This took a week of my time to do correctly. I changed a young, existing website from its wonderful name of www.KaizenGuitarist.com to the very good name of www.ShoshinGuitarist.com .
Both Kaizen and Shoshin are Japanese words. Although I am not Japanese, I do admire their cultural beliefs in improving quality every day (Kaizen) and in approaching all learning with a beginner’s mind (Shoshin).
Why I Changed My Website’s Name to Shoshin Guitarist
I originally chose the name www.KaizenGuitarist.com . I loved that name and its concept. It means a guitarist who improves 1% daily. Yes, it’s a Japanese term I learned from my scrum master days when I worked at the insurance company.
I reserved the domain www.KaizenGuitarist.com and then two days later I realized someone made Kaizen Guitars. The large guitar company Ernie Ball makes them for $3500+ . Here’s an announcement of those guitars for NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show in 2022.
Made by Ernie Ball.
Designed by guitarist Tosin Abasi.
After several months of blogging, I decided to eliminate any potential conflict with Ernie Ball, Tosin Abasi, and their new Kaizen guitars. So I changed my website name to www.ShoshinGuitarist.com .
What does Shoshin and Shoshin Guitarist Mean?
What is a Shoshin Guitarist?
What does the Japanese word Shoshin mean?
Shoshin means “Beginner’s Mind” in Japanese and Buddhist thinking. Here is a succinct definition from Wikipedia on the word Shoshin.
What is a Shoshin Guitarist?
He or she is a guitarist who is open to new things, new learnings about guitar. I will venture a guess that even great guitarists have a beginner’s mind open to learning new things about playing Guitar.
BeginnerGuitarist.com was Taken
A lot of cool names for beginner guitarist are already taken on the Internet.
www.BeginnerGuitarist.com – Taken – $69.99 minimum bid
www.NoviceGuitarist.com – Taken – $69.99 minimum bid
www.TyroGuitarist.com – Available
But does anyone really know the meaning of the word Tyro?
www.BoomerGuitarist.com – Taken – $100,000 minimum bid
Yikes.
Shoshin means “Beginner’s Mind”
I chose Shoshin Guitarist as a website name for two major reasons.
Shoshin means “Beginner’s Mind”. It’s a freshness and openness to learning new things.
If a guitarist is open to learning new things, he or she has a beginner’s mind. Whether the guitarist has played 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years, or a lifetime, if they have a mind open to learning new things they are a Shoshin Guitarist.
Today is January 23, 2024 and I began my Kaizen Guitarist website. I reserved my domain name of www.KaizenGuitarist.com on GoDaddy and set up a simple website. It’s not perfect, but it will get better.
This feels good.
I have no pretentious dreams or plans about the website. I want a “bucket” where I can store my guitar journal. I’ve been keeping one since I began playing guitar on October 5, 2023.
For 3 months I’ve thought of this website and for maybe 1 month I have checked frequently to see that the domain www.KaizenGuitarist.com was available. Today, I just grabbed the domain name.
Ironically, this is the same day I purchased a Journey JF410 acoustic travel guitar from Jay W.
For too long I delayed starting this website. Old thoughts on being perfect prevented me from starting it. I am newly retired. But after 5 years of working at CNA Insurance (love you guys), I became more Agile, hopefully Kaizen. You see, building a website is a bit like playing guitar. You don’t magically become good at websites, neither do you magically become a good guitarist overnight. It grows little by little, you get better, little by little. It’s a Kaizen kind of thing.
Website Plan for KaizenGuitarist
Here are a few ideas (I’m so rusty with WordPress I’ve forgotten how to do bullets):
Guitar Journal. Store my daily Guitar Journal notes in this blog. It’s not because they are great. It’s because it shows how someone fumbles a bit as they learn to play guitar better. Hopefully, you’ll learn from my mistakes.
Learn WordPress a 2nd time. I stopped blogging actively on WordPress perhaps 7-10 years ago. I have a lot to learn.
Learn SEO. Search Engine Optimization is difficult. You can blog forever but if you don’t have good SEO, no one will find you. I hope you find me.
Help beginner guitarists. I am a beginner so I hope to help beginners.
Guest posts from experienced guitarists. Yes, I hope others will post for me. Or, I can at least interview them.
Podcasts. People have said I have a pleasing voice. You can find some of my work on YouTube just by searching for Richard Kraneis. I’d like to interview other guitarists, luthiers, musicians, store owners, music groups, etc.
Build an email list. Yes, that would be good. I haven’t done it in a long time.
Get questions and feedback. Really, I want everyone to hang out with me, say hello, ask questions, give my advice.
Make a bit of money? Yes, nice also. But we either blog for money or fun. Hopefully both. I think if I serve others with good content, a few dollars may come my way.
Become a better guitarist. Yes, that’s the ultimate goal.
So today, Kaizen Guitarist is born as a website. I just want to have fun, learn new things, and keep getting better at guitar. Thanks for visiting www.KaizenGuitarist.com today.
He is absolutely correct. The Dean MLX is both pretty and unique.
Unfortunately I rarely play it. Its shape feels awkward to me and I still haven’t perfectly figured out its tone controls.
Looking to Trade the Dean MLX for a Telecaster
In late July, 2025, I thought, I wonder if anyone would trade me something for my Dean MLX. I especially would like a better telecaster. So I looked on Facebook Marketplace and searched for the phrase “guitar trade”. This picture listing in Chicagoland popped up.
Well I wanted a telecaster so I dug deeper into the ad. More pics below.
So very clearly, this seller wanted a Dean ML. He also was offering a Cort 5 string bass. I have always wanted such a bass. I owned the Dean MLX so I sent a message to the owner/seller proposing a trade: my guitar for one bass and one guitar.
Liam Wants To Trade for my Dean MLX
I sent Liam on Facebook a photo of the Dean MLX and he wanted to trade. If you’re into heavy metal, this Dean is a good place to start.
Liam and I made arrangements to trade at a Starbucks near 80th and Cicero (Chicagoland) in about 10 days (he was on vacation).
Meeting in a Starbucks to make a Facebook Guitar/Bass Trade
We met at a Starbucks in the south Chicago suburbs. Dependable safe space, electrical outlets, nobody bothers you if you play your guitar with headphones.
Liam Loved the Dean MLX
It took Liam less than 10 seconds to fall in love with the Dean MLX.
This was the Dean MLX that my house contractor gave me for free. Dusty, broken string, wires dangling from a missing guitar jack hole. Here’s a link to the free Dean MLX story on my website.
$125 in parts and labor by my guitar guy Paul G. and the Dean MLX was as good as new. Built in I believe 2009 in China.
I liked the sound of the Dean MLX but I never fell in love with the shape of the Dean MLX. But Chicago southside Liam loved the Dean MLX the first moment he held it. Wow.
Richard Liked the Cort Action DLX V Plus
Liam handed me the Cort Action DLX V Plus to play.
Wow, this thing is light for a bass. – Shoshin Guitarist.
I would later learn the Cort weighed only 6.8 pounds. That’s 2.4 pounds lighter than my Deltatone bass guitar. This old guy was delighted with a lighter bass.
And oh my goodness, the Cort Action DLX V Plus was pretty (on Facebook ad) with a cherry sunburst top. See below.
I didn’t notice the knick on the left side immediately. Liam, an honest seller, declared the nick on the finish. Not a horrible nick, but not good. See the scarry close-up shown below.
But in person, the nick was 2 inches long and not as bad as originally thought. My guitar guy Paul G. already said he could fix the small gash for a reasonable price ($50).
I played the Cort bass with headphones on my Orange 12 amp. It sounded OK. How much can you test a bass with headphones?
I could not test the on-board pre-amp because there was no battery available for the pre-amp. But I hoped that there would be no problems with the pre-amp later on. (I was correct, no problems later).
Richard “Tolerated” the Squier Sonic Telecaster (2024)
Liam, if you are reading this, don’t be offended 🙂
The Squier Sonic tele, although almost brand new and hardly played, felt like average workmanship at best.
Almost all of my electric guitars felt better to me than holding a Squier Sonic tele for the first time. I wanted to like it, but my heart wasn’t in it.
SOUND TEST: The Squier Sonic Telecaster, with headphones, had a strange sounding low E. Buzzing? Something not quite right. And I was disappointed in the low output of the neck pick up. I had hoped I would be a little impressed with the Sonic pickups. After all, the same pickups are used in the 2024 Squier Affinity Telecaster.
So I knew my guitar guy would need to fix or do a setup on this Squier of marginal quality. Looked great, but it sure didn’t feel or sound great.
I tried to hide my Squier Sonic tele disappointment from young Liam (a very nice young man).
Was the Dean MLX for Squire tele and Cort Bass a Good Trade?
Yes, it was.
Liam got the Dean guitar he wanted. Not quite a Dean ML, but certainly a Dean MLX for playing or upgrades.
Richard traded in a little used guitar (Dean MLX) and received a working guitar and bass.
My $250 in value (Dean MLX) probably netted $350 in value (Squier tele and Cort Action DLX V Plus bass guitar). But more importantly I received a bass I really liked and a Squier tele I could hopefully improve with a good guitar technician.
But since I will put $100 into the Cort Action DLX V Plus bass for repairs and minor set-up, let’s call the trade a financial “0” net gain. That’s fine with me.
Good Facebook Trades aren’t just About Money
So it’s not just about money.
Liam acquired the Dean MLX he wanted. I acquired a pretty, light, 5 string Cort bass and a Squier Sonic tele.
So I think this was a good trade, a fair trade, between a 19 year old guitarist and a 74 year old retiree (me). That’s what I love about guitars and basses. You get to meet and to like people you would never normally meet in your life.
In the early days of a website, there are often very few visitors.
So thanks for visiting my website. Shoshin is a Japanese word that means “beginner’s mind”. It’s approaching every day of guitar and bass with an eagerness to learn, just like a beginner.
I have an opinion on which AI tool is best. Yes, I know there are other AI tools. But for today, just looking at Google AI and Chat GPT.
For guitar and bass players choosing the correct AI or artificial intelligence tool matters when we research guitars, basses, and/or amps.
Google – How Heavy is a Cort Action DLX V Plus?
That was my Google search prior to buying trading for my Cort 5 String Bass.
Here’s the result from Google AI shown below
Google AI was Wrong by 4 Pounds About the Weight of My Bass Guitar
Google Artificial Intelligence said weight was 11 pounds. Apparently their AI search found one website that said the Cort bass weighed 5 kilos or 11 pounds.
My Cort Bass Guitar actually weighs 6.8 pounds.
So Google AI or Artificial Intelligence was off by over 4 pounds. They thought my Cort Action DLX V Plus was 11 pounds when it was less than 7 pounds.
Why was Google AI so Wrong about the Weight of my Cort Bass?
Frankly, their AI search was a bit sloppy.
They found one website from a guitar re-seller who wrote that the Cort bass was 11 pounds. That was it. Wrong.
If Google AI had dug deeper they would have at least found a www.TalkBass.com article where one user said his Cort Action DLX V Plus weighed 8.3 pounds.
Chat GPT – How Heavy is a Cort Action DLX V Plus?
Chat GPT was more accurate. See below.
Chat GPT was better than Google AI for two major reasons.
Chat GPT was refined enough to mention that one user said his Cort weighed 8.3 pounds. This was the www.TalkBass.com reference I mentioned earliar in this blog post.
Chat GPT wrote: Expect the Cort bass…to weigh 8 to 9 pounds.
That’s reasonable.
Once again, my Cort bass weighed 6.8 pounds (hurray).
Try Chat GPT in the Future on your Guitar, Bass, and/or Amp Purchases
I know, this is a sample size of just ONE. So this isn’t scientific.
But for me, Chat GPT will be my first choice in researching a guitar, bass, or amp I have never seen but wish to purchase.
If you already know what BPM means, than this short blog post is for you.
BPM as every beginner guitarist or bassist knows is Beats Per Minute.
A Metronome is Useless if you Don’t Know the BPM for a New Song
Yes, obviously metronomes are useful in learning guitar.
But in learning a new song, just having or using a metronome isn’t enough. You need to decide on the BPM for your new song.
Poor Ways to Determine the Beats Per Minute for a New Song?
I am focusing my recent guitar studies (18 month advanced beginner guitarist) on playing songs from my Old Town School of Folk Music Songbook. You can purchase the 60th edition of this book at Abe Books (used, of course).
The OTSFM Songbook has many useful features but it’s 100+ songs lack two important pieces of information in learning a new song:
BPM or Beats Per Minute.
Strum Pattern or suggested strum pattern.
My Early Mistakes in Determining BPM for a New Song I am Learning
Research the song for BPM on the Internet.
This wasn’t that helpful.
Even when I found suggested BPM they were in a range like 100-115 BPM for example.
Play the song on YouTube, imitate the BPM with an older, physical metronome.
Again, this didn’t work great for me.
Use JustinGuitar’s Tap Tempo Tool to determine the BPM for a New Song You are Learning
Find a rendition of the song on YouTube that you like.
Strum along with your guitar (mute the strings, it’s just percussion) to see if you like the BPM.
If you like the BPM, do the next step.
Use JustinGuitar’s Tap Tempo Tool on your mobile phone to match the YouTube song BPM that you like. That worked for me.
By the way, Justin Guitar is best known for his online guitar lessons. I have used them for easily one year now.
Here’s Justin Guitar’s instruction in using his Tap Tempo Tool.
You just tap the orange button with your finger while your new song plays. The Tempo Calculator will give you its best estimate of the BPM.
Using the Tap Tempo Tool designed by Justin Guitar worked for me.
When I determine the BPM for a song I am studying I write the BPM in pencil into the OTSFM Songbook. Over time, the correct strum pattern “comes to me” automatically and I also write that into my OTSFM Songbook, in pencil.
Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today
When I learned how to use Justin Guitar’s Tap Tempo Tool, I wanted to share that technique with you also.
Yes, if you are a Shoshin Guitarist you approach learning guitar (or bass) with a “beginner’s mind”. Try it. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitarist/bassist, stay open to learning new things every day, just like a beginner.
First of all, it’s a slightly smaller telecaster. Nut to bridge is normal but a shorter headstock and body. 36 inches long, perhaps 2-3 inches shorter than my other electrics. Configuration wise it’s very much like a Peavey Reactor accept it has a strat body. Although the Peavey Reactor probably has better pickups.
Peavey didn’t make a whole lot of telecaster type guitars. Most likely, my Peavey Predator-Plus TK was made in Korea in the 1990’s.
This will be a long post since I do it as I get to know a guitar. I hope you don’t mind reading it.
Before its setup I played it and now after it’s setup I play this Peavey even more.
Strangely, this slightly short telecaster with a standard 26 1/2″ scale length makes lovely music when paired with a Peavey Vypyr VIP-1 amp. It’s only 2 inches shorter than my other electric guitars. It is NOT a MINI guitar. Just an inch shorter on headstock and one inch shorter on the body. It’s just comfortable.
Finding the Peavey Predator-Plus TK on Facebook
Here it is on Facebook in Chicago, IL in April of 2025. A Peavey and a Huntington bass with cases for $100. Heck yes I want them. Here’s the original ad showing the Peavey Predator-Plus TK. I gobbled up the Peavey and Huntington in less than 24 hours beating out the competition.
Here is the Peavey Predator-Plus TK photo from Facebook Marketplace.
Inspection and Purchase of the Peavey Predator-Plus TK.
My hurried search didn’t yield much info on this guitar. I thought it was a Peavey Reactor telecaster but the headstock said Peavey Predator-Plus TK.
“Palm Sunday” Peavey
This purchase took place over a weekend.
On Facebook Marketplace Saturday night I saw the Peavey Predator-Plus TK and the Huntington Bass, both for a total of $100. I bid $120, overprice, in hopes of being first to the seller.
The seller chose another buyer who was first offer. But I hung in there during early Sunday (Palm Sunday) telling the buyer I was his “backup buyer”. The first buyer fell through or didn’t show up. The seller pinged me around lunchtime and I promised to be at his NW side home in Chicago at 2:30 PM. I was on time for the sale.
Initial Peavey Inspection
The Peavey looked relatively clean for being in a guitar bag for about 15 years. The seller’s teenage daughter bought it around the year 2000 but gave up on guitar. That’s quite common. Visible problems below.
Plugged Peavey into my bright Orange 12L amp. The Peavey guitar input jack was a little loose.
The Peavey did not amp or play.
Neck looked straight.
Truss rod wrench hole is at the body, looked odd. I tried an allen wrench and it held firm, didn’t slip. I didn’t want a guitar with a stripped truss rod.
Chrome was a bit tarnished, guitar a bit dirty.
But the guitar wasn’t beat up.
Peavey switch seemed a little gummy or imprecise.
Couldn’t test the pickup switch since guitar wouldn’t work with amp.
I figured I or my guitar guy could fix it.
Seemed a bit smaller than a regular guitar.
Later I would measure its fretboard and scale and it equaled my Jet JS400 guitar. Standard size. The body and the headstock are a little smaller.
Entire guitar is 36 1/2″ long versus my Jet JS 400 which is 39″.
Nice guitar bag in good condition (actually, great condition and padded).
Zippers work, nicely padded.
It will fit this Peavey and my other electric guitars.
So, I did buy the Peavey and the Huntington bass (very pretty, nice sounds). I had offered $120 for both guitars, $20 more than asking. That meant I was 2nd among buyers. When the first buyer cancelled, my extra $20 probably got me sale.
However, since the Peavey needed work I asked the seller to reduce the price. He immediately dropped the price back down to $100. For me, that was a bargain.
First Impressions at Home with my Peavey Predator-Plus TK
Tuned it and had to be careful because someone had strung the B string incorrectly. You don’t want strings snapping in your eyes.
I tightened the guitar input jack, plugged in the cable, plugged into a Peavey VIP-1 amp (fun, Peavey to Peavey), and played it amped. That was a nice surprise.
It worked. Simple fix. Peavey sounds nice and bright.
DeoxIT D5 for Peavey Coil Selector Switch
The coil selector 3-way switch is pretty gummy and has a bit of static. You need to place it just right in its slot to get sound. I sprayed some DeoxIT D5 into the slot a few times, worked the switch, and the selector switch static is gone. Every used guitar buyer needs a can of DeoxIT D5 in their guitar room.
Peavey is Nicely Balanced
I played and played. I experimented with the coil switch for bridge pickups. I experimented with different amp settings on my Peavey Vypyr VIP-1 amp (love that $40 amp).
The guitar is lighter so that’s a blessing with my injured right elbow (yanked my right elbow carrying a bass and slipping on icy steps). This light Peavey telecaster is easier on my right elbow when I lift it.
But the Peavey Predator-Plus TK felt friendly, almost a part of me as I noodled through a few tunes, riffs, etc. I felt like this was a 3/4 guitar so I measured it against my Jet JS 400 guitar.
For the Peavey and Jet the fretboard and scale are the exact same length. So it plays like a full size guitar.
The Jet JS400 is two inches longer in total length than this Peavey guitar because of 1 extra inch on the headstock and 1 extra inch in the body.
Peavey measurements.
Fretboard: 18.5 inches
Scale: 26.5 inches
Total length: 36.5 inches
Jet JS 400 measurements.
Fretboard: 18.5 inches
Scale: 26.5 inches
Total length: 38.5 inches
The Peavey guitar reminded me of my Epiphone LP Express that I sold. The Epiphone Express was a 3/4 guitar with bad tuners. I loved the Epiphone LP Express sound but got tired of constantly re-tuning the guitar. The Peavey tuners were rock solid and did not slip off in an hour of playing. Hurray.
Yes, I am very pleased with my first serious test of the Peavey Predator-Plus TK guitar. Nice telecaster sound and a balanced guitar that is fun to play. – Shoshin Guitarist.
Deeper Internet Research on the Peavey Predator-Plus TK Guitar
Before I purchased the Peavey, I didn’t have time to dig into its past. But now I have time and I want to share my results with you.
This is from a French guitar teacher who wrote: “This Peavey Raptor Plus TK is my go-to guitar: I carry it everywhere, to lessons, on vacation, my all-terrain guitar.”.
Fun to watch.
It’s in French.
Wikipedia info on the guitar. Bummer, I thought the Peavey was made in USA like the other Predators. Nope, it’s made in Korea. But they often do good work.
3. Peavey Forum info on the guitar. Peavey does have a very nice forum if ever you need it for research.
So the Peavey Predator-Plus TK is a Korean made telecaster type guitar that has a good reputation on the Peavey forum. It’s slightly smaller than a standard electric guitar without sacrificing string length. It was made in the mid to late 1990’s. My Peavey Predator-Plus TK which looks like the one shown above, is what I call, a “keeper”.
$50 setup with new strings and it will be even better. However, I may need a new guitar input jack. That depends on my guitar repair guy.
Peavey Predator-Plus TK, Purchased from a Chicagoland Drum Store in 2001
One week after purchasing the Peavey on Facebook, I reached out to the seller’s daughter who had played the guitar.
In 2001 she purchased the Peavey telecaster from a drummer’s store in the Chicago NW suburbs. It was one of their cheaper guitars that a teenager could afford. A good drummer friend of hers helped with the purchase.
Since the Peavey was purchased in 2001. It makes sense now based on my research.
The Peavey Predator-Plus TK was made in the 1990’s in Korea. So being purchased one or two years later in a Chicagoland store makes perfect sense.
Peavey Predator-Plus TK Visits my Guitar Guy
I knew I couldn’t setup this guitar properly. I took it to Paul G. on Chicago’s Facebook Marketplace. He does fine work.
Known problems.
Needs new strings and a set-up.
De-rust the screws.
Verify the guitar input jack is tight.
Clean up the tarnished chrome.
Paul did that and a whole lot more. Apparently by screwing in a new screw into a guitar pickup I broke part of the pickup plate. But thankfully, Paul fixed that.
He also shaved down some frets because with the size 10 new strings and lower action they were buzzing near the 12th and beyond fret. I had never noticed. That’s why Paul G. is my guitar guy.
Paul the guitar guy said:
It’s made of plywood. I didn’t notice it until I got into fixing some pickup problems. But its plywood construction is done well.
I said to Paul, “I think I will call it the ‘Peavey Plywood’. He smiled. – Shoshin Guitarist
He said he couldn’t thoroughly intonate E and A string. The bridge placement in the factory was off by 1/16 of an inch making perfect intonation impossible.
Paul the Guitar Guy’s Assessment of my Peavey
It has more “mids” than he would like personally. He prefers “treble” sounds. But heck, I’m moderately deaf and will I notice?
He liked the neck pickup especially for its tele twang.
But it sure does look pretty.
Grabbing the “Plywood” Peavey
I have owned my newly setup Peavey for about 2-3 weeks. And I often grab the Peavey throughout the day.
Today I riffed a bit on my Peavey with different amps.
Fender G-Dec. Although I enjoy this $25 amp greatly, today I didn’t fall in love with its amping of the Peavey guitar.
Peavey Vypyr VIP-1. I have come to respect this 20 watt amp a great deal. My goodness, I just realized this fact. I am testing my Peavey guitar with a Peavey amp. The modeling from the VIP-1 seems almost mystical in how it nicely amps the Peavey Predator-Plus TK. Fun.
Roland 40 GX. I often overlook this amp. Probably because I have always had trouble modeling/mixing my own sounds. But I plugged in the Peavey guitar and the Roland 40 GX just about BLEW MY SOCKS OFF. I focused on the bridge pickup and got nice trebly twang out of the guitar. Very LOUD. Fun.
Mustang LT25. Perhaps because I had 60 pre-sets to choose from, I didn’t search too hard for the right tone. So I will return to the Mustang LT 25 another day.
But the Peavey Predator-Plus TK sounded great through the Peavy Vypyr VIP-1 amp and the Roland GX40 amp. Both amps made the “Plywood” Peavey sing.
Final Thoughts on the Peavey Predator-Plus TK
Remember, I bought the Peavey for $50 along with a beautiful Huntington PJ bass for $50.
After a $50 dollar setup, I now I have $100 ‘invested” into the ‘Peavey Plywood’ most likely from Korea.
I can pretend it’s Peavey Reactor made in the U.S.A. but it isn’t. That’s the Peavey telecaster to buy. But I don’t have $300-$400 dollars laying around so I am happy with my Peavey telecaster from Korea.
But my rehabbed Peavey Predator-Plus TK is good enough for me. It plays well as long as I don’t play above the poorly intonated 12th fret (which I never do).
My slightly smaller Peavey also came with a wonderful electric guitar super-padded case that is worth perhaps $40 new. So I will always have that case for my electric guitars.
So if you find a cheap Peavey Predator-Plus TK for $50 that works, it’s a bargain. But it’s older brother the Peavey Reactor telecaster made in U.S.A. is the Peavey “tele” that you want to find and to purchase at a good price.
Guitar Teacher: “Email me Your Youtube Recordings”
Everyone has Youtube recordings, don’t they? My new guitar teacher wanted to assess my 1 1/2 years of guitar skills. Luckily I have some recordings on Youtube.
Other people publish their YouTube recordings, I just store them on Youtube as “unpublished”.
So I emailed him some of my Youtube recordings from 3 months to 13 months. See below.
8 months playing guitar. Using a better microphone. You can hear my guitar and my voice, but you can’t see my hands well. Can’t remember the amp. At this point I began
8 months playing guitar. Epiphone LP Special LE, capo on 4th fret, amp unknown (perhaps a Peavey VIP-1).
4. Richard Plays “People are Crazy” by Billy Currington (10 months on guitar). Glarry Semi-Hollow GTL (telecaster?) on perhaps a Peavey VIP-1 amp. Start at 1:30 into video to avoid my intro words.
5. 13 Months of Guitar – Richard plays Deep River Blues on a Glarry Guitar
Playing my Glarry semi-hollow telecaster (cheap and fun). Using my Peavey Vypyr VIP-1 at volume 3. The song comes from the OldTownSFM. No pick, I use my middle finger to strum (I use picks but use my fingernail technique often). Sadly, you can’t see my hands as I play. Skip to 3:15 if you want to miss my intro chat.
Professional Feedback on my 18 Month Guitar Skills
Professional Feedback on My 18 Month Guitar Skills
My guitar teacher and I had a 10 minute chat about my skills.
Guitar Teacher: Do You Use a Metronome?
Guitar teacher: Do you use a metronome?
Shoshin Guitarist (me):
“Kindof…”
“My online guitar lessons from Justin Guitar and Fender provide the correct metronome beat. The online songs just carry me along.
“For my OTSFM (Old Town School of Folk Music Songs) I rarely use a metronome.
So my online playing sounds better than my sheet music playing.”
Guitar Teacher: Use a Metronome
I knew that my lack of metronome usage in my sheet music had been lacking in my first year of practicing guitar.
“I am not good at keeping the beat in my guitar songs.” – Shoshin Guitarist
My guitar teacher’s advice was use the metronome (especially or your sheet music playing). Even record with a metronome. Keep the beat.
Teacher’s Advice: Return to Jamming with Others (Using Sheet Music)
I briefly explained to my new guitar teacher that in 18 months I have learned in 3 major ways:
Online training from Justin Guitar and Fender Play app.
These are programmed courseware where techniques are taught, songs presented, but there is no sheet music.
Three classes at OTSFM (Old Town School of Folk Music). That was a total of 24 one hour group sessions.
Intro Guitar I and II classes.
Intro Bass.
Several times attending Americana Jam at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
It was a bit overwhelming.
Of 15 musicians I was perhaps the 2nd worst. Certainly in the bottom 20% of the class.
He recommended I return to the Americana Jam at OTSFM with this advice: Practice the songs you will jam. You don’t want to “bring the others down” because of your playing.
If you live in Chicago, IL USA. The Old Town School of Folk Music has an Americana Jam every Wednesday from noon to 2 PM. They are of course located on N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, IL.
If you live elsewhere, find an in-person jam with sheet music.
Keeping the Beat with Sheet Music is an Essential Guitar Skill
I have watched many Youtube videos discussing intermediate guitar skills.
On many Youtube videos discussing “are you an intermediate guitarist” these 3 points are missed or not discussed.
Always keep the beat with a metronome.
Online courses will carry you along with their beat. That’s too easy.
You need to read sheet music and keep the BPM on your own.
Read sheet music.
If you can’t read sheet music, you are doomed to using guitar riffs for the rest of your life.
Guitar savants don’t need sheet music. But ordinary guitar players need sheet music.
Jam with others (keep the beat and read sheet music).
Yes, we all want to jam with a buddy or with some other people.
But you need to “keep the beat”. Use a metronome until you are good enough to play without it.
Jamming with others means that you get to learn more about guitar with others.
The Shoshin Guitarist and his Metronome
So starting today, when I play sheet music, I am using my metronome.
And if I record with music, I will use the metronome.
All my Internet research indicated the ESP LTD B50 was a passive bass with a battery for EQ for greater tonal control. But my LTD B50 is purely a passive bass; no battery. But I like it. – Shoshin Guitarist
Tennis Elbow Injury, Needed a Lighter Electric Bass
Sadly, I injured my left elbow coming home from bass guitar practice.
My Deltatone bass was in its heavy case, so I am carrying 30 pounds in my left hand.
It’s January 2025, the basement stairs were slippery with a bit of ice/snow. I slipped and caught my balance with my right arm, wrenching it badly. Great, I didn’t fall. But I messed up my right elbow for months.
So I convinced myself I needed a bass lighter than 9 pounds. Guitar players will find any excuse for a new guitar, won’t they?
LTD B50 Initial Impressions at Guitar Store
Matt showed me his used bass section at his guitar store.
Sorry, my budget is $250 max for a used bass. I need a bass that is lighter than my Deltatone. I hurt my right elbow badly. So I kept picking up bass guitars and testing them for their heft and weight.
ESP LTD B50
Matt said: Here’s an ESP LTD B50. It’s light and marked for $250. I’ll give it to you for $160. I tried its weight, balanced it in my lap while sitting down and played it. I liked its sounds.
Ibanez Bass Choices
Sadly I didn’t like the way the Ibanez basses played with and without an amp.
Fender Mustang Bass
I had read about it and now I had a chance to test it. Sadly the scale was just too darn short. It felt like I was playing a guitar. I want to play a bass.
Semi-Hollow Schecter – Beautiful but Neck Dive
It was the lightest of any bass tested. And, it looked pretty. But even standing up I could tell the Schecter had neck dive. No thank you.
So I left the local Chicago used guitar store wanting to do my Internet research on the ESP LTD B50. Yes, it was the cheapest. But for me, it had the best weight, balance, and sounds of the bass guitars under $300.
Jake Wildwood is a down to earth, practical luthier/guitarist on the Internet. He wrote:
“This is a good, practical, gig-worthy, student bass.” – Jake Wildwood
Jake Wildwood’s assessment on the ESP LTD B-50 meant a lot. I went to the local Chicago guitar store the next day (early) to buy the ESP LTD B-50 electric bass.
Jake Wildwood does a great demo of the ESP LTD B-50. Please visit his demo here.
Re-testing and Purchasing the ESP LTD B50
Tested the ESP B50 some more at the used guitar store.
Verified it was a passive bass. Has no EQ. Internet thinks it does.
Did not check truss rod. I do hope it isn’t stripped (that would be sad).
I asked the guitar technician if it had new strings. He responded, “The strings are OK.” Which I think was his code for “the strings were OK and I didn’t change them”.
$160 cash got me the bass and a cheap gig bag that fit it.
Testing the ESP LTD B50 at Home
Same weight but better balanced than my 9 pound Deltatone? Actually, the LTD B50 is a little lighter at 8.2 pounds but it’s better balanced.
Almost guitar like in its balance. Reminded me of a comfortable Fender Mustang Bass that seemed too short in the store. But the scale is a full 34 inches.
The ESP LTD B50 neck is one or two inches longer than my Deltatone bass while the body is about 2 inches shorter. You would think this would case neck dive but it does not. Again, it’s nicely balanced.
With a strap, the LTD B50’s neck tilts up nicely for easier left hand fretting. Much better than my Deltatone bass.
Working high on the neck is much easier than the Deltatone. Why is that? So I found myself experimenting with sounds and chords up the neck. Fun.
The LTD B50 sounds good on my Fender B-Dec 30 watt bass amp. I really do like that amp.
Playing the ESP LTD B50 the 2nd time
Same weight but better balanced than my 9 pound Deltatone? Actually, the LTD B50 is a little lighter at 8.2 pounds but it’s better balanced.
Today I played the Deltatone bass (2008) for a bit and then went to the ESP LTD B50 (still need a name for it). I am tempted to call it “Lucky” since it came to the guitar store in the AM and I bought it in the PM.
Deltatone compared to ESP LTD B50
Deltatone, Slight Neck Dive. The Deltatone has a bit of neck dive without a strap. Nothing serious, but slight neck dive.
The LTD B50 is better balanced than the Deltatone.
And played sitting down, the ESP LTD 850 just feels lighter, more balanced, than the Deltatone.
Deltatone, higher action. The Deltatone seems harder to depress strings. I know that Paul G. who set it up prefers low action. The Deltatone takes greater strength for my fretting hand 3rd and 4th fingers.
By contrast, the ESP is easier to depress strings.
Playing the ESP LTD B50 the 3rd time
I think the ESP LTD B50 is easier to play than my Deltatone.
I notice this when I am trying to fret with my 3rd finger. With the Deltatone I would fret with the 3rd and 4th finger combined. With the LTD B50, I often can fret simply with the 3rd finger. That’s a good thing.
Playing the ESP LTD B50 Again and Again
I reach for the B50 bass a lot. I think it’s 50/50 between my LTD B50 and my beautiful $50 Huntington Bass (another article one day).
ESP LTD B50 Observations
B50 is lighter than my Deltatone. Just over 8 pounds.
My right elbow is finally recovering from a winter “slip” injury. Using a lighter bass is easier on my elbow.
B50 is comfy.
It fits nicely against my body.
I only play sitting down, but the ESP LTD B50 feels good in my lap.
The neck of the B50 tilts up nicely so I can see it and fret it easily.
B50 is more resonant than my Deltatone or my Huntington Bass.
Many times I will pluck a single string and let it ring out for easily 5 maybe 10 seconds.
I like a resonant bass. I can always silence the string with one of my fingers or a palm.
I subscribe to TommyLeeDepp and receive short videos that are educational to me as a 6 month beginner bassist. Thank you.
Also, how many YouTubers like TommyLeeDepp take the time to thank their YouTube mentors. TommyLeeDepp on YouTube took the time to give credit to and to thank his favorite bassist YouTubers.
Yes, I will actually give you hard to find information on the Deltatone PJ Bass. It’s rare, not valuable, but serviceable.
First, a background story.
Quick Summary: Deltatone PJ Bass
This blog post will go into details. But here’s a short summary.
Deltatone guitars and basses lasted two production years: 2007-2008. A person or company named William C. Stevens of Oakland, CA, USA owned the trademark. I believe the guitars and basses were made in mainland China. In 2009 the Deltatone trademark was not renewed which suggests they ended or re-branded.
Without Internet advertising, about 30 music stores in the U.S. sold these guitars and basses. Illinois had the most retailers followed by California.
I own a Deltatone PJ Bass. Here’s the rest of my Deltatone PJ Bass and its story.
Chris the Contractor Gave me Two Free Guitars
Chris the Contractor came over to finish tiling our kitchen. I asked: “Did you buy your daughter a guitar for high school?”
He said: “No, but I have two guitars for you in my garage.”
Twenty minutes later Chris walks up my front steps with two guitars: a black Dean MLX and a blue bass guitar (Deltatone). He hands me the two guitars.
Chris said: “They’re yours.”
So that’s how I became the owner of two very dusty, dirty guitars. Here’s a link to the Dean MLX free guitar blog post on my website.
Today, we will talk about the Deltatone PJ Bass.
Even dirty and filthy, the Deltatone was playable. I knew it was a “keeper” (worth keeping).
Researching the Deltatone PJ Bass was Difficult
Normal Internet Search Yielded No Information
Google – Nothing
Chat GPT – Nothing
Grok – Nothing
WayBack Machine
I knew it had something but couldn’t find it.
Yahoo Search Worked and Led to the WayBack Machine (Internet Archives)
“deltatone pj bass cobalt” yielded results in Yahoo
Again, if you are researching your Deltatone guitar or bass, go to this page. See below.
My WPJB500 Deltatone Bass was $359.99 in 2008
So now, via a deep Internet search that broadened to Yahoo.com and the WayBack Machine, I know the model name of my bass. The bass itself has no markings. But it is pretty in a subtle way. See below.
Sadly, even Grok.com has Limited Info on the WPJB500 Deltatone Bass
What a horrible model number for this bass.
I just call it the Deltatone. It is a very nice black body with a blue pick guard.
Here is some Deltatone PJ Bass Info Courtesy of Grok.com
Deltatone Guitars and Basses were Sold in About 30 Stores
Deltatone was based out of California, US. But the guitars and basses were made in China.
Deltatone did not seem to advertise on the Internet. Their guitars and basses were sold only in certain music stores.
Although owned by a California firm, Illinois (my home state), had 18 stores selling Deltatones. Illinois was the biggest seller of Deltatone guitars and basses.
Who Owned my Deltatone WPJB500 Bass?
Chris the Contractor who gave me the Deltatone (and Dean MLX guitar) does contractor/rehab work in Chicago’s DePaul University college district. He does work for a landlord who rents to DePaul students. The landlord had the Deltatone and the Dean MLX guitar.
My guess? A student left his/her apartment in a shambles or left without paying and just left his Deltatone and MLX behind. Both the bass and the guitar came from a DePaul apartment building owner.
So a student probably owned my free Deltatone bass and free Dean MLX guitar. Both made around 2007-2008 so it makes perfect sense.
Thanks to Chris the Contractor for giving me a free bass and free guitar.
Paul G. my Guitar Guy Set-Up my Deltatone Bass
Paul G. does my guitars normally. I gave him the Deltatone Bass for a set-up and also the Dean MLX (it needed significant work).
Paul G. cleaned up the Deltatone, cleaned/oiled it, gave it new strings, intonated it, adjusted the pickups higher and lower.
So my “free” Deltatone ended up costing me $50 to Paul G. the guitar guy. But it was worth it.
My Free Deltatone WPJB500 PJ Bass Introduced me to Bass Playing
My Deltatone began my bass journey. A free gift that worked out just fine.
I am moderately deaf but the Deltatone always was fun to play. It’s 9 pounds so it’s a bit heavy for a retired guy with a bad right forearm.
“As time goes on, I’ll give you more details on the Deltatone WPJB500 PJ bass.” – Shoshin Guitarist
Today is April 16, 2025. I have been practicing electric bass for 6 months. I have been playing guitar for 18 months.
I can choose from 3 of my basses to play. The blue Deltatone, the titanium ESP LTD B50 or the Huntington PJ. I grabbed the Huntington PJ Bass today because it’s just a beautiful $50 bass. Just looks pretty with black body and red fake/real tortoise shell pickguard. And it plays nicely.
Today was special because I tried to jam to guitar songs with the Huntington bass and succeeded. It was fantastic.
The first song I jammed on with bass with Jimi Hendrix’s Hey Joe.
Why did it take me 6 months to Learn How to Jam with my Bass?
I have studied electric bass for 6 months. My contractor gave me a free 2008 blue Deltatone bass, I had it set-up, and I have been playing it since August 2024.
I have used the Fender Play App most every day, I read/skim various bass books, watch YouTube videos just like you do, and took one bass class at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL USA.
But no teacher, no video ever taught me how to jam with my bass to a song. Perhaps it’s my fault for not asking a teacher. But as a beginner bassist, or a beginner with anything, the hard part is knowing the right questions to ask and to guide your learning.
My Simple Bass Playing Along with a Track Method
Experienced bassists will laugh at my method. But the problem with studying bass too much by yourself is that you can’t learn things easier with other bassists. So here’s how I put 2 + 2 together.
Use Justin Guitar practice songs (I am a JG subscriber).
The guitar chords are shown on the computer and you can play the riff out loud. I have done this on guitar for about a year with Justin Guitar (look him up on the Internet).
I grabbed my Huntington and played the single bass note for every guitar card. For example this version of the song Hey Joe uses chords E, C and G. The guitar chord fingering might be hard for a beginner. But for a beginner bassist finding notes E, C and G is easy.
“It’s that simple. Follow along with a song as long as you can see the guitar chords and you can easily substitute your bass notes.” – Shoshin Guitarist.
Magically, it all sounded good. For the first time ever, I was meaningfully using my bass to jam to a song.
