My first guitar ever was a Squier Stratocaster, lasted 5 or 6 years before it had any problems, then I got an Ibanez RG5EX1 and it has been great for several years. Now the Ibanez has the output problem.

I haven't played the strat for a long time. But it was my first guitar and I will never get rid of it, and my Ibanez is signed by Joe and it would take a serious situation for me to get rid of it.

I am looking to upgrade, but considering I am 18 and only make $2000 a year working part time, I don't want to spend an entire years pay on one item. Hopefully I can afford $1000 on a JS but not the js100 I have seen poor reviews about it. so I would like the 1200 but the 1000 might be better for the price as long as its used. Guitar Center has both of them the 1200 is $50 than the 1000. Ebay has used 1000s from $600 and up, no 1200s though.

Shel - yes he is a keeper.

OK I fixed my guitar. Just needed to resolder a loose wire.

But I am still interested in a JS, but it might have to wait a little while.

Well, if they would appropriately change the name of the show to The Shitty Music Award show, it would make much more sense than it does now.

Did anyone take notice when the record of the year award was announced. Neil Young's wife (?) looked at him and said "You were right!" Neil Young, Jeff Beck, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, and Muse, and Muse won - hence - The Shitty Music Award Show.

Let's make some more fitting names for The Grammy's.

The Cheese Awards (no offecne Chee)

The All Flash & No Substance Awards

The Most Popular Music of the Out Crowd Awards

Oy geez! Grammy Schmammy!

I need to ask everybody a series of questions.

What do you consider the classifications of being a fan of a type of music or a certain band or a certain actor/comedian??

Do you think you can be a fan if you know the name of the band, but don't know any names of the songs?

Do you think you can be considered a fan if you don't feel the need to buy any of their albums or have no interest in going to a concert?

Is there a line between "I'm a fan of (that band)" and "I like their work"???

And finally. If you were to ask a person if they were a fan of something, do you think it should only be a yes or no answer?? Is being a fan black or white, or are their shades of gray in between?

regarding the fan question

i believe the term 'fan' is short for fanatic. To answer the questions,

Do you think you can be a fan if you know the name of the band, but don't know any names of the songs? no. a fan knows the names of most or all of the songs and also knows about the band's history and members.

Do you think you can be considered a fan if you don't feel the need to buy any of their albums or have no interest in going to a concert? no. if you are a fan, you have at least some of the band's work and you have interest in going to a concert. you may not be able to go due to where you live but you want to. you don't need to own everything a band has ever created. the group may have changed over time and the music styles could be way different- early doobie brothers vs. later doobie brothers is an example.

Is there a line between "I'm a fan of (that band)" and "I like their work"??? yes. many people like lots of band's music but they may not be true fans.

And finally. If you were to ask a person if they were a fan of something, do you think it should only be a yes or no answer?? Is being a fan black or white, or are their shades of gray in between? yes or no. no shades of gray.

just my two cents

Mackai Daddy - I'll have to take exception to you're calling Arcade Fire a "shitty band." Personally I think they are very talented absolutely amazing new musicians and as goes music that masses of people like to hear, that's the stuff man. It's not cheesy or poppy, if you've ever seen them live it's a life changing experience, they are truly free musicians, not constrained by any expectations, which is what makes their music so great.

To Everyone Else - I personally used to get very angry watching Joe get nomination after nomination and some "shitty band" beat him out for best song or best album, or whatever. I have come to realize that I think the "Grammy people" have come to their senses and know now how insulting it is to keep nominating a person as awesome, as deep, as musically perfect as Joe Satriani knowing full well that he doesn't have hardly a chance to win the Grammy.

Why do I say that? Because he's a not a mass crowd pleaser and not a mass money maker. He doesn't sell albums like Gaga or Beiber or you name it.

He has us, his dedicated fans, to follow him and share his music with others so that they may in turn share it if they like it. That's our Joe, and I think that's hat needs to be said. The day he wins a Grammy is the day hell freezes over or some other miracle occurs, because Joe will not lower himself to the place the record companies want him at so as to make him a crowd pleaser and mass money maker.

Pretty accurate 2 cents.

Mornin' peeps!

Satriani, I'm brazilian and I am his fan for a long time. I love the style I admire his ability. The time I started playing, and I follow his style, and I also started my collection of picks, and I would earnestly ask you to send me some picks her, to add prestige to my collection. The shipping address is:

Valdomiro Joaquim Felisardo Junior St Aristides Bastos Aguiar, 741 Res Centenario Bebedouro - SP Brazil Cep 14711-442

woodman300 - I would have to disagree on your point one. I am a fan of Joe's music and have been for MANY years. There are A LOT of songs I don't know the name of. Mainly because I tend to listen to artists on my Pod and in random order so that I hear all the songs fairly equally. There are tunes I'm not even sure what album they are off of. Less of a fan. I think not.

True fans, real fans, biggest fans, whatever fans, it's all rather boring.

If you think you're a fan then you're a fan.

Hi Everyone.

Work at the Marriott and the guitar shop has been keeping me busy, which unfortunately is taking a toll on my running. On the brighter side, I do have today and the next two days off so I can get some running in. Running season has started again, and I had to pass on a couple of 5K races already due to work and the big marathon that's coming up.

I'll be running on February 27th up in Goshen, Indiana. I'm running the 3rd Annual Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon (a marathon on an indoor track, running 204 laps). That's three days after my 26th birthday. What a coincidence that I'll be turning 26 on the 24th and in three days, I'll be running 26.2 miles. What a birthday week/weekend I'll have!

Here are the lists on who's running. I'm on the Sunday list (#25). I also think that I'm the youngest running this event. Feel free to look at more info about this event, if you're interested.

I'm also chilling with a buddy of mine who still wants me to learn guitar. I hardly have time due to my hectic schedules. Hopefully I can get some time in with him, plus work on some singing. I did my first karaoke last December and believe it or not, I was a bit scared, and really nervous. This was more nerve racking than running a marathon and trying to qualify for Boston or the Olympics all combined. Therefore, I did it and overcame this fear. So far, I have gone to a couple karaoke bars and did a couple songs. Think I better go to another bar and sing again.

Joe: Great to see that blue. Best to you and the guys on the second Chickenfoot album. Keep up the excellent work.

DavidFord: Welcome to the site.

To Everyone: I'm sorry it's been so long since I last posted. I hope you all are well. I do read the posts from time to time from you all. Hit me up via email or on Facebook if you like.

Oh, and I missed the Grammys but I heard a lot on who won and who performed. Disappointed RUSH didn't win in their category. I predicted Lady Antebellum was going to be the big winner and their song, "Need You Now." It has been playing on almost every radio station here in Fort Wayne.

Talk to you later peeps, got some running/conditioning to do. Keep in touch. \m/ \m/

I wanna know what everyone thinks of this....

Good to know about the upcoming Vai album

Not sure if this is still the done thing, but...