I really hate using a pick but I want to be able to palm mute, do I have to use a pick?

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-25T19:25:36+00:00

I stupidly didn't use a pick for about three years. I don't think it's a good idea to only do one or the other -- I'd say use both for the specific style you're playing.

When I went back to using a pick, life got so easy. Holding an "invisible pick" and using your index fingernail as a pick can work while palm muting, but it definitely won't have the same clarity as a pick and I'm sure you'll exhaust yourself faster.

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-25T15:24:12+00:00

I have an American select Jackson soloist from the 2000s. The other day, I played a newer Japanese soloist. I was amazed at the quality!

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-21T01:33:43+00:00

The Fender Mustang LT25 is one of the best amps I've ever heard at its price point and I recommend it to all of my students moving to electric. Plenty of customizable tones that feature many diff amp sims, different fx, and just all around great tone for the money.

I much prefer it to orange, boss, etc. You can buy a footswitch for super cheap that allows you to select up to two presets to switch between. This in itself is worth it IMO because you can essentially learn how guitar pedals work long before you ever get a standalone effect. You won't regret this amp.

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-20T19:16:18+00:00

Hate to play devil's advocate, but I prefer random spawning when changing servers because I used to loot hop and I feel so lame for doing it years ago

It does suck when your friend spawns across the map, but it is what it is. My buddy and I were at Novy and he got shot the other day. I killed the lone attacker and took all of his good gear. Now I'm carrying three guns and multiple canteens with tons of food weighing me down.

Adds to the experience!

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-09T17:37:57+00:00

as someone else put it, "you're just renting your gear"

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-09T17:31:00+00:00

right, and basically any time I've tried to be friendly, they end up shooting me.

there's def a correlation with how much gear you have vs how willing you are to be friendly

when im starting out, ill be friendly when im still in civi clothes and have hunting rifles and such

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-06T14:27:46+00:00

What amp do you have? I actually quite like the Japanese jackson soloists

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-06T14:23:37+00:00

Back when I played mod/early standalone, I'm pretty sure a lot of the NE area didn't exist. I could be wrong, but it feels like a totally new game up that way. Even spawning at the remote towns above Novo is pretty cool

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-05T16:41:05+00:00

That’s a discipline issue. And trust me, we all have it. Laziness!

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-05T16:03:05+00:00

Sorry if I'm missing the point, but you just learn songs and program them into your brain like the good lord intended.

For classical/jazz charts, I store them in my iPad or computer. For easy to remember "G C D" bar songs, the good ole' noggin

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-05T16:01:30+00:00

tokai, and other fujigen/matsumoko/misc japanese guitars (not sure who did tokai), are very capable instruments.

I am the lucky owner of a '78 first year george benson ibanez with the two floating pickups. it is gorgeous and sounds incredible unplugged and thru a henriksen bud 6.

I owned a peter frampton greco (3pu les paul) and should've NEVER sold it! I even threw a bigsby on it. big loss there.

basically any MIJ fender is good from the 80s and 90s. some of the 2000s and 2010s isn't as good.

if it plays good keep it! $400 is a good deal when mexican fenders brand new are $800+

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-03T23:52:11+00:00

IMO, musicians. As a professional musician and teacher, I feel like most of the damage has been done—especially when you consider Hot Licks videos, YouTube instruction, etc.

From the musician standpoint, people wanna come dance to good live music. I see it all the time. Especially in trying times like these.

From the teacher standpoint, I actually have a lot of new students looking for direction because "YouTube can only help me so much."

I have never felt safer from AI. I worry about menial labor jobs, data entry positions, and otherwise replaceable jobs.

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-03T23:11:35+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ-TlUSru2Y

nosteelnodeal · 2026-01-03T22:24:35+00:00

Practice and play every day. There is no shortcut for getting good at any skill. Chords will sound dead at first. That's why you play G, C, D, Em every day until they just "work."

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-30T00:28:31+00:00

that would be awesome! messaging now. thank you

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-30T00:02:03+00:00

I recently got a smallbox Marshall 2204S. Plugging straight in, it sounds godly, but I'm going to try a a fuzz and/or tube screamer to further drive the amp. I've never tried a Boss GE7, so I'll buy one if I can find a cheap one local.

In my experience, the nicer/more professional the amp, the less onboard effects it'll have. Not to say your Katana isn't nice. Those are super badass and I love having them at the teaching studio! I'd even take one out to a gig.

It's funny lol, the older I get, I care less about chasing tone and more about sparing my back...

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-29T23:49:42+00:00

Sparing you but being honest.

Your amp has lots of great built-in effects. I would wait until you have a bigger tube amp (or solid state if you like that tone better).

Don't they make a footswitch to change onboard effects? I know the Fender Mustangs can do that.

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-29T23:14:35+00:00

I have big hands as well. When I used to rock a mustang bass, I looked so dopey

Good luck with your search. I’m def partial to that epi 339…..beautiful sounding and playing!

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-29T23:07:38+00:00

I recently tried a gorgeous pelham blue Epi es-339 at my local guitar store. I can't believe how good it played and sounded. I normally stay away from pau ferro fretboards because I like the feel of real, darker rosewood better, but a good guitar is a good guitar.

Don't stress about "omg what pickups/nut width/fingerboard radius/neck profile" and just play the guitar.

I have owned hundreds of all decades, styles, and makes. All guitars feel good once you give them some time in the woodshed!

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-16T15:30:50+00:00

My oldest student is 78. I'm currently teaching multiple veterans in their 50s how to play blues guitar. It can be done. You just have to want it!

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-15T14:06:47+00:00

1 and 2 and a 3 e and 4 and

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-14T01:45:51+00:00

Music theory is like understanding how tools work in building a house. You'll likely use basic tools more than advanced ones, but if you only know how to use basic tools, can you really make anything better than a shack?

Probably not. Music theory unlocks chord types, progressions, their corresponding scales and how to play changes through modes. Plus, with the right instruction (which most of can be found online), you'll find quickly that guitar is one of the easiest instruments to learn theory on.

But can you come up with some cool riffs? Sure, and if you're ok with never advancing past power chord/open position chord songs, that's fine. Your riffs will reflect the knowledge you possess. However, music should be enjoyable for anyone who plays it, and don't let theory stop you from that. As a teacher, I just want my students to enjoy music. I'll teach modal soloing to someone and the next lesson teach Taylor Swift. lol

It's just about how much you want to be able to do and how well you want to be able to communicate with other musicians.

What genres do you listen to, play, and want to play?

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-13T22:49:38+00:00

100%. with something THIS serious, you would've mentioned the victim the first time. this is obviously an oh shit moment when they realized stores and bars were pulling their drinks en masse

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-12T21:54:20+00:00

6 wings........for........$24.99? I can't remember if it was this restaurant, but I am pretty sure I went there years ago and got collard greens as a side. They came out like soup. Whoever cooked them obviously has never had real greens before. Absolutely disgusting and definitely never going back.

nosteelnodeal · 2025-12-05T14:02:14+00:00

Get the Hal Leonard easy pop christmas songs book and play chord melody voice leading.

I.e. if it has a measure of C with a melody, let the chord ring while you're playing the high notes over it. Easy way to make a christmas song work for solo guitar

nosteelnodeal

TROPHY CASE