newbie says hello - first guitar at age 60! - DeArmond M-70

[devonpete]

Hi All

I just joined the Forum. I live in Devon in the UK and I have just bought my first guitar – I have always wanted to play but now at the ripe old age of 60 I have taken the plunge! I have bought a Guild DeArmond guitar in black and it says on the neck that it is a M70. I bought it from the local music store where I will be having my lessons. I had no idea which guitar to buy (as a newbie they all look so similar but different if you know what I mean!), but the man told me to buy the one I liked the look of. Seemed slightly strange way to select one but hey what do I know ... Well I liked the look of the DeArmond and I liked the sound it makes when he played it! I would like to play blues type music (Eric Clapton, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Gary Moore) and he said it will be fine.
There were no instructions with it so I wondered if anyone out there has a manual for the M70? If so could you PM or email me?
I also bought a practice amp - a Marshall G15RCD which although quite old is in excellent condition.
Are there any special tips that you can pass on? I know I have just soooo much to learn but I'm keen!
I have attached a few photos of my new "baby" - I love the look of it and I keep polishing it ready for my first lesson tomorrow! Is there anything else you can tell me about my guitar from looking at the pictures - the serial number is 9042262. I believe that it must be 1999 vintage? And someone has told me that it has Goldtone pickups. If anything goes wrong can it still be repaired? Are parts available?
Sorry to ask so many questions but you know us newbies ... I guess you all had to have been in my position at some time!
Peter

 

[Thunderface]

Welcome aboard, Peter. You're never too old to take up guitar. And nice M-70 you've got there. Solid introduction with photos, too. Well done.

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome. I don't have any specific answers for your questions but I'm sure someone will be along soon who does.

I do need to warn you. There are an awful lot of people who get to a point in their playing where they realize there are things that could be improved by acquiring a second guitar. With so many nice Guilds out there you may find that day will come for you, too. :wink:

It's never too late to start something new. Just don't get frustrated when it feels like you aren't progressing.

 

[fab467]

Welcome to LTG devonpete!

Congrats on the cool axe and your determination to play it. You are in for
a lot of fun (and a bit of pain...oooh the fingers...)

 

[bluesypicky]

Awesome Peter! Go for it and don't look back. I like your musical target too :wink: .
You have the guitar (a nice one too), the determination, now hang in there and enjoy the ride, and as they said before, don't let frustration deter you! And welcome to LTG!

 

[killdeer43]

Welcome, Pete.
An M-70 at 60! Sounds like a great combo to me.

I like to see you younger guys developing an interest in playing guitar. :wink:
This looks like a great starter on the way to more!

Stay in tune!

Joe

 

[coastie99]

Good on ya Pete !

You go for it mate.

Welcome to LTG

 

[southernGuild]

Welcome to LTG Pete, and Yes, starting the guitar at 60 is a fine idea, keep the motivation going and have fun! You will likely suprise yourself how well you go if you persevere. As you probably already know...It's all worth it! This place will keep you well in tune. :wink:

 

[mad dog]

Pete:

Cool rig, and welcome! Plenty of Dearmond lovers here. If yours is at all like mine (M-75T), there's really nothing to know. Nothing much to break or go wrong assuming the instrument is properly set up. As they are overbuilt in the extreme.

I can advise a few things. First, make sure the contact points (bridge saddles, nut slots) are lubricated, so that "Digsby" can work smoothly. A little Nut Sauce works wonders. Next, if you experience any crackling at the jack, or scratchy sounds when dials are turned, it's no big deal. Quality low budget guitars such as this are often let down by the electronics, the pots and jack in particular. If it comes to that, find a guitar tech who does this stuff and have those parts upgraded.

Good luck with it.
Michael D.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

Remember:

A beginning adult understands immediately, but it takes a year to get the danged fingers to listen.

A beginning child's fingers work the first time out...but the kid is clueless for a year.

So cut yourself some slack. :wink:

You don't mention whether you've had any music lessons as a kid or played another instrument. If you have, it will all come back to you. If not, the easiest place to start is with a song you remember from your childhood...you'll know right away when you get it right. And the fancy stuff will come later when your fingers know the basic path.

A local adult ed class for beginning guitarists is a nice place to start. All the students will be at your level and the instructors usually have some experience with beginning adults.

Good luck and enjoy your guitar!

 

[Ross]

Hi Peter & welcome, from another Guild lover in his 7th decade

Nice looking guitar you have there - if it's anything like my M75, you're in for a treat!

PS - too bad they don't make armless Poang chairs! :lol:

 

[devonpete]

Hi Guys (and gals!)

I'm overwhelmed by the warmth of your replies! Thank you so much - you don't know what it means to have such support behind me. I am a member of a few other forums (nothing to do with music) and there is just nowhere near the sense of camaraderie that obviously exists on the Let's Talk Guild forum. Thanks.

I had my first lesson yesterday - a bit daunting with seemingly too many fingers trying to hold down the strings on the frets! :shock: But hey it was only a 30 minute lesson and I've got LOTS to practice before my next lesson next week. I am determined to practice every day - little and often rather than trying to devote too much time in one go.

I love my DeArmond guitar - it looks so classy in shiny black and I'm buying a simple stand today so that it won't fall over and get damaged!

GuildFS4612CE asked if I have ever played any instrument or had music lessons. The answer is no to both! This is really starting from base zero! The guy at the music shop who is giving me my lessons is an ex-music teacher so he sure must be used to people like me (only younger!).

You Guild/DeArmond owners are great!

 

[killdeer43]

The best is yet to come, Pete, so enjoy the process.
Whenever I have a new student in my Basic Guitar class, I always tell them that degree of difficulty is determined by desire.
*I came up with that one when I was learning to make my first D chord. :lol:

Hold that guitar as often as you can and music is sure to follow.

Keep us all posted and don't be a stranger,
Joe

 

[fronobulax]

I had my first lesson yesterday - a bit daunting with seemingly too many fingers trying to hold down the strings on the frets! :shock: But hey it was only a 30 minute lesson and I've got LOTS to practice before my next lesson next week. I am determined to practice every day - little and often rather than trying to devote too much time in one go.

As a bass player I only have to deal with four strings and almost never more than one at a time. I suspect your practice will move you out ahead of my six string guitar skills in no time. One lesson and already you're not at the back of the pack.

 

[Csquare4]

Pete,

Welcome aboard, if you have a passion for the music, then you are sure to progress quickly. I picked up the guitar again later in life as well. As a teenager, I played a lot, but it was mainly power chords and rock riffs. Even tried a few bands, though we really stank...no one could keep time or sing in key. I dropped it for about 15 years, military/college/new family just interfered. When I began to play again I can assure you my wife was so sick of "Mississippi Queen", "Sunshine of your love" and "Badge"! They were the only three songs I knew and I wore them out, ha ha.

That was many years ago, now I enjoy playing every chance I get. I also have a jam partner in my 14yo son who has progressed much faster than I...cool thing is, we like the same music, so all I have to do is play some chord progressions and he plays lead, much like what I did as a teen, but now with some actual "technique" So, my point is, like the others say, hang in there! It will come.

One more thing - Love your photography! Nice job on the photos...I wish all posters had such nice pictures. Photography is my other passion - obviously, you have some time behind a lens as well.

Cheers!
Craig

 

[devonpete]

One more thing - Love your photography! Nice job on the photos...I wish all posters had such nice pictures. Photography is my other passion - obviously, you have some time behind a lens as well.

Cheers!
Craig

Hah, you've discovered my other passion - photography! I have worked in the imaging business all my life and still love taking photos (currently Canon EOS 7D). People ask me how they can take better photos and I tell them "practise" so I guess it's just the same as guitar playing. It seems in all things there is no substitute for practising!

Peter

 

[devonpete]

I am so sad today to learn that a blues hero of mine has died - Gary Moore. He was only 58 and it seems impossible. Let's all remember him in our thoughts. RIP Gary - you were one of my inspirations to take up the guitar and I'll always think of you when I play in the future.

 

[coastie99]

Good heavens !!

Gotta go find out more.

 

[coastie99]

So far, no further news.

 

[Csquare4]

Yeah, bad news indeed. One of my favorites as well...what a sad loss. RIP Gary.

Parisienne Walkways

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGoYmRoBF4Q&feature=related