NYC Journal

[oldhaven]

Cal,
Have you ever done any photographs of the guitars you are building or modifying? You can describe them well, but as they say, “a picture is…” . This may not be the place for it , but you could start another topic or use one of the W/NW guitar topics I think must exist on the forum. I for one would like to see what youn have come up with.

Ron

 

[Calzone]

Ron,

The guitars I’m assembling are known as “Parts-Casters” and are kinda generic copies of standard Fender guitars with some variations or upgrades. They are not really special.

If you want to drool and look at crazy high end acoustics go to “Sound Pure” or “Northern Lights Music.” Pretty easy to spend say $25K on a Santa Cruz guitar made of old growth Brazilian Rosewood.

For the real eye-candy though checkout my friend Cris’s web site www.MirabellaGuitars.com. Also do a search on 18 inch Mirabella Trap-Door guitar. This is pretty much a guitar that is being made for me. It was suppose to be the prototype and first one, but that honor went to some wealthy Chinese guy in China named Jim.

My version is being made with prized wood that Jimmy De’Aquisto held in reserve for special projects and was secured from his estate. This 18 inch wide archtop has been called a lap piano.

Pretty much the Parts-Casters are just tools, nothing special like a Santa Cruz acoustic or one of Cris Mirabella guitars.

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Just spent some time working on GIMP when I should have been updating my resume. We had a day off today as a result of ice on the roads. My intention was/is to send out an updated resume with some new job applications. I got a little bit of that done, but haven't sent anything out yet.

What I did do was create a monochrome "engraved" filter with some hard edges and applied it to an image which I had been working on. This is the one that I will spend a lot of time on in my large woodcut then do some prints. The final prints will be a 12x12 image. I have a few local places which may be willing to hang the finished prints. I'm going to try a few different colors, but I always think the monochrome versions can have extreme impact. I do love the idea of using red white and blue though...
I learned with my last board that I need to get some better blades. I dulled a pair of Speedball blades in only a few hours of work on the 5x7 cut.
Now I need to develop my cutting strategy and decide on a positive or a negative with my lines.
Phil

 

[Calzone]

I took down the guitar shop in my dining room. Finished wiring the Tele Thinline and the Strat body.

I got surprised by the delivery of the custom ordered tuners today. Mighty fast delivery. The custom necks I will get delivered Monday, along with some other small parts.

Generally I buy stuff off the shelf, but for the “last hurrah” I splurged for custom colors, enhanced bridges, custom necks, and even custom tuners. Glad I did.

My friend Tim called today. He is 50 and about 3 years ago the Cancer he had was a treatable Lymphoma.

He no longer gigs. Pretty much doing gigs is a way to wear yourself down, loose your way, and pretty much burn yourself out for almost no money. I had asked him why he gave up on gigging.

I mentioned Jim Camponlongo a great Jazz guitarist I admire, and Tim mentions seeing him around because he lives on Grand Street in Williamsburg. When Norah Jones won 5 Granny’s she also lived in eastern Williamsburg.

Tim is a guitar player who has played at Iridium, The Blue Note, and other serious venues.

We spoke of Bill Fishel, and pretty much Bill does his renditions of songs that were not his era. The thought past my mind that this would be a good thing for me to do since I want to learn to sight read.

So now I’m ready for those neck deliveries…

Tim bought an acoustic guitar, nothing too crazy, but it is refreshing for him. He felt stale and uninspired. We spoke a lot about all these great players who do clinics, online lessons, and all these distracting side hustles to live. Kinda sickening…

Tomorrow we will have the grandson. Hopefully it won’t be another episode of “Hell Boy.”

There was a headline that the FED is thinking that inflation will be an issue because of the suggested tariffs. I don’t think the FED sees what I see. Another headline is that new home buyers are falling behind on their mortgage payments. Not good.

I am an old man. I get tired easily. Hopefully this fatigue is just part of my recovery.

It was amusing seeing these three evil squirrels trying to feed on the new squirrel proof “Caged” feeder. They got frustrated and annoyed. “Ha-Ha,” I say. Then they got aggressive jumping trying to knock the feeder down. One squirrel was hangin on the feeder as another kinda jumped and body slammer the other.

I should name the squirrels Trump, Elan and Vance. LOL.

Let’s see how long these squirrels take to learn that the free meals are gone.

BTW the birds love the new feeder. We have a bunch of Cardinals.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Gold new Intra-Day High: $2910.60.

Consumer sentiment and The Donald’s threats of reciprocal tariffs turned the markets from green to red.

Oil prices dropped signifying a likely slowdown.

Went to Barnes And Noble to spoil the grandson with some new toys. Pretty easy to drop $100.00 on a 2 1/2 year old. Will have to drop some cash on the granddaughter as reciprocal action.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

So the economy looks to be slowing down, and inflation looks to be gaining momentum. Meanwhile the FED can’t really raise or lower rates: lowering rates would only embolden inflation; and raising rates will only worsen debt loads.

Pretty obvious to me that “stagflation,” slow growth and inflation will happen. Generally when stagflation sets in it usually is for a protracted long time, perhaps a decade.

Last time we had stagflation was around the 1973-1974 oil crisis, and both inflation and unemployment hit double digits. Stagflation ended around 1982. The cost of living surged…

It would take a long time for record high debt levels to recede or normalize. Basically a forced austerity that is prolonged is going to happen.

Everyone will be in a “No-Buy” mode.

Anyways, I have to remind people and say it again, “People voted for this.”

I’m kinda treading lightly here, because the Orange House can certainly make things worse. I for one have no confidence in where the Orange House is going. Mucho evil…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

A life of austerity for me does not involve suffering or sacrifice. My basic needs will be met easily because I don’t need a lot to be happy-happy.

The pursuit of solo Jazz guitar is a great focus of time, and pretty much I have all the gear I need plus some. I enjoy a great abundance.

Phil’s pursuit of woodcuts as a creative endeavor is kinda similar. A great amount of time and focus to have a goal, a pursuit, and a sense of purpose. Perhaps even an identity.

Clothing, and shoes are well stockpiled. I have permanent shelter that is tidy and living small. No McMansion for me. I am able to eat well. My advanced recovery after radical surgery proves that.

So the point here, in my case I kinda have a bunker and stockpiles to support me where austerity will have little effect.

Meanwhile I estimate that over half of American households, maybe about 2/3rds, that live paycheck to paycheck, are not in so great a condition. These are people that lease new cars, people that live on credit, people that live beyond their means, people that have big debt loads.

So many Americans will suffer, and this suffering and austerity will last a pretty long time. I figure perhaps a decade, but maybe longer depending how carried away the Orange House gets away with bad policies.

The FED is seeing inflation as momentary, but I report here structural changes and National Policies that lead elsewhere to entrenched prolonged inflation. It may not rise to double digits like in the past, but prolonged it will be because of deficits and household debt loads.

When will people learn to live even within their means, non the less below their means?

BTW I am not really wealthy, but I have a rich life. One thing is I buy to keep which is one way to accumulate wealth over time. Another thing is I don’t waste money, and I also tend to load up on sales, use coupons, and take advantage of free stuff.

Hope you have what you need to survive some tough times.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I hope and pray Ellison is correct. Note that I did not use the word “Right.”

Pretty much my bantering is hoping for the hurt, inflation and downward trending. The faster the failure of our economy, and the quicker and higher inflation goes will somewhat govern and limit the concentration and abuse of power going on.

I am actually wishing for and promoting a collapse of sorts to shorten the time for the day of reckoning that needs to happen.

So far Canada is doing all the right things, and is actually in our corner. I had a thought to vacation in Canada to actually support their economy. Know that many-many Canadians will no longer vacation south of the border.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

A judge just made a ruling that restrained The Donald of eliminating 2200 USAID jobs. In another report they mention that USAID employs 14K Federal Workers. Which is true: 10K; or 14K?

Pretty much The Donald is trying to bypass Congress and expand his authority.

So far the justice department has set up some guard rails, but when will this overstepping and abuse of power stop?

Cal

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I feel like the next few years will see a resurgence of intense creativity and artistic expression.
Phil

My creative juices are starting to flow, a bit weak and rusty from a lack of use... but they are flowing!

A wrecking ball is swinging

I’m feeling blue, disgusted and sad
Then there are the winners who say that’s all too bad
A wrecking ball is swinging
The crazies are singing
You’re fired, retired, you’re no longer desired
And that ain’t all

Those that served their country are out in the cold
Told they’re no longer needed by people who sold their souls
A wrecking ball is swinging
The crazies are singing
You’re fired, retired, you’re no longer desired
And that ain’t all

Nobody on their team loves you and they don’t give a shit
You’re on the losing end of the orange monkey’s shtick
The wrecking ball is swinging for you
It doesn’t matter if you’re sad and blue
You’re fired, retired, you’re no longer desired
Too bad, boo hoo! That’s all they got for you

Mike

 

[Calzone]

I kinda know the Donald does not like being the subject of the justice department rulings.

I hope this annoys him. Ha-ha…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

The forecast is for “a parade of storms” starting later today.

We got up early with the intention of going to Trader Joe’s to beat the mob scene. We were there a little after 8:00 AM and pretty much the parking lot was kinda full already.

There is a limit of a dozen eggs per shopper now. I bought the cheap white eggs in extra large for $3.49.

On the incontenence front a bit of after dribble or leakage at times. This regression is due to increased bowel activity. Oh-well. Not so high and dry anymore. No gushers though.

Just got a bill that is my out of pocket for the surgery I figure. Ouch… Good thing I have the money in the bank. I imagine for many households this would be like a major car repair and a setback that would go on a credit card.

I’m doing fine. No paycheck-to-paycheck living for me…

Since I have so many guitars there is a need for constant tweaking. Some of my guitars have fret ends that protrude as the dry heat of winter and the slow process of wood contraction makes the metal fret end stick out like little knives. I call this condition Ginzo Frets after the cheap steak knives sold on TV that have scalloped blades.

Pretty much I have to unstrung and remove the neck and file the fret ends flush with the side of the neck. Thing is I have a few guitars with Ginzo Frets.

We bought the grandson a drum machine yesterday. He is an interesting kid. One of his knick names I call him is “Ham.” He kinda is a drama queen, and pretty much demands full attention. Pretty much our house is his house. There is some OCD behavior. Could be good or bad.

Compensated the Granddaughter with cash since we bought the grandson some toys. She actually has a cash buildup.

Monday the custom guitar necks will get delivered. Glad I already have the custom set of red tuners on hand, so no more waiting. This Jazz Strat looks to be a heavy guitar. The Callaham bridge has a mucho heavy steel inertia block. This guitar I think has potential to have mucho sustain.

So I’m kinda excited to add two new guitars to my stable, but in the meantime I have some maintenance to do.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Superstition suggests when a Philly team wins a championship that the markets tank, like the Great Depression in 1929, or 2018.

“Go Birds,” I say.

Tomorrow will be interesting.

Again “Go Eagles…”

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Superstition suggests when a Philly team wins a championship that the markets tank, like the Great Depression in 1929, or 2018.

“Go Birds,” I say.

Tomorrow will be interesting.

Again “Go Eagles…”

Cal

The Phillies won the world series in 2008 after decades of consistent underperformance. One more data point to support your premise.
Phil

 

[Calzone]

Phil,

I’m only repeating a report.

Just saying not my premise.

Call me mucho evil, but a big hurt in our economy is needed right not.

Un Ginzo’ed one guitar, then another. Did a third neck, but this guitar is getting redeveloped.

Took a break because “Maggie” wanted to go out. We hit a Church thrift store in Garrison that is three floors and not far away. I spent $5.00 for 5 CD’s. Many of the ones I looked at that I didn’t buy were scratched to death.

I just listened to a John Coltrane CD of a live European performance. Mucho great. He slowed down slightly and these classics had more soul and was a new way to experience him. It was a 2-CD set but one CD was missing.

Maggie bought a denim baseball cap for $1.00.

Cheap thrills.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

The snow has not started yet, the bird feeder has been just filled.

Time to go practice guitar…

Cal

 

[Retro-Grouch]

The snow has not started yet, the bird feeder has been just filled.

Time to go practice guitar…

Cal

It would be the worst folly to say, "All's right with the world." But sometimes, for a little while, we can make things OK in our little corner of it. ❤️‍

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I’m concerned about the current regime's tolerance and outright acceptance of racism.

These are the people that think that slaves benefited from slavery and that they (the slaves) should be thankful for what the white man provided them.

One may think that my last statement is over the top and uncalled for. I would say that in the next couple of years Orange Whip and company will water down the atrocities of the past, normalize them and then make the unthinkable acceptable to the point that anything goes; goes in the interest of white nationalists that is.

I hope I’m wrong.

Mike

 

[Calzone]

Mike,

To me already trying to dismantle USAID is encouraging starvation and already is genocide.

Instead of let them eat cake, the Orange-House is saying, “Let them die of exposure and starvation.”

Don’t forget that with hurricane Katrina that about 3,000 people were abandoned and left to die of exposure and starvation. These were poor, black and elderly.

A reminder about 3,000 people were killed on September 11th… Always remember…, but did we forget the 3,000 helpless people our government let die that were abandoned and didn’t count? If you are human or an American there should be a sense of shame that lingers, but I don’t think that is the case.

On the “Dude Pit” a bass guitar forum, there was this man who set off on his own with a tailored skiff rescuing people in the aftermath of Katrina. His humanity drove him to a point where he could not let innocent helpless people die. He never was able to post a follow up, he was exhausted, and traumatized.

He was not the only hero who put others in need before his own needs. He also put himself in harms way.

Of course at this level people are no longer humans, and I mean the victims of genocide, and also the people who are imposing this death and suffering.

So there is president here, where the poor, blacks, and the elderly can be abandoned… Certainly this will happen again… George W. Bush has blood on his hands…

Did people know they were were voting for this?

Is not Guantanamo Bay a concentration camp?

I don’t think you are over the top. Hate crimes have increased and the current rule of law, or lack, of makes it clear to me, that if I am a victim of a hate crime to use deadly force.

BTW, I wonder how much risk I would endure if I drove down to Texas to visit our niece and her husband who are expecting a baby.

Had a bad experience with Jet Blue flying down there. Also there have been a series of 3 plane crashes.

This would be more in the spring. I guess I will pick my poison.

Anyways, be a judge of your own humanity. I know my humanity is at risk when I know that the rage and conditioning within me could be a moment of loss of control, and I could take a life. All it would take is a lethal blow or a blink of an eye, one brief moment of insanity. Within me I recognize an inhumanity, and it scares me.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

My neighbor used his snow blower to do our tiny 20x20 foot driveway. My 1966 truck and Audi A4 are sheltered in the garage.

Oddly not many people use theirs garages to store vehicles up here.

In the winter there are parking restrictions for on the street parking.

“Maggie” will shovel our steps and the short walkway to the street. It is a blessing not having sidewalks to be responsible for. We are on the fringe of a city of 25K.

Tomorrow, Monday, is a big day for me. Custom neck deliveries are expected. A nice way to help with my recovery, and an aid and lift in inspiration. I have an arsenal of guitars.

Last night I wandered and wondered if I should use the surplus 1-piece alder Tele body to make a 28 5/8 inch scale length Baritone guitar. The inspiration for this is to basically have a very different tele, because I have so many. I know this is a lame excuse, but it is an entertaining option.

Know that a standard Fender Tele or Strat scale length is 25 1/2 inches. With a Baritone guitar they usually tune down and use heavy gauge strings, to build enough string tension to prevent floppy strings and fret scrapping.

In my case I would perhaps use 11’s instead of 12’s to be able to utilize a standard tuning. No one really does this because the added distance between frets of course makes a longer small guitar harder to play. Not the best for speed, but expect a
“Piano-Sound” response with more sustain and tonal richness.

This requires a great amount of hand strength as well as great technic to prevent strain and injury. Not many people could harness this difference. To a degree this is more of a step towards exploiting single note playing style, but pretty much even though I have a hand size that is considered “extra-medium” I enjoy a vast dexterity that is great. Doing mucho chord playing with a longer scale works for me.

So I think I will indulge. It so happens that Warmoth has two Baritone conversion necks being sold at a discount. Hmmm…

Cal