u/CluelesssDev

I'm having a real problem with gluten free bread related farts at the moment...

I first picked up guitar around 2016, played a little bit and got a bit bored with it.

Over the last 6 months i've started lessons and really fell in love with guitar. Is it worth upgrading my VT20X? I've had my eye on something like a Positive Grid Spark 2 - it seems like modellers have really come a long way since my 2015 VT20X was released. The practice tools like drummers/backing tracks/loopers look great too. I'm mainly just looking for something for bedroom practice - no plans to gig or record any time soon.

Is it worth the switch? Any other alternatives to look into rather than the PG Spark 2?

Can you fine folk tell me how you use your Sparks for practice? What are the best features? Underrated features etc?

And is there any alternatives to consider now that it's over 2 years old?

I've recently started taking guitar playing much more seriously. Before now, the only maintenance I’ve really done is change my strings every so often.

I feel like I should give my acoustic guitar a clean, the hardware is looking a little grubby and my fretboard is getting a little 'gunky'. It seems lots of people have differing opinions on this.

How do you clean your guitars, and how often?

I've recently started taking guitar playing much more seriously. Before now, the only maintenance I’ve really done is change my strings every so often.

I feel like I should give my electric guitar a clean, the hardware is looking a little grubby and my fretboard is getting a little 'gunky'. It seems lots of people have differing opinions on this.

How do you clean your guitars, and how often?

I just got my first midi controller with the intention of learning some theory - mainly building chords, arrangements and melodies etc.

Are there any tools out there that take the midi-input and teach you chords, scales and basic theory? I don't plan on learning to read notation.

Cheers!

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Im using a Scarlett Solo, and apparently that doesn’t work with the NAM standalone plugin because the guitar input is input 2.

what’s the simplest way to use NAM on my laptop?

I've ran through all of the troubleshooting tips, hints and guides on the focusrite site but still can't get it hooked up correctly.

I've got it to the point that it Focusrite Control recognises it for a few seconds, shows some device settings and then goes back to 'No Hardware Connected'.

I'm not using a USB hub, just USB-C straight into my macbook and have tried multiple cables. My Solo lights up and the halo light reacts to my guitar input sometimes, but other times only the USB and 'Direct Monitor' light up. Could it be a defective unit? Its weird that it sometimes sees my device, but only for a few seconds.

Does anything have any other troubleshooting advice?

I've just started playing around with improv - sticking on a backing track and playing around over the top use pentatonic/major/minor scales.

I always seem to end up repeating the same patterns, and the same timings over and over again. Is there a 'lick library' that exists anywhere that just has loads of different licks, in all kinds of styles, keys, timings that could spice up improv skills?