epitome of perfection. However being a kid I couldnt afford the price tag and vowed that one day....
Times changed and Eddie ( foolishly IMHO ) moved onto another guitar but my love was still there. It was just a matter of time but like life as usual has other plans. Save up a lil here and "honey I'm pregnant" or just the normal things we all go thru on a daily basis. It was still "one day"...... just down the road a lil more ...
In 2006 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Scary but it coulda been worse - they coulda said terminal brain cancer 6 months to live. And initially it wasnt much of an issue until the last year or so. Alot of tingling in my hands and feet, Im a lot less coordinated than everbefore. My balance is kinda shot - I sometimes walk like I have two left feet attached backwards LOL and my fingers dont move across the neck of a guitar quite the way they used to. Something that has brought me so much joy for so many years has become a struggle.
Just so we can be clear on something - I'm notposting this to elicit sympathy - I dont want nor need it. I have 3 beautiful children who just the sight of fill my heart to the point of bursting. I married a woman who happens to be my best friend and is my rock, someone I'm thrilled that I get to spend the rest of my life with. Even with MS I'm still luckier than most. Recently it looks like I'll be losing my job because of the issues I have with my balance make it unsafe since I work at heights. I couldnt ask for a better woman at my side when things get rough and right now things are a lil rough and scary. It's cool cuz we'll make it.
Now the real point of my story and the reason I'm posting - Guys/Gals - enjoy every minute you get to play. Realize that its a gift we have that many unfortunate people will never ever be able to experience. For some its just a hobby, some wanna be the big time- whatever your dream is - chase it. But dont lose sight of whats really important- the music. The thrill of figuring out a new song on your own, the feel of the wood under your fingers, losing yourself so that you and your guitar become one and whatever emotions youre feeling come thru and you can express yourself thru your playing. It doesnt matter your level of skill - if your a newbie or a Steve Vai - play for the love of playing and dont ever lose sight of that. Enjoy every single minute that you can because you never know when it might be taken away from you. Trust me....it sucks. And just like when you find the perfect woman/man for you and you marry them - when you find that perfect guitar or bass that is your musical soulmate - get it. The connection between a player and the guitar that was made for them is just as real as love. And it can push you to new heights in your playing that you never thought possible. Just like a the right partner in life can make you a better person - the right guitar can make you a better player. And when you find the right one - you never let it go, stay faithful to it. Due to everything that has changed I may never get my Axis- but she is still mine and I'm just considering this an extended courtship. Because she is my musical soulmate. Every chance I've ever had to play one I've taken and its reaffirmed my love for her. Even if by the time I finally get around to getting her I can no longer play I will be content to just brush my hands across her open strings and imagine the music we would have made.
MORAL OF THE STORY - LOVE EVERY MINUTE YOU GET TO PLAY AND FIND THE GUITAR YOU LOVE TO PLAY.
PEACE!
I remember years ago being a teenager seeing Eddie Van Halen with this AMAZING looking guitar. Now, I'm an Eddie fan but not an Eddie style guitar player - i dont tap or anything along those lines - so normally what Eddie plays doesnt really matter to me. But this guitar was just phenomenal looking - and at that point I had no idea what it really sounded like or played like. I mean ya cant judge it by what he sounds like - its like apples to turnips LOL. However a few months later picking up some strings they had an amber model on display at the local music store and I asked to play it. Thats when I fell in love with it. The feel of the neck, the amazing crunch - just a perfect guitar. And having never played a guitar with a Floyd before I was stunned - I never went out of tune! For a kid who was used to constantly having to tune up it was a revelation. The way the guitar hung around my neck, just everything about it - even the smell LOL started a love affair that has lasted all these years. That guitar was the epitome of perfection. However being a kid I couldnt afford the price tag and vowed that one day....
Times changed and Eddie ( foolishly IMHO ) moved onto another guitar but my love was still there. It was just a matter of time but like life as usual has other plans. Save up a lil here and "honey I'm pregnant" or just the normal things we all go thru on a daily basis. It was still "one day"...... just down the road a lil more ...
In 2006 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Scary but it coulda been worse - they coulda said terminal brain cancer 6 months to live. And initially it wasnt much of an issue until the last year or so. Alot of tingling in my hands and feet, Im a lot less coordinated than everbefore. My balance is kinda shot - I sometimes walk like I have two left feet attached backwards LOL and my fingers dont move across the neck of a guitar quite the way they used to. Something that has brought me so much joy for so many years has become a struggle.
Just so we can be clear on something - I'm notposting this to elicit sympathy - I dont want nor need it. I have 3 beautiful children who just the sight of fill my heart to the point of bursting. I married a woman who happens to be my best friend and is my rock, someone I'm thrilled that I get to spend the rest of my life with. Even with MS I'm still luckier than most. Recently it looks like I'll be losing my job because of the issues I have with my balance make it unsafe since I work at heights. I couldnt ask for a better woman at my side when things get rough and right now things are a lil rough and scary. It's cool cuz we'll make it.
Now the real point of my story and the reason I'm posting - Guys/Gals - enjoy every minute you get to play. Realize that its a gift we have that many unfortunate people will never ever be able to experience. For some its just a hobby, some wanna be the big time- whatever your dream is - chase it. But dont lose sight of whats really important- the music. The thrill of figuring out a new song on your own, the feel of the wood under your fingers, losing yourself so that you and your guitar become one and whatever emotions youre feeling come thru and you can express yourself thru your playing. It doesnt matter your level of skill - if your a newbie or a Steve Vai - play for the love of playing and dont ever lose sight of that. Enjoy every single minute that you can because you never know when it might be taken away from you. Trust me....it sucks. And just like when you find the perfect woman/man for you and you marry them - when you find that perfect guitar or bass that is your musical soulmate - get it. The connection between a player and the guitar that was made for them is just as real as love. And it can push you to new heights in your playing that you never thought possible. Just like a the right partner in life can make you a better person - the right guitar can make you a better player. And when you find the right one - you never let it go, stay faithful to it. Due to everything that has changed I may never get my Axis- but she is still mine and I'm just considering this an extended courtship. Because she is my musical soulmate. Every chance I've ever had to play one I've taken and its reaffirmed my love for her. Even if by the time I finally get around to getting her I can no longer play I will be content to just brush my hands across her open strings and imagine the music we would have made.
MORAL OF THE STORY - LOVE EVERY MINUTE YOU GET TO PLAY AND FIND THE GUITAR YOU LOVE TO PLAY.
PEACE!
