TruF 

Question: Although I'm all about supporting my LMS, I can see wanting to browse online for peripherals, such as music stands. Any suggestions for great online music shops?

Road Fan

For guitar stuff and accessories I don't really know. Here in Ann Arbor, we have Herb David Guitar studio (walking distance), but I don't even know if they have a website. I know good ones for choral music and for music technology stuff!

BluesDawg

I think Musicians Friend probably owns most of the other online shops by now. American Music Supply is another reliable one. Also:
https://www.music123.com/
https://www.sweetwater.com/
https://www.guitarcenter.com/

TruF 

Thanks, BD! I just ordered a sheet music stand from Musician's Friend. Great price and no sales tax.

BengeBoy 

Also, there is a musical instruments store at Amazon now...

https://www.amazon.com/musical-instru...AHRV4TVNTTTGM2

stapfam

I am surprised that no-one has mentioned it yet. A thread about Bikes and Guitars and the answer is staring you in the face. A Tandem---Providing the guitarist is the stoker of course.

Last year I got myself a 12 string guitar to be able to get back into occupying some of my spare time. 20 years since I last played one and possibly 35 years since I played in front of an audience. Trouble is that my spare time is spent trying to stop the fingertips from hurting from trying to occupy my spare time.

SaiKaiTai

First, nice choice on the Seagull.

I've been a guitarist and a cyclist on a number of occasions throughout my life but, I don't think, ever at the same time. I am trying it this time around because I ended up in a band ('00) before I got back on the bike ('06) so I have to keep my chops up. Trusth is, band or no, I'd still be playing now because it just means that much to me. Besides, maybe someday, I'll finish my CD. To me, guitars -music in general- and cycling reach similar but different places in my emotional being. It's been hard, though... I definitely seem to be putting my priority on my riding ("Hm. Sit on the couch and play? Or get out and ride? Ride"). Gosh, I haven't written a new song in ages, come to think of it. I guess I'm still sorting it all out, myself.

stringbreaker

Seagull S6 shaded top. Nice box at any price. I had one that was a natural top. I predict after you learn to play pretty well that there is a Martin D-28 in your future and a Gibson J-45 or a Guild, see its just like bicycles one is never enough and thats called GAS short for Guitar Aquisition Syndrome. I have it its fun. Elderly Instruments would be my first choice for online purchase and also My Favorite Guitars, the best guy there would be Jon he is very knowledgeable. Just bicycles there are some shady dealers. If price is your only consideration Musicians Friend is where you buy but they are kind of like Bikes Direct. They buy in volume so they get deep discounts on their gear. I bought all my guitars local and usually 30 percent is a good discount. Local shops will normally support you better and if you are purchasing a $2,000.00 plus high end acoustic service means a lot after the sale just like your bicycles. Have fun and go learn a G run

TruF 

Hi Stringbreaker. LOL about GAS. It's hard to imagine getting n+1 right now; my fingers are sore! I practiced last night and then again first thing this morning. I agree with you about online versus LMS. I bought the Seagull and case and tuner and a couple books from our local place, and will begin taking lessons there, too. Lots of good energy and support and new people to meet! But the music stand was a good deal and seemed a reasonable thing to get online since I'll be travelling through Wednesday and won't have a chance to shop locally anyway. A $60 stand for $20! I'll check out Elderly Instruments (sounds fitting for 50+ ) and My Favorite Guitars. Nothing wrong with signing up for their newsletters/catalogs.

TruF 

Funny how easy it was to select my first guitar compared with my first bike. I just searched online, and the S6 came up frequently as a great entry-level guitar. I also like that it's a Canadian company. The decision was easy once I called our LMS and found out they had one in stock. No test rides, no adjustments to the handlebars or saddle.

TruF 

BluesDawg

My son playing my Seagull M6 Spruce. Slumming from his Martin.


Seagulls are really nice guitars for the money. They were especially affordable a few years back when the exchange rate with Canada was so favorable.

TruF 

Great picture of your son, BluesDawg! A real musical family. Does he take after the old man as far as cycling is concerned?

Robert Foster

Just remember soon you will be playing grooves rather than having them. The grooves turn into calluses. When you play a lot your fingers will be so hard you will no longer be able to pick a safe lock.

I never mastered the Guitar or the keyboard even though I gave them both a shot. But I discovered drums and that is even harder to take on a bike. I have decided to sell my kit and keep my hand drums. My favorite hand drum is my Djembe followed close by my Congas. I have a backpack case for the Djembe but don’t try to ride anything but a cruiser with it because it doesn’t allow you to arch your pelvic area at all.

One piece of advice that will save you time. Take lessons.

Long deKlein

Tru--I run a an amp repair shop right next door to an excellent LMS (full disclosure--I worked there for a long time...) just a bit south of you (beautiful downtown Cotati). I'll be glad to answer any music gear related questions you may have(I've been playing almost as long as I've been riding--feel free to PM!) and hook you up with the guys next door. And, just to make things even better (or maybe worse), there's a great LBS right across the street--one stop shopping for two vices!

Yen

Tru, good for you! I strummed a guitar many years ago, a gift from my father. I loaned it to a friend who never gave it back. Anyway, I think it should be easy to balance cycling and guitar. Ride your bike while the sun is out, and play the guitar at night while it is quiet.

I think you made the right choice with the guitar; it's probably more versatile and restful to play, in my opinion.

Have a blast!

gerald_g 

+1

I love my Seagull too. Mines a "6" with cedar top in mat finish.

TruF 

Howdy neighbor! I bought my guitar from Stanroy's, which is pretty convenient to me. But I'd love to stop by and check out both the LMS and LBS in Cotati. Great excuse for stopping by at Bear's Korean Restaurant.

As for questions: too many and too new to articulate well. I'm struggling with trying to toughen up and contort my fingers. Good thing I'm double-jointed! Also struggling with learning how to read music.

I'm looking for lessons on Thursday evenings or Saturdays. If Stanroy's can't accommodate me, I may be looking further afield for an instructor.

Road Fan

Left hand contortion can go too far. Might try using a more classical approach to holding the guitar. It has the neck pointing up around 45 degrees and your arm hanging straight down from it, so your hand can won't curl around the neck, it will be down and in front of it. Needs strength, but less contortion.

YouTube Andres Segovia, Narcisio Yepes, and Ana Vidovic to see some great examples, including female, of great ways to hold a guitar. Play some of Ana and hold on to your hat, especially on Requerdos del Alhambra.

Or I could email you some pics.

Helps your shifting - there, got some bike content!

JanMM

Depending on your taste and preferences, you don't have to know how to read music to play the guitar.
"Popular music", anyway.

DnvrFox

Almost all the "campfire" songs can be played by ear with the I, IV and V7 chords, i.e., C, F and G7 or E, A and B7 or any other chord progression.

Bob Nichols

A picture of me when I'm not riding my bike.