The UKMG guitarist code

Place this in your email/news signature. Suggestions for improvements to Mike.

History

First off, the header. Like all such codes it has an optional wrapper, viz: 
---- BEGIN UKMG CODE BLOCK ----
---- END UKMG CODE BLOCK ----

After that, first come the letters UKMG, followed by a slash, followed by one or more letters to indicate your preferred musical genre.

Genres

Any of the genres can be individually preceeded with a ! for NOT (e.g. !C = NOT country) if you have particular dislikes, or bracketed for 'have played, don't go mad over', or preceeded with a ? for 'would like to be able to play...'

For example, I'm UKMG/BRMF!P!H?S

Each Music section can be followed by an optional set of square brackets. In these square brackets you can do two things. Firstly, you can define a date range. eg
59-62 = 1959 - 1962
or
6x = the 1960's

Secondly, you can rate the extremeness of your musical taste using ++, +, - and --, which runs on a scale ++ = hardcore, and -- = the poppy end of the scale.

So if you like 60's bubblegum pop, early Beatles etc, then you would put R[6x--]. Extreme Punk would be P[++] etc...

As an example, I am BR[6x-8x]M[8x]F?S!P.

Next, we list your instruments, as a series of letters for kind of instrument followed by the number you own of that kind. Additionally, you can add after a number ? and a number (the number of those which are of dubious quality) and/or ! and a number (the number of those which are broken). Note this list includes a few commonly found things we guitarists own that are NOT guitars.

Instruments

Again, by way of example, I'm E9?1A3M1B1L1K3. 9 electrics (one crap), 3 acoustics, a bass, a mandolin and a la'ud, as well as 3 keyboards.

Now pick from this table. If you swing between a range of preferences, separate them by a /, e.g. P+/--. If you really don't care, use *, e.g. P*. If you are normally one thing, but occasionally prefer another, use (), e.g, P++(--). The text is intended as a humourous guide as to the range of values under consideration, nothing more.

GAS

the dreaded Gear Acquisition Syndrome
GAS++GAS+GAS=GAS-GAS--
Oooo, shiney! Where's my credit card? Neat toy. Hrm. Can I afford it? Ok, if I sell my old Squier... Dear? Would it be ok if...? No. Of course not, dear.

Commitment

how much of your life involves music
C++C+C=C-C--
I'm Vinny Burns (or Adrian Clark) I make noticeable money off music I play for fun/pleasure any chance I get - the money's a bonus if it comes I have other hobbies! I dabble

Practise

getting better
P++P+P=P-P--
I practise religiously, everyday, for hours. I pick the guitar up everyday and do something which counts as practise I do some practise every week I do practise. Sometimes, when I find a hard bit I can't play. What's practise?

Gigging

getting out there in front of the punters
G++G+G=G-G--
Free evening? Sorry, I'm gigging. I have a gig most weekends. Or two. I do gig, but it's not that often. I have gigged in the past. Never gigged

Bands

how many are you in?
B++B+B=B-B--
More than one, and I dep regularly for more More than one I'm in a band I show up occasionally in other people's bands I'm a bedroom warrior

Recordings

the other way of getting folks to hear your work
R++R+R=R-R--
A recording I'm on is available in High Street shops Folks have paid money for a CD/tape/LP with me on it I have an MP3.com page You can download stuff from my home page (if I tell you where it is) I haven't recorded myself.

Modelling amps

M++M+M=M-M--
Ah BELIEVE in the gospel of modelling! REPENT, YE SINNERS! I have a Pod cause it's neat and cute Pods are neat, I guess. Marshall head, 2 x 4 x12". Never surrender! Mmm. The Boogie or the Twin for this track?

Songwriting

how much original stuff do you do
S++S+S=S-S--
I do all my own/the band's stuff I have written several songs I have written a few songs I do covers I play in a tribute band

Rack gear

do you lean towards the 'OOOOO, shiney' camp or not
r++r+r=r-r--
I am Rick Booth I have some stuff in a rack I have and use a mix of stuff I have a bunch of pedals by my feet Just give me a valve amp and a lead

And that makes me: 

---- BEGIN UKMG CODE BLOCK ----
UKMG/BR[6x-8x]M[8x]F?S!P!H E9?1A3M1B1L1K3 GAS+/-- C= P- G= B+ R+ M* S+/-- r++(--)
---- END UKMG CODE BLOCK ----