Tone.... Don't lose your calluses!

[melibreits]

I was just playing my 330 Purpleburst for a couple of hours this afternoon--this is the first opportunity I've had to really play in several weeks... Anyway, I was wondering why I was having such a hard time getting a great tone out of this normally wonderful guitar. Then when I was done playing I realized how sore my fingers were, and that my calluses had nearly disappeared due to lack of use....how apalling--my calluses have been strong for years! And then I also realized that my fingernails had grown a bit longer than I normally let them grow, so they were occasionally muting the strings in a bad way.... Good grief! But it sure felt terrific to play again after being so busy with holiday travel and business inventory for the last few weeks!

[ric330]

Gee Melissa,
I would clip the nails a bit and hang in there. It will bring about better playing and fretting for sure. I've had a spell away from my guitar and know where you are coming from but hung in there and now I feelin' fine. Do you have any big pictures of the 330 besides the avatar photo? I'd love to see that guitar.

[melibreits]

Of course, Kevin.... I won't let my discomfort make me stop playing guitar--it's one of the activities I enjoy most of all, and I've got too many to play to let this get me down for long! I'm just a bit irritated that it's been so long since I've really played...

As far as pictures of my 330, here are a couple that are easy for me to find....

Here it is alongside my Turquoise 325V59:

[rickenbrother]

You can lose the callouses quick when you stop playing for a bit. Probably even more so for the ladies with the lotions that they use.
The gold pickguards really look great, especially on the turquoise 325V59.

[scotty]

Melissa Typical Lady the bedspread even matches the guitars how co- ordinated Lovely guitars i love the purpleburst
Well who wouldnt!

[jps]

IIRC, Melissa bought that bedspread to go with the guitars!

[scotty]

Jeffery how do you know

[melibreits]

The truth is, that bedspread has been on the futon in the guest/music room far longer than I've had either of the two guitars--but I realized right away that it would make a great backdrop for a picture of those two guitars together!

BTW, the "Typical lady" comment probably has some truth to it--I have been known at times to choose my outfit based on the color of the guitar I plan to play that day:

[scotty]

Weve all been guilty of being colour coded it must be decorator in me

[melibreits]

NIIIIIIIICE Blueburst!

[jps]

Weve all been guilty of being colour coded it must be decorator in me

Nice, the shirt matches your wall and ceiling!

Great BBR, too!

[ric330]

Absolutely a beautiful pair of guitars Melissa.
Thanks for sharing the larger pics. Stunning!

[scotty]

Yeah Melissa. Im never sick of seeing the P burst its a stunner Love it

[ozover50]

Nice to see you back playing again, Melibee! I thought my calluses were pretty thick and hardy but after a four hour jam with Ron Viney yesterday I'm not so sure.......... the ol' fingertips are still tingling this morning - and I play for at least an hour every day.

As always, the PB looks superb!

[melibreits]

Aitch, you certainly seemed to enjoy playing it at the 75th, IIRC!