BS: new instrument for christmas

Subject: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 09:23 PM

i bought my granddaughter a soprano uke for christmas, is anyone else in mudville getting any mew instruments for christmas? BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: nosluap57
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 10:02 PM

Hey Bob

I'm getting a bouzouki - but I am not supposed to know. Found out quite by accident, so I'll have to look surpised whrn I open it.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 10:44 PM

I bought myself a new guitar for Chanukah! I had a 1970 Martin D-18 that looked like hell but sounded like gold. It became, shall we say, a casualty of divorce. I finally allowed myself to let go of the idea that I would get it back, and picked up a new 000-X1. And I love it! After a year and a half of struggling with my old Selmer Harmony (the one I learned on--wouldn't it be better if people could learn on good instruments? but I digress...), it's so much fun to have an instrument that's easy to play and sounds wonderful. And since I'm not that great a guitarist, I can use all the help I can get. Happy holidays to all!

Aloha,
Mark

P.S., for all of you who will be giving or receiving new acoustic fretted instruments, I highly recommend this site that 'Spaw told me about, Frank Ford's Acoustic Guitar Owner's Manual, on the Frets Magazine website.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 10:48 PM

Oops....my mistake. It's not related to Frets Magazine. But it's a great site, with lots of neat photos.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 10:58 PM

Well, three years ago when the P-Vine moved in with me we decided that her old upright piano would be happier in North Carolina with her oldest son. Heck, it really wouldn't hold its tune and so.... Well, unbeknownst to her I have found a place that has several digital pianos with weighted keys that are in my price range. As for myself, I found several reel to reel tapes bried in a box that has not been opened in 30 years of my old rock band Thorn and some of my early songs so I have been trying to find a reel to reel recorder on ebay so I can hear them. This ought to be very strange.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 11:04 PM

Hell hell Bobert, you're pretty strange to begin with so I call what you may experience as "Strangeness Squared."

And what is it you want with weighted keys? Are you trying to play or work out? Geeziz boy, you know you really ain't got good sense.......

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 11:23 PM

Well, Spawz, you is certainly right about me not havin' a lick of sense but that ain't what this weigthed key issue is about...

Ya see, when you push down on an acoustic piano key a lot of stuff comes into play that most folks, including the bobert, don't know nothing about. This is what creates tember in the instument.

Now, when electric pianos came in, no matter how you hit the key you were going to get the same sound. Not any more. These digital pianos is so smart that they will recreate the tamber of an acoustic,

Plaese don't ask me to expalin anything more than what I have sated because... I can't but I know this all to be true. Heck, I play a 1908 pedal organ so I don't know too much about pianos other than the fact that I i don't know much about pianos...

the bobert

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 11:27 PM

Good gawd, you really are old Bobert......I play a 1949 organ myself. But lemmee ask you......How was it you went and mounted pedals on yours? I bet that hurt!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Gypsy
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 11:49 PM

Well, you can only have so much room for Hammer Dulcimers, but the better half got (a wee bit early) a beautiful cylinder back Vega, in cherry condition. Good action, to, was the one i borrowed to learn how to play mando on. So, guess it is more of a family instrument

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 22 Dec 01 - 01:00 AM

'Spaw, I think that was a misprint. He obviously meant "petal". I'll let you take it from there....

Aloha,
Mark
Sorry, Bobert, nothing personal, couldn't resist...

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Chip2447
Date: 22 Dec 01 - 01:53 AM

Go ahead laugh,
I'm expecting a new 6 hole tenor ocarina.
Chip2447 an ocarinageek

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: GUEST,wordworx
Date: 22 Dec 01 - 03:34 AM

I couldn't _possibly_ be more pleased!
After nurturing my eldest through eight years of violin|fiddle, he hadn't touched one in eight years.
He told his Grandma he needed his Xmas present early,because it was at a pawn shop.
Imagine Dad's glee!!!
The stuff that was sponged into the toddler is coming back -fast_

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Dec 01 - 11:46 AM

Think ol' Mark Cohen and Spawzman be funnin with the ol' bobert about his pedal/petal organ but I ain't too sure. But just incase you are, I didn't want it to go...ahh... un-noticed. And Spawz, I've had my West Ginny slide rule out and it says right here that just 'cause Iz got a 1908 instrument that don't necessarily make me that old. You can work it out on your plug in adder and distractor and I think you'll get the same answer...

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: DancingMom
Date: 22 Dec 01 - 09:47 PM

My daughter is getting a nice upgraded clarinet.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 22 Dec 01 - 10:11 PM

i'm sitting here now trying to stretch the strings out but i did not know until last nite that a soprano uke is tuned open to a G C E A tuning very interesting, looks like i'll have to learn something new. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 23 Dec 01 - 12:06 AM

Bob, check out the series of ukulele books by Jim Beloff, published by Hal Leonard. Best ones I've found so far, including the Hawaiian ones. Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Tips 'n' Tunes would be a good one for your granddaughter to start with. (And you'd better do something about the fleas on your dog...)

Aloha,
Mark

P.S., just as a reminder, if you do decide to buy this book (or any book) from amazon.com or barnes and noble.com, go to the top of this page and click on the fish that says Help Support the Mudcat. That will take you to a link to those and other sites; using those links gives the Mudcat a small cut when you buy from them. (Unless that's changed with the demise of Onstage Media...anybody know?)

M

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 Dec 01 - 10:20 PM

I'm giving my son my only guitar---the one I've played since 1976.

Also, I just bought 6 new jew's harps from Elderly Instruments.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Kaleea
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 12:22 AM

I bought myself an early present in the form of a basic electronic weighted key hammer action electronic piano. I have been without a piano for several years and decided enough is enough, it's time to pound Beethoven & tickle Tchaikovski. I might even cause a Mozart effect on my brain. Actually, I was recently diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and remembered once hearing a piano teacher discussing how she used correct piano technique as physical therapy for patients which a carpal tunnel specialist Dr. sent to her.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 01:01 AM

That's wonderful, Kaleea! I'd never thought of it helping with that, but I can see how it could, now that you mention it. I've been without a piano now for 3 years and I miss it a lot. We've looked at the electronic ones and, after we move, will probably buy one. It won't be like the piece of furniture an acoustic piano can be (mine was cherry woods, with all kinds of embellishments), but there is so much you can do with them and they are so lightweight to move, compared to the others.:-)

Bobert, I totally understand Herself's stressing the importance of tember/tamber/timbre (choose one!)**BG** One has to have touch sensitive keys if one is too express the nuances of Mozart, et alia with any passion, etc.! Think of it as the difference between caressing a real live body as opposed to a mannequin!:-)

Didn't get a new instrument, but I did put new strings on the dulcimer, tonight. Wondered why my playing sounded shot to hell; surprised at what a difference new strings can make!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Hilary
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 07:31 AM

Last night I was given a guitar tuner, maybe he was trying to tell me something .....

Happy Christmas/hols/etc

H

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 09:31 AM

My bass player got himself (o.k... his ladyfaire got him) a Fender Jazz... So I adopted his old, 13 buck Samak bass...

Everybody's happy all round... except herself, who tired to put a moritoriam on instruments coming into the house...

Oh, how we laughed and laughed and laughed!

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 03:19 PM

MARK, I DON'T HAVE A DOG. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 03:55 PM

What's wrong with caressing mannequins.
I'm going to buy a paper doll that I can call my own,
A doll that other fellows cannot steal,
Failte....Jock

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: GUEST,fortunato, Christmas Eve.
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 05:33 PM

A very Merry Christmas, Art. I hear the great value and meaning, I believe, of your gift. I am glad to know you have a son to share it with. Best wishes for the new year. Chance Shiver

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 07:32 PM

i saw in the ederly catalog today, that there's a uke book out approved by george harrison, i'm going to check into that. merry christmas to all. BOB AND GLENDA

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 05:47 AM

It was a joke, Bob...standard ukulele tuning is to the tune "My Dog Has Fleas". Or maybe you knew that and were pulling my leg in return? :>) I'd be curious to know what that book is; I'll check the Elderly website and see if I can find it.

I like Jim Beloff's books because they're pretty easy...and I'm pretty clumsy! He also has lots of the Tin Pan Alley and hapa-haole songs that I enjoy playing and singing. ("Hapa-haole", literally "half-white (as in Caucasian)", are the "Hawaiian-style" novelty songs like "Sweet Leilani", "My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii", "Ukulele Lady", and "Princess Pupule Get Plenty Papaya".) Have a good Christmas, and have fun with your uke!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 06:18 AM

I'm off to Mecca...er, I mean Elderly Instruments this coming Friday. I'm sure I'll be leaving there with some kind of new instrument. It may be the Black Mountain dulcimer Spaw recommends. I may not get back to Elderly for quite a while, so I'm going to take my time and make certain I leave with what I want (within reason) and want what I leave with. It's nice to have access to Elderly online, but it's just not the same as being there.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 01:03 PM

my granddaughter fell in love with her new uke, and like i said earlier, i'll have to learn to play it. merry christmas to all. BOB AND GLENDA

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Philibuster
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 01:23 PM

I made my niece a little PVC membrane-reed noisemaker.
You can find a blueprint of it at http://www.geocities.com/tpe123/folkurban/airhorn/index.html
My intention was to tune it to E and just have her drone along on some of my E dorian tunes, but it totally covers up any sound the guitar makes. The perfect gift for a three year old. Loud, noisy, and annoys her mother. =P

Philibuster, who didn't get any instruments, but did get a 25$ gift certificate to the local music store...

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Amos
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 01:36 PM

My brilliantly intuitive daughter, thinking about the fact I have recently quit smoking, put a pair of matched pacifiers in my stocking!! The ridiculous thing is they really work. I hate to think what that says about my manly habit all these years -- no WONDER I founded the Temple of the Golden Globes here on the 'Cat!!!

Here's to Larger Mammaries everywhere1 I'll raise a cup to that....

A

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 02:29 PM

EVERYWHERE, Amos? Better be careful what you wish for, or you may suddenly find yourself with an unfamiliar impediment to playing guitar....

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Amos
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 02:37 PM

Sorry -- I meant "wherever they may occur naturally!" LOL!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 04:05 PM

Sorry -- I meant "wherever they may occur naturally.

.....Then this would include those hanging a little below a cow's ass?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: DonMeixner
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 04:43 PM

Art,

I'll bet the guitar is in good hands.

Best regards

Don

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mootlefish
Date: 25 Dec 01 - 06:21 PM

I got a saxoflute from Auntie Rachel. Now Daddy wants one two well actually now Daddy wants two but he's not having mine!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Dec 01 - 09:12 AM

I got permission to spend my own money on a new Collings 000 - 12 fret guitar. That's Christmas present enough. But I also got tickets to see the Chieftans next month and the Harry Smith Anthology of American Folk Music.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: GUEST,Midchuck in Bozeman
Date: 26 Dec 01 - 12:56 PM

I hate you, Wesley.

But my kids gave me and Kris a very good Fiji digital camera, so I can post all kinds of pictures to annoy everyone.

The trouble is, they also got me a "Luv Ewe" - an anatomically correct inflatable sheep - from the local adult novelty store.

What are they trying to tell me?

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 26 Dec 01 - 02:36 PM

my son got a set of in ear monitors for christmas and he's going to try them out friday night at theyre gig, i hope that they do good. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 26 Dec 01 - 07:31 PM

who else got a new instrument for christmas? please comment. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 26 Dec 01 - 07:35 PM

My husband's been torn between a cittern and a bouzouki; any advice?

My eldest son played violin for 3 years, and now he wants a guitar......

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Gypsy
Date: 27 Dec 01 - 06:41 PM

Only one answer to that one....YES

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 27 Dec 01 - 08:09 PM

most definetly get him the guitar, you won't regret it. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Gloredhel
Date: 27 Dec 01 - 08:30 PM

Mrak Cohen, as the proud owner of a brand-new and fairly expensive guitar, I thank you for that link. I'm sure it will be useful in future, like in about five minutes. Now, if only I could play the damned thing!

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 27 Dec 01 - 08:39 PM

to: GLOREDHEL what kind of guitar do you have? BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 28 Dec 01 - 01:35 AM

midchuck, what a fascinating typo: I didn't know they made cameras in Fiji!

Gloredhel, when I got my first guitar (I was a second-year med student and had a roommate who came home from class every day and played his guitar for an hour and I said, "I wanna do that!"), I got a Simon and Garfunkel songbook and a Gordon Lightfoot songbook and a Peter Paul and Mary songbook, and a few songs and chords from my sister who had just learned guitar. Then I sat down every day for an hour or so and forced my fingers to do these things that they had never done before...and after a while it started to sound like music! Or, there's the other method, if you live within 500 miles of Toronto: go take lessons from Rick Fielding! Oh, wait a minute....you said "in future". That means you're probably on the older side of the pond. So you'll have to wait until Rick comes back there. Of course, you can probably find someone there to give you a lesson or two. Just don't do it in a pub, or they'll arrest you. (But at least you'll have a clean and well-preserved guitar! Glad you found the link useful.)

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer
Date: 28 Dec 01 - 11:47 AM

Well, I didn't get the Ernie Ball "Mr. Horsepower" gutitar that I had asked for. For those of you who missed it in previous threads, this is a limited edition axe that was designed for Nigel Tufnell and had such special features as a functional Tachometer, a Hurst shifter whammy bar and headers to name a few.

However, I did get a series of Banjo lessons that I am really looking forward to. Now if only somebody will come out with a "Mr. Horsepower" five string.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Bobert
Date: 28 Dec 01 - 12:02 PM

Katlaughing: So my wife P-Vine and I went to the piano store and discovered that with what we had to spend, we could either purchase a "Piano Shaped Object", as in an old consule with problems or a digital. She played them both and fell in love with a Technics digital without too many bells or whistles. So she called her choir director who also teaches keyboard at Shenadoah University and he threw in his blessings for the digital so, we pick it up New Years Eve.

As for the bobert, I bought a cheapie J.B. Player acoustic bass over ebay. If anyone has any experiences with J.B. Player acoustics, I'm all ears...

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 28 Dec 01 - 08:47 PM

i just got my new book entitled BEATLES GEAR, you would ahave to see it to believe it , it shows every guitar, and i mean every guitar, bass, and drum kits, piano, organ, harmonica, it's great if you get a chance to see a copy it would be to your advantage. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mudlark
Date: 28 Dec 01 - 10:39 PM

Not a new instrument, but yesterday treated myself to a new capo...a clamp type, instead of a screw type, and I love it. Bot a Shubb on the advice of a friend some years ago and I like this Kyser MUCH better... the Shubb never really seemed to fit my steel string Martin...the Kyser is fast, easy to move, no buzz... (while in the music store I also played a brilliant red Hummingbird I totally fell in love with...but the capo was more affordable!)

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 29 Dec 01 - 01:28 PM

EVERY TIME I'VE TRIED A KYSER, IT ALWAYS PULLED MY GUITAR OUT OF TUNE, BUT I DO LIKE THE NEW RED HUMMINGBIRD. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 29 Dec 01 - 02:02 PM

I got a Harmony 454 "Hollywood" with the genuwine silkscreened 'Oscar' on the headstock and a swell decal that says 'steel reinforced neck'. It's a F-hole with the DeArmond gold screen pickup. It hasn't decided if it's T-Bone Walker or Fred McDowell. Good mid frequency rhythm guitar too. I just saw a picture of Paul Oscher playing one.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mudlark
Date: 30 Dec 01 - 04:52 AM

Bob....I've been playing nonstop since I got this capo and haven't had any trouble with it detuning my guitar so far...but I cant get that flashy, trailer trashy red guitar out of my mind!

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 30 Dec 01 - 04:02 PM

go get the hummingbird, you won't regret it. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mudlark
Date: 31 Dec 01 - 02:43 AM

Oh, temptation, get thee behind me! I'd have to sell my ancient Jose Oribe classical to get the money...and tho I never play it any more it is an old friend. Last I heard Jose had moved from LA to the San Diego area...I remember playing one of his concert guitars...what a voice that instrument had...with sound like that you don't NEED amplification...I think he made a guitar for Chet Atkins...

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: ermintrudeclaire
Date: 31 Dec 01 - 11:52 AM

i got my seagull!! after months of hinting then finally an outright 'please can i have' i have a new seagull guitar for christmas. now i'vw got sore fingers from playing it to much. my other one was a a cheapie beginners one. i know seagulls are not expensive by the martin/lowden etc standard but i am just sooo pleased with it.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Mudlark
Date: 31 Dec 01 - 01:23 PM

Dear Ermintrudeclaire...

A new guitar, especially one you've been wanting (and wanting) is a joy forever....or at least until down the road a new lust appears. Very glad you got it.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Dani
Date: 31 Dec 01 - 02:04 PM

I got an ocarina, too!!! Hey, Chip, now what do I do? There's a little tag on it that has kind of "Ocarina for Dummies" but I'm ready for the Canon!!

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Barky
Date: 31 Dec 01 - 03:01 PM

Well, no new instrument, but a majorly cool accessory. Something called Silent Brass. You put the mute part in the bell of the trumpet, and no one can hear you. What a blessing to the neighbors, eh? =0) But then the mute hooks up into this little console, and you put in the headphones, and you can hear yourself clear as day! The best part is the effects you can put on yourself. You can make it sound like you're in a practice room, concert hall, or a church. SO cool!

~Barky

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 31 Dec 01 - 06:21 PM

i;ve never tried a seagull, but i'm happy that you got what you wanted for christmas. happy new year. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: GUEST,Grab
Date: 02 Jan 02 - 06:20 PM

I've got enough trouble playing the ones I've got. But Elderly were kind enough to send me a replacement biscuit bridge for my Regal resonator (to replace the one which warped in 6 months use!) so I now have a functional instrument which weren't functional previous.

Bought my wife a tin whistle though. To the question "Do you know the muffin man?" I think the answer is currently "no", but it did provoke the classic line "I'm not going to let the muffin man beat me"...

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 02 Jan 02 - 09:13 PM

is the muffin man from merita, or claussen, or sunbeam? bob

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: ddw
Date: 02 Jan 02 - 09:56 PM

Don't have it yet, but there's a National steel in the not-too-distant future. I put out the word that I would rather have cash toward a guitar than anything else and everybody came through.... Now I've got about two-thirds of what a good used Style O will cost. Can't wait!

david

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: Grab
Date: 03 Jan 02 - 07:12 AM

The muffin man who lives down Drury Lane, obviously!

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 03 Jan 02 - 11:47 AM

can't wait for you to get that new national, good luck, BOB

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: 53
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 10:32 PM

refresh.

Subject: RE: BS: new instrument for christmas
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 10:33 PM

why did you refresh this?