A few weeks back, The Real Todd Harrison wrote about his antics on his stage experience alongside his sidekick, Jim Slagle, at the Whisky-A-GoGo. That got me thinking about music, my favorite guitar axe men and, of course, my own sad experience with a 6-string.

But first, my personal favorite axers and a question for Jim Slagle. John Frusciante of the RHCP (Red Hot Chili Peppers) was recently described in Rolling Stone as a visionary–-no arguments here. In fact, he takes the RHCP to new heights on his most recent release on the strength of producer Rick Rubin, who lets him wander and turns the volume up on him a bit. The genius of the Peppers is that they bring a sense of deja vu in their songs that says, "Oh, yeah!" I always seem to know what Anthony Kiedis is talking about–-I’ve been there–-and then Frusciante seals it with a mind-blowing solo.

My other favorite is Mark Knopfler. I’m cutting my Italy trip a day short to get see him again in Boston in July. While he doesn’t bust lose like Frusciante enough for me, his tone is beautifully melodic. English music no doubt. What can I say? My wife is English.

So then Jim Slagle, who are your favorite axe men? While you’re at it, tell me the model and year of your 11 guitars. RTH….your favorites, or do you just play air guitar in front of the shower mirror? And CH…….yours…..knowing that you were the lead wingman in Huntington Beach High School polyester clad and marching band, and played the left clarinet?

As for me, I had a passable right strumming hand that plunked at my 1971 Telecaster (which ended up getting sold by a goony bagger who I loaned it to, likely to a fellow goonie bagger). But my left hand had no idea what it was doing. It acted like a frozen chicken wing on the fretboard.