I Can't Catch A Break..

Back in May, my wife and I were in a very bad wreck. A tractor trailer made an illegal right turn from the left lane right in front of us and I barely had time to hit the brakes. I plowed right into the side of the guy. Well that completely boned my back. As if it weren't already that way. I went through 3 months of physical therapy and chiropractors visits. And that didn't solve the problem, so after all the back surgeries I've had, 4 in all, I requested an MRI. So my pain management doc sent me to get one. As I suspected, I have another ruptured disc that's pinching a nerve. Causes severe pain in my lower back, pain down my right leg, and my right leg randomly goes dead. So I finally talked to my neurosurgeon this afternoon and he gave me the bad news. I'm going to have back surgery #5.

This time though, they're fusing the vertebra. I'm so not looking forward to this. Doc said they're going to go in, take the disc completely out, take a hunk of bone, either from a cadaver, or from my hip, insert it between the vertebra, and ratchet that in place with screws and rods. Ultimately, I have no earthly idea yet how this is going to affect my guitar playing. I'm sure I'll still be able to play acoustic. I just hope I can still manage the electric. This time around though, I'm keeping my gear until after the surgery, regardless of what the doc says. Last time I went through this, a different doc did thoracic spine surgery and told me I'd never play electric again, so I sold all my gear. All that stuff that's listed in my signature, went bye-bye and to this day I still miss my gear.

Should've Waited A Couple Of Weeks Before Signing Back Up....

Heh, I forgot when I signed back up that I had to have minor surgery on my left middle finger this week. Makes it kinda difficult to play guitar, or pretty much do anything else. lol

String Gauges...

Just curious as to what everyone else prefers/uses. I prefer to use 11 gauge strings. (My fave brand are Dean Markley Blue Steels) If I have to, I'll drop down to a 10 gauge, but that's the minimum. I simply can't play 009s or 008s. That feels like I'm playing a toy guitar or something. lol

Need Some Advice...

Hi guys. Long time, no see. I joined up a few years ago, then went through a little financial trouble and had to resign, but I'm back. Anyway, I could use a little advice from the seasoned players out there. I'm in a helluva musical rut and need a good kick in the ass to get out of it. I've been playing for the better part of 25+ years, but never really took it seriously til my old man died about 8 years ago. Now though, it seems like I just twiddle around with the same old stuff. I know I could really stand to learn more 'musically' as far as songwriting theory and other back to basics stuff goes.

I lost my rig a few years back....Had major back surgery for the 3rd time and the doc said I'd never play electric again because of the surgery, so I sold my half stack, all my electrics, all my fx, etc. Then after the surgery, the doc said it wasn't as bad as he'd thought so hey, I was free to play guitar again. (Gee thanks after I sold my entire rig.) So now I have a decent acoustic and a decent electric and a subpar amp. But hopefully that'll all change in the next 6 months to a year.

Anyway, I'm primarily rooted in the Minor Pentatonic scale and the Harmonic Minor scale. Guess I need to learn some new scales. I definitely need to learn some new licks and stuff as well....I just need a starting point to jump into. Any help/advisement would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Selling My Entire Rig

Ok, if you missed the other thread, here's an explanation as to why I'm selling my equipment: Click me

I'm not the type of person to take advantage of, or rip anyone off. I've sold several guitars over the years on eBay, and if anyone is worried, feel free to check out our account feedback. Just search for ladyrapunzel74. (The wife set up the account, hence the fruity name!) But we have 100% positive feedback and as I said, we've sold at least three guitars, lots of comuter stuff, etc. Everything will be exactly as I describe it here. Now onto the list:

Schecter CS 1 Elite with EMG 81-85 Asking $400 w/ HSC (Paid over $500 for it new + $140 for the EMG's)

A few minor scratches and swirls. Typical blemishes for a used guitar. No playability issues whatsoever. Overall I'd give this an 8.5 out of 10.

Peavey 6505+ half stack Asking $1100

Halfstack is DEAD MINT. It's never left my bedroom.

Pedals:

Dunlop DB01 Crybaby From Hell (Awesome Wah!)

MXR KFK 10 Band EQ (Best EQ I've ever used!)

Fender Tuner

Electro Harmonix Stereo Memory Man (Analog Delay + Chorus)

Electro Harmonix Holy Grail (Digital reverb)

MXR Smart Gate (Noise Gate)

Asking $430 for all - includes power supply and ghetto pedal board.

All fx pedals are in perfect working condition, with just a few scratches here and there. All equipment has been kept in my room and I don't smoke, so there's no issue of getting gear that stinks to high hell. If anyone is interested, let me know.

:Edited to add pics:



If you need more pics, just ask and I'll take a pic of whatever ya want.