Stop Staring at your Guitar and just play it!

[@ChyeaBroski]

"The rest of me is weak and flaccid." - Baxter (April, 2021)

[@CasinoGuitars]

As that came out of my mouth I knew I made history:)

[@WalkenDead]

If you hadn't, I was going there. I mean is phrasing not a thing anymore lol

[@Scott__C]

@@CasinoGuitars That could be the vaudeville act you two have been wanting to start!

[@rstuartcpa]

Alternatively- stop watching KZbin and play your guitar!

[@WorldsOkayestGuitarPlayer]

Unless it's Jonathan and Baxter! 😅

[@joelgamboa7152]

GUILTY!!

[@markferguson3745]

Absolutely. Especially if your wasting time confirming what you already know, or watching what can only be learned by doing.

[@caiusmadison2996]

Biggest distraction from playing ever, is KZbin in my pocket.

[@jmc1186]

Woah now. Let's not be unreasonable here lmao 😂

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

I’m a songwriter, who happens to use guitars as tools to create my songs. I don’t care about most of the things guitar players talk about online, because I think it’s 100% ridiculous. I am extremely passionate about songwriting; there is so much marketing bullshi+ and flat out misinformation about guitars floating around the web, that I sometimes find myself getting upset. Anyone new to guitar, who is playing for self expression and not to be a copy-cat, please listen carefully... Use whatever guitar you have, learn to set it up, and PLAY IT. Don’t worry about keeping up with the Jones’. You don’t need more than one guitar to write a song. Your audience doesn’t know, or care, about the brand of your gear. Play to make yourself happy, and forget about the rest of the world. Have a nice day. 🐰❤️🇺🇸🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@josephkemler6979]

Kudos to You from another songwriter..

[@jonniegibbins]

None of my guitars have ever arrived in tune so I've had to send them all back!

[@ItsVictoriaG]

You should save on postage and give them to me. I will shoulder the burden. 😅

[@WorldsOkayestGuitarPlayer]

I've had the same issue! 😂😂

[@johnnewton1830]

Bummer! I’ve had sone show up without the perfect setup for me!

[@WorldsOkayestGuitarPlayer]

@@johnnewton1830 I know right?!

[@jonniegibbins]

@@johnnewton1830 Probably none of mine have had the right set up for me - I wouldn't know as I've never had a guitar long enough to learn to play ;-)

[@bryantwalley]

I met some people one time that thought North Carolina had the best barbecue. Turns out it was that they had just never been out of North Carolina.

[@ChyeaBroski]

"Shrink wrap your toddler." I'm learning a lot from you guys!

[@davidtomkins4242]

I love listening to these two, they are on a wavelength with each other, it’s hilarious

[@parkerfilms1]

After hearing about Baxter's love of shrink wrap, and realizing the concomitant static electricity that comes with the shrink wrap, I now understand his hair.

[@jameshumphrey2345]

“It’s a case. That’s what cases do.” Yes! Sanity!!!

[@AmericaWhatsup]

"What do I do about this little scratch on my guitar" The answer is play it more..........

[@kateruckus]

Facts.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Great answer!

[@stratplayer2]

U guys really add to our day, a cup of coffee and your daily video, and we are set. Love it

[@kyleabent]

Technically my guitar stares at me

[@homersreluctantodyssey2508]

i thought cases were just a place to put all your bumper stickers

[@jeffmason8401]

I once got a "blemished" Fender American Standard Precision bass. I could not find a single flaw on it anywhere, but I THINK what may have happened is that there was a knot in the alder body visible in the sunburst finish, and the bass was returned as a result. Otherwise I cannot understand why the perfectly made bass was sent back. IMO the perfection of the wood grain is sometimes way overemphasized.

[@TheBlindAndTheBeautiful]

Being a blind guitarist I have the fortunate ability to do this very thing. Guys believe me they are right. Stop looking with your eyes and listen with your ears and just play a bit. You would be astounded what you can do when you just sit down and pick it up and master it properly with only the thought of getting good. I started by just playing. That led to playing with others. To playing live. To playing full time live with both my university and outside musicians. To recording and playing with musicians way out of my league. To now doing my own studio work and being requested by enough people to play on tracks or design them that I can pay my bills and be comfortable. All because I do not have the ability to just stare and think. I have to play and learn and experience it. Yes tone is an important thing for all of us me included. Yes gear can be an important factor in our playing. But at the end of the day if you can not sit down and truly experience and learn yoru instrument for the sake of just playing it then you probably have an issue to deal with in my opinion

[@TheGearChaser]

This has very quickly became my favorite channel to watch. You guys are great 👍 keep it up!

[@caseylee12]

I just got my first guitar with a dark ebony fretboard ....1996 Carvin dc135.... It looks amazing!

[@dangolguitartech]

Whole heartedly in agreement with your statement about tooling marks… Gets really old seeing comments talking negatively about a guitar fretboard… That is made out of an organic material… Showing tooling marks and tiny scratches in the wood. I guess those people should be given the chance to buy a guitar without finished fretwork so they can try themselves? Wonder how many scratches they will leave? Another great video, fellas!🤠

[@warwicker22]

#5 is so right! I have a Warwick Custom Shop with an ebony fingerboard and there’s a “blonde” stripe on the side on the first fret. I love it!!! It’s like a beauty mark and makes it individual and distinct.

[@LA3Music]

I love when people fall in love with the guitar from the wall then ask for a “nib” and are then upset that it doesn’t feel/sound the same.

[@warwicker22]

I did the opposite of that last year. I called the shop and told them I wanted THE one I played on the floor! If you jell with a specific guitar, you can’t assume the one in the back will be the same.

[@TropicalReflections]

I've watched about a half dozen videos by Casino Guitars. I can't put my finger on what it is I like so much about the channel but they've got a cool vibe. Maybe it's that North Carolina Mojo...or maybe it's just the bbq. LOL. I can totally see having a couple of cocktails with these guys, maybe some snacks or finger foods, and just talking about music/jamming/hanging out. Liked & subscribed! I'll do what I can to support you guys.

[@LeanBackMac]

I just Imagine Baxter walking around the shop with a capo in each hand getting a work out in.

[@CasinoGuitars]

You got me figured out:)

[@ryanpullin]

There are some big retailers who advertise their guitars as being “straight from the factory” condition and that the consumer receives it as it was shipped from the factory. When I read it, I actually thought of that as a negative too. I’d rather qualified, experienced people inspect the guitar upon receipt and make sure it’s good to go. That’s one of the guitars I’ve gotten that needed a lot of fretwork and setup too.

[@spiralflash6169]

New appreciation for the knot on the top of my tele, other than the great asking price!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Right on!

[@timothymallon]

11:30 I think the point customers are trying to make is, they want a guitar that 50 other customers haven't played in the store. A guitar, in the box! And also, since the store usually has several of a particular instrument, maybe allow the customer to select the one they want. We're not buying a candy bar. They're buying something that costs as much as their car in many cases and should be given a choice. One flamed maple top Les Paul on the rack is not a good choice. I'm not suggesting you guys do that, but its a common thread among guitar buyers. We want to see the guitar, see the wood and see other options if the figuring isn't what we want.

[@michaelborn3318]

Item #5 and #7. Understand the difference in wood between 'character' and 'defect'. In the hardwood industry, birdseye and flame are considered "defects". If you get a maple neck covered in birdseye are you sending it back because of defects?

[@terrylawrence1893]

A "cowboy" wearing shorts at Tweetsie? Say it ain't so🤣

[@NoCoverCharge]

So true ... but I do play along with you tube a lot using backing tracks and learning songs and getting inspired

[@kateruckus]

I like how striped ebony looks.

[@Scaredycat-dad]

“ the horror “ 😂. I finally got my Fender CS Strat, it has a roasted ash body and you can see and feel the woodgrain through the finish, and it’s candy apple red. My friend who doesn’t play I thought it was a defect I think it looks awesome! It’s so uniquely mine. I could see somebody returning this and IMO that would be a huge mistake.

[@rv6205]

I hate it when i bring my fender heavy relic strat in to get strings changed and it comes back with a scratch......

[@jdstan9650]

I work for a manufacturer...we work with distributors for a reason. They provide "service" to the end user that we don't have time to provide. Buy local!

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I played for so long yesterday the only thing I had to complain about was the fact that there aren't 35 hours in a day. It sucks when you get your tone so perfectly dialed in that you absolutely cannot put the guitar down.

[@danwilson9530]

Considering how much email I receive from Fender soliciting me to buy direct I almost don’t believe they would rather you shop through a dealer first. They send more email than Bonamassa!

[@markwoodhart5320]

There's something wrong with you guys, luv it, very funny.

[@Big_Dumb_Animal]

"They have terrible BBQ in South Carolina. Pause..." I laughed way too hard at this!

[@PeedarTragedy]

I usually spend my mornings watching you guys while strumming guitar and having coffee.

[@rev.bobertbockstop7057]

I once had a D28 that had a microscopic gremlin living in one of the many dayglo purple stripes on the ebony fretboard. It came out twice a night and peed in the sound hole but the thing is: The gremlin was installed there by Martin to keep my geetar humidified correctly. Twice a month a box of very ripe bananas was delivered to my house because these were the only things the gremlin ate and the bananas were in fact the gremlin’s only compensation. It was shortly after this that I realized it was all a fantasy brought on by Boones Farm Strawberry Hill and Jimsonweed sandwiches. The guitar had no gremlin, wasn’t a Martin; it was a Flartin brand which used to be a copy of various Martin models made in Wheeling West Virginia by a guy born with three gigantic fingers on each hand using only ground up and glued together hickory nut shells. Man this guy’s fingers were large: Fingers like carrots, hands like massive hams. His Flartin Martins as he referred to them had no strings or tuning pegs for strings. The guitar could only be played by whacking it across the the nose of a Pennsylvania Sasquatch. So, you could only play it one time because said Sasquatch would obliterated the person trying to play their Flartin Martin. They retailed at the time for four dollars with a seven thousand dollar surcharge which was used to pay for the unlucky owner’s internment. I think I just found out I am still consuming Jimsonweed sandwiches which may account for my rambling idiocy. I owned a Flartin Martin but survived my attempt to play the geetar. I don’t know how. Stop asking me. However, I have grown wise over the years and so my current instrument is a Pierre Bensusan “Old Lady” model. The voice of this Lowden truly is full of real magic and Faerie dust. At least it sounds like it does. Truthfully, it is in my opinion, the finest playing and sounding acoustic guitar I have ever owned or played. Thank you guys for putting up with my fance of flighty…sorry, I mean…flight of fancy. I am obligated to check back into Ward Nine before midnight.

[@andrewhoyle1056]

Absolutely love Tweetsie Railroad. As kids we lived in Hickory NC ,and went almost every week. We now live in Fayetteville, and had no idea you guys were so close. Will definitely be making a trip to visit you all very soon.

[@guitarzana688]

Well DUH! I specifically picked a striped ebony for a fretboard on a custom acoustic guitar. Much more interesting than plain black. I actually left the plastic on one of my pick guards for a few years. When I took it to my luthier for some fret work he asked if he could pull it off. I didn’t even realize it was there. 🤪

[@normanperkel139]

Another great video guys. Thanks!

[@jimbaines335]

Me again....in the 70's I bought an Antoria J200 copy ....played it for a couple of weeks before I realised the brown pickguard was actually a paper covering that once removed revealed the iconic J200 pickguard....stupid or what !!!...I remember just sitting and dribbling over the amazing transformation !!!

[@stephenrich8808]

but there are differences between Eastern NC and Lexington BBQ ... I admit that I realized (a month or two later) that I did have shrink wrap remaining, when I was sure I had removed it - the plastic firebird rises from the ashes?

[@jrsguitars]

As a maker of handmade guitars, albeit a relatively inexperienced one, thank you for stating number 1. I feel like there is an expectation of absolute perfection from the work of luthiers, more so than any other craft that I can think of. I will never achieve the precision of CNC. However, every guitar I build is unique, and hopefully some people appreciate that.

[@MarcMercier1971]

LOL @ tube amp. (I've told this story so many times because I'm proud) Anyway, someone ordered a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV from my local Guitar Center (the GC special edition w/gold&black grille cloth and laquered tweed). Didn't work and sent it back. GC put it on the junk shelf. I paid $400 for it back in March. Replaced the 6L6s with hot WXT+s, replaced the now-burnt-out screen resistors and biased to 65mV. Also upgraded 12AX7s. One of the stock 6L6s had a broken envelope (crack in base on tube letting in air). So for about $500 I got a brand-new cranking HRD IV! Kids... check your tubes. GC... don't be afraid of tube amps and tell people it's a bad power transformer. ROFL. Edit addition: get rid of those base clips they use that don't work and get spring retainers (don't forget the silicon ring) from Antique Electronic Supply. They hold your tubes in and the retainer and ring will cost about $3.37 per tube.

[@msspi764]

Yeah, people are crazy like that. I have only one “new” guitar. Two of mine were sent back to The vendor for some trivial reason who then sold them to me at a discount. The rest are used. The imperfections make them unique. Kyser will repair or restore their capos. Obviously you have to figure cost/benefit on that, but they replaced a broken spring and the pad on one I have (that was given to me by a special person) and it’s in good shape after probably 15 years.

[@walterhambrick8705]

On March 17, 2020, I bought a Gretsch 12 string (5422/12) and I have had a problem ever since. Do I play my Gretsch Country Classic (Gentleman) or my Gretsch 12 string (through a VOX amp of course). So I play the guitar that should be played for that song.

[@thatbrianwallace]

I know so many dudes that will list their guitar and say “I’m done with it,” when they get the very first ding. They want it MINT and to stay that way.

[@erickmo1188]

Set up. It’s the one thing people complain about in a brand new guitar that drives me crazy the most. A factory set up is like a car’s drivers seat. It’s meant to be useable when coming from the factory and then adjusted for preference. Going even further, anyone that plays guitar these days should be equipped with the knowledge and skill to do their own basic set up. Action, intonation, and yes the scary truss rod, are all things that can be adjusted to the end users taste with a few simple tools and measuring devices. No excuses ladies and gents.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

Amen.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Erick incredibly well said my friend!

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

I had to send a 2017 gibson standard in a fancy alpine white finish back because the bridge pickup was routed sideways. Not even cnc machines are 100% I mean come on though. A crooked pickup route lol. That was the only time I've sent a guitar back and it was the only new guitar I've ever bought. My dealer made it right and I got a good guitar that was right

[@YTPartyTonight]

I used to strongly believe in having just one very good or great quality example of things; one bass guitar and bass amp rig to play. I’m a minimalist that way, but after a long time when I found another bass guitar that I felt like I had to have and I finally caved in and got it. Then I had two and that’s when I realized that two is the perfect number. With these two beautiful basses staring back at me I became compelled and playing A LOT MORE.

[@rstuartcpa]

How many guitars, bases, and amps are enough? One plus the number you have.

[@jerrysparks8781]

North Carolina having the best BBQ is a bold statement. I’m guessing there are a few folks in Memphis or even Texas who might take issue 😂.

[@CasinoGuitars]

I’m gonna hold with my statement, controversy be darned:) Okay that Texas stuff is pretty damn good though!

[@WayneMemphisMojo]

Y'all's videos are always a fun to watch each morning ... I agree that SC BBQ is the worst BUT ... Memphis BBQ is best 😄😄😄

[@Gilby1231]

Good Post. There's a lot of gear obsessing nowadays. 'Shut Up n Play Yer Guitar!' as F.Zappa once said 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@adderon]

Play guitar while deterring bandits while being a guitar bandit

[@baileywatts1304]

Is a little corrosion on the pole pieces just the sort of "free relicking" that I get for surviving hurricanes or should I do something about it? WIll it eventually eat my tone?

[@CasinoGuitars]

Maybe keep an eye there but you may be okay:) Glad they survived the hurricanes though:)!

[@gregrandallbtsr03]

I love fretboards with some extra detail

[@dvanolya]

You are so right about Martin guitar strings. So many times I’ve played an expensive Martin at guitar center with strings that were dead, making the guitar sound the same way. Of course GC could care less.

[@jvanb231]

my Texas Toast Challenger has little indications that it's not machine made but it's still perfect to me.

[@guitim24]

So what you are saying is .. there is a stupidity problem in the guitar community!? What!? That can't be!

[@dsan3516]

You mean with the entire human race...

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

guitar sheeple. 😂🇺🇸🎸🎶✌️

[@tomeasley3538]

All dealers are not created equal, many do not take the extra time or know how to set up a guitar and just sell them as they arrive and that includes the bigger stores like Guitar Center, it does make a difference where you buy

[@lyndelguitars9478]

BBQ rankings IMHO: 1.) Memphis 2.) Texas 3.) Carolina 4.) Kansas City Non negotiable. LOL.

[@ericcarpenter3263]

I bought a 2010 Collings and it did have normal wear, especially on the case. The only thing I took exception with was the handle on the case was broken off. I had to carry it that weird way you carry a case with no handle. But I didn’t complain or even say a thing about it, until now. Lol. I just went to the local shop and had them put a handle on it. Problem solved.

[@hearpalhere]

Who would have thought that playing your guitar instead of whining on the internet would result in you playing better? :-p Big thumbs up guys!

[@BoyitoEnnui]

I had a guy say that the truss rod nut on a Gibson I was selling was beat up. I had to explain that it’s painted and that when you adjust it, the paint falls off.

[@icantplayguitarandnowyouca3198]

The plastic! I got my 60’s vibe Squire and there was a huge scratch under the plastic. I peeled it off, called the company and asked about it. They were like “um, is there another plastic on there?” Yep, sure was.

[@erichutchinson5150]

I like guitars that have been played alot and are broken in. This usually means it was a good guitar because somebody loved it.

[@larryalexander900]

Regarding the plastic laminate on pickguards, a lot of them have two layers, fooling people into thinking there are imperfections after only peeling the first layer off.

[@TheGeniuschrist]

You and I both know that Jonathan would win in an arm wrestling contest.

[@r54070]

Regarding your first point, I believe the Japanese term is wabi sabi. That is accepting and appreciating the beauty in imperfections.

[@5000rgb]

I love that concept!

[@spiralflash6169]

I replaced my capo because even with both hands, I struggled to open it!

[@CasinoGuitars]

That made me smile:)

[@71goaliemask]

I've never owned a new guitar in almost 40 years of playing. Wish I could say it's because of a samurai like code of ethics, but it's more to do with being a cheapass. So that has been a lot of tweaking, cleaning, repairs and frankly, compromise. This in NO way makes me think I'm better than brand new gear buyers, but necessity has given way to habit and so I don't ever even look at new stuff, except for the ocassional pedal. I think we're often our own worst enemies getting lost in the details rather than playing the damn things. What do you guys think about the 'Excalibur ' problem? (I invented this term) which is where our hero in the endless search for the "one", the perfect guitar that does everything and meets all expectations, continues to buy trade and sell perfectly great guitars, never satisfied and always looking for an unobtainable level of perfection....

[@shadowhawk320]

Ive been into wood way longer than ive been into guitars, and sometimes the choices of wood for guitars are just weird. That being said Striped ebony is highly desired for uses other than guitars, and I would l be delighted to have one.

[@fepatton]

Amen, especially about the amps. People are so dang helpless.

[@seanbrooks2583]

That being said.. i bought a brand new vintera strat from guitar center last year and they clearly sent me a used model. the plastic was missing off the pickguard. it came in a gibson box.

[@jonniegibbins]

Did it have a broken headstock? If not then it was probably not a genuine Gibson Strat ;-)

[@MattyK-USA]

All of these "horror show" non-issues are really examples of why it's so important to go through your dealer. When I bought from Wildwood and CME, in both cases I could tell my reps exactly what I was looking for, including finish requirements and streaks in the fretboard (I had that specific discussion with Lance at Wildwood two weeks ago for my Gristle 90). Talk to your dealer rep, and be specific! You can ensure that your expectations are met, and everyone will be happier. 🙂

[@deveroe79]

Canteen Boy cut was a nice touch.

[@boydbc]

North Carolina BBQ>South Carolina BBQ. I will stand by that until my dying day. I liked the list. One caveat: if you buy a new guitar it should at least be in good shape. I've ordered a guitar from Musician's Friend before that was "new". Imagine my surprise when the guitar had several deep gouges, heavy groove wears in the first 5 frets, stripped/missing pickguard screws and an obviously changed middle pickup. Turns out it was straight off of the floor from guitar center where it had been beat to hell. Needless to say the guitar went back. Now assuming you aren't gambling on a new guitar from Musician's Friend with the premium "floor relic" option I wouldn't worry about it.

[@ItsVictoriaG]

The vinyl overlay on my Vox’s cabinet has a tiny slit in it. I shouldn’t complain but it makes me sad. Saw someone complain about the striped ebony on their BMG as though it was a quality issue? I love the stripe on mine. Wood is a natural material. It’s not gonna be perfect!

[@paristhalheimer]

Things I'm seeing with guitars in the store. 1. Big Box Store selling guitars with body damage being sold at full prices. 2. Fender guitars with fret sprouts and poor set up at a local store and big box stores.

[@Applesworth]

I love this channel :)

[@danwilson9530]

I didn’t know leaving the protective plastic film on the pickguard and access covers could damage the plastic over time. Bought a few 13+ year old used guitars with that film still there. Guess I’m going to remove it... if I still can.

[@teleguy5699]

The pickguard is the protection. Not the plastic.

[@jimbaines335]

Never trust a player with a new case......either he (she) rarely gigs or it's a new instrument that they're not used to....!!!

[@Jimmy2Bits]

Cases aren't "made to get roughed up" but they are there to prevent your guitar from getting roughed up. A player should want their case to get roughed up before the guitar does. Therefore, a roughed up case shouldn't upset the player. It should act as a footnote in the history book of that guitar's life story.

[@sqlb3rn]

people always leavin the film on car stereos and TVs. pull that shit off man. you want to really piss them off, pull it off for them without asking. it's like you just did property damage and owe them money now.

[@sqlb3rn]

number 8, the problem is when you pay brand new prices for a floor model that has sticky goo all over the neck and possibly even dings or belt buckle rash.

[@crocketgsxr6]

Treat your kids like a boat! Remember to Shrink wrap and store them for the winter.

[@davidcardenas3808]

I love these small podcast kinda videos

[@ProudTexan1226]

I just learned that my Taylor may have plastic over the pick guard.

[@pierheadjump]

Thanks Casino ⚓️

[@honkytonkinson9787]

There’s a market for case cases apparently Then people will complain about case cases The guitar at the shop that has been played a lot might be getting played because it’s a good guitar. Maybe the one with less fingerprints sux

[@Bob-Whiting]

Hey guys, great show. Question: I live in Fayetteville, will you be needing workers when covid-hell is over do you think?

[@DoctorEnigma01]

I have found what guitar players complain most about is Gibson, and what a coincidence all by people who don’t own one, isn’t that weird?

[@CyclopsGuitars8642]

Giving my finger a rest,that’s why I’m watching this video hahaha

[@shanewalton8888]

Hey! I just played my new ESP for an hour and a half! Ain't I allowed to stare at if for ten minutes afterwards? Afterall it is an ESP!

[@kevincoffee3238]

Yeah, I just got an Ltd EC 1000. I enjoy looking at it as much as playing it!

[@phillippitts6294]

I went to tweestie as a child and got scalped ! Now I live near it . The Halloween train is pretty cool

[@seanbrooks2583]

Why do PRS guitars come with high action at the bridge but the nut is perfectly cut? I paid 3900 for my custom 24 and the action felt like an epiphone. lol Once i adjusted it to my preference it was fine.. but i know im not the only one who complains about this with PRS.

[@zbqb84a]

LOL, After working on the nut on my Strat over the weekend I was wondering why nuts generally don't leave the factory with a better setup. I understand neck relief, action, and intonation being a bit sloppy since all of those hinge on string gauge, tuning, and environment but nut adjustments should be minimal. Good on PRS for getting that right.

[@nuendo2496]

Yikes!!! Never buy PRS. Terrible guitars.

[@seanbrooks2583]

@@nuendo2496 i have quite a few of them and they are my favorite guitars. i sold all my gibsons. just come with high action in my opinion.

[@bobbyhancock3347]

Did y’all go to mystery hill? Lol

[@thebassbuilder]

No way, SC has the best BBQ! Lol

[@shipwreck3637]

How I play my guitar and stare at my other guitars while I think about buying another guitar?