Mac, you always crack me up. I do the same thing. I was asked recently at a Christmas party gig what guitar I play. Mind you, I was playing the gig... I told her the bass just to keep her guessing.

But, for the one inquiring on how to play guitar solos. I am not sure if this was mentioned but what I usually do is listen to other instruments such as voice, violin, flute, and trumpet. Each contribute not only excellent patterns as you have read in previous posts in this thread. But, it goes one step further. It takes you into "attitude." Playing an "A" is an "A" note etc. But, how you play the note is what makes it distinctive.

So, not to throw more scales at you simply take the great ideas of techniques and scales already discussed and say to yourself as you are listening to the song, "What would a trumpet or a voice do there?" Chances are it may be within the framework of those scales. But, you will pick up to attitude by which those notes are communicating.

B.B. King has been playing the same 5 notes for over 70 years. Yet, each time he does, it has a uniqueness to it in most instances.

What I do when thinking how to solo is yes listen to the chords, the melodies AND the rhythms. But, after I have circulated the pattern in my head a few times, start to see myself playing those scale notes only with a pinch here, a strike there, a bend or two. And as you begin to experiment don't restrict yourself by trying to make something sound good immediately. Try it, try it and try it again. Before you know it you will find yourself making scales into solos.

Also, as one mentioned about Youtube. What I like to do is go out there and look for true men of the trade. And watch their playing to see how they cultivate their sounds. Hey, there is nothing new under the sun. No body owns the frequencies of the notes we play. So, it is open game to take a little from one and a little from another. We are all pygmies on the shoulders of giants when it comes to this stuff.

Best to you. And if you like, post a few solo runs along with some accompaniment here, and I would be happy to share my thoughts on how you can tweak them if need be.

Cheers,
RickeG