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Post by DaveC on Aug 19, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
Hi Martin, By coincidence this was in Tuesday's Daily Mail: By Martin Scurr, GP Published: 23:28, 18 August 2014 | Updated: 00:53, 19 August 2014
Q: Recently I suffered a mini stroke, which resulted in my right side being paralysed. I was taken to a stroke hospital where I was kept in overnight. On my release I had fully recovered. However, I am now on medication, which I am told is for the rest of my life. It was the most terrifying experience of my life. I am 70 and have always been very healthy - I don't smoke and drink wine only in moderation. I also take daily exercise. Prior to my stroke I had a routine check and everything was normal, so can you explain how this can happen?
Barry Peacock, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Co. Durham.
A: The symptoms of a mini stroke - or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) to give it its medical name - are identical to those of a stroke, eg, numbness, slurred speech or weakness in a limb.
However, whereas the effects of a stroke can last indefinitely, with a TIA they last minutes, or maybe hours. For you this was, understandably, a terrifying experience and also puzzling.
How can something so dramatic happen to someone who did all the right things and who had been given what amounted to a clean bill of health?
Most mini strokes occur because of narrowing of the two major arteries that supply the brain, the carotid arteries. These can become narrowed with fatty deposits, known as plaques, and blood clots can form on the narrowed area. If the blood clot detaches and travels to the brain, areas of tissue may be temporarily deprived of their supply of blood and therefore oxygen. If the clot breaks up quickly within minutes and washes away, the brain tissue may not be permanently damaged and the consequence is a TIA and not a stroke.
Another, though less common, cause of mini stroke is a blood clot that's formed in the heart travelling up to the brain. This can be caused by atrial fibrillation, when the heart beats irregularly for a period of time, which can, in theory, occur in someone who was previously thought to be in good health. You lead a healthy lifestyle, don't smoke, have normal blood pressure and are a normal weight, which should all reduce your chance of having a TIA.
However, there are things beyond your control that can increase your risk. Being over 60 makes the arteries more prone to thicken and harden and simply being a man makes the likelihood higher - women, it is thought, are partially protected, prior to the menopause at least, by their hormones.
As all your tests were normal there would have been no obvious need to send you for an ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries to check for fatty build-ups.
We normally only do that in high-risk patients such as those with considerably elevated cholesterol levels. I would expect that when you were admitted to hospital, your carotid arteries were scanned, and your heart checked by an ECG (electrocardiogram) to measure the electrical activity - which can reveal atrial fibrillation - and an echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan of the beating heart. I suspect you are now on aspirin or something similar to prevent clots, plus a statin to control cholesterol levels as well as to reduce and stabilise plaque.
It must seem unfair that despite your best efforts this has happened. However, I hope that when you are seen for review, you will be given a more detailed explanation to enlighten you about the exact cause of the TIA - this may help you regain your confidence.
The important bit about a TIA is the word "Transient": there should be no permanent damage. No brain cells will have died and any disruption to nerve pathways will repair if you get plenty of exercise and physiotherapy. However, it's a warning that you are a candidate for a full-on stroke. To prevent this, you will be advised to take a small dose of Aspirin (75mg) daily and probably a minimum dose of a Statin. You may also be prescribed something to lower your blood pressure and possibly a Beta-blocker. If your carotid arteries are constricted they may fit stents. After this, you should be well for many years to come . Best Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jul 26, 2014 14:40:27 GMT
If you want to see what is possible with fingerstyle guitar, watch this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f5WRrUJu-8One man, one guitar. It's demonstrations like this that keep me plucking away. Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 17, 2014 14:42:35 GMT
Hi Ronnie, Sorry I've come to this thread a bit late. The 3 MagicStomps (Electric, Acoustic and Bass) each had 99 presets in the firmware. These 297 patches were the only ones released by Yamaha and they are all available under the three user tabs in the Sound Editor V2.1 so there is no need for a back-up. You will find some other libraries (such as Acoustic) but the patches are the same as in the 297 -- it's just that some of them have been renamed. However, there are plenty of custom-made patches available on the internet. Please remember that the 297 patches are only intended as a demo and starting point. Don't be afraid to tinker and reprogram until you get the sound you want. The MagicStomp is a sound processor, not just a stompbox full of presets. Please look at Post No.7 in this thread: www.charliehall.proboards.com/thread/11709Everything you need is contained or linked in this thread. Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on May 11, 2014 21:49:05 GMT
The point of Kinman pickups is that they are noiseless and hum free. They contain a large number of hand assembled components and are shipped, in small numbers, all the way from Oz. That's why they cost so much. The fact that they also sound pretty good is a bonus.
If you only want a good single-coil sound then you'd be daft to pay more than the cost of a set of Ironstones although personally I think that Kinmans are worth every penny.
DaveC
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Post by DaveC on May 6, 2014 16:29:30 GMT
I'll add my usual comment. Don't forget that the MagicStomp is a superb programmable sound processor -- even when you aren't using it for EFTP. You are not limited to the pre-sets.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Apr 27, 2014 10:07:03 GMT
L.R. Baggs make the X-Bridge for Strats: www.lrbaggs.com/pickups/electric-guitar-acoustic-pickupwhich has six individual pick-up saddles. The six outputs are merged into one (in the Line 6 Variax, the six outputs were kept separate) and the signal can be taken direct to a pre-amp or merged with signal from the magnetics. If you want to merge the signals inside the guitar then be aware that the stronger output from the magnetics will overwhelm the output from the piezos and some sort of powered pre-amp will be needed to effect a balance: a simple potentiometer won't do it. L. R. Baggs make the Control-X, which does the job and you will need to find room for this (and its battery) under the pickguard. The Control-X has its own pot and knob so the knob that's visible doesn't control the pickup directly -- it controls the pre-amp. Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Mar 20, 2014 15:19:18 GMT
Getting back to the original theme of this thread, the rhythm guitarist is the unsung hero of rock and pop bands (although in a Reggae band he's the BOSS), and he has different priorities to the lead guitarist. The lead guitarist is trying to create a melody with specific tones and expressions and a critical audience (e.g. Shadfans) will be listening to little nuances. Is he using the right timing for the echoes? He's got too much treble! That cable is deadening his sound! Tiny things can have a big effect so each component needs to be spot on. The rhythm guitarist however is trying to create a broad soundscape to support the lead and the bass. The audience hears the whole thing -- not the fine detail. Nobody ever comments that Bruce is using the wrong pick-up or needs to change his strings! All the focus of the rhythm guitarist is on RHYTHM. Equipment wise, all you need is a favourite electric guitar (plus a back-up) for the entire set. The guitar should be able to produce two or three distinctive sounds. Feed it into a sound processor and create 10 to 20 soundscapes. Obviously, a couple of these are going to be acoustic guitar sounds -- but you'll also need approximations to Clean Fender, AC30, Marshall Stack, Boogie etc. They don't need to be perfect: close enough is good enough. Feed the output straight to the PA. That way the tone changes are taken care of by a footswitch and the audience can listen to your rhythm. It's not you who needs a MagicStomp Mel -- it's your mate . Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Mar 20, 2014 14:44:39 GMT
What I'm trying to say about the MagicStomp is that it is a programmable digital sound-processor. As Martyn says, the acoustic patches supplied are great for modifying the sound of an acoustic guitar (the MagicStomp's predecessor, the AGStomp, is a permanent part of my Acoustic rig) -- but you can design patches to do almost anything.
John Dale started from scratch and created patches that take the output from an electric guitar and process it to sound like an acoustic guitar. Just listen to the YouTube demo.
You are perfectly free to tweak these patches to your own taste or build something completely new. I can get a Strat to do a superb imitation of a Saxophone (think "Baker Street")!
You aren't stuck with the pre-sets.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Mar 20, 2014 9:14:57 GMT
Hi Mel, The Yamaha MagicStomp is an extremely versatile digital sound processor in the form of a foot-pedal. It takes the output from your guitar, modifies it and sends the result to your amp. It comes with 99 pre-set patches and space for a further 99, which the user can program to personal taste. Charlie created 33 EFTP patches and that's what most people here use it for. Others notably John Dale (look him up on YouTube), have created patches for different purposes. These can be downloaded from the net. A number of John Dale's patches are specifically designed to modify the output from a single-coil electric into a passable acoustic guitar sound e.g. Gibson J200, Ovation, Yamaha APX or Guild 12-string. These are not perfect imitations and are limited for studio use but, in an onstage band environment, they're brilliant. See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoBNDmesECkAlso, I remember that Boss made an "Acoustic Simulator" pedal (AC-2, I think) that did it in an analogue way. I'm sure I've got one lying around somewhere... Regards, DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Mar 19, 2014 11:14:39 GMT
Hi Mel,
There are patches available for the MagicStomp that will generate a good "acoustic" sound (e.g. a J200 approximation) from a single-coil electric guitar. No need to swap guitars during your set -- just hit a footswitch (mid-song if necessary).
Regards, DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Mar 12, 2014 16:06:17 GMT
Hi Phil, I believe that Madison and Fifth can supply a "vintage" arm that looks more like the Bigsby than the Strat. I think that you'd have to buy it as an extra. Don't forget to use some "Nut Sauce" . Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Mar 12, 2014 10:49:06 GMT
Hi Phil,
I'll add my endorsement of the Stetsbar.
They fit to the guitar without any modification, they're available in gold, nickel or chrome and they work flawlessly.
One UK stockist is Allparts.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 23, 2013 16:03:02 GMT
I've had a number of packages, including two guitars, damaged in transit by ParcelForce -- the Royal Mail's courier service -- and there's no redress. Their "Conditions of Carriage" have more get-out clauses than a politician.
I won't use them again under any circumstances.
DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 21, 2013 12:44:49 GMT
Hi Roy,
Have you got this sorted out yet? If not, I'll describe what you need to do in a PM.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on May 23, 2013 13:26:15 GMT
Hi Roy,
I've sent you a PM.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Mar 29, 2013 15:25:09 GMT
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Post by DaveC on Mar 2, 2013 17:43:16 GMT
Hi Peter,
I fitted the K5 the first time I installed a set of Kinmans and I was pleased with the end result. Here's Kinman's own description.
The K5 harness is a basic harness without additional switching functionality. It costs less than the K7 and K9 but the quality has not been compromised for sake of price. Three improvements over stock factory wiring are a) the popular switchable Hi-Definition/Normal Tone controls and b) the bridge pickup is connected to the lower Tone pot while the middle Tone pot serves the middle and neck pickups. I did this because the bridge pickup, having the most treble, needs a Tone control to avoid excessive treble. Both Tone pots are No-load type. c) the volume pot has the famous Kinman treble bypass filter so you won't loose tone when you turn the volume down.
The "No Soldering" bit is because the leads from the pickups each have a two-pin connector that plugs into a connecting block on the harness. If your pickups don't have the two-pin connectors then they are available from Maplin. They don't need soldering --- they're just a squeeze fit.
Like all Kinman products it's well-made, compact and does exactly what it says.
If you have a choice I'd go for the K7.
Regards Dave
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Post by DaveC on Jan 3, 2013 22:42:18 GMT
Hi Charlie,
Almost all the reports I've read are of the second hand variety ("It's rumoured that...") so it's interesting to hear first-hand about your problem with the Warmoth neck. I'm not sure that it can be positively connected to the "Birdseye" (rather than just a rogue neck) but it's a definite possibility.
For what it's worth, the second-best neck I own is a Warmoth AAA Birdseye with an Ebony fingerboard. The best one (for feel) is Wenge/Ebony -- but it doesn't look as good as the Maple.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jan 3, 2013 7:47:26 GMT
Warmoth say that the relative instability of Birdseye Maple is a myth. They point out that they have made tens of thousands of necks and have never seen any problems.
Birdseye and Flame are just varieties of Hard Maple (Acer saccharum) and all Maple is prone to warping if it isn't finished.
If you are building a Maple neck from scratch then a satin finish (on the back) is best.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Sept 26, 2012 19:02:09 GMT
Hi Noel,
The Safari browser will access YouTube but a lot of the videos won't play without Adobe FlashPlayer, which isn't supported by iPad iOS6. The old Viewer used to convert "on-the-fly" and so does Jasmine.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Sept 24, 2012 17:08:28 GMT
If you have an iPad and, like me, were dumb enough to upgrade from iOS5 to iOS6 you will now be cursing Apple for removing the YouTube viewer.
Take a look in the App Store for "Jasmine (YouTube Client)". It has the same functions as the original Apple app but a much better interface --- and it's free!
The first installation might conflict with previous settings and give some error messages. If so just delete it, re-install and all should be well.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jul 9, 2012 14:34:36 GMT
Hi Richard,
It might be worth trying a set of Elixirs. The coating has a smoothing effect and I find they work well when playing slide-guitar.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jul 4, 2012 11:39:23 GMT
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Post by DaveC on Jul 2, 2012 16:23:25 GMT
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Post by DaveC on Jun 16, 2012 9:24:41 GMT
Hi All,
The ads on Proboard could well be the cause. I haven't had another one since, so it could just be a coincidence.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 15, 2012 19:53:17 GMT
Hi Mick,
It might not be the site. It could be Proboards or just coincidence.
But that's three. Anyone else?
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 15, 2012 12:53:54 GMT
Twice in the last three days, shortly after logging onto this site, my security software (Avast) has given a warning about an attempted malware infection: URL: inisetdamp.net/8zAm0fJCMTstfkpnda... Process: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexpl... Infection: URL:Mal Has anyone else noticed this? Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Feb 10, 2012 12:41:48 GMT
Hi Roger,
Yes, I definitely need the treble full ON (guitar and amp) but the result is pretty good.
In the 70s I had a small pre-amp (by Chandler Guitars) fitted to a Peavey T60 and that transformed what was already a good sound.
I think I feel an ultimate Strat wiring set-up coming on .
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Feb 10, 2012 0:50:48 GMT
I built one of these circuits (no casing or switch) and, at Charlie's suggestion, used it between my MagicStomp and the Normal input on my AC30/6TB. It works extremely well.
I then built another one and (with a bit of lateral thinking) rearranged the position of the components on the stripboard to reduce the size to under a half. I then fitted this into my guitar and positioned the DPDT switch on the trem-spring cover-plate. The pickups are Kinman 54 Impersonators and I have to say that, despite any impedence mismatch, I'm very impressed with the sound as long as the tone is full On.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Feb 7, 2012 15:23:04 GMT
Grolsch washers for us oldies ! Actually there are some cheap and perfectly functional Straplock copies around now such as Renegade (£15) and Boston (£10). They all work the same way. DaveC
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