- Oct 22, 2015
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Oh my, completely forgot about Martin! It's more than a half a lifetime ago ... 
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Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"
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I still have 3 of the 4. The very old bari was replaced after it started falling apart. It was built in the early 1900's.Oh my, completely forgot about Martin! It's more than a half a lifetime ago ...
- Oct 22, 2015
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Bari is truly fun to play. I used the school's baritone until the teachers switched me back to my student tenor. Competing for your chair was part of the grind. Suppose it always is, in a way.
Student instruments are hard to get rid of.
There was a gap of about 4 years between the time I dropped the sax and picked up the bass. Took university music theory
and steered clear of the music department after that because piano was required.
Student instruments are hard to get rid of.
There was a gap of about 4 years between the time I dropped the sax and picked up the bass. Took university music theory
and steered clear of the music department after that because piano was required.
There used to be a music store nearby that specialized in brass and classical instruments. They also catered to schools until music programs in public schools died. I used to go in there and marvel at the array of instruments and the quality. They had a service shop that was always busy. It was an old business that looked like nothing changed in decades.
Alas, one day they were gone. Along with the shoemaker that made custom shoes and boots and the typewriter store next door. There were three violin makers, only one is left. The old man that crafted the instruments has long died, the kids run the business but only broker sales and import high end from distant lands.
Alas, one day they were gone. Along with the shoemaker that made custom shoes and boots and the typewriter store next door. There were three violin makers, only one is left. The old man that crafted the instruments has long died, the kids run the business but only broker sales and import high end from distant lands.
Like your post, don't like the trend.
- Oct 22, 2015
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There's a local luthier who builds acoustic guitars. He kept a small shop between a coffee roaster and a silversmith. He did set up my 'Ray a few years back when she came out of hibernation, and have played a few numbers on stage with him. "Got a gig?" he asks most recently. Gonna be out of it for a while with foot surgery ...
Noticed around January his shop was empty and up for rent. Then saw Tuesday he moved to a much larger location in / near a light industrial zone. His new digs have to be hella cheap now. It's not that he depends on foot traffic.
The typewriter shop became a photocopy repair and sales shop that became a bring-your-own-spelling tattoo parlor. They probably sell CBD stuff too, just like the places that sell lottery tickets. A skeevy tavern that was an oasis for the factory workers across the street is now a MM shop.
Noticed around January his shop was empty and up for rent. Then saw Tuesday he moved to a much larger location in / near a light industrial zone. His new digs have to be hella cheap now. It's not that he depends on foot traffic.
The typewriter shop became a photocopy repair and sales shop that became a bring-your-own-spelling tattoo parlor. They probably sell CBD stuff too, just like the places that sell lottery tickets. A skeevy tavern that was an oasis for the factory workers across the street is now a MM shop.
"You can't go home again." It isn't there any more.
Unused shops seem to be mostly turned around into bars and coffee places. Used cloths shops are big with the younger crowd, recycling is worn proudly and the thing to do.
I also see a lot of what they call popup shops. These are shops that are there for only days. Last weekend there were hundreds of young people in line, blocking the sidewalk that made me grump. I’m so far out of that loop, I didn’t have a clue what was going on there. Often it’s some designer with big mark downs. Kids have no problem splurging on whatever the latest superficial trend is. Next month these cloths will be in the recycle shop and they’ll be onto something new. As long as their parents keep shovelling money at them. They like the promises of everything in life for free.
I also see a lot of what they call popup shops. These are shops that are there for only days. Last weekend there were hundreds of young people in line, blocking the sidewalk that made me grump. I’m so far out of that loop, I didn’t have a clue what was going on there. Often it’s some designer with big mark downs. Kids have no problem splurging on whatever the latest superficial trend is. Next month these cloths will be in the recycle shop and they’ll be onto something new. As long as their parents keep shovelling money at them. They like the promises of everything in life for free.
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Update: I took the Junior Jet to my rehearsal last night with the blues band. The BL is also a bass player and he has a MarkBass rig there, so I got to hear how it sounded through something with a completely different voice. It sounded good, though it's still very deep and dark compared to my Fender. I would like to say that I'm in love with it, but I'm not quite there yet. It's fine for doing what I bought it for, but it isn't going to replace my full scale basses. I can't pull as much out of it as I can the Fender. Maybe that will change with a good setup and a new set of pickups.
The weirdest thing, though, is that I started feeling very cramped through my shoulders and upper arms after about 20 minutes with it. Remember that I played it the previous night for about two hours, too. I guess I am used to having my arms in wider positions when I play. I was sitting both nights, so maybe standing would alleviate some of that. But overall, I'm still really happy with it!
The weirdest thing, though, is that I started feeling very cramped through my shoulders and upper arms after about 20 minutes with it. Remember that I played it the previous night for about two hours, too. I guess I am used to having my arms in wider positions when I play. I was sitting both nights, so maybe standing would alleviate some of that. But overall, I'm still really happy with it!
On the way home from my early morning walk I saw four signs in the window of a pharmacy saying that they have medical masks in stock. I thought, I'll bite. The makeup gurl in the front who was dinking on her phone said that the masks are in the back. Walking though the entire store, I was told that they are sold out. The sign was nothing more than a lost leader tring to get people into and through the store. I regret buy a magnifying glass there to help me see better.
You aren't alone in experiencing pain when moving to a short scale instrument. There are exercises for hands, lower arms, all the way up to the shoulder that helps loosen those muscle groups and nerves. Some are on youtube, not sure how helpful they are. Consulting a physio-therapist would be better. Posture is important as well for the shoulder. I was forever being told to sit up straight and stop slouching.
I was watching a violinist last night and was struck by how she could hold her elbow and bowing arm out at ninety degrees from her body in the playing position for extended times. You really have to be in good physical shape to do that.
I normally play a non-reverse, skinny neck Thunderbird; slung fairly low with my fazaza propped on the edge of a stool to minimize knee pain. On a couple of recent gigs, one standing, I used my Squier SS Jag. I'm very aware of the difference in neck profile and the height I wear the axe. The Jag feels weird slung nearly as low as the 'Bird. And my left hand doesn't like 7ender/Squier necks.
ETA: The Jag SS was bought as a backup/tight spaces bass after a short test drive at a GC. It felt "OK" in those few minutes. I shoulda kept looking for an Epi EB-0. I've mentioned this b4 on a coupla threads. I don't expect everyone-including me-to remember.
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H. Couf was known to build a fine sax, in their day.
I had a tenor that brought offers from almost every reedman who tried it. One day, one of those inflated offers became just ridiculous enough.
- Oct 22, 2015
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Yeah, yeah, it's doc talk, having spent more than social time in the tender care of the physical therapists. One might come to know them well, even ....
For besides all whut goes into two full knee replacements, the pain in my left shoulder sent me a-looking for the perfect bass strap. This is indeed a worthy pursuit and brings its own rewards. The real two bit ring in a cracker jack box came with a set of x-rays that show (wait for it) arthritis and calcium deposits. It's not the bass strap ... It's off to physical therapy where
Sally goes over the area with a warm ultrasonic wand and we do exercises until they are satisfied I hold awareness of how each of the muscles up there work. Not that I'm completely happy about it. And in this I see a habit of putting tension in my left shoulder. Ask the PTs why there is so much tension in my shoulder, and they reply you have to figure that out yourself.
Started paying attention to when I tension my shoulder.
Now it's trickled down to paying attention to my entire body when I play.
The old Stingray feels like home (because it has been for so long). The finish is fragile, it needs a lot of TLC, the truss rod isn't up to any high tension strings after 41 years. Even though it's a slab body it's easy to position. It's not exactly light (few were) at ~ 10 pounds. The "new" bass is to let me see the Ray to semi-retirement. The semi-hollowbody doesn't hang the same as a 7ender. I pay a lot of attention to staying relaxed as I am able as I practice ... and have some nice straps
For besides all whut goes into two full knee replacements, the pain in my left shoulder sent me a-looking for the perfect bass strap. This is indeed a worthy pursuit and brings its own rewards. The real two bit ring in a cracker jack box came with a set of x-rays that show (wait for it) arthritis and calcium deposits. It's not the bass strap ... It's off to physical therapy where
Sally goes over the area with a warm ultrasonic wand and we do exercises until they are satisfied I hold awareness of how each of the muscles up there work. Not that I'm completely happy about it. And in this I see a habit of putting tension in my left shoulder. Ask the PTs why there is so much tension in my shoulder, and they reply you have to figure that out yourself.
Started paying attention to when I tension my shoulder.
Now it's trickled down to paying attention to my entire body when I play.
The old Stingray feels like home (because it has been for so long). The finish is fragile, it needs a lot of TLC, the truss rod isn't up to any high tension strings after 41 years. Even though it's a slab body it's easy to position. It's not exactly light (few were) at ~ 10 pounds. The "new" bass is to let me see the Ray to semi-retirement. The semi-hollowbody doesn't hang the same as a 7ender. I pay a lot of attention to staying relaxed as I am able as I practice ... and have some nice straps
Isn’t it too bad that we learn so many simple but important life lessons only in our latter years. I could have used some sage advice but it was more me against the world.
I too am beginning to feel the wisps of irritation through my shoulders to knees. I switched to Ibanez a long time ago because I liked the aggressive tone and small body and lightweight profile. Here is a generic pic of my SR500L. It serves me well and has Bartolini pickups and sounds very nice. I can get a bluesy mellow to aggressive mid growl using the 3 band electronics.
One thing that I forgot to mention is that because of the big top horn and extreme body shape the neck pulls very close into your body so you don't suffer fatigue reaching for the low notes. Really a smart, clever and modern design.
Ibanez has a newish model out that's a hollowbody. I understand it's a tad under 6 pounds. Might be worth looking into.
One thing that I forgot to mention is that because of the big top horn and extreme body shape the neck pulls very close into your body so you don't suffer fatigue reaching for the low notes. Really a smart, clever and modern design.
Ibanez has a newish model out that's a hollowbody. I understand it's a tad under 6 pounds. Might be worth looking into.
- Oct 22, 2015
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My own thinking with my bass is to swap in some TV Jones and a new wiring harness. Already have the stock tuners swapped out to Gotoh Res-o-Lite 350s. The bass stays in tune for days, literally.
Tried one....Really nice tone....very light....slim neck....(Too slim for me...
)....I'd have bought it but for the neck....shrugs....
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