October 2025 challenge response – Denise & “Piney”

[Denise]

Hi AMers

Here comes my new Strat! It’s an AM Pro II with a natural pine wood body…that’s why I call the Strat “Piney”.
It plays very smooth and I like the tone, especially the neck pickup.
(There is no gear budget for me now for the rest of my life but I needed to have a Strat).

For the backing track I went for EP621. First I played Brian’s lead and then added my own lead / licks using
pattern 5 for major and minor pentatonic.

I am looking forward to watching your ideas this weekend.
Denise

More Blues!

[Jennifer D]

Wow Denise that was beautifully bluesy and full of variety too! 👌

[charjo]

Wonderful, Denise. Great job on EP 621. You found a great variety of licks in what has to be one of the most difficult positions.
The new strat looks and sounds gorgeous. I’m so happy for you.
John

[Ivan]

Cool blues feel on all your phrasing…very nice guitar also.👍

Ivan

[John H]

Great job Denise,
You certainly are hitting the ‘blue’ notes providing a true blues vibe. Love the new axe. How fun is that? I hope you are having fun with it. She’s a beaut! Love your double stops. Job well done.

John

[AndréM]

Awesome playing Denise.
I love the color of your new friend, sounds great too.
Yeah I also busted my budget when I bought my GS mini,lol

AndréM

AndréM

[Bill]

Sweet playing on your new strat Denise! Love that strat neck pickup sound, perfect for a slow blues like this. Very nice licks and you even got some tremolo bar action in. Great stuff!

[Michael L]

Congratulations on the new guitar Denise! Looks and sounds great. Wow! Lady plays the blues!! Wonderful!

[Andy N]

Such a cool well played and well paced blues. Bringing out all the emotion in those phrases. You found plenty to say in those additional pattern 5 licks you added too and the mix of triads and lead fills worked really well.
Piney looks gorgeous with the reflections bouncing off the finish. Love the tone of that front pickup too. especially when you hit those dissonant double stops and the overtones ring out. Wow!

[JoeD1]

That’s a beautiful guitar Denise. And it sounds awesome. You seem to be so relaxed when you’re playing and it sounds nice with the bends and whammy you used!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[JoLa]

Ahhh, the gorgeous glassy sound of the strat’s neck pickup, love it! Such a nice and very clean demonstration of your skills here, Denise!

I liked your improvisation, it had a cool conversational style, laid back but also with a bite! Very well put together and still in the spirit of the lesson. Also a nice job with the visual aids, in fact, those were quite helpful!

Piney is also a looker, what a beautiful collection you have! If that’s the last addition to it then you didn’t miss much. Although I do believe you may find more funds for a future “must have” 😁🙃

🎸JoLa

[Martin W]

Hi Denise , congrats on your new strat she’s a beaut ! A real looker , sounds superb on that neck pick up , very rich in tone . I think you’ve found your forever guitar .
Excellent take on the lesson , and you certainly gave pattern five a real workout with your own cycle , capturing the same feel as the lesson.
Love the subtle use of the tremolo a classy touch .

Martin

[Manfred M]

One thing is certain: your new Strat has found a worthy player, Denise. Your contribution to this challenge proves that impressively. Congrats on both: the guitar and your playing.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be at the beginning of next year 2026

A detailed announcement will be posted here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Paul S.]

Nothing like a new (and expensive) axe to inspire some great playing.
In addition to the fine tone, you packed a lot of inspired changes into this thing. It sounded like totally authentic blues. A credit to the new instrument.

[James B]

Congrats on the new Strat, Denise. It’s in good hands for sure. Love what you’ve done here.

James

[Alan L]

Fantastic! You knock the written lead out of the park and your licks are equally engaging and fresh. Love that strat!

[Guido]

Great rendition in one position Denise, plenty of tasteful melodic phrases, with a very nice timing and letting breathe the notes! Congrats on your new Strat, it looks and sounds beautiful! Very sunny and verdant over there, I can see. like here: “autumns aren’t what they used to be” 😅!

Guido

[Werner]

Great guitar, congratulations on this beautiful Strat!
Great piece of music, as always. Love your virtuosity.

Thank you!
Werner

[Catherine Arsenault]

Classy guitar Denise! And really classy and blusey playing great submission!

[Serena C]

Welcome Piney! You did really a great job with Denise!
Congrats Denise, superb submission!

If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May)

[Robert G G]

Go Denise,

Nice ax. Great tone. It sounded like a Fender amp.

Hopefully you are playing out somewhere. You need to share this with everyone.. so technically spot on and yet soulful. Good stuff..I want to hear more..

Blues Bob

[David H]

Yes, the tone on the neck is magnificent. Great addition to the family.

[Reuben B]

Very nicely done Denise. Love your improvised version, especially with the chord part that you incorporated. Great guitar, and I have a severe tone envy for yours 🙂 .

[Author]

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