Category Archives: Project 365

New Gear : Levy MS26E Guitar Strap

As I’ve started to practice more with my new guitar, it’s become really evident that I needed a strap to help support it in place — one less thing to pay attention to while trying to figure this stringed beast out. I looked on the ‘Net, but the number of choices is simply overwhelming. Add to that that there’s no way to figure out how any of ’em actually look and feel, and suddenly this simple shopping excursion becomes a daunting one.

So I bit the bullet today, steeled myself against the potential exposure of being a newb, and took a trip to one of the local guitar shops. In my internet travels, I’d seen Levy straps, and found ’em at the shop. I took a look, found one I liked, and escaped with my babe in the woods secret still intact.

I wound up with a Levy MS26E strap, and really like it. Of course, I had to figure out how to put it on the silly guitar — as I’m learning, acoustics frequently don’t have but one button on which to mount the strap. The other end is tied onto the head. And, after putting it on wrong-side-up, I finally wound up with the thing installed right, feeling nice, and ready for the somewhat lackluster action I can supply!

Project 365 : New Addition

I’ve been wanting to learn to play the guitar for a long time. Music has been such a part of my life — as a listener — for as long as I can remember. I’ve played around with learning the piano (a small dose of classes), but that’s been about it during my adult life. My brother is quite the guitar player, and works for his favorite guitar company, Carvin. We’ve talked some about putting me in a guitar — and Carvin makes beautiful instruments — but as I looked at the pricing, I realized those are “big boy” guitars, and at this point in my playing experience, that’s probably a bit more of a commitment/investment than I’m willing to make right now. I bet there’ll be on in my future though! 🙂

Becky and I visited Mozingo Music in O’Fallon during lunch yesterday, and I found a guitar that sounded good, looked good, and was priced within my pre-set budget. It’s a nice Yamaha acoustic, and seems to be exactly what I was looking for. I still need to find a strap I like, but aside from that, I think I’m set.

Last night, I played with it for an hour or so (with my Guitar for Dummies book at my side). The tips of the fingers on my left hand are so tender! Guess it’ll take time before those tender tips get used to manhandling the strings on the neck. I’m having terrific problems getting my hamfist and fingers away from strings that I don’t intend to be touching. I’m sure I’m not the first one with that problem!

Project 365 : No Money for Lincoln

On the way back from Chattanooga, I stopped in a rest area near Metropolis IL. (And yes, they have loads of Superman stuff around, but that’s a story for another trip…) The rest area was open, but the brochures were all locked up behind a cage, with signs explaining that they were closed due to budget cuts. Apparently even Superman couldn’t save them.