Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[12BitSlab]

Question for my fellow GOF's. Seeing as how I'll be turning 65 this summer, I've been told I have to sign up for some kind of medicare. I'm still working but hope to retire maybe later this year. My company has great health care benefits that will continue (although somewhat costlier) after I retire. Everyone from my current health care provider (BC/BS Excellus) to whatever can be found on facebook is trying to sign me up for seminars and "helpful" classes (for a fee or the opportunity to join them) to decide what I need to sign up for. Why is this such a complicated mess? Any advice or helpful input would be appreciated.

My wife and I joined the ranks of Medicare within the past year. We were just as confused as you appear to be.

We worked with a “consultant” (i.e., a salesrep) to make our choices. Instead of picking a consultant/rep/agency from an advertisement, we asked friends of ours who had also gone through the process who they used. Using that methodology, we were able to find a local person to work with who had performed admirably for those we trust.

I hope that helps in some small way. Good luck!

 

[beans-on-toast]

Question for my fellow GOF's. Seeing as how I'll be turning 65 this summer, I've been told I have to sign up for some kind of medicare. I'm still working but hope to retire maybe later this year. My company has great health care benefits that will continue (although somewhat costlier) after I retire. Everyone from my current health care provider (BC/BS Excellus) to whatever can be found on facebook is trying to sign me up for seminars and "helpful" classes (for a fee or the opportunity to join them) to decide what I need to sign up for. Why is this such a complicated mess? Any advice or helpful input would be appreciated.

It’s a competitive market. I tend to stay away from any company that heavily advertises in the media.

If you can seek out advice from a couple of retired people from your hospital. They might be able to give you some direction. Also maybe talk to someone in administration that deals with insurance companies for a recommendation. There are also tax considerations that help.

Sounds like the hospital’s provider is a good way to go. You know them. Affordability factors in though. Start with their seminar. Also, you aren’t locked in for life. Go with one and see.

 

[GwenOnBass]

"Baseball bat" is what I said, out loud, when I tried my friend's 4001 back in 1981. It just blurted out, first thing that came though, unfiltered. And he is very, very proud of his Ric and I hope he still has it.

I play my Chowny CHB-1 much more to my side, a la Jack Casidy

In fact when my bass is new to me, I study Jack Casidy photos to see how he wears his Starfire comfortably. The neck really does swing away when the body is held with the forearm, just like that. I find it works, and it's very much not like playing a Fender Shaped Object. Which is for me a larger part of the point. :: evil grin ::

Ah so to get that Gibson thump all I need is Joe Osborn and a Wurlitzer

And no great stretch of the imagination that when I play my Ray I use a shorter strap, but not too short.

 

[spiritbass]

@biguglyman - I signed up for Medicare online because the policy of the company I work for is to discontinue the group health coverage when an employee turns 65. I don't think any classes are necessary. I still have dental coverage through my company and they reimburse me for the cost of paying Part B medicare coverage. Fortunately for my situation, one of the best VA hospitals in the country is located in the city where I work. (I'm ex-Coast Guard)

 

[Polish Thunder]

Sharp corners can dig in. A Ric 4003 can do that as well.

Ovation bass
View attachment 4201120

So why is this particular bass called "Ovation'"? Was it because whenever Danny Partidge (aka Danny Bonaduce) played it on stage with the Partridge Family, he got a standing ovation for his bass playing?

 

[GonePlaid]

So why is this particular bass called "Ovation'"? Was it because whenever Danny Partidge (aka Danny Bonaduce) played it on stage with the Partridge Family, he got a standing ovation for his bass playing?

Ovation Typhoon bass guitar: (other finishes available-Sunburst, cherry)

 

[GwenOnBass]

Nothing like an actor to make it all look easy

 

[beans-on-toast]

Ovation Typhoon bass guitarother finishes available-Sunburst, cherry)
View attachment 4201351

It looks like it’s based on a Gretsch which was popular but expensive back then. Even that dark color was popular. I used one in the 60’s.

 

[GonePlaid]

Ovation Typhoon bass guitar: (other finishes available-Sunburst, cherry)
View attachment 4201351

According to Prof. Google's site, the bodies were made by Hofner. Dunno if that's gospel. Don't really care, either.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I often hear it said here at TB that proper setups were unknown "in the day". And in no position to affirm or deny, I learned how to setup my bass at MI in 81. And taught by someone with high name recognition.

As one whose name recognition index flatlined at birth, my copy of Ari Cap's The Pattern System for the Bass Player is expected to ship the first week of May as part of the Invalid Link Removed.

 

[beans-on-toast]

According to Prof. Google's site, the bodies were made by Hofner. Dunno if that's gospel. Don't really care, either.

That’s interesting. The tail piece and pickups look Hofner. The top looks to be spruce, what Hofner used. It must be a light bass.

 

[GwenOnBass]

The probability of feedback put me off full hollowbody basses. So there's a beam of maple right through the middle of mine. It must be light is something I hear and I'm obliged to say it's not. I can get feedback out of it, same as I can get feedback out of my Stringray. I've just no desire to invite unintended feedback.

The Acinonyx is chambered, and averages 6.5 pounds. I am going to be so spoiled.

Thinking a great deal of my StingRay in good repair. I expect it'll be a few weeks yet. It'd be nice to get the Ray on camera at/around its 42nd birthday.

I know there are no precise records because I asked. EBMM doesn't have them, and from what I gather, doesn't want them. They will provide parts for pre-EB instruments. Absolutely certain it needs a replacement preamp, besides the replacement bridge parts. Uncertain about the pickup. It's in good hands.

Oh nice watching a fox go west just above me, about 20 meters beyond my window ... oh there's a second fox how cool.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I often hear it said here at TB that proper setups were unknown "in the day". And in no position to affirm or deny, I learned how to setup my bass at MI in 81. And taught by someone with high name recognition.

As one whose name recognition index flatlined at birth, my copy of Ari Cap's The Pattern System for the Bass Player is expected to ship the first week of May as part of the Invalid Link Removed.

I didn’t know about neck relief and intonation back in the day. I did adjust bridge and pickup height. I never changed an entire set of strings at once. If a string broke or unraveled, you just changed that string. They were available individually from music stores.

I’ve bought stuff through kickstarter. An interesting business model. Saw a game there the other day, they raised millions in pledges in 24 hours.

 

[GonePlaid]

The probability of feedback put me off full hollowbody basses. So there's a beam of maple right through the middle of mine. It must be light is something I hear and I'm obliged to say it's not. I can get feedback out of it, same as I can get feedback out of my Stringray. I've just no desire to invite unintended feedback.

The Acinonyx is chambered, and averages 6.5 pounds. I am going to be so spoiled.

Thinking a great deal of my StingRay in good repair. I expect it'll be a few weeks yet. It'd be nice to get the Ray on camera at/around its 42nd birthday.

I know there are no precise records because I asked. EBMM doesn't have them, and from what I gather, doesn't want them. They will provide parts for pre-EB instruments. Absolutely certain it needs a replacement preamp, besides the replacement bridge parts. Uncertain about the pickup. It's in good hands.

Oh nice watching a fox go west just above me, about 20 meters beyond my window ... oh there's a second fox how cool.

Foxy Lady?

 

[GwenOnBass]

I didn’t know about neck relief and intonation back in the day. I did adjust bridge and pickup height. I never changed an entire set of strings at once. If a string broke or unraveled, you just changed that string. They were available individually from music stores.

I’ve bought stuff through kickstarter. An interesting business model. Saw a game there the other day, they raised millions in pledges in 24 hours.

The kickstarter Ari uses for the book [HankHill] and book accessories [/HankHill} is called Indiegogo.

I'm definitely in for the book and the wall chart. I've entire days with only Music Theory for the Bass Player cohort work. I've room for more, so.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The probability of feedback put me off full hollowbody basses. So there's a beam of maple right through the middle of mine. It must be light is something I hear and I'm obliged to say it's not. I can get feedback out of it, same as I can get feedback out of my Stringray. I've just no desire to invite unintended feedback.

The Acinonyx is chambered, and averages 6.5 pounds. I am going to be so spoiled.

Thinking a great deal of my StingRay in good repair. I expect it'll be a few weeks yet. It'd be nice to get the Ray on camera at/around its 42nd birthday.

I know there are no precise records because I asked. EBMM doesn't have them, and from what I gather, doesn't want them. They will provide parts for pre-EB instruments. Absolutely certain it needs a replacement preamp, besides the replacement bridge parts. Uncertain about the pickup. It's in good hands.

Oh nice watching a fox go west just above me, about 20 meters beyond my window ... oh there's a second fox how cool.

Older hollowbody instruments would feed back easily. The way that I fix them is to pot the pickups. The back of the case can also act like a drum. I drip wax onto it to add some mass. It often fixes the problem. People used to stuff foam or bed sheets into the body. Not so good. Modern pickups are often potted well or even better epoxy potted. They don’t have the issues that vintage ones do.

Finding good hands to put the bass in is half the battle.

City foxes have evolved with longer snouts to better savage through garbage. Not so good, they will eat harmful things.

 

[gtmalone]

Until the past year or so, I always stood to play, now I prop my keester on a stool. Never worried about ergos.

I started doing that a couple of years ago for some gigs but using a chair. If old blues guys can do so can I! I am getting of that age and blue is my favorite color.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Older instruments would feed back easily. The way that I fix them is to pot the pickups. The back of the case can also act like a drum. I drip wax onto it to add some mass. It often fixes the problem. People used to stuff foam or bed sheets into the body. Not so good. Modern pickups are often potted well or even better epoxy potted. They don’t have the issues that vintage ones do.

Finding good hands to put the bass in is half the battle.

City foxes have evolved with longer snouts to better savage through garbage. Not so good, they will eat harmful things.

Someone gnawed a hole right through the lid of the rubbish bin. Now it stays in the garage until pickup day.

 

[gtmalone]

No problem. I get it. Just try not to sing this in your head...

Ha Ha Ha Hee Hee Hee
Lit-tle brown jug how I love thee...

You have gone and done it now, young man! You are grounded for a week and no TV!

 

[gtmalone]

Sharp corners can dig in. A Ric 4003 can do that as well.

Ovation bass
View attachment 4201120

And he turned out to be such a nice young man.