Giutars

So, looking for something to add value to my existence, I've been inspired lately to pick up the guitar. I studied for a semester in high school, but I had pretty much forgotten everything.

My inspiration is Mean Mary, particularly her song Sweet Jezebel. Jezebel is a guitar. Red as blood, long and thin with ebony trim, it's neck inlaid with ebony and jade.

So, I dropped in to the local music store and selected a Fender Squier Stratocaster, a baby Fender amp, a pedal and cords.

So, I'm on you tube learning to play, and looking at Custom guitars. Because, even though it is red, the Fender is simply not Jezebel.

Anyway, I come across this video by Mark Klett reviewing a guitar made by Halo, and I decided that exact set up is Jezebel.

Evertune bridge, Juggernaut pickups, but modeled after the guitar in the video. Unfortunately it is not depicted well in the video, Halo contacted Mean Mary and she offered that the guitar in the video was an Epiphone Swingster, wine red.

So I got one of those too, it's wonderful.

Meanwhile, I've been working with Halo for a couple months to get all the details just perfect to create Jezebel. She'll have a through neck design, semi hollow body with pearl inlay squares on the usual frets, and jade inlay on the rest. Jezebel will be screen printed on the neck head in a beautiful flowing script.

I intend to have learned to play to some reasonable level by the time Jezabel is done.

On the 17th I'm going to see Mean Mary in Auburn Alabama, and I'm taking the Ephiphone to ask her to sign it. It's going to be amazing getting to see her in person.

You know what they say about a story with no pictures right?!?!? LOL...

I don't know if this is welcome or not. however if you are interested in learning lead guitar (especially Blues) I'd recommend looking into "Stitch Method" on Youtube-I thought I knew a lot but Ian has taught me things I didn't know, and he does it in an understandable way--hope this helps-good luck in you guitar journey, it has been a great friend to me-

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Originally Posted by 35WINDOW

I don't know if this is welcome or not. however if you are interested in learning lead guitar (especially Blues) I'd recommend looking into "Stitch Method" on Youtube-I thought I knew a lot but Ian has taught me things I didn't know, and he does it in an understandable way--hope this helps-good luck in you guitar journey, it has been a great friend to me-

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It's a big welcome to me.. Always looking to see how others do the same things. And a good teacher is always a welcome resource. TY

Thanks, I'm currently learning the fret board and developing calluses. Concentrating on the diatonic scale, I'll figure out the pentatonic next. Fender apparently offers on line lessons free, I'll check that out too.

I have a long row to hoe before I can play Mary's songs, she doesn't do simple.

Torturing my guitars is the first thing I do when I get up, and the last thing I do before bed, and some in-between also.

These may help....? :whacked:

Attachment 73876

Omg that is hilarious, thats what its like playing steely Dan songs!

Cool! Get an acoustic and learn a few handfuls of three chord campfire and gospel sing along songs. Good chord transition practice and your friends get to participate in the fun.

I can relate to that six fingered chord. That is how it feels changing from A minor to D minor.

BTW, my capo came in, and I'm learning Gordon Lightfoot's (sounds like a Hobbit name?) Sundown. I heard Dad playing it while I was little, so special significance. It's not easy, difficult fingering and complicated strumming.

I just finished watching Mean Mary in concert, Auburn Alabama.

She is truly wonderful to behold. Very talented, she puts so much energy into her live performances.

And, she signed my guitar: the Ephiphone Emperor Swingster. The same model was used in her video, Sweet Jezabel.

Small venue, and I was front row. The audience was so quiet I kept forgetting they were there until the applause; louder than her amplifier.

I purchased a pile of merchandise. (Merch) all her albums on disc, and a T shirt.

Halo Guitars has contracted with me to build Jezabel. I'm on their waiting list.

Some questions... "Mean Mary"? Halo Guitars? I searched the e-web but am left with more questions than answers!
Halo Guitars - not cheap

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Originally Posted by 34_40

Some questions... "Mean Mary"? Halo Guitars? I searched the e-web but am left with more questions than answers!
Halo Guitars - not cheap

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I'd never heard of Mean Mary either, but learned that she could read music before words, started writing music at 5 years and recorded her first song, "Mean Mary from Alabam" at age 6!! The press named her Mean Mary James and it stuck! Quite a story!

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Originally Posted by rspears

I'd never heard of Mean Mary either, but learned that she could read music before words, started writing music at 5 years and recorded her first song, "Mean Mary from Alabam" at age 6!! The press named her Mean Mary James and it stuck! Quite a story!

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Thanks Roger!

34_40 : if you have any more questions, watch Sweet Jezebel by Mean Mary on you tube.

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Originally Posted by firebird77clone

34_40 : if you have any more questions, watch Sweet Jezebel by Mean Mary on you tube.

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I did... about 45 seconds worth. No thanks.

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Originally Posted by 34_40

I did... about 45 seconds worth. No thanks.

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:LOL::LOL::LOL: I lasted a minute 30 or maybe 2 minutes. ;)

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Originally Posted by rspears

:LOL::LOL::LOL: I lasted a minute 30 or maybe 2 minutes. ;)

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:eek::LOL::eek::LOL::D:p:p:p:3dSMILE: I'm going to go play with my voltmeter now! **) :rolleyes:

This being my first day on the internet and all, I was utterly amazed that there are opinions contradictory to my own!

So, I re-watched Jezebel, just to check my own perspective.

Yes, I'm still smitten.

But fyi: it's not just a song, it's a story.

She has written many songs as stories, one of my favorites being The Death and the Maiden. It's about 12 minutes long, and the ending is a wonderful sudden reversal plot twist.

Anyway, sorry you didn't enjoy it.

No harm, No foul.. Just like we don't all like the same cars, we don't all like the same music or guitars. 8-)

But seriously, I just hadn't considered.

How interesting our life is.

I enjoy Mary’s music. I guess I am somewhat confused as I watched the video, she was picking an acoustic guitar, though it may have had pickups. I’ve been studying for about three years now and enjoy the music sessions immensely. Lately I have been building my own guitars which gives a lot of enjoyment.

She doesn't always keep exact details in her videos.

She describes Jezebel as long and thin, but used the Epiphone Swingster in the video.

Also, in Iron Horse her steed was not a "painted dun"

And in Red Barn the barn isn't leaning.

She's more about the music than the video.

In person her performance is exemplary.

She gives all her energy and effort, performing nearly flawlessly.

I totally forgot this thread.

So: a follow-up:

It was a three year wait for my Jezebel. For the last two years I was keeping in contact with Mean Mary to arrange a concert at my VFW. When the stars align, they really align.

I got the guitar from Halo two weeks before her concert at my VFW post. So, Mary agreed to play Sweet Jezebel on my Jezebel! She also rocked out a couple other songs before she put it down. She was very impressed with the guitar.

Sadly, I still haven't learned much. I guess life kind of side tracked my guitar playing, but I'm making an active effort again.

http://www.clubhotrod.com/photopost/...17_resized.jpg

http://www.clubhotrod.com/photopost/...0006471_1_.jpg

That's Mary, signing my Jezebel.
Yes, I'm dressed as a pirate. You see, Mary doesn't like to play Death and the Maiden live, it is a ten minute song, and I guess she feels it might exceed her audience's attention span. Well the song depicts a story about piracy on the high seas, and love beyond the grave. BUT if you dress like a pirate, she will play it.