Well @John Williamson , if you have arthritis then your biggest hurdle is going to be just patience. I teach guitar and I can say that If you just try and learn a song you like and play it over and over, the kinks naturally work out, there is no "tip" no "silver bullet" that will make your fingers fall in place! Just practice:)

What's the artist you're referring to? I can't seem to place the voice in my mind!

@Shad Theriot I've noticed you like lots of major blues, have you tried learning the major pentatonic scale and mixing it with the minor?

Hey man! @Shad Theriot I really like that you have a really great vibrato (I teach guitar and I can say that most people have an underdeveloped vibrato)! I think you'd really benefit from doing some dexterity/speed exercises. If you want I can drop some tabs over here! Just give me a shout:D

@Shad Theriot Same, brother! Ever since I've fell in love with Cream I've haven't stopped working on my blues solos!

I think a humbucker in the bridge and a single coil in the neck (who cares about the middle? Put a snack bar in there and you'll get more use out of it:D Just joking) is the most optimal and versatile tonal set up. I personally enjoy a bridge single coil, but I myself am thinking about a bridge humbucker super strat with a floyd rose. In short, It's realy good. If you want something really unique, try a tele's bridge pick up, one of the most used sounds ever! What sort of style you're playing the most?