Rudi

goo goo g' joob From 'I am the Walrus' by J Lennon In protest to all the verses posted here instead of lines. You know who you are!

Blue Ronda A'la Turk - Dave Brubeck Quartet

25.5 is good. So is flat. I'm not concerned with neck profile, but 41.9 is very narrow! I would need to try one and see. They have these locally, but I'm just about to resume my shift working. So no opportunity for a while. I also want to get the Flaxwood sorted 1st. If I were to change the neck I would likley get something from your way. I know StewMac had a finished ebony board a while back.

I was still getting tracking updates a whole day after actual delivery. Thomann wanted to know if there was fault/damage. The condition of the Flaxwood is actually excellent. It is almost certainly listed as B stock because of a prior return I would suppose. Still have no returns info or what it will cost. Only Germany gets a free return, which is fair enough.

The book price for the Flaxwood is more than the Variax, so that's not really an issue. I've just spent 25 minutes looking for Variax specs. I cant find anything on the website, the pdf manual or anywhere else. I need to know scale, radius & nut width basically. Do the actual pickups (HBs or SCs) make any difference to the sound when modeling?

I am disappointed but sanguine. Its a shame because there is much to admire about Flaxwood. I really wanted to like it, and I mean what I said about valuing the opportunity to play it. The company are just getting started in the uk, and I would check other models (but in shop next time!).

Curly - The Move

It just arrived. Much earlier than expected. I had the tracking turned on, and it seems to have overtaken it because its not even marked as 'out for delivery' yet. I spent about 3 minutes playing it and I don't like it. It only took 30 seconds to decide that really. The neck feels tighter than the stated 12" rad. Maybe its the roll off at the edges? But the e strings are too close to the edges. I didn't push them off, but it would have been inevitable if I'd kept playing. I've put it straight back in the box and have advised Thomann. I have no idea how much it will cost to return, but it will still have been worth the opportunity to try it out. So it doesn't handle well. The neck material is fine. The fingerboard forms part of the neck. It feels ok and I'd have no problem with the neck had it been shaped to my liking. The hardware seems of very good quality, I expected the pickups to be poor, and they certainly are. Seymour Duncan consistently make nasty sounding pups. That's not intended as a challenge to you SD fans. It is of course totally subjective. So waiting to hear something from Thomann right now. Never mind. I have been extremely lucky with mail order guitars up on the whole, so I was overdue for a disappointment.

I had a listen. Its ok, but not my sort of thing. Nice production.

No way to try one out, but I'm confident that this build will 'behave' like a Fender. The pups are the unknown and frankly I am expecting them to sound dismal. Yes I saw the kit stuff too. Its tempting but I dont have the time. I plan to do this sort of thing when I retire though. I even looked at Warmouth for a self build option, but even when you keep things basic, its still over $1000 before you begin building.

Hi Teek, I had a 70's Fender Stat for over 20 years, but that had 21 frets, tight neck radius, crazy string tension and played like a pig. Now they have a variety of Strats, but none with the exact config I need. The top of the range ones are overpriced for what they are. That's why they were low on my list. 2nd hand? All the MIJs are 2nd hand and built much better than the USA ones, but its that missing fret that bothers me.

I thought I was going to finish 2016 without getting any more guitars. But no, I have another on the way. The pickup change on the Esprit was supposed to provide me with the Fender sound I miss. It sounds good, but it doesn’t sound like a Fender. I’ve been considering options for quite a while now. Oddly, actual Fenders are low on my list. I’ve looked at G & L, MusicMan, Flaxwood, Chapman (Yes Rob Chapman. His models are made in Korea and most have ebony fretboards), Yamaha, Godin and MIJ Fender copies. The MIJ’s look wonderful but all of them have 21 frets. It’s not enough. It must be 22 minimum. Most of everything else has high output pickups. Some have nasty bridges too. Whatever I go for will need some mods. It’s mostly a question of what is the simplest. I did very much like the looks of the MusicMan Silhouette Special, but finding one was the main problem. I have plumped for a Flaxwood. These are made in Finland and are made from an artificial material (also called Flaxwood). Again, the pickups are the weak point here, together with the floating bridge. The pickups Single coil version 3SC-: - bridge: Seymour Duncan SSL-2 Vintage Flat - middle: Seymour Duncan SSL-2 (RwRp) - neck: Seymour Duncan SSL-2 Vintage Flat These are 6.5 output, so quite high, but at least they are alnico 5. I’m not a great fan of Duncans, but if needs be, I only need to replace the neck pup. I don’t use anything else. Bridge: It’s a trem bridge, but it looks like a robust one. If so I should be able to block it up rather than replace it. This particular Flaxwood is what they term a ‘Hybrid’, meaning that only the neck is made of the eponymous material; the body being of European alder. These Hybrids are cheaper than the rest of the range. Unfortunately, there is only one uk shop that stocks them, and that’s in Scotland. It’s also miles above the list price published by ZedMusic (the official distributer). What swayed me to buy were the two Hybrids held at Thomann (the vast German shop). They had both the single coil & humbucker versions at a greatly reduced price. They are ‘B’ stock, but that doesn’t worry me. So an affordable Flaxwood Hybrid 3SC is on its way from Bavaria. I have used Thomann before. The first time was for the Deuce (now discontinued by Hagstrom). Let’s hope this turns out as well. My one varies from the picture. It has a dark tortoise pickguard instead of the white.

I thought I was going to finish 2016 without getting any more guitars. But no, I have another on the way. The pickup change on the Esprit was supposed to provide me with the Fender sound I miss. It sounds good, but it doesn’t sound like a Fender. I’ve been considering options for quite a while now. Oddly, actual Fenders are low on my list. I’ve looked at G & L, MusicMan, Flaxwood, Chapman (Yes Rob Chapman. His models are made in Korea and most have ebony fretboards), Yamaha, Godin and MIJ Fender copies. The MIJ’s look wonderful but all of them have 21 frets. It’s not enough. It must be 22 minimum. Most of everything else has high output pickups. Some have nasty bridges too. Whatever I go for will need some mods. It’s mostly a question of what is the simplest. I did very much like the looks of the MusicMan Silhouette Special, but finding one was the main problem. I have plumped for a Flaxwood. These are made in Finland and are made from an artificial material (also called Flaxwood). Again, the pickups are the weak point here, together with the floating bridge. The pickups Single coil version 3SC-: - bridge: Seymour Duncan SSL-2 Vintage Flat - middle: Seymour Duncan SSL-2 (RwRp) - neck: Seymour Duncan SSL-2 Vintage Flat These are 6.5 output, so quite high, but at least they are alnico 5. I’m not a great fan of Duncans, but if needs be, I only need to replace the neck pup. I don’t use anything else. Bridge: It’s a trem bridge, but it looks like a robust one. If so I should be able to block it up rather than replace it. This particular Flaxwood is what they term a ‘Hybrid’, meaning that only the neck is made of the eponymous material; the body being of European alder. These Hybrids are cheaper than the rest of the range. Unfortunately, there is only one uk shop that stocks them, and that’s in Scotland. It’s also miles above the list price published by ZedMusic (the official distributer). What swayed me to buy were the two Hybrids held at Thomann (the vast German shop). They had both the single coil & humbucker versions at a greatly reduced price. They are ‘B’ stock, but that doesn’t worry me. So an affordable Flaxwood Hybrid 3SC is on its way from Bavaria. I have used Thomann before. The first time was for the Deuce (now discontinued by Hagstrom). Let’s hope this turns out as well. http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r163/rudizenon/Hybrid-900c.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

yes I found Jung's association when I checked out the 1st alternative I posted. That must reveal something about my personality. Half a$$ed research, disregarding Carl J, and impatient when it didn't turn out the way I think it should. In my experience this indicates leadership traits. Oddly enough my workmate Danny explained to me today that his wife (who is a psychologist) uses pictures, simplified words and minimal structure to help those with learning difficulties. He compared it to making a presentation to managers. Its right! Bullet points, pictures (of cartoon simplicity), and keeping it short.

See? All we had to do was ask Al If the descriptions (ie: judgement) need interpretation, then surely they need revision. Otherwise this is just another sort of theology

there aint no santa claus on the evening stage - Capt Beefheart & Magic Band

Rob's one seems closest. I learned more from this test. http://www.zimbio.com/quiz/Ukldm8Pi5Ub/Star+Wars+Character I was R2D2

Man, you have an unerring skill for shooting yourself in the foot . The INTJ says that I am judgemental. Get some toe-tectors today! However, I personally agree that I am more opinion centered than judgemental. To me 'judgemental' is not a virtue nor an admirable quality in any way, shape or form. So thank you for that vindication.

Associated with good luck is not the same as 'good luck'. Its nevertheless consistent with the comparison of a good or indifferent performance. As has been said; the only correct definition that of the supernatural charm. The rest is just hazy ambiguity.

INTJ Introvert(9%) iNtuitive(7%) Thinking(31%) Judging(6%) You have slight preference of Introversion over Extraversion (9%) You have slight preference of Intuition over Sensing (7%) You have moderate preference of Thinking over Feeling (31%) You have slight preference of Judging over Perceiving (6%) Judgemental? Me?

My mojo works, but not on you. In this song, Muddy is 'going to Louisiana to get a mojo hand. The mojo hand is a magic charm. These days mojo seems to be associated with personal 'luck' or good fortune.

Maybe that will be Kemper mkII? A modelling amp with a boutique rig frontage. I didnt know that about Kiss. I suppose if it was anyone it would be a band that wear makeup

I looked at this one. http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp Its clearly related to the one already posted. I found this one just as crazy.

I'll do it cheaper for you bud.

Mikes response to 'Kemper vs Tubes' was.... I feel the same way. Rob is certainly more knowledgeable about music theory and his skill and techniques are spectacular & flamboyant. Lee has been quite open about what he knows and how he plays. Its quite basic, but he uses the little he knows wonderfully and sensitively. He is a 'natural'. More than a 'primitive' but many casual guitarists would have a similar skill set. I would rather listen to him though. He has a great feel for music. If these two were playing at rival clubs across the street from one another. I would go to Lee's gig. I like both of these guys. Most of all they are a great pairing. Very watchable and enjoyable. All the more so in each others company. But who else sounds great using 'just enough' or a minimal skill set. I would suggest the late Paul Kossoff as one.