TheReplicant

Hi, Sheffielder who's recently returned after living in Kent this past 4 years. I took up golf over the summer and now I'm back in Sheffield I was wondering if anyone knows which courses have decent short game practice areas for chipping and putting etc? In Kent all of the local clubs had short game areas you could use for a small fee but up here the websites don't really give much information about facilities apart from the main course/club house or driving range. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Just seen your reply. Sounds interesting. I'll probably pop in next Tuesday! Cheers.

I'll be coming along tomorrow. See you then! ---------- Post added 12-05-2015 at 00:04 ---------- Is it still on for tomorrow? If so which location as I know there was talks of the cafe in town? Cheers.

Thanks for that. I wasn't sure. Its easier and better to bring my acoustic if that's what then rest are bringing. Can't make this session but will be aiming for the next one for sure!

Sorry but is this jam session electric or acoustic based? I have both but I'm asking as I don't drive and cannot lug my amp on the bus/tram! Cheers.

Let me know if this is a go. Been playing for about 18 months so not really 'beginner' but I've not picked up the guitar in a while and so will probably bloody play like one :-) Group sessions with fellow beginners sounds like fun.

Never had a problem with Fender (I've a Strat and Tele). I can understand them tuning down the strings for transit but the pickup height and saddles should be set for the intonation. Might not be Fender's fault though. Where did you buy it from?

I saw on here last year that there was a little Wednesday night get-together at the Dog & Partridge for acoustic players, aimed at beginner-to-intermediate stuff. Called in the Dog & Partridge last night on my way round town to check it out and apparently it's not happening any more. Anyone know of any similar weekly events for casual players who just want to get together somewhere and learn new songs and have a bit of fun? Getting bored of playing on my own!

The Squier Classic Vibes Teles/Strats are probably the best bang for your buck guitars out. Lots of people prefer them over Fender MiMs. For the music you say you're looking to play, though, you'd probably be better off with humbuckers. That leaves Les Paul or SG styles. I'd avoid SGs given they're a little neck heavy. If you've not played in a while, or just learning, you want the neck to sit still while you practice those chords shapes! Go for a Les Paul. For £500ish, you can't get better than the Epiphone Tribute Plus guitars. They have PAF pickups, a maple cap, slim, easy to play neck, and come with their own hard case. They're getting harder to get too, so if you've got the money, get one. Much better made than the cheaper Epiphones (think they're made in Korea instead of China but I could be wrong). As someone said above, get a cheap, modelling amp for home use. You can always upgrade later if you decide you want to start/join a band or find people to jam with. Look at the Fender Mustangs. Loads of different sounds and the modelling is done quite well. I don't know what your budget is, but you're looking at £650ish for guitar, amp & cable. If you're thinking of going cheaper, have a look at the Epiphone Traditional Pros. They're about £150 cheaper but better than the Epiphone Standards and Plus Tops. Gear4Music are even doing some colours with a hard case for about £350.....if you want black, silver or blue. The bursts a little cheaper, but no case. Next down are the Vintage V100s. They're a little hit and miss when it comes to tidy fretwork and finishing, but play well and lots of people like the Wilkinson pickups. But, yeah.......if it was my money, it would be a Tribute Plus. Richtone have plenty in stock in cherry sunburst, wine, ebony, blue sapphire and vintage burst. They're £529 so a little dearer than online, but you can pop in and try one out at least......you might even get a discount

Anyone waiting for a mac code ought to forget it. They're not coming. I know this because Origin are going to start slamming people's lines for those that are staying with them. If they're doing this for their own customers, no one's getting mac codes. I phoned Plusnet up today for my sister (she was with Origin up to the closure but signed up to Plusnet). I told them the story and they said the only way they could do it was to slam the line. 2 weeks wait time and you'll have a different number though. Not to bad if it's residential but not good for people with a business and need the same number. Either way, whether you stay with Origin or not your'e going to get a new number I think.

My sister called them twice on Thursday (2 40 min calls with no one picking up) and was on two hours yesterday and no one picked up. She just sat with the phone on speaker while doing the cleaning. Nothing. She's not the only one.

Anyone know what's happening over at Origin Broadband? I'm not with them but my sister is. She knew of their closure and requested a mac key 2 weeks ago (they told her 5 days). Still no mac key and she's been without internet today as they shut down yesterday. She's been on the phone for two hours just listening to crappy pop music and no one is answering. Anyone know what you can do if she can't get a mac key? She's already signed up to Plusnet but they can't connect her without a key.

Just remember not to use gain. Kossoff didn't use gain. Free, Led Zeppelin, ACDC etc hardly used any gain. They got the sound by turning the amp up and getting the power tubes and speakers rattling their nuts off! You're not going to get that sound accurately unless you can get a tube amp that you can crank up to the max without blowing your windows out and the neighbours complaining :-) I've not tried it, but you could try a Marshall Class 5 tube amp. Even 5 amps is pretty loud though but the later models have an attenuator which goes down to 0.5 watts.

Hey lone soldier. Acoustics are a little harder to learn on, but if you stick to them then you'll find it easier to move between acoustics and electrics in future. Learning on an electric is a little easier on your fingers at first but you'll not be able to smoothly go to an acoustic in future. There's not a right or wrong way though. For what it's worth, I learnt on acoustic. If you're just starting out, though, I'd lay off the barre chords for the first few months. Just get your open chords sounding good and your changes smooth. That's far more important right now.

PRS SE245? Les Paul shape with humbuckers and around £600 new. Love this finish but available in other finishes: http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/Data/Product_Images/PRSSE245SPALT01.jpg £550 from Richtone