Playing music is the best thing there is. Period. I’ve been doing it since I was old enough to stand up and look over my older sister’s shoulder while she took piano lessons. She didn’t much care for the lessons or learn much music, but i sucked it down like a cold beer after getting pounded for 45 minutes in the mosh pit. Sis turned into a school teacher, I turned into a musician. Neither of us had much choice in the matter.
My axe is a strat. Blonde finish with a maple neck. 
A beaut aint it? I fell in love with strats after seeing a video of jimi playing a blond Strat when I was a lad and never owned another type of gtr — except for my “Carlos” period when I bought and played an SG and then later a Yamaha. I don’t like to talk about those days much though I still have the Yamaha around for a beach gtr.
A good instrument is the foundation of every player, every band. I’ve owned this strat for almost thirty years and it’s been with me in every band from blues, to rock to punkish, even to faux jazz experimental stuff. * yeah I wish I was Jeff Beck, too, just like everyone else.
The reason I’m writing about my strat is because of something I saw today that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. A faux guitar that breathlessly informs you that, “you’ll get all the excitement of a guitar without the sore fingers, broken strings, poor tuning and tedious exercises. ” yikes!
The Yamaha EZAG self teaching gtr. gaaak.
I suppose it is a fun toy for Christmas morning, but to one who’s spent serious time trying to coax life and dynamics and music out of an exceptionally built instrument, this faux gtr is the work of the beast. Sore fingers are necessary, bubba – Strings break when you play your axe hard and with passion – Exercises are only tedious if you allow that to happen – tired of the same old practice regime? Invent a new one.
My point is that making music is worth working hard for and there are no shortcuts. I’m sure someone will prove me wrong right away by integrating this mini, plastic guitar into a musical situation that makes sense, and that’s fine. Turn it up to 11, baby. But please, please, please. If you want to learn, get a good solid guitar and learn to play with no shortcuts or trick plays. you’ll be a better player and your band, when you have one will rock harder for the extra work you put in.
Then go buy a EZAG if that’s what blows up your skirt, and do what you must. Hopefully your band will one day be selling seats to its shows here on Livekick with the best of em.
