Dear Marty - I just wanted to ask your advice about something: I've been playing electric guitar for years now, and play at least a couple of hours a day (it is my life), and I soon have to go abroad for four months to study. Thing is, I may not be able to take any of my own guitar gear with me because of flights and things, so I was thinking of buying an acoustic when I arrive and practising pure technique, improving my sense of melody etc; however, I'm worried that my electric playing (sweep picking, harmonics etc) might suffer from not playing electric for so long.

I wanted to ask if you think this would be a good or bad idea, or what you would do in my shoes?

Also, what do you think of Blackmore's Night? Ritchie is another guy who went from playing awesome guitar music in one genre to another and surprised people doing it whilst risking a critical backlash, so I wondered what you thought?

Thanks for the awesome music and any advice Marty - you are one of my all time heroes! Peace

I think your idea is great. Look at your trip as an opportunity to add another side to your playing. As this trip abroad will be a part of you as a person, let its influence be a part of you as a guitar player. Good luck.