Hey guys,
So I know there are at least a few pretty good guitar players on here and I have a project im starting. Back when I was a just a young verb (about 13 or 14) I was obsessed with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen and for a few years especially, Steve Vai. I decided I wanted to play guitar like those guys so I saved up some money from whatever summer job I had at the time and bought a JEM7dbk, pictured here:
It was an especially ambitious choice for a dumb kid with no natural ability and not surprisingly, I did not end up playing guitar like Steve Vai. I put it away, giving up my guitar God dreams. In my 20's I bought a Guild acoustic to strum cowboy chords on in the living room. Make no mistake though, I suck at guitar.
Fast forward to a few days ago and I see that Vai is coming out with a new signature model, the PIA, pictured here:
First of all, holy shit. Its still a JEM, but no monkey grip and the pickups and gold hardware are just a little too gaudy. Some cool innovations though. Instead of screws for the plate on the back its magnetic, for example.
Seeing the new Vai model made me dig my JEM out and take a look. It has been in the case for a LONG time. Maybe 10 years? I've been thinking a lot recently about trying to dive back into playing. I'm intrigued by looping and would like to build some sounds as a fun hobby (I have nobody to play with). I'm scheduled for shoulder surgery next Monday and will be in a sling for 6 weeks. I thought a fun way to reward myself after the rehab would be to dust off my very badass guitar from my failed teen years and give it a real go this time. I feel like I'm much more disciplined now as an adult and even though I am a talentless hack I could at least learn some more of the basics and have some fun with it.
So the guitar is in good shape overall, but some of the screws on the pickguard and the locking system at the neck show corrosion. What is my first step here to get this things heart beating again? If I take it to a music shop will they be able to help me out? Is there a proper protocol for storing guitars so I can keep it safe going forward?
I'm also curious if you guys use any looping pedals, as I see looping as a really fun way to build a sonic wall around myself without having to make friends. Also are there are any good learning resources in general for guitar playing on youtube? Once my shoulder is fixed I'd really like to get started with all this.
