to think that a twin necked guitar is gimmicky and would make DS look like a twat?

[WankersHacksandThieves]

My lovely DS2 (15) has been learning the bass guitar for a little while. We got him a 2nd hand bass/amp etc for his birthday, he messed around himself for a few months and has now been taking lessons for 3 months.

He has dreams of being in a band etc. fairly typical teenage dream.

He hasn't studied music at school but wants to take it up again after the summer and says he's really keen.

He wants to upgrade his bass which I'm fine with. He has saved up £540 but has seen this twin necked thing that he absolutely has to have - it's nearly £1000. He is desperate to start selling stuff to get the money together.

To me it's the kind of thing a successful rock star may have on stage at Wembley, it's not the sort of thing you would be using to gig around pubs etc. DH says he'll get laughed at and look a twat.

He's been really good lately, getting stuck into his studies and generally being great to be around. He was fairly down and hating school a few months ago and very moody, we want to keep his mood positive since he only has two months until exam time and he also has a fair amount of course work he needs to submit that goes towards his exam results.

I'm currently trying to gently question his choice and telling him not to rush in and he'd be better waiting until after the exams to start digging stuff out to sell or getting a part time job. DH thinks we should just say "No" and tell him that he'll look a twat...

Are we wrong? Anyone think this is a good idea? Anyone got any tips on what to say to him?

If he has a Squier, TBH I'd be more inclined to spend the money on a good amp. Pound for pound, amps give you more bang for buck at that level. When I was starting out I had a Squier Strat (which I still have, btw - it's a great instrument and gets regular professional outings) but lucked into a very good Marshall amp for perhaps 3 times what I paid for the guitar. The anp made all the difference. :)

Amp!

I totally agree with the value of a good amp - doesn't matter how well you can play, if your amp isn't good you'll sound like mud.

DS gets double bass lessons from an amazing professional bass player. (Double bass players often play electric bass too as the strings are the same pitch.) He recommended an amp, based on my reminders that we are far from minted too.

tcelectronic BG250

Would your DS feel supported by you if you tell him you were telling someone that your son is getting bass lessons and doing really well and they told you his next purchase should be a good amp?

DS wanted a 5-string bass, but he got a fretless (jazz) bass instead. He has big hands - he wanted it for the tone and jazz possibilities - he's into jazz.

DS taught himself bass guitar from youtube videos - his situation is different from your DS as he already had double bass lessons. I can't remember the name of the guy who did the videos but feel free to PM me if you like and I'll ask DS his advice.

You could just show him a picture of Rush looking desperately uncool

www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/custom/rush%202015%20for%20live%20review%20use%20only%20H.jpg

Thanks again.

We've had "the conversation" I think he is still gutted but understands and hopefully we can deflect his funds elsewhere.

I picked up the amp 2nd hand when we bought the guitar From memory I think I was about £140 for the guitar, amp, bag and a cable. The amp is a Tramp Model Bass, from googling I think it's ancient but seems to have been well respected in its day. Guy in the shop said it's powerful enough for gigs but I know nothing about these things. I'll pop the thought in his head together with your recommendations and let him research.

Also he spoke to music teacher who is enthusiastic about him taking music next year, just need to see how the columns are later this week.

..and cracking photo that ofshoes

Rush will never be uncool

I'm really sorry OP but I would be seriously concerned about him taking music at all at school.

I don't know anything about the Scottish system but certainly in England you're wasting your time if you're not already playing to at least grade 4/5 standard when you start the music GCSE and much higher than that for A level. It's not an easy option he'll just be able to coast through.

Playing the guitar is really difficult to do to a good standard and if he thinks he can pick it up quickly enough to do well on his course then I'm worried he's going to be in for a huge disappointment. I think this sounds like another case of his teacher being a little bit too enthusiastic and giving your poor DS bad advice! In your shoes I think I'd be really concerned over the influence this idiot has over your son at this impressionable age.

The double necked guitar is also a really bad idea. If they were good or even just cool everyone would have one. When has a product that's meant to do multiple jobs ever been better than something that specialises in one?

I'd definitely second the amp upgrade though and hope that he continues to play even if it's just for the love of it without the influence of the nutcase teacher.

P.s. I messaged an old friend of mine (he's a reasonably well-known professional guitarist in a signed band (and would kill me if I outed him!)) to ask his advice about the guitar and he has texted back to tell him to stay clear and instead invest in a really good, reputable guitar. The only way any instrument like that will double in value is if it's been owned and played on by someone famous!

I don't know anything about the Scottish system but certainly in England you're wasting your time if you're not already playing to at least grade 4/5 standard when you start the music GCSE and much higher than that for A level. It's not an easy option he'll just be able to coast through

It was certainly my impression that Music Higher and Advanced Music Higher are not easy options. My son sat his Higher Music just before his 17th birthday but he had had over 10 years of formal piano teaching by then. He started guitar in Secondary 1 at 12 but he had the theory grounding from piano.

I honestly know nothing about it, but there are only 2 music teachers in the school and the one DS has spoken has had him for music 2 out of the 3 years in S1 to 3. He has played an instrument since primary (tin whistle) and did take lessons with a folk group and play in a couple of concerts when he was younger but he doesn't have any formal music exams. He is really not fussed anymore whether he does Nat 5 or Higher but it will depend on where the columns fall and also his maths result. I don't want him doing 3 highers and 2 nat 5s.

When he is keen and motivated he does put a lot of effort in.

Why limit himself to just the two necks? Rick Nielson from Cheap Trick plays a five neck guitar.

Jeez Bart don't send him a link to that! :o

John Otway has made a career out of being laughed at, here's his take on a twin neck (admittedly no bass) -

That workmanship looks as good as the one he was looking at importing! :o

A level music is much more difficult than H Music. Sorry Nicola Sturgeon but there's no question. I know people who have done both.

It sounds like you and DS are fairly set on doing music - there used to be a music performance module which is worth approx half a higher . Another possibility?

Well of course A level will be harder. It's a 2 year course as opposed to a 1 year, well about 9 months.

I don't really care one way or another if he does it. He's had a tough year doing some subjects that he really hasn't enjoyed so if possible I'd like him to have a better year next year.

I'm happy to go with whatever school and DS agree on :)

My apologies - I've just realised that was completely irrelevant as I was thinking about AH Music and comparing it with A level music. A level music is much more difficult and more academic. It makes me wonder about the whole of the Scottish system tbh.....

FWIW I think music must be such a nice subject to take at school purely for the change from the drier subjects.

My apologies rogue - my reply looks a bit curt (I was on my phone) any animosity was directed at NS, not you :)

I wonder about the education system too.

National 5 which is equivalent to Credit level Standard grade seems to now be the minimum required by everyone, National 4 is the equivalent of Foundation Level Standard grade. There is no middle ground really so kids that struggle in either English or Maths at Nat 5 are stuck.

DS2 has had a busy year, he is doing Maths, English, Chemistry, History, Modern Studies, Bus Mgmt and French, he struggles a bit in Maths, hates French and dislikes Chemistry and he doesn't like the set text in English. No real light relief and not enjoying half his subjects. He's hoping for a better 5th year. 7 academic Nat 5s in a year is tough going I think given the level of course work etc also required.