Anyone play an instrument?
- Thread starter BigCountryMopar
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Tenor sax here. Started in grade school when my grandpa, who'd played the same horn in Whoopie John's band way back when, gave it to me. Beautiful old Conn with a mouth piece grandpa had custom made for his needs. Great tone and a very nice horn to play Played through high school in a concert band and a subset of us formed a dance band. When we'd go out on the annual band tour the instructor would let the dance band play during intermission. More than a few times the audiences made it clear they wanted the dance band to keep playing and to heck with the concert band stuff. I remember our professor at the time was not too pleased with that reaction.
When in boot camp (1969) was in the US Coast Guard band. They had a core group of full time musicians supplemented by us rotating through the camp in Alamda, CA. Got march in parades almost every weekend during my stay there for the 8 weeks. The non-band recruits really resented us getting off base for those events. I had the Conn refurbished while I was gone the 4 years, so it was like new when I got out.
Went back to college and played there as well, both concert and dance band. In 1976 when I went to work at IBM, a couple guys wanted to put a group together and we formed a 'big band', mostly playing the 40's vintage big band stuff. All volunteers and we had a good time. We were called 37th Street Gold and I really enjoyed concerts in the city parks during the summer months. The old timers really came alive when we'd play stuff they remembered from their youth. I still remember vividly as we wrapped up from a concert this little old lady came up to me with her walker, smiled, and said "You play a good sax there, sonny". I was lucky and played a pretty good horn. Of all the comments I got over the years, hers was the best compliment I'd ever gotten.
Haven't played for years now. Wanted one of my sons to carry on the tradition, but neither would have anything to do with the horn. Two grand sons coming up now, so I'm hopeful again.
When in boot camp (1969) was in the US Coast Guard band. They had a core group of full time musicians supplemented by us rotating through the camp in Alamda, CA. Got march in parades almost every weekend during my stay there for the 8 weeks. The non-band recruits really resented us getting off base for those events. I had the Conn refurbished while I was gone the 4 years, so it was like new when I got out.
Went back to college and played there as well, both concert and dance band. In 1976 when I went to work at IBM, a couple guys wanted to put a group together and we formed a 'big band', mostly playing the 40's vintage big band stuff. All volunteers and we had a good time. We were called 37th Street Gold and I really enjoyed concerts in the city parks during the summer months. The old timers really came alive when we'd play stuff they remembered from their youth. I still remember vividly as we wrapped up from a concert this little old lady came up to me with her walker, smiled, and said "You play a good sax there, sonny". I was lucky and played a pretty good horn. Of all the comments I got over the years, hers was the best compliment I'd ever gotten.
Haven't played for years now. Wanted one of my sons to carry on the tradition, but neither would have anything to do with the horn. Two grand sons coming up now, so I'm hopeful again.
I've played bass on and off since I was a teenager. A few years back my buds kept bugging me to pick it up again after years of not playing. They are a LOT more talented than I am by far but I just rode with it. This is the only time I ever played out at a club. (They demolished the club a couple of months later LOL). That's me in the middle. Then we went our separate ways. They are musicians, I'm not. It was fun but I just don't have the time anymore. I sold my equipment. I still hang out with them and I'll go watch them practice and play out. I had my fun.
Great story. I don't know why I never picked up a bass. When I harmonize I always follow the bass line. May be I should look for a acoustical to practice on.
Brendanchambers
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I play the Guitar, used to play in a cover band, was such fun, we didnt do it for money, just for fun and we're all best mates..
stopped playing in 2017 when i got married as it was taking up too much time...(wife actually sang at a few gigs and thats where i got to know her)....
in 2016 we played at a business seminar to start and finish the event off....to an audience of over 3500 people!!......talk about nerve racking!!!
stopped playing in 2017 when i got married as it was taking up too much time...(wife actually sang at a few gigs and thats where i got to know her)....
in 2016 we played at a business seminar to start and finish the event off....to an audience of over 3500 people!!......talk about nerve racking!!!
451Mopar
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Nice collection! When I get home I'll have to take a photo. I'm at work, so I just linked to a photo.
Cool thread BigCountry!
Bass has always been my primary instrument. Also fluent in guitar, keyboards/piano & dums....have played all of them in band or recording environments at one time or another. I like to 'mess around' on acoustic string bass and some of the woodwinds too.
I don't do much but fart around anymore; most of my stuff has all been 'wheel-dealed' away over the years. No more amps or electric (non-bass)guitars
...had some cool gear over the years but that's how it goes. I used Mesa-Boogie, Hartke and Peavey amps. Once I used Mesa there was no going back it was great. Ampeg, Carvin, and Peavey cabinets and so many different proceesors and pre-amps I couldn't begin to name them all....I worked for IATSE(stagehands) before going into the electrical trade and was fortunate to see what the pros used, and got lots of good advice (and free crap!)
The remnant:
Big Sixy
Fretless, w/inlays-
My mini-Martin--these little things sound great and are nice to take on trips.
I managed to save this Fender, it was a gift from the Rascal-Flatts guys-
Bass has always been my primary instrument. Also fluent in guitar, keyboards/piano & dums....have played all of them in band or recording environments at one time or another. I like to 'mess around' on acoustic string bass and some of the woodwinds too.
I don't do much but fart around anymore; most of my stuff has all been 'wheel-dealed' away over the years. No more amps or electric (non-bass)guitars
...had some cool gear over the years but that's how it goes. I used Mesa-Boogie, Hartke and Peavey amps. Once I used Mesa there was no going back it was great. Ampeg, Carvin, and Peavey cabinets and so many different proceesors and pre-amps I couldn't begin to name them all....I worked for IATSE(stagehands) before going into the electrical trade and was fortunate to see what the pros used, and got lots of good advice (and free crap!)The remnant:
Big Sixy
Fretless, w/inlays-
My mini-Martin--these little things sound great and are nice to take on trips.
I managed to save this Fender, it was a gift from the Rascal-Flatts guys-
Last edited:
BigCountryMopar
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I’m trying to learn one instrument! I can’t imagine being able to play several. Maybe I’ll pick up the fiddle again one day.Cool thread BigCountry!
Bass has always been my primary instrument. Also fluent in guitar, keyboards/piano & dums....have played all of them in band or recording environments at one time or another. I like to 'mess around' on acoustic string bass and some of the woodwinds too.
I don't do much but fart around anymore; most of my stuff has all been 'wheel-dealed' away over the years. No more amps or electric guitars
The remnant:
Big Sixy
View attachment 1025975
Fretless, w/inlays-
View attachment 1025976
View attachment 1025977
My mini-Martin--these little things sound great and are nice to take on trips.
View attachment 1025979
I managed to save this Fender, it was a gift from the Rascal-Flatts guys-
View attachment 1025978
BB BELLA
Well-Known Member
I've been trying to play a strat/lespaul for 45yrs,but you guys still don't know me so I guess I suck!
Ice been playing music since I was a teenager, and had the same band almost 30 years. I play bass most of the time, but I also play guitar, mandolin, banjo, accordion and drums. I regularly play with 3 different bands at the moment, rock, bluegrass and Texas swing. Here’s a little of my collection, and a pic of me when I was just a youngster. Yes, I ruined a very nice vintage Kalamazoo guitar in tribute to EVH. The black LP in the picture was my first real guitar, a 72 “fret less wonder”. I like vintage instruments.
BB BELLA
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I have an original 80 fretless wonder custom, it sings! that's a nice sg ,personally find the neck too wide for my liking but they sound great in competent hands.! my rarest was a mint 66 ricky 12string,but I rarely played it so I let it go to a guy that would use it! that thing likely worth north of 15K today! Lp is likey worth 4k and there a dime a dozen compared to the ricky!
Ceedawg
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Seriously I wish I could, deaf and tone deaf. My grandfather on moms side could play anything he picked up in fact he and his brother were a ‘band’ in the 20s. My grandmother and her sister sang at shows so they got married, both brothers and sisters. Continued till the early 30s till the kids came along. He was talented in so many ways (he could find water with a stick) but I did pick up his mechanical ability’s.
One of my all-time favorite tones, that thing....I loved that hollowbody-on-steroids sound.
The SG is also a 72, and it is a very sweet sounding and playing guitar. It’s my sons favorite guitar. As a matter of fact, my sons bedroom looks a lot like my musical storage room, his band is using all of my stuff!
Bb70charger500
Well-Known Member
My wife used to play the flute!
That was many years ago before we were married the skin flute was her favorite!
I loved when she played it!
Sadly she hasn't touched it in awhile!
That was many years ago before we were married the skin flute was her favorite!
I loved when she played it!
Sadly she hasn't touched it in awhile!
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Long ago, I had a girlfriend who loved to play on the upright organ.
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