• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Am I a "Blues Lawyer"?

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,586
I thought I heard that affectionately used a while back …nothing derogatory was meant
 

SpencerD

Active member
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Messages
910
Ah yes,the dreaded Blues Lawyer.

That's a pretty fucking stupid term to use. It's not like guitar players are huge community anyway and talking shit about them is counterproductive.


Some people make more money than you. Welcome To Life Assholes!

Get over yourself and lighten the fuck up. 😀
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
Yup, it's all in the context and delivery, as usual.

Which often doesn't translate well online, unless you get the 'vibe' of the forum, thread and membership.

Fortunately most here are either pretty laid back, and can back off or counter and deflect as appropriate.

Not always the case, and very much not the case elsewhere.

Viva LPF!
 
  • Like
Reactions: K_L

GlassSnuff

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2002
Messages
3,671
We used to have some Blues Doctors hanging around. One of them was a fine photographer.

Yeh, the punchline is, he used a "Doctor's Lens". Those Canon lenses with a red line that pro photogs can't afford. It's not just in music. ;)
 
Last edited:

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
Blues Doctor.
Rock Lobster!
'Rock Lobstah' ... down ... down ... down
 

jrgtr42

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
I always read the term to refer to people - not necessarily lawyers per se, or playing blues - with more money than talent - top shelf, cork-sniffer gear, and working on first position scale and open chords, but looking down on those with less expensive gear.
I personally have more guitars and amps that I need, and some nice ones at that, and I don't (now...) play outside my basement. Does that put me in that catagory? Maybe. But I won't complain about anyone else's stuff.
 

Billy Porter

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
1,129
There's a similar scenario on the Exotic Supercar world. Just watch the YouTube fails to see more money than skill.
Ferrari, Lamborghini et.al. would go bust if only pro racing drivers bought their cars. Similar situation with Gibson and Fender custom shops, they don't vet skills before selling you a guitar.
 

charliechitlins

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
1,021
"Blues Lawyer". I've seen this term tossed around the internet for years and never stopped to think about what it meant until recently. It appears that if you are an aging guitar player with good gear and have never made it professionally in music, then you are a Blues Lawyer. Am I correct?

If so, that's me.

Although never a lawyer, or even an attorney, I was a successful skilled tradesman that made pretty good money in my day. Not live in a mansion and drive a fancy car successful, but now in retirement doing just fine and am set up financially until the day I die successful.

I've played a musical instrument since I was 10 years old and have stuck with music as my main hobby and passion all of my life. I've taken serious music lessons in my late teens and early 20's, have done home independent study all of my life when I found the time, plus played with bands and in organized jams off and on since starting. At almost 68 my friends and family that have heard me play are always quite impressed at my skills as a musician. All this time while making a living working my ass off in a job that I really don't care for like most anyone else.

When I started out I didn't have the greatest gear but did own some nice vintage pieces while in my 20's before vintage meant anything. I regretfully sold most of my vintage pieces beginning in the early 80's but have consistently sold, traded and bought gear throughout the years, always trying to improve or update my collection. I am now sitting on about 15 guitars and 10 amps and a roomful of recording gear that is all getting a lot of use in retirement. All this stuff I would consider to be "professional gear".

So, what's your opinion? Am I a Blues Lawyer? Are you a Blues Lawyer? What is your definition of a Blues Lawyer?
Do you have several Les Pauls or a PRS? ;)
 

goldtop0

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Messages
8,931
Whether it's the Blues or not, my playing often warrants a Lawyers defensive input.
A case in point, I've been watching on youtube of late old interviews with EC and one thing he says is........the mistakes he makes when doing recordings and the hours spent in the studio getting it 'right'.
So it goes!!
 
Top