Yea MDB I saw that story a few times, he was driven. And me not so much a R&R hero, Swarm used the word Crossroads, that's the name of the Dex's that we were doing back in the 70's. I would buy them by the hundred and in this case they helped, especially building up the calluses on the fingers. And ColtDan I brought the 12 because it sounded so rich. I had my doubts playing it as I have small hands. I'm 5-11 but they weren't what I thought I needed to play a 12. But hard work an shortcuts, different key, and using a lot of bar chords, anything, well almost anything can be played. Although a lot of my renditions were nothing to write home about. Some stunk,lol. I just read further and MDB your playing for the best reason, because its fun.