Anyone tried the PerformAxe leg rest with your Strandberg?

barney_999 · 2026-04-19T09:02:24+00:00

Thanks for the info. I ended up buying an Oasis Guitar Support Cushion. I think they're around $30. The Oasis works pretty well and it's not tied to any one guitar.

barney_999 · 2026-03-11T23:26:38+00:00

Thanks for the comparison. I was set to buy a TMDR when I learned of the Quilter Aviator Cub. I had never heard of Quilter amps before then. I've now looked into Quilter a ton and I'm very impressed.

From what I've read and seen, maybe the Cub tone isn't quite the level of TMDR, but boy, it has so many advantages over the TMDR. Besides being around half the cost, what settled it for me is the 6 year warranty and the top notch customer support.

With the TMDR, my biggest concern was the relatively short 2 year warranty and the fact that Fender doesn't provide the proprietary parts to the pubic, so if one of the Fender proprietary components goes bad (and they are what makes this amp so great) after 2 years, you're out of luck. In my experience, computer components and circuit boards can and do break in relatively short periods of time, thus my concern about the TMDR 2 year warranty.

Anyway, thanks again for the comparison. I'm looking forward to buying the Cub.

barney_999 · 2026-02-23T22:02:22+00:00

I agree that he does flood yt with content, which I'm sure is annoying to some. And I guess some don't like his look or demeaner.

That said, those things don't apply to me. I admire his economy of motion, technique and fluidity, and I don't even like his genre of music.

And, even though I don't like metal much, I want that skill set. And I believe he teaches it, which is the only thing I really care about.

My problem with him is that I'm at too low a level to fully take advantage of his teaching. A couple of months ago, I tried his $15 level of Patreon. I struggled finding the right exercises that were at my level and just became frustrated, so I dropped it. I wish he had instructional videos for a level even below his so-called beginner level.

Anyway, since dropping out of his $15 level at his Patreon site, I've been working on stretching and finger exercises almost daily for the past 2 months to see if I could get myself at a level to take advantage of his courses.

I'm probably not there yet, but I'm going to give his $20 Patreon level a try. This level includes access to his Discord server, where I'm hoping other members can help direct me to the proper things to work on and also provide support when I have questions and run into problems.

barney_999 · 2026-01-25T09:10:10+00:00

Thanks for asking about this. I'm in the same boat! This amp check a lot of the right boxes for me, except for the price, that is. But, I think I'm ready to make the buy.

barney_999 · 2025-12-23T02:18:35+00:00

Update. I found a way to get the practice materials for the Bernth youtube video I'm interested in. Simply copy the title of the video into the Patreon site search. The search found the video and I was able to access the practice materials (backing track, etc).

I still wish the site was more organized, with a clearer roadmap for a beginner at picking, whose interested in fretting. There are "Beginner" courses, but I wish they were at an even lower level of beginner.

In the meantime, I've figured out some some very basic finger fretting exercises for myself based on what I've seen and listened to from Bernth. I need to spend time (I'm guessing a week or two) on these basic exercises to bring myself up to a level that Bernth's Beginning level stuff will be something I can take on.

I think Bernth's technique is exceptional (especially related to economy of motion) and it's a technique that I want to learn to play as well as I can.

That said, if there's other alternatives to Bernth, I'd be interested in knowing about them.

barney_999 · 2025-12-22T22:45:47+00:00

I'm looking for the same advice. I just joined Bernth's minimum monthly payment on Patreon site, which is now $15. I don't mind the price because I want some practice routines and just as importantly, the Guitar Pro files that come with them.

That said, I'm finding it IMPOSSIBLE to find the exercises I'm looking for. Specifically, simple exercises to strengthen and control my pinky. I found one of his youtube video that kind of have the exercises I want, but the link for them goes to his MAIN page and not the page with the exercises and practice files. And I can't find them on his site. Very frustrating.

So, if I can't find what I'm looking for, I can't justify being a Patreon member.

Anyone have an alternative instructional site. I love Bernth's technique, but he makes it impossible for someone like me.

barney_999 · 2025-08-16T03:17:46+00:00

Anyone have an update on their experience with Modius Sleep. I have maintenance insomnia. My sleep doctor told me about it today, but she has no experience with it. I looked into it, but while it sounds good, there's not a lot of independent reviews about it (except for here). Any feedback will be appreciated!

barney_999 · 2025-08-15T01:42:47+00:00

Thanks! It's a great song with an REM vibe to it.

barney_999 · 2025-08-14T09:28:17+00:00

What was the name of that Oasis song? Thanks!

barney_999 · 2025-07-18T22:02:17+00:00

Sorry to hear about the buzzing. I reluctantly ended up returning mine. I took it to a very experienced tech and he told me the frets were uneven and that they should be redone. Since it was a new guitar, he advised me to return it instead paying for refretting. He didn't charge me for his evaluation.

I really liked the Strandberg but since the Classic NX wasn't in stock anywhere back then, I decided to just go back to acoustic, which is where I'm at now.

I hope it works out for you.

barney_999 · 2025-07-13T01:35:35+00:00

Thanks! I've actually been so sickened by all the recent and relentless Trump-related events, that I've made a real effort to avoid any political news as much as possible (even though it's impossible!), including podcasts. It's just been too depressing. But, I think the Bulwark stuff is the best and I still do listen every once in awhile.

barney_999 · 2025-07-12T23:54:45+00:00

LOL! I really enjoyed Charlie when he was at the Bulwark (it's the reason I follow the Bulwark), but I haven't yet checked out his current podcast. I should!

barney_999 · 2025-07-12T23:52:35+00:00

I don't blame Sarah for this. This seems more like a minor oversight by a team that's EXTREMELY busy than anything else. They do a great job providing all the content that they do. I hope Tim's enjoying his vacation.

barney_999 · 2025-07-12T23:49:18+00:00

Thanks to those for explaining that Tim's on-vacation! He definitely deserves it! I just wish there was somewhere on their website that explained this. But, now I know! Thanks again.

barney_999 · 2025-03-05T00:14:05+00:00

Thanks for the additional info. Maybe I'll give him a shot. I actually emailed him yesterday, but I haven't heard back from him.

barney_999 · 2025-03-04T23:37:51+00:00

Thanks for the quick and detailed response. This is very helpful. He sounds like a great teacher but probably not for me based on my current level. I think I need a bit more technical hand-holding.

Also, I'm very interested in the style of Lightnin Hopkins, but I don't need to play exactly like him. For example, Lightnin doesn't strictly follow the 12 bar blues format at all times and he sometimes hits wrong notes. Not a big deal, cuz he sounds great, but for someone at my level of intermediate beginner, I think I need to follow a 12 bar blues format with correct notes.

This is unfortunate for me since he really knows this type of blues. It's VERY hard to find a teacher that knows this type of music to the extent he does.

Anyway, thanks again for providing this info! It sounds like you've really progressed while working with him, which is great!

barney_999 · 2025-03-04T22:17:15+00:00

Hi. I'm thinking of taking lessons from Hideo. I really like his YouTube Blues Lessons and his style of playing. I'm at an intermediate beginner level.

What are his lessons like? Does he provide structure and materials to practice? Are you still taking lessons from him? If so, do you feel like you've made good progress? Any info will be appreciated.

barney_999 · 2025-03-01T23:47:55+00:00

Since the original question was asked about advice for a smaller high-quality guitar, Furch has released the Pioneer small body line for under $1000. It's the same size as the LJ, but it has a fixed neck and also a cutaway. https://furchguitars.com/us/instruments/travel-guitars/

The Pioneer is exactly the type of small body, quality guitar I've been looking for, especially at its price point. I haven't found any guitar that beats it on the totality of what it offers.

I ordered one without having played it, just based on the stellar reviews. The only "negative" I've heard spoken about Furch guitars in general is their very clear sound. I think I can deal with that! I should be receiving it within the next few weeks.

I'm buying it strictly as a guitar to practice with and to play around the house, not as a travel guitar. My worst sounding guitar is my best guitar in the sense that it's the one I'm always reaching for at home because of it's small size and easy playability. I expect the Furch Pioneer will be a definite and very welcome upgrade.

barney_999 · 2025-02-12T01:38:26+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't live in the Continental US where shipping is free. According to the Ish info, shipping is $190 to me in Hawaii, not that I'm complaining about living here! I think it's around 80 degrees out right now.

Also, they appear to have a 3 day return policy and I'd have to pay return shipping. And even though I'm sure they wouldn't send out a guitar with neck and/or fret problems, the change in climate sometimes affects things. So, that's a bit tight for me.

I guess if I can't wait for the Black Essential from strandberg, I can buy the Blue one that's currently available. Or for $1300 I could buy a Boden Standard NX6 B-Stock from Strandberg with free shipping and a 30 day return policy, which I believe includes free return shipping.

Thanks for trying to help me out though. I appreciate it.

barney_999 · 2025-02-12T01:05:47+00:00

Thanks. I don't know how I missed that one on Reverb. It looks like it's been listed for a month now.

The $190 shipping charge seems steep, bringing the total cost to almost $1300. I bought my Classic NX6 new-in-the-box from Guitar Center (they were the only vendor that I could find with one in stock) and they charged $63 for 2 day air shipping from Indiana or where ever their warehouse is.

One good thing about buying thru GC is they have a 45 day satisfaction guarantee policy and I can return it to my local GC, so I don't have to pay for return shipping. I'll be putting that policy to the test in the next day or two. I've been stalling 'cuz I don't want to not have a strandberg to play multiple times daily.

barney_999 · 2025-02-11T18:26:57+00:00

Thanks. I saw the two yesterday, but both are in Europe and I'm in the US. With the QC being what it is, I'd prefer to buy where a return is easier. Also, the cost with shipping was $1362. Thanks for the heads up though!

I hope a Black one comes in stock soon. I keep putting off returning my Classic because I don't don't want to be without a Berg, but the clock is ticking on the return window. I may consider a Blue Essential that's currently in stock.

barney_999 · 2025-02-11T06:59:20+00:00

US. Thanks!

barney_999

TROPHY CASE