Today was revelatory. I “discovered” Elixir Nanoweb strings and a fine used guitar, the Bristol BM-16.
Drove 32 Miles in Chicago Traffic for a Bristol BM-16 Guitar
Would you drive 32 miles round trip through Chicago traffic to buy a used guitar from a stranger? I did and it worked out great.
I met Erin W. at a Starbuck’s in Oak Lawn, IL. She was on time, I was on time (hurray). I found the guitar through OfferUp.
Looking for an 000 Size Guitar Smaller than a Dreadnaught
We find our reasons to keep buying guitars, don’t we? I own two dreadnaughts and wanted something smaller for travel. The Bristol guitar came up for sale on OfferUp, I researched it, and found out it was smaller than a dreadnaught but still full of good sound.
I pre-tested a new Bristol BM-16 at the Old Town School of Folk Music on N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, IL. It felt easier to hold than a dreadnaught and it sang out nicely. And the neck seemed friendly. Old Town School of Folk Music wanted $299 for a new one including a bag.
I Assess Erin’s Used Bristol BM-16
I went through a “buying a used acoustic guitar checklist” on my phone as I spoke with Erin. I avoided playing it. I wanted that to be the last step. After I went through checking the tuners, the neck, the body, the braces I finally held it and played my usual strums.
Wow. It was amazing. The guitar had low action and Erin had strung it with Elixir Nanoweb 10’s or 11’s 6 months previous. This almost 10 year old guitar was the easiest guitar to play that I had ever tried. Amazing.
I had purchased guitars that were professionally setup before (Epiphone and Fender). But I had never played a guitar with Elixir Nanoweb strings. The guitar felt easy to play, and sounded good too.
Hearing a guitar in a noisy Starbuck’s with music turned down when you wear hearing aids is not your best plan. But I had played a Bristol BM-16 before at the Old Town School of Folk Music and I knew how pretty this guitar sounded.
Tiny negative: Not much really. Erin’s guitar now my guitar has a nick or two in it, needs a good polish, and I need to remove some candle wax. But still, I’m its third owner and I am very glad to have this guitar. Thanks Erin.
So I gladly paid Erin her money and we parted ways. She tossed in a gig bag, Snark tuner, and a few electric guitar chords. Nice lady, thanks Erin.
PS: If you’re buying a guitar from someone, ask them if they have other music stuff to sell. You’ll be surprised with their answers.
Major Learning: Learn more about Elixir Nanoweb strings.
Driving Home and Practicing for the Day
So I drove the 16 miles home on Cicero Avenue, composing bad haiku poetry as I went. Maybe I can make a song out of it later. I couldn’t wait to get home and put the Bristol BM-16 through its paces.
Practiced Easily 90 Minutes on the Bristol BM-16
Again, playing the Bristol BM-16 I was pleased with its “feel” and also how it sounded. Is it amazing how each guitar has a voice?
My Practice:
- Stretching my fingers. 3 minutes.
- My riffs (Peter Gunn, Cream, E Minor Pentatonic, etc.). 10 minutes.
- Practice all 20 chords I know. 10 minutes.
- Practice my Richard Riffs and using different strumming. This would be the G, Em, C, D, G riff and the Am, C, Em, A7, D riff. I composed them and I like them. 15 minutes.
- Old Town School Songs from last class. 15 minutes.
- Justin Guitar lessons. Primarily using Stand by Me by Ben E. King for practice. Four easy chords and the Old Faithful strum, again and again. 15 minutes.
- Children’s songs. I am practicing all of my kid songs for my grandchildren. I want them to sing with me. 15 minutes.
That’s about 78 minutes. Trust me, it was more and the time just flew by.
Learning or Amazement:
This is what a guitar should feel like and play like.
Feels good. Even though I’m a big guy at 6’1″ tall and 238 pounds I still feel like the dreadnaughts are a bit awkward to play. We all play them because we thought it was normal to do so. This Bristol BM-16 is an 000 size and it’s just a bit smaller in the bottom and top than it’s bigger brother the Bristol BD-16. These Bristol guitars feel and play very well.
Plays easily. I bet countless beginners play on guitars that are difficult to play with high action and brittle old strings. No wonder they give up. This Bristol BM-16 with its Elixir Nanoweb strings is the easiest to play guitar ever.
Sounds good. Again, I’m moderately deaf and I used hearing aids or not. Also, I seem to prefer strumming with my thumb over using a pick. But this Bristol guitar from the Blueridge family of guitars plays very nicely. Check them out.
Stay Kaizen and Play Guitar
Erin W., thanks again for your used guitar and positive goodwill. If it hadn’t been for you, I would not have “discovered” the importance of great guitar strings like the Elixir Nanoweb 10’s or 11’s.
So today was a great day for Kaizen Guitarist.
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