when i met les paul (rip) in 04 we shook and hands, quick chat and he signed my guitar and strummed a few chords on it. He was taken by the fact it had the "old pickups" ie p90s

a great honour !

my review and pics below

http://www.gear-review.co.uk/reviews/lespauliridium/index.html

I'd also love to meet daron malakian. He's a great guy, I'd like to have a talk with him.

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riley

Boy I sure would like to hang with Clapton or Page for a few moments......I think Mike Campbell too....

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I Can't Explain

That was exactly what I was going to write. If you could speak to Annie Leibovitz or hold the camera...or hold the baseball bat of your favorite player or speak to them...I would always choose to speak to the person. They are the skill, talent, and energy.

The guitarist's talent would be the same w/ any guitar. The guitar would not sound the same with a different person at the helm. I'd rather bring my Strat and have them grant me some fretboard wisdom when we meet.

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"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

I have been very fortunate in my time in the music industry prior to being a Soldier I got to meet several fantastic players and one of my all time heroes was Tommy Shaw of Styx. A top notch gentleman who answered tons of questions. When it comes to their guitars, I feel that a guitar is a very personal thing which I would not want to share. I do not let anyone play my guitars because they are mine. It is just my opinion...plus I am not good enough and other folks would not get any mojo...LOL

+1 on everyone. Without the personality making the music the guitar is just another instrument.... I'd want to meet the player too. I did get to meet BB King briefly, and yep I felt like I was in the presence of royalty, the guy has a deep calm thing going on. I shook his hand and thanked him for a lifetime of inspiring music, and the gig I'd just seen - but what I remember most was that his hand was so HUGE that mine just disappeared in the handshake!

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"...Compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees, I am an Apeman."

In '91 my guitar teacher got to open up for Danny Gatton at a club in NYC. I was there to help him set up and generally just to hang. We were in the audience for Danny's set and when he finished we just followed the band up a flight of stairs into a room where they were hanging out with a bunch of people. We go to talking and I was only 21 at the time and I was a bit star-struck from his playing and I'm telling him how much I enjoyed the show. He offered for me to play his Tele and I declined because I really was a s$^t player at the time.

I'd rather hang and talk with a master because I'd be way too intimidated to play in front of one. I'm one of those people who can barely play above audible levels even in a music store. I have been working much harder on my playing over the past few years and I'm really trying to get over that. I don't think I just want to be a wanker my whole life...

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I have to agree with those who said they wouldn't ask.

Even though I've met/worked with plenty of celebrities, I've never even asked for an autograph. First, I feel like it's an invasion of sorts - it's gotta' get old after a while. Second, I don't care who it is, they are really just "people" to me - just because they're famous for whatever reason doesn't change that. (I just can't understand why someone would wait in line for an autograph) Needless to say, even if Eddie had his guitar at the time (and I actually knew how to play), I wouldn't have asked. No offense to anyone, but that just seems lame to me. At the very least, it's presumptuously stepping over a line, I think. Besides, as other have said, what would you gain from it except to say you've touched the thing?

Of course, if the opportunity presents itself to get a snapshot and chat, I'm all over it. The backstory on the VanHalen brothers photo is that it was taken in the parking lot of a well-known photo rental studio in Santa Monica/Culver City. We had just wrapped a photo session with Pam Anderson and (unbeknownst to us), Annie Leibovitz had just wrapped the "Got Milk" session with Eddie and Alex in a separate studio.

Me and the second assistant had just finished loading all the gear when we see Eddie and Alex walking out. We said hi as they walked by and it was obvious Alex was struggling to get his cell phone to work - but it just wasn't. I offered mine which Alex took and while he made his call, we asked Eddie what is was they were shooting. I don't really get star-struck, but since I was a huge VH fan, and actually did them "a favor" of sorts, I didn't think it was out of line to ask for a photo. Seemed to be really cool, down-to-earth guys.

Just wish some of that ability would have rubbed off!

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Then again, what do I know ... I've only been playin' for 6 months ... !

Put it on a more, local level: If any of us met each other for the first time, consider: "Hi, I'm Martian from the Fender Lounge Forum; let me play your guitar." If I was on the receiving end of this, to me, it sends a signal that in essence, this stranger for all intents and purposes has for all intents and purposes, dismissed me as a person and is only interested in my possessions. I would think it downright rude and I know I'd turn around and walk away. Further and as it has already been said, to many, their guitar is a most personal thing. I wouldn't dare ask unless I knew the person a lot more than a mere fleeting moment other than of course, if it was a professional tech situation. Now if the person offers, that's a whole other story. Notwithstanding, I surely wouldn't have been hinting for it prior. To me, I feel it is in quite poor taste and literally an invasion of one's privacy.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

I love to meet people and enjoy conversation.

I do not lend out the possessions I worked hard to buy. Not my motorcycles, my truck, my guitar, my guns, my tools, etc... it's a long list.

In response to "Let me play your guitar"... I might reply... "Sure, right after I have a good go-round with your wife!"

Yes, it's THAT personal.

If I trust someone enough, I will offer if the topic comes up and I am comfortable with the individual.

I rest my case!

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You dig?

I would rather talk. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's ego with my awe-inspiring musical abilities >_________________>

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

I agree that I would never ask to play someone's guitar, not even a buddy. It just got me thinking of the famous guitars that are around like Blackie, Lucille, Dilmour's black Strat and other cool famous guitars and what it would be like to see them let alone touch them. The post on here that mentioned Les Paul autographing and them strumming a few chords on a guitar would be amazing. That would be cooler than playing someone else's guitar because now maybe, just maybe that mojo would be stuck in your guitar . I could only be so lucky

I shook hands with Willie Dixon and Marty Stuart,two musicians I have deep respect for.I have a John Lennon Casino and EJ160E does that count?

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

It counts as fine taste in music!

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"...Compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees, I am an Apeman."