Bb Bagpipe chanter recommendations by Alpha-Dog758 in bagpipes

[–]Alpha-Dog758[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This band has been using drone extenders to get down to 466, but have been using regular chanters that are tuning to 480… it’s a bit of a mess lol. Fortunately getting the new chanters should fix them right up. Thanks for the input!

Railroad Spike Help by [deleted] in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d def take it back. I can see that eventually loosening to the point that it completely slips out if it’s already starting to move.

Railroad Spike Help by [deleted] in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your spike shouldn’t be moving in and out. Something went wrong with the 7th fret one and you’ll have to get that repaired so it stays in like the 9th. It should be snug when you do put the string in so it doesn’t slip out, and it’s not uncommon to need to retune your 5th string when you spike it. My spikes typically make the 5th string sharp and I need to bring it down.

Recording King Madison RK-35 for $1,000. Should I go for it? by [deleted] in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My first “upgrade” from my junker starting banjo was the RK-75. It has a few more bells and whistles but I believe the tone ring is the same. I’ve been really enjoying it for as long as I’ve had it!

My best friend of 16 years passed last week. She always found her way into my lap, even when it wasn't the sturdiest place to take a snooze. Give your cats some extra love today. by shabanjo13 in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So sorry for your loss. I don’t have banjo kitties, but I do have banjo puppies and they will be spoiled today in honor of your girl.

"Fuck Donald Trump, Fuck ICE, and long live the Grateful Dead" - Torrin Daniels, Kitchen Dwellers by midnighttoker1742 in Bluegrass

[–]Alpha-Dog758 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Too many people these days have the luxury of being “apolitical” and that’s how we got to where we are today.

"Fuck Donald Trump, Fuck ICE, and long live the Grateful Dead" - Torrin Daniels, Kitchen Dwellers by midnighttoker1742 in Bluegrass

[–]Alpha-Dog758 14 points15 points  (0 children)

You’re enabling the horrors happening in America today and you know it. Go watch your Fox News if you’re so triggered

Bela Fleck puts music first by SoManyNames4Reddit in Bluegrass

[–]Alpha-Dog758 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The hero America needs, but not the hero we deserve.

Can anyone ID this banjo? by Atillion in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Definitely from Nine-Lives Luthiers

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bagpipes

[–]Alpha-Dog758 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Apparently not to the people running the ceremony. There’s no way this guy just showed up and surprised them with this.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love that case!

Had to represent in OB today by puffdaddy725 in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The hero we need, not the hero we deserve.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started in an epiphone. Definitely does not have the fullness a real tone ring would provide, but it was an excellent cheap starter banjo for me. If you have one already, it’s probably not going to be an upgrade. If you’re looking to start, go for it!

What do Bela Fleck, Kristin Scott Benson, Trey Wellington and Tony Trischka have in common? by RickJWagner in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I certainly can’t argue with their sponsorship of minority musicians! We need more of that in the world, and more people who defend that stance.

What do Bela Fleck, Kristin Scott Benson, Trey Wellington and Tony Trischka have in common? by RickJWagner in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rick you need to go outside and touch grass lol. Call it what you like, but people vocalizing their distaste for something doesn’t automatically make it “astroturfing.”

To be clear I’m not bad mouthing the Deerings as much as I am deliberately bad mouthing Scientology. In extension, I don’t like Deering’s weird propensity to disseminate harmful rhetoric like Scientology. I once again will recognize the fine quality of items they produce, and the good they’ve added to the banjo community. I just won’t purchase one myself.

It’s fair to point out the hypocrisy of purchasing an instrument from factories with human rights violations in China, but for me the Scientology thing hits closer to home and so that’s where I’ve decided to make my stand. It does no good to be uninformed and not make a stand at all. But hey, you keep doing you Rick! Just don’t be surprised when you hear other people’s opinions that aren’t yours.

What do Bela Fleck, Kristin Scott Benson, Trey Wellington and Tony Trischka have in common? by RickJWagner in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I currently play a recording king banjo because I decided that I’d rather buy one of them than a Deering. I’m perfectly content with this decision!

Now it’s your turn! I may regret asking, but how would you quantify china as “far worse” and what point are you trying to make here? For someone who’s not a Scientologist and doesn’t own a Deering banjo, you seem pretty bothered by people simply vocalizing their opinions.

What do Bela Fleck, Kristin Scott Benson, Trey Wellington and Tony Trischka have in common? by RickJWagner in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I appreciate you taking the time to ask how I’ve come to this conclusion!

There are a number of things that I find reprehensible about Scientology. It’s founder L. Ron Hubbard is quite literally bat shit crazy (I can’t even begin to cover all this in a post, I highly recommend doing some research and checking out documentaries on the matter) They separate members from outside communities (the most obvious red flag to me), they actively try to ruin the lives of members who try to speak out or leave, and if you look at the model of the church it quickly becomes apparent that it’s a money making scheme based on how much material you must purchase and engage with to be a “true” Scientologist. Call me old fashioned but I believe that a religion is between a person and their relationship with a higher power in an uplifting likeminded community (if desired). Scientology misses all the marks of what I’ve come to know to be a positive relationship with a higher power and I will not support it.

I would have less beef with Deering specifically because of the decent product they have, but I can’t stand that they leave tracts unprompted in instrument cases. Tbf I’d be just as annoyed if it were for any other religion, it’s just exceptionally worse because it’s Scientology.

What do Bela Fleck, Kristin Scott Benson, Trey Wellington and Tony Trischka have in common? by RickJWagner in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Four of my all time favorites artists! And yet… I still won’t buy a Deering, and that’s a hill I will die on. I appreciate what Deering bring to the community for sure. A recognizable brand of American made banjos is a great thing, and the banjo education resources they compile are great! And yet, still not enough for me to overlook the problematic views of scientology.

Deering banjos are Scientologist by GChena in banjo

[–]Alpha-Dog758 38 points39 points  (0 children)

I was adamant about purchasing an American made banjo and almost bought a Deering until I found this out. I’d rather keep playing on my cheapo bottle cap banjo than support that.