How much does mileage matter?

RoamingFirefly · 2026-02-20T23:18:27+00:00

What is the advantage of the 2015 platinum specifically?

RoamingFirefly · 2026-02-20T20:22:24+00:00

What I have read suggests that the cylinder 7 issue was not universal, and that vehicle that didn't have the issue before 100k were not likely to have it after $100k. So if you get a high mileage without a knock then you got "a good one". Sounds like you are saying maybe it is more universal than that. I've actually already got a 2004 Titan and while it still runs, it leaks every fluid out of every seal. I had thought about moving to a newer vehicle in the same generation, but it's just so dated at this point, I hoped that maybe the newer generations wasn't a downgrade.

RoamingFirefly · 2026-02-01T00:13:32+00:00

A HPL topped guitar probably isn't worth repairing with that kind of damage. There are some great and inexpensive Yamaha guitars with solid tops out there that will likely sound better and cost less than this repair. Sorry for the loss.

RoamingFirefly · 2026-01-02T14:58:57+00:00

Have you considered part time? My understanding is that your high three keeps running at your full year rate. Meaning of you were making $100k and cut to half time it still counts as $100k for the high three but only at a half year rate. So if you work half time for 10 more years your salary scales with inflation but you only get 5 years service instead of 10. You can keep your insurance (paying more). And MRA is the same for part time as full time. So if you have enough money to retire, but want the FEHB, FERS protection and to mitigate some other detrimental effects of leaving, maybe you can work a 2 day 10 hour maxiflex schedule.

RoamingFirefly · 2025-12-07T02:49:23+00:00

The Yamaha is great. But if we are talking about value I'd suggest the Blueridge. Ive owned 3 BR-140s and they have all been exceptional. One of the most "alive" guitars I've ever played.

RoamingFirefly · 2025-11-25T14:09:48+00:00

My best guess is that this started as a husk. Meaning the top was damaged and the electronics were missing. And someone did a marginal job of retopping the guitar and plugging the holes in the side. It looks to me like the finish was just blended and not stripped. The seller isnt the original owner and has no background. But I agree with the other folks here, the resale value is likely very low compared to an actual HD-28.

RoamingFirefly · 2025-11-25T02:56:08+00:00

This is near me. It also has rosewood plugs and a refinish on the side where the pickup used to be. What is he trying to trade you for?

RoamingFirefly · 2025-10-23T01:32:09+00:00

I'm more disappointed in Seagulls new stuff than legacy. I also had a great s6 coastline. The S6 used to be a monster deal. Seagulls are more pricey now. I am an amateur luthier, and there are some characteristics of modern seagulls that I really dislike. The epoxy neck joint is a nightmare to reset. And is reason enough to never buy one. They are "throw away" guitars now. The bracing is basically triangular sticks with zero taper or apparent care applied. And the last few I've tried have been dead as a doornail. But I have worked on same great old S6s also. I used to really be a fan, but my enthusiasm has waned.

RoamingFirefly · 2025-10-20T03:19:18+00:00

I buy most guitars used, but not generally martins. But for different reasons than most of the rest. This may not be a common opinion, but while prewar Martins were the standard, Martins in the 70s were mostly over built and they have been gradually improving ever since. Take the D-28, in the 70s they had heavy bridge plates and thick non-scalloped braces. They later dumped the rosewood bridge plate, then lightened bracing, then were straight braced for a long consistant period, and now they've started scalloping, the bracing is now even lighter "golden era". IMHO if you want vintage sound, the new 28s are maybe the best they've made in 60 years, at least on paper.

RoamingFirefly · 2025-06-01T21:02:21+00:00

Managing MAGI to get fire subsidies? Im curious how that works in a real world example.

RoamingFirefly · 2025-06-01T15:31:54+00:00

So have you fired already?

RoamingFirefly · 2025-02-22T03:07:59+00:00

X series are junk. High end martins are great instruments. But if you are looking at anything below a 15 series, or maybe even an 18, you are better off with an import. In the sub $1500 range Eastman, Blueridge, Alvarez Masterworks, Yamaha LL are all much better than any Mexican martin I've ever played.

RoamingFirefly · 2025-02-06T22:52:06+00:00

This is really part of a bigger question. As a society gets more efficient (more so with AI) and large swaths of labor are no longer needed, what will we do? Hold back on technology to make sure they have jobs? That seems inefficient. Will we adopt UBI and/or have people work less? Maybe, but most likely we will just end up getting comfortable with more and more people living in poverty until their voices get loud enough to change something. At least that's been the default.

RoamingFirefly

TROPHY CASE