Polishing a Guitar

There was a tweet from Takamine the other day where they had a follower ask a question. I was going to send a link to my blog post on the subject, but it's one of the ones from my old iWeb site that is no more, so I dug the info out of the archives and am reposting it here... Hope it helps someone...

The other thing I mentioned the other day was making my guitar look new again... I stumbled upon a video at juststrings.com from the Taylor Guitar shop that showed how to polish, clean, etc. your guitar. Basically, it’s one of the things you’d take it to a professional for. It wasn’t how to “setup” a guitar (string height, etc.), and that’s something that people still pay others to do, but this was an overhaul, so to speak.

Here’s the page where you’ll find the video - http://www.juststrings.com/literature.html - Look down the page to Elixir. If you’re interested, and I assume you are if you’re reading this, watch the video. I bought some low tack blue masking tape, some boiled linseed oil, some 0000 steel wool and found the exact same Turtle Wax product that the guy mentions. I started with the Turtle Wax.

(EDIT: here's a direct link to the YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plU27QJBKn8&feature=player_embedded)

You may notice that the guitar he’s polishing is not in bad shape at all, so the gloss doesn’t show that much. My guitar has just had the occasional guitar polish added over the years, but nothing nearly to this degree. I took an old T-shirt and used it to add the Turtle Wax and then to buff it out and MAN you can really see the gloss and shine! It really made the body look new again, and even slicked up the back of the neck...

I forgot to mention that I took the strings off and saved them... After polishing the body, I took the 0000 steel wool and rubbed in (not scrubbed it) in a buffing pattern WITH the grain up and down the neck. I did not use it like a file to wear down anything in particular, just to rub the neck. I noticed that a lot of the black residue was pulling from the frets. I did NOT press down harder, but continued to rub up and down. The frets really cleaned up, best I could tell.

I forgot to mention that I put the tape over the sound hole like the tech shows. He mentions to do this to keep the steel shavings out of the body of the guitar. He was VERY correct... You can’t SEE the shavings on the video, but they were sure there! The only thing he had in the video that I didn’t buy was a soft bristle paint brush to help brush off the shavings. I didn’t think it was that big a deal, and I couldn’t find one soft enough, but before I do this again I’ll pick one up.

(EDIT: I *DID* pick one up, so this made it easier to brush and go on)

When I was done with the steel wool, I could see shavings all over the body of the guitar. I used my old T-shirt and brushed it off. Do NOT rub, or else you take a chance on scratching the finish. Once it was clean again, I took the boiled linseed oil and followed the application technique the guy described and demonstrated. I did NOT soak it, but buffed it into the neck like he showed. It seemed to really make the fingerboard feel new and normal again, and not try and cracking, like 21 year old wood will do. :-)

I also noticed on the ‘clean side’ of the paper towel that it was coming off BLACK from all of the dirt and grime over the years. I turned to another ‘clean side’ and continued to pick up some grime, but much less. Then a third ‘clean side’ came back clean, so I stopped. Now the frets shined like they were new again. :-)

Next came the application of new strings. I thought I had another set of RotoSound, but did not, so I used some Martin Marquis. I tuned up and played a few licks. MAN! It even sounded better - more crisp - better action with the neck. And I was able to do some faster picking... The Turtle Wax on the back of the neck coupled with the conditioned fingerboard and clean frets really made for easy play!

What did I do with the old strings? Remember - I saved them... I put them on a cheap guitar that Benny picked up at an auction. It’s a CHEAP guitar, but will hold a decent tune as long as you’re in the first five frets. These strings made a big difference over what came on it, so I decided to take it to work. Today it sits leaning against the wall near my desk. If something happens to it, nothing is lost, but as long as I have it it’s nice to be able to just pick up and strum, play something that’s on my mind or just grab it to play during a break to clear my head...

Oh yeah - I also took a socket and tightened the tuning pegs like he shows in the video. Most of them were slightly loose, but that got them snug. I also took a small screwdriver and made sure all the screws on the end of the peg handles were snug. I can’t tell that it  stays in tune better, because that guitar has always held a good tune, but it seems a little “tighter.”



There you go! Hope that helps someone!

upcoming shows

Hey folks! Just a quick update to let you know what's coming up in the near future...

First - I'm still posting my schedule over on Reverb Nation at

http://www.reverbnation.com/jimmyanderson

and of course if you follow me on Twitter - @jimmylogan or if we're friends on Facebook - Jimmy Anderson then you'll see my mentions of shows up to the showtime, and sometimes pictures from the shows. :-)

Okay - I've been uploading more and more videos to my YouTube channel -

http://www.youtube.com/jimmylogan0916

I've uploaded a few covers, but mostly I've been posting my original songs, including one I just wrote last night and uploaded this morning.

As for upcoming things, tomorrow morning I will be auditioning at Bluebird Cafe again. This will be my third time and I'm feeling VERY good about it! I feel closer to "the truth" the last time, and I'm even more confident now about both the song and my talent. Wish me luck! :-)

This Thursday night, the 30th, I'll be performing at Lupo's for a Lion's Club benefit. They will be getting a portion of the food sales and of course ALL of my tips for the night will be donated. I'll also donate a portion of my merch sales for the night.

The Dyer County Fair begins Labor Day, and I'll be performing for Senior Citizens Day on Thursday, September 6 at "The Back Porch Stage." I'm scheduled to play from 11 AM until noon. Senior Citizens get in free - others can visit the show with only a $5 admission at the gate.

I'll return to the Fair on Friday Night, September 7. I'm scheduled to have the stage from 6 PM till 9 PM - same one as above - The Back Porch Stage in Sorgum Valley. Gate admission is $8.

My next StageIt show is on September 13th at 7 PM. It's also a benefit and all proceeds will go to Playing for Change music foundation. The show link is

http://www.stageit.com/jimmy_anderson/playing_for_change/12860

As of today I'm scheduled to return to Commodore Grill on September 18th, but stay tuned... I'm working with the promotor to have a longer show with me as a featured performer and will be sometime in November...

On October 6th, I'll be playing at the Friendship Street Festival. There will be a talent show before the full band comes on and I'll be performing in exhibition while the judges do their thing. I'm looking forward to returning to one of the places I first played out in public and bringing my own songs to the street.

Well that's it for now! Thanks for ALL your support!

Jimmy

Fitting In

I played a gig at a little cafe last Friday night and really felt "on my game." I had several people come by just because I was going to be there, so that felt good too. It's a "play for tips" place and the tips weren't bad either. All in all, I thought it was a good night. :-) Until the call today...

The cafe owner cancelled the gig booked for later this month. Turns out my style was a little too "traditional." I kinda felt like Hank Williams, Jr. :-) The regular "entertainment" they have is more subdued and more like muzak than an authentic performance.

Now, does this get me down? Not at all! Earlier that week I played a set at Commodore Grille and had a GREAT response. The night after that gig I played a songwriter's night at Ripley. Again, GREAT response, plus some words of encouragement from someone who speaks few words, so when he does you better listen.

So - what did I learn from this? That I truly do have a "style" that is developing, and that this style will not be what everyone is looking for, but for those that do like it... Well, they REALLY like it. :-)

Commodore Grille

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know I'm getting ready to head to Nashville for my first "official booking" as a songwriter... Yep - I'm headed to Holiday Inn West End to play in a writer's round tonight at 9:30. Two of my sisters and at least one person from work is going. I'm expecting to see at least one friend from high school there. Then of course my number one fan, without whom NONE of this would be possible - my soul mate - my lover - my wife - Vanessa. She will never truly know how much her support means to me.

I guess I should do some catch up on this blog... Why am I even here? Someone overnight made a comment on a previous post... and it really just reminded me that this is here. Since I've created the new web site I don't think about this one as much. That and I've been posting more and more on Facebook and Twitter, but there are some things you just need more than 140 characters to convey.

One more thing - take a look at this blog and say a prayer...

Living the Dream

This post has been writing itself for several hours now... It's WAY more info than can fit in a Twitter or Facebook post, but it's something I think I need to say - both to myself and to you, gentle reader.

I'm living the dream. There - I've said it. No, I'm not living in Nashville, doing studio music, traveling the country or getting cuts left and right. But yes - I'm living the dream.

When I was a very young boy I thought I wanted to play guitar, but didn't follow through. When I got older I decided I did, in fact, want to. When I was 13/14 my dad encouraged me and brought home a CHEAP electric guitar from the auction. It was terrible, but it was something I could at least put my hands on. My first REAL guitar was one he bought me when he saw that I was serious about it and seemed to have a modicum of talent.

Then, when I'd been playing for a bit, I'd take my guitar with me lots of places and play every chance I got. I'd hear something and want to play along. I'd be playing something my uncle had talk me and I'd be learning to improvise. You name it, I was trying it.

Anyway, there was a specific day when I was playing "guitar boogie" and practicing double hits and slurred notes. He just shook his head and said, "son, I know people that would pay a million dollars to do what you're doing." I replied, "it's not that good, but I'm trying." He said, "you are already doing more than I ever could - I can hear it, but I WISH I could do it."

So, in that respect, I was living the dream way back then. I could grab a guitar, tune it, play some chords, play a melody that you could understand... Already that was more than a non-musical person could do, but I didn't appreciate it. Later I was introduced to TRUE bluegrass and loved it! I then found out that I could play by ear and hear the chord changes. My first performance out of the house was playing electric guitar for Cindy Young at Gadsden at the little Hee Haw show. She did Rosanne Cash's "Blue Moon with Heartache" and I did the "lead turnaround notes." It wasn't much, but it was magical! I didn't know it, but I was living the dream at the time...

Later, I got with a local bluegrass group and learned even more. I played backup in some performances and learned what it was like to stand in front of crowds of people. Then I broke off and did some talent shows (never won any, but was great experience!) before winding up with some buddies in a group we called The Bare Basics. I learned how much more fun it is to just sit and play with others and to bounce ideas and chords off each other. I was living the dream, I just didn't know it. How? How many other people out there were wishing they could do it... How many people heard us at the Cancer Society Hee Haw show or the Rotary Club luncheons or the Saturday in the Park trailer show and wish they could do it?

Later still I was called into the ministry as a musician for Jesus. I wound up with New Heaven's Echos and made a TON of wonderful friends that I still know today! I was playing every weekend. No, not with them, necessarily, but if 'we' didn't have a singing Vanessa and I were with the Barnetts or the Dills or the Jones Family or Gospel Edition... Then there was Camp Meeting or the Quartet Convention - even more chances for fellowship, camaraderie and performing. Living the dream - touching lives - being blessed more and more myself...

Then I was out of it for a long time. If you've read my blog, you know of the odd ball chances here and there to do a little, but nothing serious and nothing solid. Well I finally started going back to Jackson to do some bluegrass jamming at the Old Country Store and quickly made friends with a person I know call a buddy - James Wallace. He and I have picked off and on together for some time, but I digress... That led me to being more involved and being asked to play regularly on Friday nights. This led to me singing more and stretching myself. I'd still love to play the Opry some day, but how many people can say they get to climb up on stage EVERY week and have people come to hear them and to dance to their music? Living the dream...

Lately I've felt Jesus calling me to give back - to get back into His service more... We've never stopped loving our great friends (and family) The Barnetts but went for a long time with little to no contact. We see them at Friendship at a benefit and start to see them more and more and next thing I know we're climbing on the bus with them for almost every singing they've had the past couple of months. God is using me again in an ancillary role, and I'm proud for it! I'm living the dream...

Last night I went to an open mic in Jackson at Music Crossroads. This was not my first Open Mic - I've played the Bluebird Cafe and even did an official audition there. I've played at the Commodore in Nashville as well. This was very much like that... We would take the stage one by one (the stage, by the way, is reportedly the one that Carl Perkins would perform on in a club in Jackson and is reportedly where he FIRST performed Blue Suede Shoes in public) and most would do covers. The hostess, another guy and I did original material. It was a listening room atmosphere and I felt like I had good response from the crowd... Again, living the dream.

So as I drove back home and as I've thought on these facts today, I've decided that I many NEVER have a song cut... I may never work in a studio in Nashville... I may never play to thousands of people... I may never play the Ryman or the Opry... But I'm living the dream... I've written songs and had people enjoy them. I've even had people request them at the dance. I've gotten to sing in public with Vanessa. I've gotten to work in a studio. I've gotten to "travel" on a tour bus with four different groups at different times... All of these things are things that people EVERY day wish they could do - and I'm doing it. I really, REALLY don't want to take that for granted, because it's a joy and a thrill and a blessing to get to do what I do...

Thanks for reading!

NSAI

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you probably already know that I joined NSAI - Nashville Songwriters Association International - http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/

When I double checked the requirements for the audition at Bluebird that I'm wanting to sign up for, I read that you must live within 100 miles of Nashville OR be an active member of NSAI. Since I'm not part of the former, I became part of the latter. :-)

I had a moment when I was signing up where I had to stop and question myself... It's $200 to join (I opted for the $50 today and $50 over the next three months) so it's not a whim. I had to stop and make a commitment to myself. Actually I already made a commitment to "go to the next level," I just had to stop and confirm with myself that I was serious about this. Since I am, I did. :-)

I also linked my YouTube video to my ReverbNation page. I had intentions of recording the two songs I wrote this past weekend and posting them on ReverbNation as well, but didn't get around to it. Maybe tomorrow. :-)

I also want to get an EPK (electronic press kit) going to share with the wineries and such that I want to do some solo acoustic stuff with. I figure I can record a line or two (or a chorus) of several appropriate songs and string that together as a demo of sorts. Any suggestions on appropriate songs?

Thanks for reading...

contest entered

Okay - I finished the song at lunch today at my favorite writing spot - a booth at Pizza Hut. :-)

As I said yesterday, I had the hook and I had a ton of notes. Today I looked back over them and kinda "saw something..." I really have no way of explaining it - it just happened.

Anyway, I finished the song and even had the tune. I grabbed my iPhone and mumbled the song into the voice recorder so I wouldn't lose the tune to it. :-) When I got home I worked on the key and the timing and such, and even tweaked the words a bit. I recorded it simply with PhotoBooth on a MacBook Air - nothing fancy. It's sitting on YouTube now waiting on Martin to add it officially to the site.

At that point, I'll be asking you to vote for my video. Thank you in advance. :-)

This post is more than just about that though... I also had two other things music related happen today... First, I noticed after I'd practiced the song and then recorded it that I even sound to myself after the fact that I was putting everything into it... I realized that I really DO "feel" the words. The song was inspired by the contest, but I didn't write a Martin advertisement at all... I wrote a song that I would want to hear. That's something that Don Schlitz told me last week at the Bluebird - "write what you want to hear."

Speaking of Bluebird Cafe - that's the other thing I wanted to mention. I kinda got goose bumps this morning when I got their email newsletter... They only have auditions a few times a year for their Sunday writer's night. They announced that they'll be taking registration on January 20 and then the audition will be on a Sunday in February. I'm going to go online FIRST THING after the window opens and try my best to get in line for an audition... I have about five songs that I would feel comfortable performing for others, and I plan to have several more by the time February gets here. :-)

I'll keep you posted... Thanks for reading!