Video Question: Whammy bar

Return to Video Question and Answer Listings
Date: August 5th, 2008 | Length: 6.07 | Instructor: Brad Henecke

Rockerdon asks, "Dear Brad and DMAC, I have two questions. First, I have a simple guitar,a peavey predator and a peavey backstage amp(a small transtube amp). I have been playing seriously for about 2 months.I am between beginner and intermediate. I'm closer to intemediate. I have finished Dmac's beginner lessons and I'm working on Brad's Classic rock lessons. I want two add some spice to my playing. My guitar has a floyd rose double locking tremelo whammy bar system, but I don't have a wammy bar. At my skill level , could I use a whammy bar and where could I buy one? also what would be a good price for one? Also my amp has overdrive, but i want more. Would u recommend an effects box or peddle? And I tryed out a Wah Wah box at guitar center. Could I use a Wah wah peddle or box?Also would u recommend a box or peddle?Also what ould be a good price for effects and wahwahs?Thanks for all the help u can give.This Site rocks. ROCK ON!!! RockerDon" Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

Other Video Responses:

D Major Chord - February 21st, 2008 (1 minutes, 26 seconds)

Brianm579 asks, "It is easier for me to play the D Major chord with my 1 finger on the first string (second fret), my 2 finger on the third string (second fret), and my 3 finger on the second string (third fret). The instruction and chord charts show it slightly different, with the 1 and 2 fingers switched from how I do it. Is there any problem with playing it the way I do? I have found it makes it easier with some chord changes. I am concerned that down the road it could cause problems as I learn more." View Response

- September 24th, 2008 (3 minutes, 45 seconds)

Gfl23 asks, "As I was learning lessons in Phase 1, which usually included simple chords, I basically had no problem with my left hand. However, when I started to progress into larger and more complicated chords, I found that the wrist of my left hand would stick out away from behind the fingerboard. My thumb would tighten up completely and basically my left hand would be completely twisted up just so that I can accomodate or reach all the frets in the chord. If i stuck out my hand in that position, the hand would be bending inwards towards my body at a 90 degree angle and my thumb would be bending a little the opposite way. After holding that position for maybe 5 minutes, my hand and wrist would feel horrible, discouraging me from playing. I would really appreciate any suggestions as to how I can improve this dilemma. P.S. I reviewed the lessons on posture already but I didn't really see what I needed. Thanks, I really want to get back to learning guitar. This site is great! Oh, and please send the response to this email instead of the one listed above; I can't change it for some reason: masterx23@hotmail.com Thanks again." View Response

Amplifier Setup - October 10th, 2007 (2 minutes, 70 seconds)

Merlin says, "Hi David, I am just new to the site and I can tell you I am already reaping the benefits. Your lesson technique is invaluable to the likes of me. One area that I have been very frustrated with over the years is the setup of amplifiers the dos the don'ts. quite simply the how to... Is there any chance that a lesson could be developed purely on this topic? I have a peavey studio pro which I can create sound from but feel that I have far from mastered its capabilities. In anticipation Wayne Pearce" View Response

Guitar Action - April 21st, 2008 (13 minutes, 23 seconds)

Jdemail78 says, "I hear a lot about guitar action but I'm not really sure what is good or bad. I had purchased an acoustic guitar that I believe had very low action (strings were very close to the neck of the guitar) and it was very easy to play but it ended up having some issues with fret buzz and other ringing sounds that I did not like and could not get corrected at the local guitar shop. I've since replaced it with a little bit better guitar and I no longer have any fret buzz nor do I have any ringing sounds but it seems like the action is higher (strings are much higher off the neck of the guitar) and therefore, for me as a beginner, it is harder to play. My question is when it comes to an experienced guitar player (which I am not...yet...) is it good to have a guitar with higher action or lower action? What would one typically prefer? Do really nice expensive guitars come with very low action making them easy to play but don't have any buzzing issues or is it a case where as you get better, higher action is ok because your better at fretting chords and notes? My curiosity with this comes from a hope that the guitar I have now, with it's strings higher off the fret board, will slowly become easier to play as I get better and I'll become ok with the higher action because it does sound better and cleaner than the one I had with the lower action. Also, please correct me if I have the "high action" "low action" descriptions backwards." View Response

nylon string guitar - May 13th, 2008 (3 minutes, 20 seconds)

HGNative says, "hi another question im going to buy a acoustic guitar i love classical guitar sound and i do (try) to play if i was to buy a nylon string guitar can i still play other music on this with out sounding bad like country rock are is this guitar just for classical thank you jamplay PS every time i see classical guitar music being played its on a nylon string guitar" View Response