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Post by DaveC on Jul 28, 2011 9:50:24 GMT
Hi Norm,
The best organizer of all was Musicmatch Jukebox. This was bought out by YaHoo and then abandoned so it's not available commercially anymore. However versions of can still be downloaded for free and copyright is no longer enforced.
The best version is V10 (with the "Onyx" skin if you can find it) but there are a few problems. You have to install it as Administrator (especially on Windows7) and do not click on the Store or Radio options or it will lock-up.
If you can find a copy of this and can install it then let me know and I'll tell you how to use it with your external drive.
I should point out that it will not be of any use without your computer to access the hard drive. I don't know of any stand alone program that will work since the drive does not have any computing power of its own.
DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jul 27, 2011 22:02:04 GMT
Aviation is definitely not my hobby. After 37years of flying professionally I think I'll give it a miss.
These days it's golf, fishing and music. Not just guitars --- my latest aquisition is a Digeridoo (I can't spell it never mind play it) and the neighbours have started to complain.
DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jul 21, 2011 10:01:19 GMT
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Post by DaveC on Jul 19, 2011 15:47:36 GMT
Ian,
Was that Barratts, Oxford Road, Manchester?
DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jul 12, 2011 9:20:26 GMT
Hi 26rednef,
My feelings as well --- but I always think," Just a bit of tinkering and it'll be fine". The last thing I need is another amp or guitar --- but I'm a GAS (or AAS) sufferer!
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jul 11, 2011 23:45:45 GMT
This looks interesting. Anyone know anything about these amps? cgi.the well known auction site.co.uk/ws/the well known auction siteISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260815261209&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 20, 2011 9:21:40 GMT
Hi Peter,
Good quality plating of a base metal with gold (or chrome) requires an under-layer to provide a smooth surface (smooth at the atomic level that is). Nickel makes an excellent under-layer and was widely used in gold plated jewellery until a few years ago. E.U. regulations eventually put a stop to this because a lot of people have a skin contact allergy to nickel. My wife is one of them and insists that I only buy solid gold and platinum for her!
Joking aside the allergic reaction is very common and can be quite severe. It manifests itself in surprising ways --- for instance my wife can't even touch my resonator guitar because it's nickel plated. She even gets a mild reaction from nickel-silver strings and once ended up looking like a panda after merely trying on a pair of sunglasses with gold-plated frames. Needless to say it isn't a joke to her.
To answer your original question, "nickel" guitar parts are obviously just nickel-plated. The steel (or brass) underneath provides the strength and rigidity: the nickel plating provides the smooth shiny surface which eventually tarnishes so attractively.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 14, 2011 16:11:46 GMT
Hi Phil,
I've copied this from the BUPA website. The italics are mine.
-------------------------
Treatment of tennis elbow
To make a full recovery, you will need to change the way you use your arm so that your tendon is rested and has time to heal. How you do this will depend on how your tennis elbow developed and how severe it is. Self-help You can treat your symptoms yourself if you have mild tennis elbow. Some of the main self-help treatments are described below.
Rest. The most important part of your treatment is to rest your injured tendon and elbow by stopping or changing the activity that is causing the problem.
Apply a cold compress to reduce your pain. You can use a cold compress, such as ice or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel as soon as you feel any pain. Hold this against your elbow for 10 minutes every two hours. In the days that follow an injury you can use the ice pack for 10 minutes twice a day. Don't apply ice directly to your skin as it can damage your skin.
Wear strapping or a splint. You can wear strapping or a splint around your forearm and elbow to help restrict the movement of your tendon and relieve the strain. Some people find that this helps, although there is no evidence to show how well it works. You can buy arm braces and supports from some physiotherapists, larger pharmacies and sports shops. Don't wear any strapping or a splint continuously - you should leave it off at night time.
Change the action that caused the problem. If the problem developed as a result of an activity at work, contact your employer's occupational health advisers, if available, or speak with your employer. They can give advice on how to change the activity that caused the problem, allowing your arm to heal.
--------------------------
Please don't persist with trying to work through the pain. You may make the damage much worse and eventually have to resort to corticosteroids and/or surgery.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 14, 2011 15:34:29 GMT
Hi Keith,
It doesn't matter how much you pay, you won't get anything better than Avast or AVG. AVG is particularly thorough but it does tend to slow down all but fastest computers.
DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 12, 2011 14:31:58 GMT
Hi Phil,
If it is "Tennis Elbow" then you've got an inflammation of one of the tendons where it attaches to the bone.
Step 1: Establish what's causing the inflammation and STOP DOING IT! Step 2: If possible immobilise the arm, i.e. wear a sling as much as possible to prevent you using the arm without thinking. Step 3: If you must use the arm then get a special support and wear it. These supports are not the same as the tubular bandages: they are shaped straps (usually oval or cup-shaped) that put pressure on the forearm muscles and transfer the strain to a different tendon.
If you do this as soon as possible (and don't try to rush the healing process) then the inflammation should subside and you'll be able to go back to playing normally.
Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on Jun 12, 2011 11:06:07 GMT
Hi Charlie, Please add me to the list. Regards DaveC
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Post by DaveC on May 20, 2011 21:45:49 GMT
Hi Rod,
I have an X3 Live, which has an effects loop (selectable pre or post) so I use an external MagicStomp/EFTP to generate the echoes. Does the XT live offer this facility? I know the X3 doesn't.
DaveC.
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Post by DaveC on May 17, 2011 22:24:59 GMT
I love the descriptions of all the electronic gear available. I've still got the valve radio that my dad "bought on the morn' of the day that I was born" (in 1951) --- and it still works! --- although sadly it won't pick up Radio Luxembourg (K-E-Y-N-S-H-A-M), Hilversum or The Light Programme anymore. When I was ten my birthday present was a reel-to-reel tape recorder (once a gadget freak ...). The base model was made by Philips/Grundig but I had the deluxe model branded "Stella". It had the same internals --- but the case was wood and covered in red/cream Tolex. Sadly it's long gone. I've only ever seen one other and it belongs to Alexsandr Meerkat. It sits in his study in the first or second "Compare the Meerkat" ad (called "Jingles")! meerkat.comparethemarket.com/my-tv-adsActually I'm wondering if it's mine. DaveC.
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Post by DaveC on May 6, 2011 15:28:37 GMT
Dick,
As ScouserJoe says, "Customs Duty is charged on the value of the goods PLUS any additional charge for insurance and shipping. VAT is charged at 20% on the converted value of the goods, insurance and shipping PLUS the duty already added". There is no escaping this!
However, the addition of handling charges at the UK end is a moot point. If you already have the goods and they are chasing you for an additional sum then this is straightforward Contract Law. Did you at any time agree to a contract to pay this money (verbally, in writing or indirectly with the seller)? If not tell them to b*gg*r off.
In order to get the money from you they will have to take you to County Court and get a judgement against you (which won't happen). Only if they have this can they "blacken your name". If they do this without a judgement, that constitutes a libel (defamation in Scotland) and you should be able to retire on the proceeds.
DaveC.
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Post by DaveC on May 5, 2011 19:06:02 GMT
The trouble with these ideas is that the results are totally subjective. The Tonerite idea sounds highly plausible to me and already my inner "Propellor Head" is tempted. However I can't forget the spoof(?) article run by one the Hi-Fi mags in the '70s. They pointed out that the electrical current to a speaker was AC and therefore the same electrons were going up and down the speaker cable again and again. There was definite (but subjective) evidence that these exhausted electrons had an audible effect. Their solution was a weekly blast of DC to "flush out" the little beggars and replace them with new particles! Despite the fact that this was published in their April issue the subsequent argument and correspondence ran for months . I'm positive that I could hear a difference though... DaveC
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Re555
May 5, 2011 11:02:42 GMT
Post by DaveC on May 5, 2011 11:02:42 GMT
Hi all,
Keith, I've sent a PM.
Peter, thanks for that. I'll watch and see what the Japanese seller gets and then think about advertising on the well known auction site.
DaveC
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Re555
May 3, 2011 14:28:16 GMT
Post by DaveC on May 3, 2011 14:28:16 GMT
Hi Steve,
Yes, I agree completely. I'm knocked out by the fidelity of Charlie's EFTP/MagicStomp combination. It sits in the effects loop of my Line6 Pod X3 Live --- or in series with my AC30/6TB --- and does everything I want.
I don't think anyone would buy my 555. Anyone want it for spares?
DaveC.
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Re555
May 3, 2011 9:23:55 GMT
Post by DaveC on May 3, 2011 9:23:55 GMT
I own a very old and battered Re555. It's in full working order (with some spare loops) but I don't use it much 'cos I've never been able to work out what kind of settings Hank would have used.
I suspect that some of the repeats available on the Re301 and Re201 can't be achieved by the Re501/555. It does however have a lovely built in spring reverb.
If anybody is interested I know where there is a mint condition Re501 for sale.
DaveC
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Re555
May 2, 2011 19:00:42 GMT
Post by DaveC on May 2, 2011 19:00:42 GMT
Just spotted this on the well known auction site. cgi.the well known auction site.co.uk/ws/the well known auction siteISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280664324179&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT The photo' is definitely the Re555 (rackmounted version of the Re501) but I'm not sure how this compares to the Re201. DaveC.
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Post by DaveC on Apr 30, 2011 19:18:19 GMT
Somewhere in the BBC archives is a hilarious interview --- Stanley Unwin talking to Peter Hawkins (the voice of Bill and Ben).
It's not on YouTube (or anywhere else on the Internet) but if anyone has a copy please share it.
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Apr 14, 2011 13:08:51 GMT
Hi Spike,
Yep, that's the one. It definitely bears watching a couple of times.
It was based on the book of the same name by Allan Slutsky (alias Dr. Licks), which I think you can get from Amazon. As I said, it has a lot of the basslines tabbed out and they should provide a starting point for cover versions.
Also there was a TV documentary recently about Phil Collins' latest album, where he got some of the few surviving Funk Brothers (including Bob Babbit) to guest.
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Apr 14, 2011 11:53:30 GMT
Hi Spike,
I grew up listening to Motown and love it. We all remember the names of the singers who were on the records but that real Detroit sound is provided by the backing musicians --- the great and unsung "Funk Brothers".
These guys were employed by Berry Gordy to provide the groove that made Motown such memorable music --- especially the drummers (Benny Benjamin, "Pistol" Allen and Uriel Johnson) and the bass players (Bob Babbit and the truly legendary James Jamerson).
In fact if you want to sum-up Motown then that's it --- Bass and Snare Drum. This is what you have to capture in any cover version.
Try getting hold of the documentary video "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" and the accompanying book, which tabs many of James Jamerson's basslines.
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Mar 31, 2011 17:48:44 GMT
These translation programs are pretty good (especially for monoglots like me) but their weakness is colloquial language --- as you can see if you try English to German and then back to English again.
Stephen Fry reported that he tried Burns' phrase describing a Haggis as "Great Chieftain o' the Puddin' Race" and got back "Father-Leader of the Sausage People"!
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Mar 30, 2011 20:18:20 GMT
Hi Richie,
You may find a copy that looks like a Rickenbacker but I doubt that anything sounds like the real thing, especially the 12-stringers (stand by for "incoming"). The pickups are unique, the construction is unique, and the 12-string layout is downright quirky.
I've got a 12-string 330 Fireglo (a birthday present from my wife) and it's the one guitar that I would rescue from a house fire!
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Mar 24, 2011 19:29:23 GMT
Peter Frampton gives a plug for EFTP (although he doesn't mention Charlie by name) on pg58 of the latest Guitar and Bass magazine (April 2011, Vol22 No7).
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Mar 17, 2011 22:06:13 GMT
Hi Brian,
Peter (Kipper)'s comment lets me point you in the direction of Warmoth (US), which might be a little expensive but offers unlimited choice, or AllParts (UK).
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Mar 17, 2011 21:52:12 GMT
And there is a third brother (Clive) who used the stage name Robin Sarstedt and had a hit with a cover version of Hoagy Carmichael's "My Resistance is Low"
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Mar 14, 2011 17:48:20 GMT
I can't believe that no one has listed "Kon Tiki". Surely that must feature somewhere in everyone's Top 20!
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Mar 12, 2011 8:40:02 GMT
Dave,
I've just rewritten that previous post.
Dave C.
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Post by DaveC on Mar 11, 2011 20:10:23 GMT
Hi Dave,
I've bought guitars in the States so this is what happens.
1. Do everything possible to escape paying tax in the US. The State may not impose a sales tax or if it does it will have some arrangement for export reclaim. Show this tax arrangement (or lack of it) on your receipt. For instance, if you pay 8% in NY and don't reclaim it, UK Customs will charge you tax on the tax. You will not be able to renegotiate this with UK Customs.
2. The case and the guitar are separate items and the case is not subject to UK duty. Whatever the total cost of the package you buy from the dealer make sure the full manufacturer list price is allocated to the case and the remainder to the guitar and that this is shown on your receipt.
3. When you return to the UK you will be charged 20% VAT on everything you bought excepting any items within your gift allowance (so it may be worth adjusting that case price). You may instead decide to use your gift allowance to buy other things such as Levis or cowboy boots. Find out what your gift allowance is before you go.
4. Guitars are subject to a special duty and amazingly Acoustics and Electrics are different! Find out from UK customs what this duty will be before you go.
5. If you do this properly you will already know what you are going to be charged. So if the Officer on duty is bored/looking for drug smugglers and says, "Oh, just give us this much" and it's less than you were expecting, thank him and get through the door!!
I think that covers it, Dave C
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