Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Things You Don't See Anymore Part 3
- Thread starter Richland123
- Start date
Not sure but I don't think these are around anymore
Book Straps
I'm willing to bet there are many originals around in our grandparents closets or something that could be used again and still out last any of the backpack book bags my kids get EVERY year.
(I'm guessing you're referring to the book thingy)
Pump before pay gas stations. There is one hold out in my area, a chain called Stewarts (kind of a throw back to begin with) and its the only place I will get gas if I can help it. I find it a bit over the top that every gas station is 'pay first' these days and it's a little bit insulting to the customer, IMO. It's like saying "We don't trust anyone and $100 worth of stolen gas is worth the extra pain in the ass for you." More of the "F-U PAY ME" culture. Nauseating.
I hear you. I know I guy who owned a service station for decades before retiring. Trouble is, times are tough and people steal. You may not know it but there's almost no profit selling gas. So when somebody drives off with $100 bucks worth of gas, it comes directly from the operators pocket, and that hurts.
You gotta pay eventually anyway. Before or after.
He got out of the biz when his storage tanks had to be replaced per government regulations. It was going to cost him 60K, and the gas company wasn't willing to even HELP with the cost. Crummy racket, gas.
Why would I want to go inside the station? There is absolutely nothing in there that I want. Pay-at-pump fo lyfe, yo. At least until the price/range ratio on electrics gets to the point where I just plug in at home...
I know there's no profit in gas, it's what is purchased inside that drives the business. It's a crummy racket indeed. I'm just fed up with the chains (that's pretty much all there is now) acting like the margin is any greater than it was 20 years ago, but it all ties in at the end of the day I guess. Its a trend that started about the time we invaded Iraq and was solidified with Katrina. Never went back to 'pay after' after that. The problem I have with it is admittedly trivial and selfish, but yes, the 40 seconds that pre pay ads to my stop at a gas station just amplifies everything that is wrong with the world to me.
Some people still use cash. There might be nothing you want in there, but bet your butt if you had to go in, those snickers bars would be staring you down something fearful!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The Optigan optical keyboard from Mattell. A friend of mine had one. It used special acetate disks the size of records which were inserted into a slot under the keys, and when a light shined on it it would produce sound, which could be played with the keys. Interesting concept, but it was made of flimsy plastic to begin with, and the disks could be ruined easily if you weren't careful.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The Mellotron. Everyone here probably knows how it works, and who used them in their music.
The Optigan optical keyboard from Mattell. A friend of mine had one. It used special acetate disks the size of records which were inserted into a slot under the keys, and when a light shined on it it would produce sound, which could be played with the keys. Interesting concept, but it was made of flimsy plastic to begin with, and the disks could be ruined easily if you weren't careful.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The Mellotron. Everyone here probably knows how it works, and who used them in their music.
And the ill-fated Vako Orchestron, basically a scaled up Optigan that was supposed to replace the Mellotron
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
had it once never seen it again
Yes, same here! If memory serves me right, the root beer was clear, do you remember? I can't tell if that is just an empty bottle or if there's liquid in it.
your package delivered in a big wooden crate with straw as a protection
"It's a major award...Must be Italian"
