Bluzeman

I would advise you to go to a music store. Don't know what kind of guitar Costco sells but more than likely it's just a "guitar shaped peice of wood" (don't know where I read that but I love it!) Look for a low end Alvarez, one in the 3-400 dollar range, if your budget allows. Make sure they do a good "setup" on it before you leave. Among other things, that will adjust the neck so the strings are as close to the frets as possible, makeing the strings easier to "push". Also, if you alread have problems with your hands, you might want to start out with a light gauge set of strings. This will result in a "tinnier" sound, one that is not as full and lush sounding, but will be easier on your hands while you are learning. Even a young person with NO hand problems will have some pain at first....expect that. Your fingertips especially will get very sore until you build up callouses. If you read music, great! You already have a one-up on me and I've played since 1972! Never could figure out them little black dots. :) But seriously, I would get a basic chord book and maybe a dvd at first cause it sounds like your already pretty motivated. Then later, if you decide you need the extra help, look for someone to give you lessons. Good luck, and I'm sure that as more people from the guitar thread see this post, you will get a lot more advice! Rick

I'm just up the road a piece from Groucho. An Ohio Corn Roast sounds like a great idea! Rick

Did you have a cell phone close to the speakers? I had a client a few years back telling me that one of the computers had odd noises comeing through the computer speakers. Went to look at it and saw the speakers were unplugged. Found out they unplugged them BECAUSE of the odd noises but even unplugged the noise came through. I told them this was impossible, of course. A short while later while looking at another computer at the same location, a girl had sat down to use the computer making the odd noises and lo and behold, strange sounds started coming from the UNPLUGGED speakers. So I take a quick look around her desk and noticed her cell phone. Moved it away from the work area and the noise stopped! Cingular seems to make it happen more than any other type phone. I just switched to them and can't have the phone NEAR my desk or I get all kinds of strange sounds from my speakers! Rick

Yes, and it would seem that in reading some of the posts he made on another thread that I am at least part of the reason he has left GS. So Socks, don't worry, I'm outta here. You can come back...I'm done with GS. Rick

Anyone know what offshoot he's running? Or an email address? I would LOVE for his "flock" to know what a scumbag their "fearless leader" is. Rick

Hey Waysider. Eagle was out by then so he probably won't know but I'll ask! JackDaniels, was the person you mentioned a rev? Cause the one I'm thinking of was. He had his @sshole cronies, David Dill and Donnal Baker kick me out. Both are pu**ies, especially David. I want to find this "Reverend" so I can tell him what a slimebag he is. Rick

Anyone know his name? Does he post here? Rick

Wow! "Human"! That's the nicest thing I've ever been called! Rick

Well gee, thanks everyone! And thanks for all the cool video clips. Tom, unfortunetly, you were right the first time. :) Rick(Turning 25 for the 27'th time)

HERE are his posts from this past spring, if anyone wants to read them to see if they shed any light. Me, I have to get to work, so I don't have time. Rick

Well, my Mom is home from the hospital. Very very weak, but then, she was in bed for most of 2 weeks. Gonna take time for her to get her strength back. Just thought I'd post a pic of my jam room. I have some individual pics of close-ups of different stuff, but I'll have to post those when I get time to reduce them. As it is, this picture was 10 times bigger than this when I first started. Rick

Just quoting Beavis. Or, was it Buthead? :) Rick

It's a lot longer and a LOT greyer now, Eagle. :) Hee hee..Tom said, "Anus" Hee hee Rick

I still have the same question...WHO are you accusing here Rascal? Rick

I'm not sure who you are referring to there Rascal, but hopefully not me. I wasn't "high fiving" anyone, just stateing what I think to be his motives, that's all. I didn't mean any disrespect to ANYONE. Rick

For what it's worth... I don't think Bumpy was trying to "pat himself on the back". I think he was just trying to say, hey, when you get to thinking you have it so tough, think about a place where little kids go to bed hungry every night. Where little kids literally starve to death. Where little kids die from simple things that wouldn't even get us too excited here in the west. I think he was trying to give you a little perspective, is all. OK, maybe I'm wrong, but that was how I understood him. But Bumpy...dude, you DO need to work on your delivery. You DO come off sounding a wee bit (OK, a LOT) insulting. :) Rick

I had that same thought. Rick

Got a pic here just for you eyesopen! Rick

I said some people. I did not say everyone. Rick

And so do I Rocky. It just seemed that some people were getting awfully upset over a what-if kind of post. Rick

Although Larry and I have butted heads on other threads, he is not a troll. Neither is Bumpy. I really don't understand why Bumpy's "what if" question has offended some of you to the point of name calling. It really seems kind of juvenile. If you want to know the definition of an internet troll, click HERE. Rick

Socks(and others) I didn't want you to think I ran out on you all, as the topic of hand pain IS an important one. However, my Mom has been in the hospital for the past week, and I've been sick as a dog the last few days myself. I read in one of the links that Socks provided about one of the B-vitamins helping...don't remember which one. But I plan on reading those links again, more throughly when I have a little more time. Thanks for posting them, Socks! Oh, and Dmiller, even though I'm a blues fan, I LOVE bluegrass! It's fun as hell to play! Rick

It was always my experience that when stoned, you are a MUCH more careful driver cause you don't WANT that cop to pull you over and smell the reefer smoke. Rick

But Eyes, you have such a wonderful inner beauty that your avatar simply pales by comparison! (Now where's my 20 bucks?) Rick

Wow Socks! Your describing my symptoms to the "T"! We do similar work. I am a software developer(freelance) and spend most of my day typing on the computer. Can't use a flat KB for more than a couple minutes. I have a logitech ergonomic KB right now, but I think I'm going to buy another Microsoft Natural. That was the most comfortable KB I have ever used. (Note to self: Keep glasses of soda away from the new one. :) ) I'm interested in trying out adjusting where I wear the guitar though...I had not thought to try that. I just play where I have always been comfortable but higher might help. Just taking a break from yard work right now. I'll read your articles later this afternoon. Rick