This blog is all about guitars and other fretted instruments, where I provide related information based on my own exploration and study of the stringed instruments.  I’ve played guitar since my late teens, and have acquired a fair amount of experience and technical information that I feel should be shared.  Having a background in engineering, I’ve been extremely curious to understand how things work, how they are made, and that relates to their performance.  When I come across something interesting or that I think others need to find about, I normally consider posting a blog on it.

Feel free to comment or reply to my blogs.  I’ll take all inputs with an open mind, which may lead me to deeper understanding.

As for me, I’m a retired mechanical engineer and graduate of the University of Louisville, Class of 1974.  I’ve worked in automotive, nuclear, and

aerospace fields; all of which taught me much about design, materials, manufacturing processes.  I try to apply my knowledge and experience to my life-long passion, the guitar.   I’ve studied guitar design and instrument making, and at on point thought I would build guitars in my retirement.  I haven’t yet gotten started in earnest, but hope to pick it up soon.  Meanwhile, I’m happy to visit the Collings Guitars plant, just thirteen mile down the road, when I need to touch the wood and see the building operations.

I also have a retail website (www.guitarstringdepot.com), where I offer a variety of strings, tuners, straps, amplifiers, and guitars and other instruments at some of the lowest prices on the Internet.   However, my blog site is where I get to speak my mind about all things guitar.   I have multiple suppliers, to ensure I can always fill my orders, and get the best pricing available.  I don’t add a lot of mark-up to my prices, but keep them low.  I find more reward in satisfying someones needs than in making big profits.

I live in the Texas Hill Country, a few miles north of Dripping Springs, Texas.  It’s beautiful here, and far away from the noise and stress of the city, and a great place to play guitar.   I’ve been interested in just about every genre over the years, but my current passion is Jazz.  I love chord melodies, and I’m trying to get a handle on improvisation.  Joe Pass has been my strongest influence, but I also like how Pat Metheny plays.   Then, sometimes I like to see what Brian Setzer is doing on YouTube.  Brian Setzer has lot offer in terms of simply showing how to play what you feel.

Rancher 110