How much have you gotten into music theory?.. I played in a creative rut for a long time till I spent the last 3 months teaching myself music theory and coming to grips with what makes music work. I've been playing for 16+ years.. When I first started, music theory was just more textbooks to read and consequently boring.. but I really enjoyed learning all this stuff and I still have heaps more to learn. I'm able to make many more connections than I had previously.. before, the scales were limiting me.. now that I understand them, they are helping to actually extend what I can play.

Also.. have you checked out the GT Solo Assignment that is run through the forums?.. It is open to everyone and it has really pushed me to come up with something fresh each time I've done something.. I listen to my first submission, which was only back in August, and I laugh.. because it is so bad.. lol.. I sound SOOO much better now.. but I feel as if I am only at about 2% of my capabilities now.. whereas about 6 months ago I felt I had reached the limit of my guitar abilities.. I was in that rut for years.. :( So much wasted time.. but now I can start again and climb closer and closer to that level of playing that I can only dream about now..

Guitar is a journey..