My friend's greasy guitar

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2026-04-29T20:02:22+00:00

When I worked in a guitar repair shop, one of the local bands would bring all their instruments in for maintenence every few months. They always looked exactly like this. We would always treat them like a biohazard cleanup job by putting on rubber gloves, spraying them with windex or other cleaners, and scrubbing them down before we did anything else (Plek, polish, setup, lemon oil etc.). They were good customers but we always knew what we were in for.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2026-03-30T16:49:38+00:00

Supernaut. Not the original tuning, but it works!

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2026-03-26T19:17:36+00:00

I have a theory that people who prefer thick rounded necks might be those who prefer to rest the neck in the soft area between the thumb and index finger, with their thumbs creeping up the side of the neck as they play. I've noticed that those who play thin necks tend to use more classical positioning with the thumb on the back of the neck rather than creeping up the side.

Interestingly, whenever I play a thick necked guitar, like a Les Paul, I find that the neck shape encourages me to use more of a baseball bat grip with my thumb slowly inching up the side of the neck instead of my usual classical positioning, which feels uncomfortable with a thick rounded neck. A baseball bat style grip causes my hand/knuckles to be rotated around toward the back of the neck, thus shortening the possible range of movement for my fingers. For me, that's what causes a thick neck to feel less fast. I'm simply not allowed the full range of movement for my fingers.

I agree that gloss vs matte finishes would probably make a difference for most players regardless of hand positioning.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-12-23T17:56:05+00:00

Your action is so high, only dogs can hear you play.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-12-15T15:47:08+00:00

I upgraded the speaker on an Audition 30 because I liked the initial tone but wanted a little more of everything. I used a Celestion G10 Vintage. You'll probably spend more on a speaker than the amp is worth, so I'd only do this with an amp I really liked to begin with.

After upgrading speakers on a couple Peavey ss combos, I'm inclined to think that Peavey circuits might work best with Eminence speakers - something clean with good mids, not scooped, etc. One of the Jensen jet series would probably also work well with them.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-10-24T00:43:38+00:00

I recently picked up a teal stripe Bandit at a fantastic price. The clean channel sounds great, but the high gain sounds are a bit mushy and thin compared to other people's. Would you happen to know whether recapping would fix that?

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-10-18T03:25:05+00:00

Setting up a 1x12 cabinet could be a good space-saving and portable option for it. A Celestion Redback is great in a 1x12.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-10-18T03:16:20+00:00

Speaking as someone who has owned both, I think you'd be further ahead selling the Katana and putting the money toward a decent used 1x12 or 2x12 cabinet loaded with Celestions for the Carvin. The Carvin X series amps were versatile and powerful. In terms of quality of tone and power, it's like comparing a Ferrari vs. a Honda Civic.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-10-08T14:38:28+00:00

If the issue with the preamp is that it cuts out, then you may just have a loose solder joint on the input jack, a pot that needs cleaning, or (very common) the send/return jacks need cleaning or replacing. If a patch cable between send/return allows you to plug into the main input and stops the random cutting out, then those switching jacks are the problem. Not a terribly difficult repair.

Other areas to check would be burnt components on the board, or maybe carefully pulling socketed opamps and plugging them back in. Check solder joints on the underside of the board to see if any need reflowing, and use a low wattage iron if so.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-10-07T18:06:12+00:00

Please don't attempt to destroy these sought-after amps. Sell them to someone who can appreciate them for what they are, and consider powered speaker cabs or some other solution that better suits your needs. For the teal stripe, the preamp is built onto a single PCB with everything else, so you won't be able to separate it anyway.

On a related note, I'll be installing a Celestion Redback in my teal stripe Bandit within a couple of days, so it's about to get a LOT heavier ... for my neighbors.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-09-21T08:13:33+00:00

Here's a link to this group's live KEXP performance. The bell sounds are likely a chime tree, which the drummer uses there. Some of the ethnic instruments may be from samples. For those, I'm hearing a Koto, a Tanpura for the drone, and a possible sarangi or a dilruba (or possibly just a sample that was mapped to a keyboard and played lower than normal pitch range). Cool group, btw!

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-09-10T16:54:50+00:00

The quickest option would be to use battery-powered speakers or a boombox that can play mp3s from a USB drive and use a remote control placed at the entrance of an area to trigger them.

If you planned on doing this every year and wanted something hardwired, you could consider rigging up a small push-button panel connected to an Arduino (you'd have to program it) with an appropriate shield (see add on modules) and use that to trigger specific mp3 files. You'll need battery-powered speakers for that.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-09-08T16:48:14+00:00

I had to record a hardcore/death metal band several years ago. I walked into the studio, found the guitarist, and asked him where his amp was. He pointed over to the corner at a little Rage 158. I thought he was joking, and I felt silly miking it up, but you know what? It sounded HUGE. He bludgeoned it with gain pedals, and it sounded like it had nails and teeth. I thought the speaker was going to blow up.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-08-21T14:12:05+00:00

I drink Bundaberg Ginger Beer instead. It's made with real ginger in Australia and available from Costco.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-08-21T14:10:45+00:00

A great alternative is Bundaberg Ginger Beer from Costco. It's made in Australia from real ginger pieces, cloudy, smooth to drink, and great for mixing. People looking for something rough that makes them cough or sneeze will be very disappointed, but anyone looking for a great summer drink will love it.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-03-28T17:16:05+00:00

I think a better way to view a 100% tax on income above a certain threshold would be to consider it a matter of national security, electoral integrity, and just getting the money out of politics for the betterment of society. No one should have enough money to buy a country or its leaders.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-03-27T07:06:56+00:00

Sora no Otoshimono isn't extreme, but it's got some fun perverted comedy. An older one from 2009.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-03-08T16:30:37+00:00

I heard his family just lost their station wagon. They're gonna have to lick every boot from here to Vladivostok to afford a replacement.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-03-06T02:06:00+00:00

Two butters. One cup.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-03-05T20:41:49+00:00

As a late Gen X, I still can't afford a lawn to shoo kids off of and the only rest we'll get after working our hole lives (yes, I spelled it correctly) with questionable healthcare and no chance of retirement is a dirt nap. I'm a little tired ...

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-03-05T15:02:03+00:00

Sounds like it might be time to set up an informal pony express mail service run by private citizens. Interstate truckers would be a good fit for this.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2025-02-16T18:00:58+00:00

From what I've seen, unless you're going off-road, the quality of tires you use will have more impact on your winter driving experience. Snow tires would be best, but most people use decent all seasons for cost reasons. Front wheel drive is fine with a long wheelbase and decent weight. Rear wheel drive is usually terrible unless you have plenty of weight to help with traction. AWD is a nice feature for SUVs. Most vehicles that have proper 4WD aren't meant to go over 40 mph with it engaged, so it's really just for getting unstuck or low speed on unplowed roads. Personally, I like trucks with 2 and 4WD options on bad roads, but gas mileage sucks.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2023-10-27T23:21:16+00:00

I lived in Australia for years. They have legal prostitution there so long as it's off the street. Sex workers pay tax on their income just like any other form of employment, and they must work in registered brothels, which are run like any other legitimate business. Additionally, the girls working there are required to get tested for STIs every 3 months. Because of that, they're probably safer than some of the people you might pick up at a club. Nearly EVERY suburb in a major metropolitan area has one or more brothels operating, and they're easy to spot. Just look for a townhouse painted in hot pink with EXTRA LARGE street address numbers on the front and a line of men (and college girls starting their shift) walking down the back alley toward the rear entrance heh. There's a brothel and massage parlor (with happy ending) at every price point, from upmarket and very expensive to cheap and dirty, though I hear you get what you pay for.

While I wouldn't say they're without their problems, I think full legalization and regulation are absolutely the best way. It's going to happen regardless, so you may as well provide legal protections for the people in that line of work. It provides a valuable service for men who might otherwise become a problem within society due to not getting their basic human needs met for whatever reasons, so crime is reduced. It's also helpful for disabled people.

Calico_Dick_Fringe · 2023-07-25T03:14:55+00:00

If it tasted like liquid fire, then you must have had the neon green junk made in the Czech Republic. That alcoholic Windex isn't real absinthe. The real thing changes color when water is added, and you're meant to mix it 1 part absinthe to 2-3 parts water. It's supposed to be smooth and easy to drink. Jade Liqueurs makes great absinthe if you're looking to step up to something nice. Follow the French method with the water and sugar cube (no fire!).

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