Talkbass vs. The World!

[2cooltoolz]

[RANT]
I've been an active participant here since 2009. I'm a mediocre working bassist, playing cover lines correctly, with esprit, but not moving bass art forward.

I'm a parts builder; nothing new and unique, but built to fit my needs. Never, ever sold a parts bass for a profit.

The point being, I've learned a LOT from you guys, and this site! And I've worked hard to share what I've learned, and to help people with questions in their research. I've submitted and had "published" a dozen or so TABS to UG.

I am, by nature, a research nerd.

I have other interests; guns, guitars, cars, politics. Previously cameras, HI-FI audio, collectible knives.

And I find almost all of the other forums out in the "interwebs" to be WAY more combative, condescending, judgmental, juvenile, and mostly; ill-informed, than this site.

Specifically, tonight, as the holidays approach, my wife is bugging me about what I want for Christmas. Well, a Lull Precision, by Mike himself (RIP) doesn't seem likely, so I considered upgrading my Samsung Galaxy 2 "Smart" watch. Mine is fine, but from day one, I thought "That's it? Whooptee doo!" Let's see how much progress they've made.

Good lord! The reviews are cut and paste ad-writers and the forums are less than useless: "It's WAYYY cooler!!!"

I might just ask for more underwear. Again.

[/RANT]

Now, let's talk about A.O. Smith water softeners.

 

[MJ5150]

ExOfficio makes killer underwear. Hopefully you get those.

-Mike

 

[The Golden Boy]

Don't forget socks.

I've been on a Smartwool kick for the past 10 years.

 

[murphy]

I like your dancing banana

 

[MJ5150]

Don't forget socks.

I've been on a Smartwool kick for the past 10 years.

Those were the only socks I wore until someone introduced me to Darn Tough.

-Mike

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Samsung Galaxy 2 "Smart" watch. Mine is fine, but from day one, I thought "That's it? Whooptee doo!"
...
I might just ask for more underwear.

Surely there must be "Smart" underwear by now.

And it will only be a few more years until they sort out the issue where it gives you painful shocks whenever there's an update to the code...

 

[Lowendchamp]

I’d like to get smart underwear with a muffler

 

[The Golden Boy]

Those were the only socks I wore until someone introduced me to Darn Tough.

-Mike

Smartwool was the best- but then they got bought out... then I went to Point 6 socks, but went back to Smartwool- more or less because they were easier to find than Point 6.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Those were the only socks I wore until someone introduced me to Darn Tough.

-Mike

BTW- I remember 'hearing' somewhere that the Point 6 people were the people behind the original Smartwool- I just found out that actually is true.

He mentions it in the video- otherwise you can see their names at the bottom of the page.

https://point6.com/pages/about-us



So, speaking of fine woolen wear- I heard Ibex is re-relaunching. I wish they'd do the cool stuff they used to have instead of the really generic stuff they've had for the past few years. Yes, merino baselayers are cool. I'd love to find another pair of the Gallatin pants- my favorite pants of all time. Plus the outrageously expensive jacket... I have so few clothing items that have garnered complimments- I think that jacket has gotten me more compliments/comments than most anything else I've worn...

Ibex Heritage by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

 

[MJ5150]

I have a couple Smartwool items and they are great. My favorite beanie for hiking and staying warm. The wife and I both have a set of base layers for when we hike. Great stuff. Not a single complaint from us. Yep, it's expensive, but the quality is there to make it worth it.
Filson is the same way. Those flannel shirts they make are unmatched.
I've learned as I've aged and we downsized that fewer high quality items are better than several average to low quality items.
I get it, not everyone agrees. I had a buddy who preferred buying the $35 work boots at Walmart 2-3 times a year over a pair of Red Wings.

-Mike

 

[5StringBlues]

If I don't wear shoes, why would I need socks?

 

[slobake]

If I don't wear shoes, why would I need socks?

I always keep a pair of smelling socks on hand in case someone faints.

 

[5StringBlues]

Are those the ones your mother sewed? (SNL reference)

I always keep a pair of smelling socks on hand in case someone faints.

 

[MuseChaser]

I always keep a pair of smelling socks on hand in case someone faints.

"I always keep some 'restorative' handy in case I see a snake. I also keep a snake handy."

W/ credit to W. C. Fields....

By way of response to the OP, yes, so far (says I, as a relatively new "recruit"). I've been involved in a few other "enthusiast" forums (sailing, a few model-specific car forums, forums for pilots, and audio gear) and eventually either booted myself due to hypocritical moderation and/or some choice butt-nugget participants who were given free reign, or in one case was actually booted by a hypocritical mod.

This place is the best of them, by a fairly wide margin so far. Heck, I had an appliance repair question ealrier today and got more help here than I did on an appliance repair forum (that I joined today specifically for help).

The ONLY issue I had with the other forums was the way they administered their "no discussion of politics or religion" policies. What they really meant was no rebuttal to certain political stances favored by moderators, and no rebuttals to posts denigrating Christianity. I, sadly, was unable to refrain from responding to incorrect or demeaning posts.

Talkbass seems beautifully absent of politics, and accepting of faith in powers above us, without judgement. For that, I am most grateful.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

For Men the Daluth Armachillo with Bullpen are fantastic.
Invalid Link Removed

I do not have any recommendations for Women.

 

[JRA]

I might just ask for more underwear. Again.

yeah, but you can't go wrong, right?

I’d like to get smart underwear with a muffler

yeah, but mufflers don't prevent backfires, right?

 

[Killing Floor]

Never lived in a place with hard water. But I do have an A O Smith tankless heater. Their spec grade heaters are well made.