oldhaven
Well-known
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
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
Gear Whore #1
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
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
Camera hacker
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
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
Gear Whore #1
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
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
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
Collectively, and the Looney-in-Chief. But it's a chicken-or-the-egg situation.
DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
The ones in your back yard, or those in Washington?
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
I reckon any self-respecting rodent would take great offense at that.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Watching the squirrels was a real circus show. I seemed to have pissed them off.
I love it. I think the caged feeder cost $17.00, and is was money well spent.
So 2025 is happening. What a nightmare… People voted for this.
Cal
I love it. I think the caged feeder cost $17.00, and is was money well spent.
So 2025 is happening. What a nightmare… People voted for this.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The Orange House now has the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch criticizing all the dumb moves.
Today’s WSJ criticism is the Sovereign Wealth Fund the Donald wants to create. General countries that do this run trade surpluses to fund these investments. With the U.S. it would tap and channel capitol and would hurt private industry. Pretty much it is a form of confiscation of wealth, ill use of capitol, and is not based on investing a surplus.
I agree.
Murdoch also says cutting and removing security details from certain opposition is vindictive.
Who would think that the WSJ would oppose the U.S. government.
Perhaps I need to subscribe…
Cal
Today’s WSJ criticism is the Sovereign Wealth Fund the Donald wants to create. General countries that do this run trade surpluses to fund these investments. With the U.S. it would tap and channel capitol and would hurt private industry. Pretty much it is a form of confiscation of wealth, ill use of capitol, and is not based on investing a surplus.
I agree.
Murdoch also says cutting and removing security details from certain opposition is vindictive.
Who would think that the WSJ would oppose the U.S. government.
Perhaps I need to subscribe…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Do you believe the FED when they say the labor market is stable?
As 40K Government employees take a buyout to leave the workforce, I guess those people don’t count, nor the nearly 10K USAID workers getting furloughed.
Then there are entire departments of the government being dismantled, and people getting fired as a form of retrobution.
I also read of private sector layoffs in the headlines. I guess that the FED does not know how “addition” works and how numbers add up.
There is a great amount of job insecurity going on, there are layoffs in the headlines, and our government is downsizing.
Don’t forget that 36.2% of our GNP is government spending.
More self inflicted wounds… Math lesson: numbers add up…
Cal
As 40K Government employees take a buyout to leave the workforce, I guess those people don’t count, nor the nearly 10K USAID workers getting furloughed.
Then there are entire departments of the government being dismantled, and people getting fired as a form of retrobution.
I also read of private sector layoffs in the headlines. I guess that the FED does not know how “addition” works and how numbers add up.
There is a great amount of job insecurity going on, there are layoffs in the headlines, and our government is downsizing.
Don’t forget that 36.2% of our GNP is government spending.
More self inflicted wounds… Math lesson: numbers add up…
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The gutting of USAID I will call genocide. Expect poor people to be left to starve.
Again people voted for this…
Do you think the suffering in Gaza is over? It just got worse.
We have blood on our hands.
Cal
Again people voted for this…
Do you think the suffering in Gaza is over? It just got worse.
We have blood on our hands.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
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
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
Gear Whore #1
Negatives are consumer credit surged in December, and also consumer confidence dropped by a full percentage point, and that reportedly is a big drop.
Pretty much even people who voted for The Donald are worried.
Seems like not only Wall Street dislikes uncertainty.
Retaliatory tariffs will only worsen matters… In response the stock markets turned red and dropped…
Then Trump “blinked” and flip flopped on placing levies on low cost items from China. More chaos…
The 40K Federal Workers taking the buyout is now 65K, and now the deadline is being challenged in court. In one report it is suggested that DOGE wants to eliminate 10% of the Federal Workforce. There are about 2.4 million Federal Workers so 10% amounts to 240K Federal Workers.
Then the squeeze will happen, the remaining 90% have to work harder, or the government slows down.
An old number use to be when 400K people apply for unemployment, you know a recession is looming. This number today has no meaning, because many people are not workers in the traditional sense anymore, and are not eligible for unemployment benefits.
I state the 400K to mention the loss of nearly 250K Federal Workers being targeted along with the present amount of people collecting unemployment adds up. Less people working certainly slows down an economy…
So how long before consumer confidence falls further, inflation becomes a more serious problem and more deeply entrenched, and the debt loads get compounded into bigger problems, along with the reverse “wealth effect” as the stock markets do the downward staircase?
Me personally I cannot see the FED being able to lower rates, and in fact might have to raise rates to combat inflation. Of course this will compound the debt loads held by households and government.
Its only been three weeks, and things are a mess already. How long before things become evident? Do you see anything positive happening?
Cal
Pretty much even people who voted for The Donald are worried.
Seems like not only Wall Street dislikes uncertainty.
Retaliatory tariffs will only worsen matters… In response the stock markets turned red and dropped…
Then Trump “blinked” and flip flopped on placing levies on low cost items from China. More chaos…
The 40K Federal Workers taking the buyout is now 65K, and now the deadline is being challenged in court. In one report it is suggested that DOGE wants to eliminate 10% of the Federal Workforce. There are about 2.4 million Federal Workers so 10% amounts to 240K Federal Workers.
Then the squeeze will happen, the remaining 90% have to work harder, or the government slows down.
An old number use to be when 400K people apply for unemployment, you know a recession is looming. This number today has no meaning, because many people are not workers in the traditional sense anymore, and are not eligible for unemployment benefits.
I state the 400K to mention the loss of nearly 250K Federal Workers being targeted along with the present amount of people collecting unemployment adds up. Less people working certainly slows down an economy…
So how long before consumer confidence falls further, inflation becomes a more serious problem and more deeply entrenched, and the debt loads get compounded into bigger problems, along with the reverse “wealth effect” as the stock markets do the downward staircase?
Me personally I cannot see the FED being able to lower rates, and in fact might have to raise rates to combat inflation. Of course this will compound the debt loads held by households and government.
Its only been three weeks, and things are a mess already. How long before things become evident? Do you see anything positive happening?
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
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
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
ellisson
Well-known
A few positives I see:
1. If prices rise, even the MAGA base will harmed and unhappy, along with every one in the non - 1% wealthiest group i.e., the vast majority
It's only 20 months until the next congressional elections. There will be more job losses and combined with inflation, the GOP will take a big hit in 2026.
2. Federal judges are holding and barring executive orders. They see the crass stupidity and harm of these cruel, poorly thought out orders. Their dockets will be full of lawsuits to rule on.
3. Rumblings in GOP members of congress will likely strengthen, afraid of their own re-election hopes when people they represent are harmed. Eventually, they will begin the reign in the supreme exalted ruler.
1. If prices rise, even the MAGA base will harmed and unhappy, along with every one in the non - 1% wealthiest group i.e., the vast majority
It's only 20 months until the next congressional elections. There will be more job losses and combined with inflation, the GOP will take a big hit in 2026.
2. Federal judges are holding and barring executive orders. They see the crass stupidity and harm of these cruel, poorly thought out orders. Their dockets will be full of lawsuits to rule on.
3. Rumblings in GOP members of congress will likely strengthen, afraid of their own re-election hopes when people they represent are harmed. Eventually, they will begin the reign in the supreme exalted ruler.
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
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
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
Gear Whore #1
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
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
Gear Whore #1
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
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
Abstract Clarity
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
ellisson
Well-known
A lawsuit brought by multiple state attorney generals suing Trump and Musk for unlawful seizure of treasury data and the payment system has yielded an order by a federal judge to destroy the seized data and desist from interfering with congressional mandated payments to citizens and government contractors. Basically to stay away from our Treasury. Multiple other lawsuits against Trump and Musk + increasing activism by multiple groups will help restrain the wanna-be juvenile monarch.