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Post by cynical1 on Aug 10, 2013 20:51:12 GMT -5
I apologize if I re-state something already mentioned in this thread. I'm still unpacking and have to feed horses, so pursuing the 12,000+ words already deposited here isn't in the cards for the moment.
IMHO, the reason you perceive a difference in sustain with the scalloped neck isn't as much a matter of physics, material mass or specific gravity of the wood at 12 percent dryness at sea level... I see it as something much more simple. It's your technique and touch. As you lack a "bottom" on the fingerboard to end the string travel behind the fret the slightest variance of your finger pressure will effect how the string resonates. In order to keep the note in tune you trade off the traditional depth behind the fret where the wood would be for the lightness of touch needed to fret a note at high speed.
Now, considering that scalloped necks run almost entirely in the domain of shredders, whose goal is as many notes as possible versus the longest sustain, you are asking for a result the design was never intended to deliver.
So, to try and finish this in fewer words than War and Peace, your scalloped neck is doing exactly what it's designed to do. The fact you are not getting the result you seek is not the fault of the design.
Remember the analogy of taking a Cessna to the moon?
That's it. Gotta get back to work.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Aug 10, 2013 12:32:09 GMT -5
I use Illustrator, just because I have it. Inkscape, mentioned here a few times, is a very good application to make vector based drawings. I've used it a few times on the old laptop, as it's nowhere near the resource hog that Illustrator is. Plus, it's free. Can't beat free.
HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Aug 9, 2013 12:23:13 GMT -5
Well, the truck is unloaded. Just another lesson in "you're not 25 years old anymore". Even my toenails hurt this morning. I'm hoping the walk back from the truck drop off location loosens everything up a little bit.
SG: Come on down. Your HD is still in the box waiting on you...along with just about everything I own as well...
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Aug 8, 2013 1:11:06 GMT -5
Well, we made it. The horses and I pulled into the last stop yesterday. It actually ran out to be 2280 miles, but who's counting...
Driving a U-Haul through the mountains and high plains is an experience I do not wish to repeat anytime soon. I had fast dogs passing me in a few places.
Not that it'll come up much, but I highly recommend the Horse Motel concept. Both places were clean and well maintained, and the owners were more than willing to wait for us to pull in around midnight in both places. The horses were much more agreeable in he morning having the chance to get off the trailer.
The horses are all settled in and I've got half the truck unpacked. The process goes much faster when you have help...which explains why it's taking two days for me to unload the damn thing...
So, anyone happens to wander into Boring, Oregon feel free to stop by and jam a little.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Aug 1, 2013 20:18:32 GMT -5
Cyn1 will be easy to spot going down the road as his tinkering doesn't stop with guitars. That's just downright scary. HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Aug 1, 2013 11:00:36 GMT -5
No one EVER checks under the floor of the horse trailers... Yeah, I know. That's where I put the case of hand grenades... HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 31, 2013 10:05:25 GMT -5
We had really beaten this topic to death back when it was fresh. As someone pointed out, this latest wave of publicity is more for posturing and someone's political mileage.
I think the 800 pound gorilla in the room is the corporate system. I can't speak for the rest of the world, but in the US corporations have to actively work to turn a profit for their shareholders. There are legal consequences if they fail at this chartered task. No one said anything about them doing it ethically...and legality is an issue dealt with on a cost benefit scale. If the fine is substantially less than the savings doing business a certain way, then they bend or break the laws accordingly and deal with the fine when it comes.
Not every corporation works this way, but it's a lot more prevalent than most people realize or suspect. By the language in their charter, corporations are like HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey. He had conflicting directives with completing the mission as the sociopathic trigger that caused him to snap. When corporations act completely out of a single minded self interest everyone acts so surprised and self righteous. Why? They're just doing what they are legally chartered to do.
Don't like that? Well, you've got a better chance of winning the Lottery 5 days in a row than you do in changing the way corporations are chartered. So, don't buy their product if their practices bother you. Or, just deal with it because it's going to happen whether you like it or not. There is way too much money on both ends of these transactions to stop them.
As a species we are like cows overgrazing a pasture. One day we'll run out of fences to knock down to strip and pillage new fields. Then you can use your illegally imported rosewood as firewood to stay warm.
Damn...and I had boxes to pack, too...
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 30, 2013 7:09:13 GMT -5
All Sarcasm is Supportive... ...just depends which rose bush you're standing next to at the time.. Not to be confused with what Pete Rose you're standing next to... HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 29, 2013 8:14:44 GMT -5
And where does Fender get their rosewood? Rose bushes...they've had them for years, so the stems are really wide now.... HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 29, 2013 0:21:53 GMT -5
Thanks for all the well wishes, guys.
4Real: You have a real nice place down there and it's got to be tough leaving it. Sorry to hear it, man. To say that sucks is an understatement.
JohnH: This is a hard three day trek with the horses...just over 2160 miles. (3476km) After this I doubt I'll ever be able to get them within 20 feet of a horse trailer again. I'm following the trailer to deflect any tailgaters or other vehicular custodians of modern idiocy.
Asmith: Yeah, $%^@ you, too. And you managed yourself well in the snow with a muck rake and a wheelbarrow. I would almost go so far as to say it appeared to be a calling for you... I'll have to learn to live with all the pleasantry out there. If I ever need any verbal abuse, you'll get the first call. Oh yeah...go $%^@ yourself while you're at it... By the way, I ran into nipple ring girl and she says hello...inside joke...
See you all on the other side of the Oregon Trail.
Happy Trails -
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 29, 2013 0:02:13 GMT -5
Congratulations for sticking with it. Whether you remember or use what you learned doing this isn't as important as the fact you now have a very playable guitar that meets or exceeds your expectations.
So, tell me, now that you've played it and like it, was the extra work and time worth it?
If we had a +1 around here I'd toss one at you. Good work.
BTW, it looks damned nice, too.
Happy Trails -
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 26, 2013 17:38:08 GMT -5
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 26, 2013 17:01:41 GMT -5
Some of you already know this, but for the rest of the rabble, if it seems like I've been a little scarce around here, it's because I've been packing and arranging a move out to Portland, OR.
After a year in Chicago spinning my wheels it seems opportunities abounded elsewhere.
For reference, for those not familiar with the area, this is where I'm going:
The horses and I are physically out of here the 4th and should land out there until around the 8th, so consider me a part timer until then.
Happy Trails -
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 25, 2013 6:52:16 GMT -5
Thanks.
Sort of like the old saying, "Let he who is not stoned, cast the first sin".
HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 24, 2013 14:59:16 GMT -5
Perhaps he was multitasking. The article did say he "returning a positive drug test". I'm guessing he figured using the roach clip to steer killed two birds with one stone.
I noticed the article said nothing about mirrors...
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 21, 2013 9:08:37 GMT -5
I kinda have to lean this way...
HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 20, 2013 9:28:24 GMT -5
It would be a shame if Schaller went the way of all things and their quality slipped. Not that they'd be the first to go down that path. At least the vintage stuff will be available on eBay for some time to come.
Gotoh is not a bad alternative. I've never really had any issues to speak of with Gotoh. Their catalog is equally as obtuse as Schaller's, so ordering is still a PITA either way.
Hipshot does make some nice stuff. I tend to think they're a bit pricy for what you get, their Drop D tuner for bass is a prime example, but it's still good gear.
I think the point floating around here, but left unstated, is that the improper installation, or misapplication of a product will yield unfavorable results. Homework is.
HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 15, 2013 13:36:02 GMT -5
Isn't it Spring up there yet, Ash?
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 15, 2013 1:57:04 GMT -5
Well, I know how much fun that was. One recommendation I would make is that since the body is plywood, liberally apply some wood hardener. The sides are what really benefit from this treatment. You can drop big money on wood hardeners\restorers, but the wood hardener from Minwax does the job just fine. This is what I used on Project #1. Goes on easy, levels and dries smooth and give you a helluva head rush. Happy Trails Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 7, 2013 20:15:29 GMT -5
A Tele...what a surprise... Gotta get you out of the heat and back to the world.
Glad you're still in one piece. Remember to keep your head down, short time.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 3, 2013 8:09:20 GMT -5
Well, the stainless steel plate solves the problem of the baseplate wearing its way into the body. As I've said before, working to improve an existing design inside of a finite footprint is a challenge...which generally adds to the levels of complexity to solve the original design problems. I don't dislike the Wudtone unit, I just don't see it as anything more than what Leo would have done, if he had decided to spend the money and do it right.
To offer the competition fair time, The Bladerunner has taken the Leo footprint and come up with an idea that, IMHO, solves the friction\wear surface problem by removing it from the operation of the unit.
We could argue materials, tone blocks and saddles down to the minutia. To me, throwing money into a re-design of an existing system only takes you so far. Throwing out the old design and coming up with a new solution to improve functionality without adding to the complexity will always get my vote. Opinions vary.
OK, I'm through. I've said my piece, and I'm just going to wait for Greek to get his unit and listen to his impressions.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 2, 2013 21:01:03 GMT -5
Andy -
It's always refreshing to see a manufacturer show up here. And you are more than welcome to stick around as long as you like.
As I said previously, I like the hardened steel idea and the machining is first rate. I still hold to my initial observation that your design, while a significant improvement over the original Leo design, still presents a friction pivot point. Of all the friction pivot point tremolo units out there, you's is probably one of the best. Rather than toss words back and forth, here's a video I found of your trem unit in action:
I get the point you make that the baseplate doesn't travel along the barrel of the mounting screw. It stays in position rather well in the video. Based on what you say about the hardened steel I would expect significantly more service life than a standard Fender unit and an improved tuning stability.
It does still leave the baseplate firmly against the wood body, and concentrates the wear on one spot of the mounting pin.
Again, to me, this is an improvement, rather than a redesign of the pivot point concept Leo floated decades ago.
Again, this is a first class piece of machining and a step forward from the original design. I've been around machinists for 40+ years, so I feel qualified to offer that. To me, in my opinion, it does not hold the same advantages I see in your completion in the use of spring steel to eliminate the friction point pivot entirely.
Hope that clarifies my original statement.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 2, 2013 0:33:23 GMT -5
You don't need the width at the heel. You need the outside dimension from the string to the edge of the neck. I've done this a few times and never had a problem.
HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 1, 2013 23:35:31 GMT -5
If it was me, I'd go with the WVS unit. What's 20 bucks a few years from now when it still works?
As far a 2mm being a deal breaker...I guess I have t ask, how much room do you have at the heel of the neck now? You're only talking about 0.07874", or 0.03937" one each side...about the same as a standard A string. Standard spacing is around 1/8" on each side at the heel, so if there's .125" there now, the new trem will leave a hair under 3/32" left. Since you don't bend the low E string at the heel, or pull the high E down, you should be fine.
One thing you will notice is the strings crossing the poles. As long as the string crosses within the circumference of the pole you should be fine. Exact alignment is not as critical as you'd think.
As far as the nut goes, I doubt you're gonna notice any difference with the 54mm spacing, so if it's still good, leave it alone.
Make sense?
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 1, 2013 19:03:21 GMT -5
Hello Sumgai Thank you for sharing your thoughts, glad you had fun. With respect, you entered the fray with your opinion with "I can safely say that this product is a solution looking for a problem. Or to be more blunt about it, it's all snake oil and feldergarb." I think it would be better if folks offered some evidence / reference to their inputs of info, knowledge or better still real experience if they express opinions on products, especially if the person expressing that opinion also feels the need to go on to rubbish the company, accusing them of having products that are questionable or snake oil as you put it. It would help me if you are able to clarify what inputs led you to formulate the opinions you entered the fray with, about the product and company. JJG - I believe sumgai has addressed your concerns about his comments, offered his opinions, and suggested we all move on. Far be it for me to speak for the big guy and I'm sure he'll be back to address your concerns. However, let's move it along. We got your point. This is an Internet forum. People offer opinions, suggestions, vent their spleen...and occasionally rant. Some of us have been here for years and know the qualifications of members and staff. You get a pass on being new. Spend some time reading the amount of content and knowledge housed here and you should be able to discern the feldergarb from fact. If you feel a snub or slight, try a PM to the member you feel stepped on your toes. We watch flames and outright attacks, and we are not bashful about dropping the ban hammer should someone get out of line. As our distinguished resident counselor might be heard to say, "Asked and answered. Next question." IMHO, the Wudtone is a quality piece of gear. I like the hardened steel used in fabrication. Everything I've read about it points to a well thought out and first class fabrication. The only problem I have with it is that it still holds on to a fundamental design flaw Leo introduced. It still uses a wear point to make the pivot. Time and use will cause it to suffer the same fate as any friction device. I could be wrong, but I believe this is the direction sumgai was going. If it works for you, and you're happy, than that's cool. Some people swear by Floyd Rose, Kahler, original Trem-Leo... Long and short of it is if it works, and you like it, great. HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jul 1, 2013 15:07:30 GMT -5
Old hardware. Man, these are personal computers and laptops...not hydroelectric dams. You don't get a service life with them. Industry standard is a 3 years life cycle...reality says 3-5 years on a desktop, laptops are 1-3. Trying to force an older machine into one of the flavors of 64 bit operating systems out there is really a fools errand. The odds are, depending on age, the motherboard and BIOS won't support the additional memory, which is the major advantage to the 64 bit operating system.
I've finally dumped all my old machines. I have one left, and the odds are it probably won't make the next move. Desktops and laptops are getting so cheap these days that upgrading an older machine really makes little sense in the long run. If you have a personal issue with the newer machines, most of the Intel Core 2 duo machines have a BIOS that supports 64 bit operating systems, and a motherboard that allows for 8GB of RAM. These can be picked up for under $150.00 US theses days. Toss in another $100.00 and you're back in the 21st century again.
[rant]
I have to admit, I don't have a lot of sympathy for people bitching about XP going away. XP was the longest run Microsoft has ever had on an operating system. You had 10 years to get ready for this day. Microsoft even extended the end of life date on XP from their original drop dead date. Suck it up, deal with it and just move along.
[/rant]
Sorry, been listening to this for a couple years now and have reached a saturation point...
HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jun 30, 2013 23:47:14 GMT -5
I looked at options for replacing Windows XP about a year ago. I wanted a 64 bit OS, but didn't necessarily want to go the Windows route if I could find a workable open source option.
Depending on what apps you run, Linux has come a long way. It's still like getting three Democrats to agree on one thing, without killing two of them, but it is workable. The thing that finally nixed it for me with Linux was its almost non-existent support for vst and vsti. I use my computer as a recording\mixing and mastering tool, so this was a deal killer for the primary machine.
OK, so Window 7 costs. Some of your devices and software will retire with XP. But hey, folks, you got 10 years out of it, it was stable and it worked. Hate Bill Gates all you want, but it did exactly what it said on the box. Computers are cheap, and if you want to dump XP you may have to drop the coin on a new machine. Such is life. Go big or stay home.
After playing with Windows 7 for over a year I admit, begrudgingly, I like it. I didn't want too...I wanted to hate it like Vista...but, it does what it says on the box, my apps run, and it does have some intelligent enhancements built in.
There's nothing that's written in stone that you must stop using XP. OK, so they stop officially supporting it, but it's still going to be stable and functional with your old software for a few more years to come. I still have one hard machine and two virtual machines running XP. I have no plans to update them. They just have apps I know will not run in Windows 7 or Linux, so I keep them around until my lazy butt finds a 21st century alternative.
There are still viable companies out there running NT...I even worked for one a couple years ago that relied on a VAX system for one of their more critical business functions.
When people ask me personally what to do I just recommend they wait until the machine they are currently running fails, or can no longer keep up with the software they wish to use.
HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jun 27, 2013 14:28:44 GMT -5
Seems the biggest problem people have with immigration is regarding the immigrants that arrive after they do... Well yeah, man -- I thought the national motto of the US was "Nuh-uh, I got here first!" Well, in Chicago, it's "f k you, I got here first..." HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jun 27, 2013 11:14:26 GMT -5
I feel that the Rest of the World must watch some of this stuff and just wonder WTF is going on... We get a lot of that here, too. Again, we get a lot of that here, too. Look on the bright side, at least you can make a change overnight. Immigration is a big issue here, too. Seems the biggest problem people have with immigration is regarding the immigrants that arrive after they do... HTC1
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Post by cynical1 on Jun 23, 2013 2:23:45 GMT -5
Notice that he has the rotisseries miked? HTC1
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