1,626

(18 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Another nice one Russell.... put it on your CD list!

  Brought back memories of my college loggin summers.  There is a small community a bit South of me here that had a General Store where we'd stop on the way home after a day in the woods.  Buy some ice and munchies and if you were to stroll out back to the pump-house you'd find some shelves with gallon jugs of clear liquid.... leave a $20 in the jar and haul one home with ya (bring back the empties please).  No smoking in the car on the way though!  Mighty fine Shine as I recall.... aged in plywood for a real long time.... could run a chainsaw on it I swear, and responsible for more than one "lost weekend".

Thanks and Take Care;
Doug

Good Morning Zurf,

  Like Wayne, I have some experience with Insurance Companies from my business as well.  I agree that the Insurance Company Adjuster will likely compensate you for the damaged amp without too much hassel.  Usually the option of buying the damaged amp as salvage will be offered if you ask, and you could retain the wet one for around 10-15$.  If nothing else as a repair part donor.... or if you have the inclination you could "gut it" and build yourself a really nice hardwood cabinet for it and add it to your arsenal as a "custom" piece.

  Adjusters are good folks doing a difficult job (at times), but mostly want to do what is fair all around. 

Good Luck and Take Care;
Doug

1,628

(8 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hey Badeye, shouldn't that be an "Audio Daily Double"?

  Really it might be very good, and an opportunity to set a Guiness World record!  I wonder what the record time is for perfectly tuning 4000 strings? 

  Looking forward to seeing the results on "Tube" nonetheless.

Take Care;
Doug

1,629

(4 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hi Stephen and Welcome to Chordie!

  See this is a good place to be!  Lots of helpful people ready and willing to help in whatever way they can.  Everyone has gone through the same process and I doubt that you can find a larger and kindlier group on the WEB other than Chordieans.  (that might be misspelled, my English isn't too good being American and all) LOL

  Don't be shy about posting, and have fun with your music!

Take Care;
Doug

1,630

(3 replies, posted in Electric)

Hi Daiz11, and welcome to Chordie!

  I see you are kinda new here, so in way of direction towards your question.... everybody will have their own faves, but you need to find songs that you like and want to learn.  A good place to start is in the "Public Books" section where you will likely find many folks that share your tastes in music and within their books, you can find tunes that you are comfortable with.

  Another source that I have bookmarked is: http://kristinhall.org/songbook/songbook.html
many good songs organized by content as well as title.

  Have fun, keep on playing and enjoy your musical journey!

Take Care;
Doug

1,631

(6 replies, posted in Poems)

Hey KajiMa,

  Your disability statement makes a lot of sense.... more to some of us than others.  Point is that it is essential to get up every day and do as much and whatever you are capable of regardless of the discomfort.  Because to admit to yourself that there is a problem, and plant your arse in a seat with wheels underneath, is more debilitating to the spirit than the physical impairment is to your functionality.  Stay Sharp, Be Strong, and Make Music (the best therapy for the soul).

Take Care;
Doug

1,632

(2 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

You really gotta post a note in the Recording section!  Lots of help over there.... just ask and I'm sure you'll get a response from the "Musical Network".

Take Care;
Doug

1,633

(8 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Howdy CKPhoto and Welcome to the Forums!

  Really there is no Gibson Fender rivalry here.....  Guitars are like cars, back 'em into a stump and they all look the same!
Everyone has their personal faves and sound is a personal choice.  Good group around here, and good friendships to be made, so don't be shy about posting.

Take Care;
Doug

1,634

(3 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Howdy SNS, and Welcome to Chordie!

  I'd be happy to second everything posted above and add that if you are indeed looking for help with a new song you are writing, you might post a request in the Recording Section.  Russell Harding has a directory of talent available in that section and can direct you best in that regards.

Again Welcome Aboard!

Take Care;
Doug

1,635

(47 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Sorry, being an American I can't comment from the first person perspective, but I have a friend who's Canadian and related this story to me as an example of the Northern version of health care for everyone:

  Her Mom was injured in an auto accident and needed surgery to repair a knee damaged in the collision.  It was not a life threatening condition, but more related to a "quality of life issue".  Surgery was refused by the Health Services because she had a diagnosis of cancer in her records (although she had been treated and was in remission), the surgery on her knee was considered a waste of time and money, as if her cancer returned and she died it would have gone for naught.  Seeing as how the auto insurance was footing the bill, she was able to come South of the border and have the procedure done without delay and countless appeals. 

  Not too sure how that all works, but sounded like some accountant in some cubicle making decisions about someone else's medical care......
Kind of like telling you that you can't have that root canal because twenty years ago you were hospitalized for pneumonia and if you get it again you might die and all my good work would be wasted on you.  But I'd be happy to pull that stump for you, and you can buy a cheap denture at the corner drugstore... I'll write you a note even.

Take Care;
Doug

1,636

(30 replies, posted in Recording)

Howdy All,

  Haven't tried this one, but would sure give it a test drive if anyone has a spare invite laying around.   If you are one of us who played around with the Reaper Software, you likely already have installed the ASIO driver.  Seems to me that it was one of the issues we resolved earlier during that phase of our software research.  You may however have to "point" Record to the directory or place the driver in the root directory of the Propellerhead folder to get the application to see it.  Shooting blind though without seeing the application.

Thanks &
Take Care;
Doug

1,637

(7 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Howdy BensonP,

  Well kinda being a "woodsy fella" myself here in the heart of the wood products world, what you saw was likely the result of a rapid change in humidity.... and to a certain extent it will stabilize, but...   There's that "but" word again.  Yeah, wood is seasoned ie: dried slowly to prevent splitting, and stored in relatively controlled environs after it is milled (especially for musical instruments).  The killer is that most of your hardwoods will be somewhere around 7% moisture content when it is worked, and depending on where and how it is stored, sealed, & finished, may or not be tolerant to higher or lower humidity.  Getting a bit damp will cause the wood to swell, and if it dries too quickly cracks may form.  Dampening it up will close the crack, but it will still be there and reappear next time it gets dry.
  Sorry it is not better news, but when we are making furniture and sometimes repair parts for instruments, we give our woods at least 90 days to acclimate before trimming and culling.  Any part that is cracked is rejected as the damage is done and likely will creep and get worse over time.  On the back of your guitar it may not be such a biggie, but the front where all the stress lives?
  You might consider contacting Martin for information on the warranty if you purchased the guitar new, perhaps it missed getting sealed or something.

Take Care;
Doug

1,638

(8 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Welcome Home Dino!

Take Care;
Doug

1,639

(10 replies, posted in Recording)

Hi Russell,

  Ever since the latest version of Firefox installed I have the same problem getting Myspace vids to load the content.  Chrome works and Safari, so I think it has to do with an incompatible plug-in or somesuch.  Expecting a bug fix any day, and patched software.  No problems noted until this last upgrade.

  That's all I know for now....

Take Care;
Doug

1,640

(27 replies, posted in Recording)

Howdy Zurf and All,

  Been quietly following the thread here, lots of good recommendations, and there is little I could add.  Except a personal recommendation to the fine folks at Behringer. Owning several chunks of their equipment myself I can say that it seems pretty good for the money.  Not as bulletproof as some higher priced stuff out there, but will give you many years of good service if treated with the care most would give any piece of electrical hardware.

  Have fun with your project Zurf, it really sounds like a worthwhile family endeavour.  Take photos and keep us updated on your progress.

Thanks and Take Care;
Doug

Get your tickets early!  Crosby Stills and Nash are heading over our way in September, and we grabbed tickets as soon as available...  48 hours later..... Sold out!

America is one of my faves from that decade also and got to see them live early in their careers.  Great then and still cookin'!
Have a good time at the concert Zurf.

Take Care;
Doug

1,642

(4 replies, posted in Recording)

Howdy,

  Also don't dismiss opening your own Mediafire account for those projects and files that you don't want to necessarily want to put out there for everyone in the world to access.  Files parked in mediafire can be restricted to only those individuals that you feel comfortable sharing the key with, and is of particular help when passing large files back and forth, as in the collaboration projects.

  Pleased to see you are taking a jab at the recording thing, and am looking forward to hearing your stuff..... just a reflection here,  I have noticed that everyone here on Chordie are very kind in their comments when reviewing other's work.  So you are in good company, and may be assured that comments will be constructive and not as painful as most of us fear.  We are our own worst critics, and you should be commended for taking this first step.... Goodonya!

Take Care;
Doug

1,643

(22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I kinda have to go along with Phil this time around.

  There always is good music regardless of decade... sometimes it is just a bit obscured by all the less than good stuff out there.  The really good music is timeless and those are the tunes that almost everyone can hum along with (or even remember some lyrics).
Still out there on the airwaves and being appreciated for what they were, and still are!

  Every genre has it's gems... even hip-hop and rap has some good imagery in between the violent, disrespectful, and downright vulgar garbage that's being passed as "music" these days.  Hard to find, but it's out there.... but then again maybe my "geezer" is showing.  Who knows!

Take Care;
Doug

1,644

(9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hi Mark,

  To be straight, I haven't written anything worth a tinkers dam in a very long time.... but I do remember that the best stuff was gleaned from personal experiences and feelings.  It is part of the fault of the times we live in that what you are coming up with seems a bit "gloomy and depressing".  This is not a very upbeat and happy time in many people's lives, all you have to do is read a few newspapers to get in that place mentally.  There is an up-side though... we are all bailing the same leaky boat so to speak, and your audience will be able to identify with what you have to say in your lyrics.  Sounds like a recipe for a Grammy winning album in my mind!

  Just keep doing what you're doing, it'll all be fine in the end.

Take Care;
Doug

1,645

(39 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Wow Steve, this thread really got complex in a hurry didn't it?

  Putting all the "mercenary aspects" aside for a moment... may I express my feelings on the subject?  This is only my viewpoint and reflects on none of the views expressed to this level of the discussion.

  Like you Steve, back when we were first learning, there were no resources available such as the internet, and every lesson learned was either bought in the form of services from an instructor, or via purchase of some text based tutorial.  Times have changed, and remembering all the people who gave their time and patience answering my "stupid" questions, or helping me through the difficult stages of early learning, tolerating me sitting in on jam sessions that I was poorly prepared for, and such.  My participation in Chordie is kind of a way of "paying it forward" to those who are now where I was back then

  Advise and suggestions when I feel they might be of value, and not commenting if my contribution is not an improvement on what has already been said.  Given at face value freely because music is a meaningful part of my life, and a gift to be shared.

  Opinions may vary, but this planet would be awfully boring if we were all clones.

  Just my $.02 worth.

Thanks All &
Take Care;
Doug

1,646

(14 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hey Brother Zurf, the bears didn't get ya after all!

   Really pleased you had such a memorable excursion, beautiful country for sure and  great fishin' to boot.
Always good to be home though...

Take Care;
Doug

1,647

(7 replies, posted in Electric)

Hi Johncross21,

  Check out the Epiphone Dot Studio, a semi-hollow neck-through Gibson 335 clone.  Fairly light with twin hummers and plenty of growl/sustain.  Fine axe for most rock and jazz without going bankrupt! 

Just my opinion.

Take Care & Good Hunting!
Doug

1,648

(2 replies, posted in Song requests)

Hi Rider12, and Welcome to Chordie!

  I assume that you found the tune indexed in the Artists tab... Chordie does not host any tabs or music on site but rather locates them for you on the Web and formats them for easy access.  This is the largest site of it's kind globally, and hopefully you will visit often and not be shy about participating in the various forums available.  There are lots of good people here willing to help you along your musical journey at whatever level you are and want to achieve.

  Again Welcome Aboard, and
Take Care;
Doug

1,649

(8 replies, posted in Recording)

Truth be told Russell.... Blues is surely your genre!

  You could make a career doing Blues music, if you weren't such an up-beat guy.  The loop work is coming along nicely as well.

Take Care;
Doug

1,650

(15 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hi Bill,

  You have a really great set of answers here, and I have not much to add.  But I will anyway....

  IMO great composers (you know those "long Hair" fellows from the 17-18th Century) like Mozart, Beethoven, and the like did not have lyrics to convey the message of their music.  Just the music itself, and if anything great music is not heard, or intellectualized, it is felt at some emotional level, that is it's purpose and transcends language.  To allow the emotional effect of a piece of music in your performance of it, does in no way insult or diminish it's impact on the audience... but rather Honors the composer and helps the audience identify with the music at the level of emotion for which it likely was intended.

  If the music moves you it will move the audience, and with that said, keep on doing what you are doing and be proud you can!

Take Care;
Doug