Guitar Snobs – When only the best will do | Eastern North Carolina Now

   Some People will not know what the post Icon is (top left and above).That is part of the snob appeal of this article. In this age, of instant gratification you can buy everything but talent and hard work (your own). With that in mind, I offer this little tidbit about GUITAR SNOBS. Bobby Tony

    The comedian Steven Wright has said:
    I have had a recurring theme in many of my articles about my lack of talent and how better instruments and tools will not replace that failing. I have just about come to the conclusion that it is not a lack of talent but a lack of dedication. Naturally, I had to form a good reasonable excuse for this flaw in my makeup.

    I have settled on the theme that I am a Renaissances Man who prefers to know a little about a lot instead of a lot about a little. The truth is probably that I lack patience and have since my early years. One of my quotes is:
    While it is true that many professions depend on quality tools, materials and instruments, I suspect that the best driver in NASCAR, Formula 1 or a local SCCA race will not win using the oldest and worst automobile in a race. On the other hand, having the best and most well prepared race equipment is not a guarantee for winning. There is a mix of equipment, preparation and luck that must come together to produce a winning combination.

    Having said that I revert back to my theory of tools and talent. I wrote an article a while back about Beer Snobs. This article is not about musical snobs but it is more illustrative of the idea that the best instruments are useless in the hands of an unskilled musician. Take my word for that, I am the rule, the exception to the rule, and the poster boy for wishing does not make it so.

    I recently came across a Pseudo-snob site that would warm the heart of the musical elite who do not possess talent. Musical instruments generally are designed to reproduce sounds in an accurate and faithful manner. My particular interest has been in Guitars over the years. I was a competent player only in my memory and wishes. You can start an argument anytime you want when you start talking about who makes the best guitars in the world. Unlike fiddles( forgive me Antonio Stradivari), I think there are as many opinions as there are guitar makers on who makes the best.

    One thing I know is that a guitar will improve in value based on who owned and played it. Eric Clapton's 1939 CF Martin guitar sold for $791,500.

    Clapton's career experience a resurgence in 1992 after the release of the hit acoustic ballad, "Tears in Heaven." Clapton even performed an all-acoustic set on MTV Unplugged using this guitar which he later actioned off to raise money for his Crossroads Rehabilitation Center.    Ten Most Expensive Guitars --- So Far

   So what do you get for the top of the line Guitar snob. Perhaps a $80 Capo.
   The Thalia Capo is not only the easiest, most feature rich capo you’ve ever used; it’s also a complete rethinking of the capo as a piece of guitar art. The patented design is just as intuitive as it is beautiful. It’s engineered to fit your instrument perfectly & keep it in tune, and has the unique ability to easily slide from fret to fret, opening up all kinds of creative playing possibilities! You can now make super smooth transitions between songs, or even compose songs with key changes in the middle of the song.
   Below is the advertisement for the capo. ($80)
   

    Or a set of custom wooden guitar picks (6 for $12).
   Thalia Exotic Wood Picks are crafted by slicing micro-thin layers of exotic wood and then bonding them back together with the woodgrain in a crosshatch pattern. The result is a very thin, flexible and durable wood pick with a warm tone that sounds better with each use. We offer multiple shapes and thicknesses.    Below is the advertisement for the wood picks.
   

   What else would a guitar snob want for the new year? How about an automatic guitar tuner that works with your smart phone. All you have to do is open your Iphone app and then the tuner will do the rest. All this for only $99 and the app is free.

   Roadie Tuner is the ultimate guitarist's tool — an automatic guitar tuner that is quick, easy to use, and three times more accurate than the human ear. Complemented by a mobile app, this hand-held tuner adds new dimensions to music making by allowing you to freely experiment with alternate and custom tunings. Roadie is also the first device capable of tracking the quality of an instrument's strings, letting you know when your strings are old and need replacing.  Roadie Tuner purchase here
   Below is the advertisement for the Roadie Tuner ($99).


   Before long they may invent something that will play your guitar for you without any effort on your part. Oh Wait, the used to call that a phonograph and Thomas Edison invented that in 1877. It has been re-invented multiple times since then with reel to reel, 8-track, cassett, CD, MP3, and who know what else. "It looks like I will have to buy the White Album again."   Men In Black

    Who would buy something so snobbish as a automatic tuner, custom capo and wooden picks? Only an elitist snob would spend money on something so frivolous as custom capos, picks and tuners. But My mother told me that people were starving in China. The Capo is plated in China, The picks are made in USA and the Tuner is of unknown origin but I am sure the Iphone App was written in India. I just doing my part for the little people.

    Excuse me I think the Fed Ex guy just left a package for me at the front door.