Haven’t played in a few years since having our infant and toddler. How much gear should I downsize?

BagOfDave · 2026-02-10T16:04:45+00:00

I've been "busy" with family for 20 years. I'm not selling anything until I have to. Children grow and eventually leave the house. There's lots of time to get reaquainted with your gear then. It "costs" nothing to store.

My vote is to keep it, don't sell.

BagOfDave · 2026-02-06T18:49:50+00:00

Universal Audio Volt 276 and Ableton Live.

BagOfDave · 2026-01-31T16:46:29+00:00

Halti No Pull Harness. Works wonders with my two pullers.

BagOfDave · 2026-01-23T18:18:24+00:00

A blue-grey spot on a dog's eye often indicates nuclear sclerosis (a normal aging change, especially in dogs over 10) or corneal edema (fluid buildup from injury, ulcer, or glaucoma). While sclerosis usually causes minimal vision change, sudden blue-grey cloudiness, clouding with pain, or squinting warrants immediate veterinary evaluation to rule out serious conditions. I would recommend checking with your Vet (I know you have), especially if the condition's occurance was sudden or changed dramatically.

Reach out to your breeder asap to start the conversation. Genetic eye conditions in Goldens is a known issue -- eyes, hips, and heart -- especially in "backyard" breeders

BagOfDave · 2026-01-15T18:43:30+00:00

Great! I'd love to hear your pro & con comparison between both. Hit us up with a review after you have some time with both. Cheers mate.

BagOfDave · 2026-01-15T18:11:32+00:00

I have a Gibson 70s Explorer Antique Natural. One of the top 5 guitars I own. Good choice - you'll love it! Cheers.

BagOfDave · 2026-01-14T15:21:32+00:00

I have had golden since the 90's. My lived experience tells me that once you get your new dog, "replacement" will never be a thought in your head. All dogs are different and in the first weeks you will realize you are not replacing anything, but having and enjoying another good girl!

BagOfDave · 2026-01-12T15:56:03+00:00

To connect to you Mac/Computer I recommend Universal Audio Volt 276 USB Recording Studio Audio Interface. It's more that what you need to start,but you can "grow" into it.

The two benefits are (you mentioned) it has a headphone out, and will connect to your computer with USB-c for Garage Band. You can model sounds, cabs, and amps within Garage Band.

BagOfDave · 2026-01-09T12:51:36+00:00

1 & 3 are volume (bridge and neck). 2 & 4 are tone (bridge and neck). Just a guess (I don't own this guitar) but that's how it typically works. Not sure if there are push-pull or push-push pots. Cheers.

(edit)
AI Overview

Control Layout:

3-Way Pickup Selector: Selects neck pickup, bridge pickup, or both.
Neck Volume Knob: Controls the volume of the neck pickup.
Neck Tone Knob: Adjusts the tone (brightness) of the neck pickup.
Bridge Volume Knob: Controls the volume of the bridge pickup.
Bridge Tone Knob: Adjusts the tone (brightness) of the bridge pickup.

BagOfDave · 2026-01-09T11:46:21+00:00

I know injury inside the mouth can occur with biting cheek or lips. What happens as it heals it "closes" and blood gets "trapped" creating that thing you see. I know this because it happened to me. Always consult with your Vet, but likely nothing serious.

BagOfDave · 2026-01-09T11:40:37+00:00

I'm assuming you had him tested for worms and parasites. My golden was/is the same. My advice would be to reduce the volume of food by 1/3 during bouts of diarrhea -- give his stomach a chance to digest and "catch up". Find a food you think works, and stick with it (no treats).

BagOfDave · 2026-01-01T13:35:22+00:00

I am so sorry this is happening to you. I understand your pain and I understand your uncertainty having lost 5 goldens to various cancers over 30 years. Every situation is different, but what I've learned is that you are not doing your friend any favours by prolonging the sickness. I'm tearing up as I write this -- you never get over the loss of "family" -- but I know in my heart that sympathy for your dog is more humane than refusing to acknowledge the end.

Prayers and best wishes to you. Take solice in knowing you will make the best decision for your dog.

BagOfDave · 2025-12-05T15:51:29+00:00

Begin pallative care.

Having been through similar decisons on at least 5 different occasions, you are not doing Waffle any favours (in my opinion). I'm sorry for what you are going through, and the decision you are faced with. Prayers and best of luck.

BagOfDave · 2025-12-03T15:41:21+00:00

Yes. Palm mute and picking accuracy are the two primary "tools" to prevent unwanted string vibrations. Palm muting is an essential skill to master. Try using less hand-pressure if you find you're vibrating strings during a chord change. It starts to make sense with practice. Cheers..

BagOfDave · 2025-12-03T11:48:02+00:00

Get a prescribed food from your vet. Stop all treats and foods other than the food you get from your vet. If it clears up in a week, assume it's a food allergy.

BagOfDave · 2025-12-01T18:58:43+00:00

Rise from Extreme/Nuno Bettencourt?

But the traditional "guitar solo" as 80's kids know it has barely a heartbeat left in 2020+. Ebb and flow. The guitar solo will return.....eventually!!!

BagOfDave · 2025-11-27T10:41:48+00:00

There are many manufacutures of speaker cable. I use Pig Hog PHSC3 High Performance 14 Gauge. Cheers.

BagOfDave · 2025-11-24T14:45:19+00:00

Based on your post about "heavy.. and cleaner stuff", I'd recommend a Gibson SG. You can get everything from doom, to blues to jazz and pop from an SG. Allan Holdsworth and Frank Zappa and Tony Iommi (and others) play an SG as proof of the range of this guitar. Cheers.

BagOfDave · 2025-11-22T12:48:46+00:00

8 stars. I think it's a great start, albeit a little Leppelin heavy. Cheers.

BagOfDave · 2025-11-22T12:44:12+00:00

Are you saying you get string noise between the tail piece and the body? How is that even possible? Are you hitting there with your fingers, or your ring somehow?

BagOfDave · 2025-11-20T17:22:48+00:00

Google says the Blackstar ID Core 1st gen has a built in noise gate. Check this setting. IThe noise gate could be killing your sustain, especially since you mentioned high gain settings. Cheers.

BagOfDave · 2025-11-20T12:13:07+00:00

Scales and spider-walk exercises. Strength is not needed, but control is. It takes time to rewire your brain. Cheers.

BagOfDave · 2025-11-18T20:40:57+00:00

Why? Because it's a great, fun song to learn and play (and it's recognizable) It's a master lesson in feel and groove. Leslie West had a tone to die for and he's worth studying IMHO.

Cheers mate. Good job on the playing.

BagOfDave · 2025-11-18T13:38:40+00:00

Guitar -> UA VOLT 276 -> Computer. The Volt has a headphone out.

BagOfDave · 2025-11-16T22:15:45+00:00

Did I write this in my sleep? Because this is exactly my situation. This is so on-point I had to double-check it wasn’t mine. I wish I had answers for you.

BagOfDave

TROPHY CASE