Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Gold now expected to head to $2.6K due to expected rate cuts.
Cal
Cal
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DownUnder
Vamoosed (for a while)
There will never be a recession during an election year. Not before the election. After the event, well.
In Australia, when is a recession not a recession? When our glorious leaders insist we aren't in one...
Economically, Australia is vulnerable to politically motivated changes.
Many in Oz predict a minority government to come next year, with the balance of power held by Independents.
Interesting times to come in our respective countries...
Enough of political economics from me. I will now return to reading your interesting comments re economic (and other) matters.
In Australia, when is a recession not a recession? When our glorious leaders insist we aren't in one...
Economically, Australia is vulnerable to politically motivated changes.
Many in Oz predict a minority government to come next year, with the balance of power held by Independents.
Interesting times to come in our respective countries...
Enough of political economics from me. I will now return to reading your interesting comments re economic (and other) matters.
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Gold futures already created a new intra-day high of $2563.80.
I suspect Asian Banksters are the buyers because repeatedly the moves that take out the old Intra-Day High and make a new higher high are in the mornings.
Didn’t take long to breach $2550.00.
I am fully hydrated and I see a visible loss of water weight and salt this morning. My midsection is suddenly more cut and defined. I lost a few pounds of water for sure. Maybe I’m close to skinny bitch mode.
A little stiff this morning, but I should loosen up as the day goes on. Likely would be good to do a strength workout, since we are going to the gym again Wednesday. I’ll up the resistance and do an hour again. I could still do a bike ride… Perhaps my local loop around the sleepy villages of Buchanan, Verplank, and Montrose.
I did a pulse reading at the very end of yesterday’s elliptical and determined I likely maintained a 120 BPM which is a good target zone for fat burning.
“Maggie” looked at our old loft in the South Side of Williamsburg to see if it went condo, and she discovered the building was purchased by a developer who has an outstanding permit to demo the location and build an 86 foot tall building.
Our old burlap bag factory dated back to the 1880’s. Originally our building was a small 4 story brick building with 7 lofts and one commercial space. The neighborhood is dramatically changed to the point of being unrecognizable.
Rents are in the $4K-$5K range now.
We are so happy and secure in our Baby-Victorian. We are very lucky.
Cal
I suspect Asian Banksters are the buyers because repeatedly the moves that take out the old Intra-Day High and make a new higher high are in the mornings.
Didn’t take long to breach $2550.00.
I am fully hydrated and I see a visible loss of water weight and salt this morning. My midsection is suddenly more cut and defined. I lost a few pounds of water for sure. Maybe I’m close to skinny bitch mode.
A little stiff this morning, but I should loosen up as the day goes on. Likely would be good to do a strength workout, since we are going to the gym again Wednesday. I’ll up the resistance and do an hour again. I could still do a bike ride… Perhaps my local loop around the sleepy villages of Buchanan, Verplank, and Montrose.
I did a pulse reading at the very end of yesterday’s elliptical and determined I likely maintained a 120 BPM which is a good target zone for fat burning.
“Maggie” looked at our old loft in the South Side of Williamsburg to see if it went condo, and she discovered the building was purchased by a developer who has an outstanding permit to demo the location and build an 86 foot tall building.
Our old burlap bag factory dated back to the 1880’s. Originally our building was a small 4 story brick building with 7 lofts and one commercial space. The neighborhood is dramatically changed to the point of being unrecognizable.
Rents are in the $4K-$5K range now.
We are so happy and secure in our Baby-Victorian. We are very lucky.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Gold has set a new Intra-Day High of $2570.40.
Pretty much an interest rate cut looks to be firming up, but then realize that this also means the economy is slowing down.
I don’t think DU is wrong that a recession never happens in an election year. Kinda true well kinda, a recession cost Jimmy Carter any possibility of a second term, and the President Bush (the father) who tried to convince the public we were not in a recession.
I have a new nickname for one of my intrusive neighbors, the wife: “Snoopy.”
Today “Maggie was minding her own business comming in from our back-backyard after doing her morning bird watching when our intrusive neighbor Snoopy engaged with Maggie.
“Not that I’m stalking you, but the stained glass window you installed looks great,” Snoopy said.
Know that this window is on the west side of our house and pretty much you have to enter our dead end to see the stained glass window.
I find this amusing. “Not that I’m stalking you,” is akin to my old boss at my hospital who was mentally ill and paranoid who use to say, “I don’t mean to be nasty, but…” to reveal some evil dead he wanted to brag about.
These denials are revealing.
Remember the intrusive husband, I named “J-J” short for Joe-Junior because he quotes Joe Rogan all the time and is a Mini-Me of Joe Rogan.
I mentioned to Maggie that I intend to do a “digital-disconnect” on Sunday’s. Pretty much a digital vacation to avoid a lot of nonsense and B.S. Maggie thinks it is a good idea and is refreshing.
We plan on using the gym pretty much every other day, and plan on keeping the weekends free. I can easily squeeze in another two days at home, or locally, or even on the Empire State Trailway. Pretty much alone so I can do the tough guy workouts with weights, TRX, Concept 2, Heavy Hands, or long distance biking for endurance and blood flow.
5 days a week is a serious amount of fitness, and I have a lot of flexibility. I already feel like a new man. Still I have a lot of freedom and flexibility.
Meanwhile I’m canabilizing a short scale mahogany neck to try on a semi-hollow Tele I have. Could be great, or might really suck. The strings need to be changed. The idea here is to make this Tele more Gibson like and to take a step more towards a Gibson ES-335 which has a plywood semi-hollow maple body and a “Hog” neck that is a shorter scale than a Fender scale.
The body I’m using is a one piece back made of UBER lightweight Swamp Ash that is rather lively. The top is a book matched swamp ash. Very compact and light in weight so it will kinda resemble a 3/4 sized guitar even though it will have a Gibson 24 3/4 inch scale length. Certainly will have great playability.
Not so sure of the tonal shift that will happen. I expect a bit more mids due to the resonance of mahogany, and also because mahogany is not as stiff as maple a bit softer top end. This will somewhat darken the tone, but of course this is all theory.
Both the maple body and the swamp ash promote treble and brightness.
I might be moving away from the piano tone, and likely with a little less string tension some percussive quality can be lost.
Anyways a good experiment, and it’s reversible.
This is kinda relaxing.
I guess the big reveal here is that I am happily growing both mentally and physically in a kinda balance, sensible, and sustainable manner.
Cal
Pretty much an interest rate cut looks to be firming up, but then realize that this also means the economy is slowing down.
I don’t think DU is wrong that a recession never happens in an election year. Kinda true well kinda, a recession cost Jimmy Carter any possibility of a second term, and the President Bush (the father) who tried to convince the public we were not in a recession.
I have a new nickname for one of my intrusive neighbors, the wife: “Snoopy.”
Today “Maggie was minding her own business comming in from our back-backyard after doing her morning bird watching when our intrusive neighbor Snoopy engaged with Maggie.
“Not that I’m stalking you, but the stained glass window you installed looks great,” Snoopy said.
Know that this window is on the west side of our house and pretty much you have to enter our dead end to see the stained glass window.
I find this amusing. “Not that I’m stalking you,” is akin to my old boss at my hospital who was mentally ill and paranoid who use to say, “I don’t mean to be nasty, but…” to reveal some evil dead he wanted to brag about.
These denials are revealing.
Remember the intrusive husband, I named “J-J” short for Joe-Junior because he quotes Joe Rogan all the time and is a Mini-Me of Joe Rogan.
I mentioned to Maggie that I intend to do a “digital-disconnect” on Sunday’s. Pretty much a digital vacation to avoid a lot of nonsense and B.S. Maggie thinks it is a good idea and is refreshing.
We plan on using the gym pretty much every other day, and plan on keeping the weekends free. I can easily squeeze in another two days at home, or locally, or even on the Empire State Trailway. Pretty much alone so I can do the tough guy workouts with weights, TRX, Concept 2, Heavy Hands, or long distance biking for endurance and blood flow.
5 days a week is a serious amount of fitness, and I have a lot of flexibility. I already feel like a new man. Still I have a lot of freedom and flexibility.
Meanwhile I’m canabilizing a short scale mahogany neck to try on a semi-hollow Tele I have. Could be great, or might really suck. The strings need to be changed. The idea here is to make this Tele more Gibson like and to take a step more towards a Gibson ES-335 which has a plywood semi-hollow maple body and a “Hog” neck that is a shorter scale than a Fender scale.
The body I’m using is a one piece back made of UBER lightweight Swamp Ash that is rather lively. The top is a book matched swamp ash. Very compact and light in weight so it will kinda resemble a 3/4 sized guitar even though it will have a Gibson 24 3/4 inch scale length. Certainly will have great playability.
Not so sure of the tonal shift that will happen. I expect a bit more mids due to the resonance of mahogany, and also because mahogany is not as stiff as maple a bit softer top end. This will somewhat darken the tone, but of course this is all theory.
Both the maple body and the swamp ash promote treble and brightness.
I might be moving away from the piano tone, and likely with a little less string tension some percussive quality can be lost.
Anyways a good experiment, and it’s reversible.
This is kinda relaxing.
I guess the big reveal here is that I am happily growing both mentally and physically in a kinda balance, sensible, and sustainable manner.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
My guitar experiment is awesome. The Hog neck with a rosewood fingerboard weighs noticeably more than the all maple neck, and the added weight along with the tonal difference really shifted the tone to a thicker warmer sound with more midrange. The guitar also cuts and sustains more.
On the semi-hollow body the acoustics are pronounced.
I have not plugged it in yet, but I highly suspect it will be great. The short scale makes the playability great. I think this will be a very smooth guitar for Jazz.
It was very nice having the time to do this playing around, and it became rewarding.
We think “Snoopy” is feeling the chill. The way J-J bullied “Maggie” on the 4th of July makes us think if there is a domestic situation between our intrusive neighbors. J-J fits the profile… Kinda crazy, and I hope not.
Cal
On the semi-hollow body the acoustics are pronounced.
I have not plugged it in yet, but I highly suspect it will be great. The short scale makes the playability great. I think this will be a very smooth guitar for Jazz.
It was very nice having the time to do this playing around, and it became rewarding.
We think “Snoopy” is feeling the chill. The way J-J bullied “Maggie” on the 4th of July makes us think if there is a domestic situation between our intrusive neighbors. J-J fits the profile… Kinda crazy, and I hope not.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Gold dipped below $2550.00.
Cold low 50 degree nights resemble fall weather. The new Almanac is predicting a wet and snowy winter for the northeast.
Looking forward to the gym today. I’ll add some resistance and try and see if I can do another hour. The midsection flab is desolving into tone. It won’t take long for abs to get cut.
Cal
Cold low 50 degree nights resemble fall weather. The new Almanac is predicting a wet and snowy winter for the northeast.
Looking forward to the gym today. I’ll add some resistance and try and see if I can do another hour. The midsection flab is desolving into tone. It won’t take long for abs to get cut.
Cal
Prest_400
Multiformat
Well, Sweden is technically in recession. A set of general indicators are weak, only business demand is relatively healthy. Again I refer to what we discussed regarding stock market valuation, expand the timeline to include 2022 and... what? Pretty much look below, and a large correction looks necessary to match up with reality.
Of course many European economies follow the US trend, at least lesson well learned in 2008.
It's strange that my trip to Asia that I have been planning is becoming nearer. I recall DU had some interesting input with his experiences, as I will travel with the Texas Leica and a Super Ikonta. I notice pesky algorithmic internet managed to get and hit the dopamine seeking instincts. Pretty much by being far away in travel mode it will be a disconnect. For practicality reasons, of course digital is much easier to travel with but I always had this one idea of doing a part of Asia with Medium format. Hard core gung ho photographical fundamentalism can be interesting. Ha.
A hardcore "Tech sabbath" I've never needed however. I do notice younger generations do not have our experience of the life pre-internet. Sometimes I reflect over it, as I came to tech quite late, but suspect that my personal development definitely has a difference nowadays due to this.
Of course many European economies follow the US trend, at least lesson well learned in 2008.
It's strange that my trip to Asia that I have been planning is becoming nearer. I recall DU had some interesting input with his experiences, as I will travel with the Texas Leica and a Super Ikonta. I notice pesky algorithmic internet managed to get and hit the dopamine seeking instincts. Pretty much by being far away in travel mode it will be a disconnect. For practicality reasons, of course digital is much easier to travel with but I always had this one idea of doing a part of Asia with Medium format. Hard core gung ho photographical fundamentalism can be interesting. Ha.
A hardcore "Tech sabbath" I've never needed however. I do notice younger generations do not have our experience of the life pre-internet. Sometimes I reflect over it, as I came to tech quite late, but suspect that my personal development definitely has a difference nowadays due to this.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Gold set another Intra-Day High of $2558.00, but settled after spiking to a now $13.00 loss for the day. Churning.
Seems like about 59K home sales were canceled, they say this is due to political uncertainty. This of course is an indication of a slowdown in the economy, even though mortgage interest rates are lower.
Hmmmm…
Been U-tubing about singing, and I’m learning a lot. There is a lot of physics involved involving resonance. My strength is my strong “chest” voice, but there is a “mixed” voice, and a “head” voice. At this point I think I’m a baritone.
A lot of singing deals with vowels and facial expressions. A “mask-face” is used for the higher registers. I know my chest voice I can easily belt it out. I have to learn how to control and get into the higher registers.
Pretty much head voice is falsetto, and mixed voice is the combination and crossover from chest to head. Also volume is via control of resonance.
Eliminating constants and stressing vowels is part of the art.
I looked into this amp company that exploits old octal tubes to capture the real old school sounds of Jazz and 30’s, 40’s and 50’s blues. More of a horn sound, deep and rich in mids, that sounds kinda fat and greasy.
Since I have the electronic skills and take great pride in building electronic prototypes, I have a few amp projects I would like to resurrect. Some are kitted out, and some are somewhat assembled and I never completed.
Know that I recovered and recycled a lot of NOS parts from Grumman. Wish I had more then they were filling dumpsters downsizing at the end of the Cold War.
I found a really nice source for a 1x12 cabinet made from Baltic birch plywood. Pretty much a time saver and it promotes the retro look and vibe. I want to build some custom “greasy” amps with thick fat tone that offers mucho touch sensitivity. Just crank the amp and get your sound purely from your hands.
Cal
Seems like about 59K home sales were canceled, they say this is due to political uncertainty. This of course is an indication of a slowdown in the economy, even though mortgage interest rates are lower.
Hmmmm…
Been U-tubing about singing, and I’m learning a lot. There is a lot of physics involved involving resonance. My strength is my strong “chest” voice, but there is a “mixed” voice, and a “head” voice. At this point I think I’m a baritone.
A lot of singing deals with vowels and facial expressions. A “mask-face” is used for the higher registers. I know my chest voice I can easily belt it out. I have to learn how to control and get into the higher registers.
Pretty much head voice is falsetto, and mixed voice is the combination and crossover from chest to head. Also volume is via control of resonance.
Eliminating constants and stressing vowels is part of the art.
I looked into this amp company that exploits old octal tubes to capture the real old school sounds of Jazz and 30’s, 40’s and 50’s blues. More of a horn sound, deep and rich in mids, that sounds kinda fat and greasy.
Since I have the electronic skills and take great pride in building electronic prototypes, I have a few amp projects I would like to resurrect. Some are kitted out, and some are somewhat assembled and I never completed.
Know that I recovered and recycled a lot of NOS parts from Grumman. Wish I had more then they were filling dumpsters downsizing at the end of the Cold War.
I found a really nice source for a 1x12 cabinet made from Baltic birch plywood. Pretty much a time saver and it promotes the retro look and vibe. I want to build some custom “greasy” amps with thick fat tone that offers mucho touch sensitivity. Just crank the amp and get your sound purely from your hands.
Cal
Last edited:
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I upped the resistance on the elliptical and did a half hour of hills. Burned 350 calories, and then did some strength training. I definitely did an increase in my resistance in my strength workout. Kinda pumped up.
I figure my protein with 16 ounces of low fat organic milk is about 500 calories, add a banana (100 calories) and a bagel for carbs (about 200 calories).
I used the analog scale at the gym: 158 3/4 pounds without keys, shoes, wallet, watch. I won’t be officially a skinny bitch till I get below 155 pounds.
The zombie house evidently has some fines stacked up against it. No work can proceed unless these fines are paid, and there are additional fines being added that are new. We suspect the owner, Joe, is either a total deadbeat, or is out of money.
The hammer is dropping.
Looks like my money tree has falling leaves indicating and validating the economic slowdown reported here and elsewhere. Call me superstitious, but the money tree knows the market. Long branches with leaves only at the end indicate metaphorically an extended market.
At Dick’s Sporting goods the cost of a 35 pound kettlebell is $69.99. Crazy inflation price. Dumbbells are similarly posted with equally crazy pricing. Is inflation really that bad? I see no value and will never pay these stupid prices. I can live without.
Nice fall like weather in the third week in August. Hmmm…
At the gym I saw old guys and some muscle heads I strongly suspect are using steroids. Warning signs are posted in the locker rooms of the dangers.
About a block away they are excavating and jack hammering granite to dig out a foundation on a remaining old building lot. Pretty much a new house is being built. Then a baseball toss away is an old house that needs updating and renovation that kinda sold for a lot of money. On the old house I see no good bones to build on, so pretty much it means a pretty complete updating and rebuild.
Realize we live in an area where development is limited.
I remain inspired about building a few amps, and I see a guitar body that is UBER lightweight to build out another “Snakehead” Tele. Fun-fun-fun…
Cal
I figure my protein with 16 ounces of low fat organic milk is about 500 calories, add a banana (100 calories) and a bagel for carbs (about 200 calories).
I used the analog scale at the gym: 158 3/4 pounds without keys, shoes, wallet, watch. I won’t be officially a skinny bitch till I get below 155 pounds.
The zombie house evidently has some fines stacked up against it. No work can proceed unless these fines are paid, and there are additional fines being added that are new. We suspect the owner, Joe, is either a total deadbeat, or is out of money.
The hammer is dropping.
Looks like my money tree has falling leaves indicating and validating the economic slowdown reported here and elsewhere. Call me superstitious, but the money tree knows the market. Long branches with leaves only at the end indicate metaphorically an extended market.
At Dick’s Sporting goods the cost of a 35 pound kettlebell is $69.99. Crazy inflation price. Dumbbells are similarly posted with equally crazy pricing. Is inflation really that bad? I see no value and will never pay these stupid prices. I can live without.
Nice fall like weather in the third week in August. Hmmm…
At the gym I saw old guys and some muscle heads I strongly suspect are using steroids. Warning signs are posted in the locker rooms of the dangers.
About a block away they are excavating and jack hammering granite to dig out a foundation on a remaining old building lot. Pretty much a new house is being built. Then a baseball toss away is an old house that needs updating and renovation that kinda sold for a lot of money. On the old house I see no good bones to build on, so pretty much it means a pretty complete updating and rebuild.
Realize we live in an area where development is limited.
I remain inspired about building a few amps, and I see a guitar body that is UBER lightweight to build out another “Snakehead” Tele. Fun-fun-fun…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
There is a reason I’m enchanted with all octal tube amps. Main Drag Music was on Bedford very near the North 7th Street station on the “L” line and basically on my way home when I lived on the Southside of Williamsburg.
In the window of the small storefront was a real ratty Fender wide panel tweed amp, and I asked Carl the owner if it was available. Basically it was non working and I bought it for perhaps $150.00, maybe $200.00. Pretty much I knew I could rebuild it.
It had a blown power supply tranny, and upon digging in it was an early 50’s wide panel Deluxe with a 5C3 circuit.
I’m so clever that I knew I could buy a new replacement “clone” tranny from Mercury Magnetics, or I could have them rewind the old tranny. The old circuit used all octal tubes, but I was also an Ampeg head, another amp maker that used a lot of 6SL7’s for pre-amps and drivers.
The thing with 6SL7’s is they have a moderate gain of 70 and tonally have a rich and robust midrange. The Fender 5C3 circuit uses oddball resistor values, and it seemed clever to just buy a turret board and totally rewire the amp, point-to-point using an Ampeg pre-amp feeding a newer Fender like driver for something cool and unique. Understand the old resistors had drifted and were way beyond tolerance.
The amp was crazy good. I incorporated some early Fender grid leak bias as an input for the pre amps, and pretty much I could make a guitar sound like a horn or sax. The cap and large mega ohm resistor on the input kinda created a time delay that compressed the initial attack, and I kinda loved it.
Then the tone. I used a vintage C12Q which is a ceramic magnet speaker that kinda is that early 60’s sound that is more articulate, less soft, and perhaps a bit more in your face.
The tweed Deluxe has two volumes, one for each channel, but they are highly interactive with each other and then again highly interactive with the single tone knob. Know that a tweed Deluxe miked to a PA is all you need.
Not a lot of clean headroom, but it distorts easily and has this nice rolled off like a built in compressor. Then this amp is kinda known and is famous for musically being hyper touch sensitive.
So anyways, I’m not one of those players that uses pedals, layers of effects, and mucho high gain. I’m a plug and play kinda guy: guitar and amp is all I need, and I get tone from my fingers (Hands).
So when I worked at Grumman I kinda stockpiled a good supply of Russian 6SL7’s that we had on hand. These are kinda wonderful, they are robust, long lasting, and have great tone. They are marked USSR.
I will likely build a Valco 510-11, a very simple circuit that uses only 3 tubes: a 6SL7 for the pre-amp and driver, a 6V6 for the output, and a 5Y3 for a rectofier/power supply. Not many caps or resistors needed.
It will produce 5 watts of Class “A” amp. Don’t let 5 watts fool you. Dimed (full volume) eventually will make your ears ring, but know pretty much dimed is a thick distortion mode. Did you know that the Derick and the Domano’s album “Layla” all the guitar parts were from a miked Fender Champ student amp that used a single 6V6 that made only 5 watts driving a small 8 inch speaker?
Anyways I intend on using an efficient 12 inch Alnico speaker for more headroom, a cleaner sound, and for a better bass response.
I once had a Fender tweed Princeton. Wish I still owned it because today it is worth mucho money, many thousands. Basically a Champ in a larger cabinet with a 10 inch speaker instead of an 8 incher. As far as volume and loudness went it was as loud as the tweed Deluxe that produced perhaps 15 watts. The big difference was clean headroom. Basically the Princeton had very little headroom before distortion.
In the studio it is very common to crank small amps to get that tone we all know and love. Today it is popular to mike small amps into P.A.’s (Public Address Systems) to get the volume required.
Oh what fun lays ahead…
Cal
In the window of the small storefront was a real ratty Fender wide panel tweed amp, and I asked Carl the owner if it was available. Basically it was non working and I bought it for perhaps $150.00, maybe $200.00. Pretty much I knew I could rebuild it.
It had a blown power supply tranny, and upon digging in it was an early 50’s wide panel Deluxe with a 5C3 circuit.
I’m so clever that I knew I could buy a new replacement “clone” tranny from Mercury Magnetics, or I could have them rewind the old tranny. The old circuit used all octal tubes, but I was also an Ampeg head, another amp maker that used a lot of 6SL7’s for pre-amps and drivers.
The thing with 6SL7’s is they have a moderate gain of 70 and tonally have a rich and robust midrange. The Fender 5C3 circuit uses oddball resistor values, and it seemed clever to just buy a turret board and totally rewire the amp, point-to-point using an Ampeg pre-amp feeding a newer Fender like driver for something cool and unique. Understand the old resistors had drifted and were way beyond tolerance.
The amp was crazy good. I incorporated some early Fender grid leak bias as an input for the pre amps, and pretty much I could make a guitar sound like a horn or sax. The cap and large mega ohm resistor on the input kinda created a time delay that compressed the initial attack, and I kinda loved it.
Then the tone. I used a vintage C12Q which is a ceramic magnet speaker that kinda is that early 60’s sound that is more articulate, less soft, and perhaps a bit more in your face.
The tweed Deluxe has two volumes, one for each channel, but they are highly interactive with each other and then again highly interactive with the single tone knob. Know that a tweed Deluxe miked to a PA is all you need.
Not a lot of clean headroom, but it distorts easily and has this nice rolled off like a built in compressor. Then this amp is kinda known and is famous for musically being hyper touch sensitive.
So anyways, I’m not one of those players that uses pedals, layers of effects, and mucho high gain. I’m a plug and play kinda guy: guitar and amp is all I need, and I get tone from my fingers (Hands).
So when I worked at Grumman I kinda stockpiled a good supply of Russian 6SL7’s that we had on hand. These are kinda wonderful, they are robust, long lasting, and have great tone. They are marked USSR.
I will likely build a Valco 510-11, a very simple circuit that uses only 3 tubes: a 6SL7 for the pre-amp and driver, a 6V6 for the output, and a 5Y3 for a rectofier/power supply. Not many caps or resistors needed.
It will produce 5 watts of Class “A” amp. Don’t let 5 watts fool you. Dimed (full volume) eventually will make your ears ring, but know pretty much dimed is a thick distortion mode. Did you know that the Derick and the Domano’s album “Layla” all the guitar parts were from a miked Fender Champ student amp that used a single 6V6 that made only 5 watts driving a small 8 inch speaker?
Anyways I intend on using an efficient 12 inch Alnico speaker for more headroom, a cleaner sound, and for a better bass response.
I once had a Fender tweed Princeton. Wish I still owned it because today it is worth mucho money, many thousands. Basically a Champ in a larger cabinet with a 10 inch speaker instead of an 8 incher. As far as volume and loudness went it was as loud as the tweed Deluxe that produced perhaps 15 watts. The big difference was clean headroom. Basically the Princeton had very little headroom before distortion.
In the studio it is very common to crank small amps to get that tone we all know and love. Today it is popular to mike small amps into P.A.’s (Public Address Systems) to get the volume required.
Oh what fun lays ahead…
Cal
Last edited:
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Yesterday, the heavy hands were not heavy at all, and the power-walk with “Maggie“ for me seemed like no effort at all.
From the gym I can tell how cutting reps and pushing heavier weights really transforms me. Know that I have the genes for strength. Then I looked at getting some at Dick’s Sporting Goods, but the prices were crazy, like $69.99 for 35 pound kettlebell.
Of course the elliptical like the Concept 2 is a tough workout that uses both strength and pumps a lot of blood. On a bike it is easy to rest.
I started to paint the rear porch and the perimeter of the doorway.
The Con Ed contractors put up a work notice, better late than never, warning of construction that has been ongoing over the past month.
I have some serious GAS for a Vintage 47 guitar amp. Pretty much a clone on a custom amp that was offered that got sold. Mine will use a different tube compliment, and use an Alnico speaker for that old retro sound. Vintage 47 uses all octal tubes like they did in the 30’s, 40’s and early-early 50’s.
The tone is less gain, is more thick, loaded with mids, has a compressed top end with mucho smooth roll off that results in huge touch sensitivity. Kinda like having a built in compressor. Pretty much a greasy fat thick sound like the old blues, early Jazz, and very early rock and roll rawness.
Octals are known for warmth. I kinda find them throaty with a vocal quality that is kinda like the range of my voice.
Plug and play pretty much and the volume knob really is a tone control. I find my hands are all that are required, and thick strings are a help. The guitar with a twist of the volume know can become horny or sax-E.
My amp will be a cross of a VA-20 and a RIC: pretty much a 20 watt class AB push-pull mounted in a RIC cabinet that has Art Deco styling. This combination does not fit all speakers, but the two I will love from Weber VST, both Alnico, will fit: one is low powered and smooth cone for early breakup; and the other has a ribbed cone, more bottom emphasis, and later breakup for more headroom.
I can drop the plate voltage by changing out the rectofier, and I can convert the power section from 6V6 outputs to 5881 for higher power and more headroom. Pretty much two amps in one with speaker/tube changes. No biasing required.
This is a robust hand built amp, made with modern components. The old Valco made models are mucho old antiques, but the sound is well captured in this new construction.
I’m mucho inspired.
I harvested a pair of cantaloupes from my surprise patch. Call me a dirty old man, but one strongly is shaped with the hang of a 42 triple D trying to defy gravity. Very rude, yet beautiful. The stem cut from the vine is in the perfect spot as if a nipple. Is not nature cruel to torment me? So I kinda have this sculpture laying on my counter in my kitchen.
More rear porch painting today. I’d lie to get this done.
Cal
From the gym I can tell how cutting reps and pushing heavier weights really transforms me. Know that I have the genes for strength. Then I looked at getting some at Dick’s Sporting Goods, but the prices were crazy, like $69.99 for 35 pound kettlebell.
Of course the elliptical like the Concept 2 is a tough workout that uses both strength and pumps a lot of blood. On a bike it is easy to rest.
I started to paint the rear porch and the perimeter of the doorway.
The Con Ed contractors put up a work notice, better late than never, warning of construction that has been ongoing over the past month.
I have some serious GAS for a Vintage 47 guitar amp. Pretty much a clone on a custom amp that was offered that got sold. Mine will use a different tube compliment, and use an Alnico speaker for that old retro sound. Vintage 47 uses all octal tubes like they did in the 30’s, 40’s and early-early 50’s.
The tone is less gain, is more thick, loaded with mids, has a compressed top end with mucho smooth roll off that results in huge touch sensitivity. Kinda like having a built in compressor. Pretty much a greasy fat thick sound like the old blues, early Jazz, and very early rock and roll rawness.
Octals are known for warmth. I kinda find them throaty with a vocal quality that is kinda like the range of my voice.
Plug and play pretty much and the volume knob really is a tone control. I find my hands are all that are required, and thick strings are a help. The guitar with a twist of the volume know can become horny or sax-E.
My amp will be a cross of a VA-20 and a RIC: pretty much a 20 watt class AB push-pull mounted in a RIC cabinet that has Art Deco styling. This combination does not fit all speakers, but the two I will love from Weber VST, both Alnico, will fit: one is low powered and smooth cone for early breakup; and the other has a ribbed cone, more bottom emphasis, and later breakup for more headroom.
I can drop the plate voltage by changing out the rectofier, and I can convert the power section from 6V6 outputs to 5881 for higher power and more headroom. Pretty much two amps in one with speaker/tube changes. No biasing required.
This is a robust hand built amp, made with modern components. The old Valco made models are mucho old antiques, but the sound is well captured in this new construction.
I’m mucho inspired.
I harvested a pair of cantaloupes from my surprise patch. Call me a dirty old man, but one strongly is shaped with the hang of a 42 triple D trying to defy gravity. Very rude, yet beautiful. The stem cut from the vine is in the perfect spot as if a nipple. Is not nature cruel to torment me? So I kinda have this sculpture laying on my counter in my kitchen.
More rear porch painting today. I’d lie to get this done.
Cal
Austintatious
Well-known
Perhaps you could make B & W images of them ala Edward Weston ?
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Austin,
Don’t tell “Maggie.” LOL.
One is a cantaloupe, but the other a breast. Hmmm.
It would be great if I had a matched pair…
Hmmm.
Again, nature is cruel.
Cal
Don’t tell “Maggie.” LOL.
One is a cantaloupe, but the other a breast. Hmmm.
It would be great if I had a matched pair…
Hmmm.
Again, nature is cruel.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
BTW this amp purchase is a bit speculative. Pretty inexpensive for a hand wired boutique amp. Their marketing and promo is really understated and bad, but the amp hits a nitch that is rich.
“Don’t tell Maggie.”
Cal
“Don’t tell Maggie.”
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I guess if you are cute like my grandson you kinda can get away with a lot. The cuteness in looks spills over into making behavior cute.
Now let’s compare Terry Richardson to Richard Avedon. Both were know to sleep with there models, but one was good looking, the other not.
Anyways, this post is in response to Austin’s suggestion. That melon sure is titillating. Perhaps I can get away with perving out going into supermarkets and sexualizing fruits and vegetables. It would get spun as being cute.
The titillating cantaloupe has a flat base and the proper amount of sag really invites the imagination.
So I think of engaging titles like, What do you think?; Are you a pervert like me? Do you have a dirty mind? Titillating? Jealous?… I could go on and on…
I could imagine a book. Of course because of subject matter, no high contrast printing, high resolution and detail that promotes a tactile response of engagement, and of course some rudeness that reveals truth…
Then there is the title: Perversions (because it sexualizes an object); Dirty Old Man Book (to make fun of my age and sexuality); Sensual Gardening; Sex and the Garden…
Anyways because of my looks I think I could get away with it. If I were ugly or plain looking it would be a different story.
Cal
Now let’s compare Terry Richardson to Richard Avedon. Both were know to sleep with there models, but one was good looking, the other not.
Anyways, this post is in response to Austin’s suggestion. That melon sure is titillating. Perhaps I can get away with perving out going into supermarkets and sexualizing fruits and vegetables. It would get spun as being cute.
The titillating cantaloupe has a flat base and the proper amount of sag really invites the imagination.
So I think of engaging titles like, What do you think?; Are you a pervert like me? Do you have a dirty mind? Titillating? Jealous?… I could go on and on…
I could imagine a book. Of course because of subject matter, no high contrast printing, high resolution and detail that promotes a tactile response of engagement, and of course some rudeness that reveals truth…
Then there is the title: Perversions (because it sexualizes an object); Dirty Old Man Book (to make fun of my age and sexuality); Sensual Gardening; Sex and the Garden…
Anyways because of my looks I think I could get away with it. If I were ugly or plain looking it would be a different story.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
It’s almost 10:30, and pretty much the only things I did was pull-ups and push-ups and then eat breakfast.
I ran out of calcium supplements, so I am mindful to maintain my calcium intake/uptake win dairy products until November 1st when I get my $40.00 over the counter account activated to enjoy this tax free benefit from my Medicare Advantage program. I’ll then in November buy vitamins I need to restock.
Today I used a green pepper from my garden to make a condiment of fried pepers and onions. The idea was to make some fried mot-ZA and flavor it, but it was not the best. I love it with just plain carmelized onions, and I guess that is a trademark of my cooking style.
I have some fried peppers and onions leftover, and I figure they will be good for a provalone cheese omelet tomorrow. Know I use 4 large eggs, but only one yoke, and this is for me.
I figure I have to do my protein shakes, and this will be a source of calcium in lew of not taking calcium supliments.
Also bought a few London broils. I stabbed them mucho with forks and froze 2 with marinade of soy sause, crushe garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. These get grilled. Caramelized purple onions as the condiment, along with BBQ’ed corn in the husk.
I guess I discovered wisdom in the gym how strength and stamina go hand in hand. It didn’t take long for my strength to come back. This is a genetic asset, and pretty my strength in my case gives and provides stamina. I don’t weigh much, and pretty much I can exploit a high strength to weight ratio to go the distance, meaning having endurance.
I will start doing max sets of strength exercises. Mucho push-ups, pull ups and squats with some added weight.
Anyways the replication here is in my retirement I am becoming more playful because I have the time to wonder, experiment, and not in any rush. I feel like a kid again.
Cal
I ran out of calcium supplements, so I am mindful to maintain my calcium intake/uptake win dairy products until November 1st when I get my $40.00 over the counter account activated to enjoy this tax free benefit from my Medicare Advantage program. I’ll then in November buy vitamins I need to restock.
Today I used a green pepper from my garden to make a condiment of fried pepers and onions. The idea was to make some fried mot-ZA and flavor it, but it was not the best. I love it with just plain carmelized onions, and I guess that is a trademark of my cooking style.
I have some fried peppers and onions leftover, and I figure they will be good for a provalone cheese omelet tomorrow. Know I use 4 large eggs, but only one yoke, and this is for me.
I figure I have to do my protein shakes, and this will be a source of calcium in lew of not taking calcium supliments.
Also bought a few London broils. I stabbed them mucho with forks and froze 2 with marinade of soy sause, crushe garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. These get grilled. Caramelized purple onions as the condiment, along with BBQ’ed corn in the husk.
I guess I discovered wisdom in the gym how strength and stamina go hand in hand. It didn’t take long for my strength to come back. This is a genetic asset, and pretty my strength in my case gives and provides stamina. I don’t weigh much, and pretty much I can exploit a high strength to weight ratio to go the distance, meaning having endurance.
I will start doing max sets of strength exercises. Mucho push-ups, pull ups and squats with some added weight.
Anyways the replication here is in my retirement I am becoming more playful because I have the time to wonder, experiment, and not in any rush. I feel like a kid again.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The oldest living woman is 117. Her suggestion for long life is: “Avoid toxic people.”
Good advice, even if family.
“Maggie” and I are polite, but are kinda “icing” our intrusive neighbors.
Time for another max set of push-ups and pull ups.
Cal
Good advice, even if family.
“Maggie” and I are polite, but are kinda “icing” our intrusive neighbors.
Time for another max set of push-ups and pull ups.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Don’t tell “Maggie” but I bought an new amp. Will take about 3-4 weeks to build.
Pretty much the cost would be competitive with building a similar amp from scratch. That’s cool in itself, but pretty much this is my lazy way out and allows me more play and practice time.
Not a lot of money either, but how do I hide or smuggle a 15.5x15x8 inch amp into the house to not have to get dog-faced.
Looks like they are predicting 6% mortgage interest rates because the FED is dovish and will cut rates. Let’s see if Barbara Corcoran is correct: will the demand push up home prices? Will there be affordability issues. Would it have been cheaper to pay higher interest on a house before interest rate cuts?
I can see the supply demand imbalance continuing. That would be my bet. I don’t see the shortage of homes going away, not for a long-long time.
I love having a dumb flip phone. I just delete the texts. EZ-PZ. I want a simple life. Very few are of any value and are just a waste of time.
“Leave me alone,” I say.
Cal
Pretty much the cost would be competitive with building a similar amp from scratch. That’s cool in itself, but pretty much this is my lazy way out and allows me more play and practice time.
Not a lot of money either, but how do I hide or smuggle a 15.5x15x8 inch amp into the house to not have to get dog-faced.
Looks like they are predicting 6% mortgage interest rates because the FED is dovish and will cut rates. Let’s see if Barbara Corcoran is correct: will the demand push up home prices? Will there be affordability issues. Would it have been cheaper to pay higher interest on a house before interest rate cuts?
I can see the supply demand imbalance continuing. That would be my bet. I don’t see the shortage of homes going away, not for a long-long time.
I love having a dumb flip phone. I just delete the texts. EZ-PZ. I want a simple life. Very few are of any value and are just a waste of time.
“Leave me alone,” I say.
Cal
Prest_400
Multiformat
+1 to a Weston style photographic "study" of the interesting melons.
EDIT: I am glad that our family had multiple housings. My uncle unfortunately is ageing badly and had some family discussions. His apartment is quite good but mentioning "sale" brings a nope for me. It's a good asset and renting it out needs some resources but good to self sustain it.
I am of the generation straddling between both old school and the internet era. Smartphone never bothered me.
But nowadays, the enshittification of internet (good thread around RFF about Instagram etc), it is just easy to end up in an algorithmically fed doomscroll.
I recall our short interaction with a construction worker during our Death March when I visited. Actually, I think the young folks do not have such small talk and social skills. Have lately spent a lot of time with people in the 20-30 range but I also might be biased living in a "quiet reserved" society.
But Ironically it's a hyperconnected work which IRL is disconnected. And significant sources point at a certain Loneliness epidemic.
Might sound lazy or so, but I buy into the past futuristic ideas of an automated time where life is just life. Keynes predicted we'd work 10h a week by 2030 due to the tech advances. Of course AI and all the fuzz has many implications and also get the view of a society implementing those but individuals not getting any benefit (a.k.a. no jobs)
At work folk are out vacations and the multiple boss projects need to be done of course. I don't like that I have to do extensive and by the hour reporting but it does give me an insight... 8h a day of effective work is just nope. Realistically we are at 6h mostly.
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
Not to be a downer, but that 117 -year-old woman died three days ago. I guess one can only avoid so much...
