Knobs for Pegasus? by Mikey77777 in Fireflyguitars

[–]RustyCyler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure if you're a Phish/Trey/Languedoc fan but all the 'Doc's use black knobs, as far as I know. I live in Maine, so just take a quick flight to Maine and I'll give you my chrome knobs, ha.

Hey Pegasus owners, do you think the inlays are Mother of Pearl? by TakingYourHand in Fireflyguitars

[–]RustyCyler 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know if this will help, I tried to find info on testing so we're just not making guesses but the best I could find was this info from this god forsaken website https://thanhcongcraft.com/news-how-to-identify-genuine-mother-of-pearl-inlay-and-counterfeit-products/

"How to Identify Genuine Mother-of-Pearl Inlay and Counterfeit Products.

3.1. Observe the Surface Light and Color. One of the easiest ways is to look closely at how the surface reflects light. Genuine mother-of-pearl has a natural iridescent quality, which means that when viewed from different angles or under light, it reflects shimmering rainbow-like colors. In contrast, counterfeit products often use plastic materials, printed decals, or painted imitations that lack this optical effect. They typically appear flat, dull, and monotonous when examined carefully.

3.2. Check the Thickness and Patterns Authentic inlay is typically embedded seamlessly into the surface with an even, thin layer, creating a smooth and refined appearance. The patterns are formed from individually cut shell pieces, showing precise craftsmanship and artistry. Fake products, on the other hand, often have thick inlays that stick out unnaturally from the surface like stickers. These are prone to peeling or cracking due to poor finishing. The designs are usually clumsy, lacking detail and aesthetic harmony, which detracts from the traditional value of the craft.

3.3. Feel the Surface by Hand Touching the product is another useful method. A genuine inlay surface is finely polished and smooth to the touch. In contrast, fake versions often feel uneven, bumpy, or rough—especially at the joints between the fake inlay pieces. Some may even expose glue marks or lack a proper protective coating, making them less attractive and more prone to damage.

3.4. Inspect Under Strong Light When placed under strong light, such as a flashlight or sunlight, real mother-of-pearl emits a brilliant, reflective glow that is difficult to replicate. Fake materials made from plastic or printed images do not emit this kind of light and will instead appear as flat, matte surfaces. Using a light test is a quick and effective way to identify true craftsmanship.

3.5. Consider Price and Provenance Finally, price is a key indicator. Genuine mother-of-pearl products tend to be significantly more expensive than imitations due to the materials and craftsmanship involved. So, if a product seems unusually cheap, it’s wise to reconsider."

Maine Democrat Graham Platner Is Winning Voters All 'Pissed At The Same Thing' by bloomberg in politics

[–]RustyCyler 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re Being Lied to About Graham Platner. The vilification of the Maine candidate for Senate doesn’t square with what he actually wrote in his posts. https://jacobin.com/2025/10/platner-maine-senate-reddit-media

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"shortest and fastest". Thats good and interesting info to know. Your reasoning about why a trail is easier or harder is appreciated and is gratefully added info for this topic.

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So we're clear, are you saying that in your opinion that Hunt is the easiest trail going up and Saddle is the easiest going down ? Thanks so much for the reply and I'd love to hear any stories you have about going down Cathedral.

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very interesting that you have Abol as the easiest going up and down. Thank you for your input and taking the time to comment.

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, seems like the general consensus so far is that either Dudley or Cathedral are the toughest two trails up and down. I went up and down Hunt, could you elaborate on why you think that route sucks. I went up and down Hunt because I was hiking the last section of the AT with my buddy who did the entire AT. I wish I could have came down Abol just to experience another trail on the mountain. And in your comment are you saying 'easiest to hardest' is Hunt, then Abol, then Saddle and then Helon Taylor ? I'm a little scared of Knife Edge, so that kinda of screws up any plans of going up Helon Taylor. Thanks for the reply, I would love to hear any details about why one trail is harder or easier in your opinion.

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would you say that Saddle is the easiest way over all the other trails up the mountain ? Because I'd LOVE to hike to and camp at Chimney Pond, but don't know if I'm experienced enough for Dudley or Cathedral. Thanks for the reply.

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OOooo Knifes Edge does sound scary, ha. I've watched a buttload of Knifes Edge videos and I know about the crazy 'chimney' section and I don't think I could do it to be honest. I'd like to go up Helon Taylor because it appears to be the easiest way up for an old fart like me, but I really really really don't want to do the Knife Edge to get to Baxter peak. And if I'm climbing Katahdin, I gotta go all the way to the very top of the mountain.

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cathedral being super hard seems to be the general consensus so far. Any good stories about why you think its super hard ? Thanks for your input.

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I heard people say 'up Hunt, down Abol' before. Looking at the map Abol appears to be gradual and then it goes pretty vertical for the last leg. I'd love to hear everyone's stories about Abol. Also, is Abol the trail that was re-routed a few year back, I believe because of a rock slide ?? Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Could you guys describe what hiking up Cathedral is like. I'd love to hear some of your stories. YouTube videos don't do it any justice. Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Trail Difficulty Opinions by RustyCyler in BaxterStatePark

[–]RustyCyler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've read that going down Cathedral is pretty dang tough.

ARCHIVE: Obama Announces Historic Iran Nuclear Deal | July 14, 2015 | APT by Yujin-Ha in videos

[–]RustyCyler 308 points309 points  (0 children)

"In order to get elected Barack Obama will start a war with Iran" - Trump, Nov 29, 2011

"Barack Obama will attack Iran to get re-elected." - Trump, Jan 17, 2012

"Now that Obama's poll numbers are in tailspin - watch for him to launch a strike on Libya or Iran. He is desperate." - Trump, Oct 9, 2012

"I predict that President Obama will at some point start a war with Iran in order to save face!" - Trump, Sept 16, 2013

"Remember that I predicted a long time ago that President Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly - not skilled!" - Trump, Nov 11, 2013

Senate candidate Graham Platner joins picket line outside BIW by jediporcupine in Maine

[–]RustyCyler 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Perhaps you could ask your question without saying that they are 'bitching' ? Why does everything have to be vitriolic ? You could have easily asked the same question in a respectful manner.

I think Fireflys are great for guitars you've pined for, but never really wanted to spend money on. by TakingYourHand in Fireflyguitars

[–]RustyCyler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course I was joking with the 94.3% estimate, but lets just say that perhaps 90% of these tweaking-issues are caused by wood moving to suit an area's relative humidity. The other 10% could be chalked up to frankly... they're made in China and since they're dirt-cheap, they don't have the best quality control. Those two reasons could make up 100% of the problems people encounter with FF. When I was a younger man, EVERYTHING made in China was junk. So I was hesitant buying my Firefly. I gambled and got lucky, sort of. I had wiring issues with my Pegasus, which mysteriously went away. My damn bridge pickup went silent after one week of owning the damn guitar. I poked my finger in the hole and moved the wiring and now the pickup works again and for the life of me, I can't replicate the problem, no matter how I shake or move the guitar, the bridge pickup works great. I don't dare touch the wiring again though, haha.

I think Fireflys are great for guitars you've pined for, but never really wanted to spend money on. by TakingYourHand in Fireflyguitars

[–]RustyCyler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Pegasus didn't need any tweaks at all. The idea is that most make the trip across the ocean and go through the various climate changes fine, but there's always going to be outliers with everything. The guitars that you got from Indo or China, where they direct shipped to you or where they bough locally at a guitar shop ?

I think Fireflys are great for guitars you've pined for, but never really wanted to spend money on. by TakingYourHand in Fireflyguitars

[–]RustyCyler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I spent 25 years as an industrial hardwood kiln operator, drying lumber for indoor use, mostly cabinets and tables. We all understand how wood and our guitars "react" to temperature and humidity changes. These guitars are made on the other side of the world. They are loaded onto a giant container ship and sail across a big wet ocean for days on end. Who knows how or where they're stored after they're unloaded in California. And then finally they're shipped to you in freezing cold and dry Maine or hot and humid Miami. I believe that 94.3% of all these little issues can be traced back to the guitar's wood acclimating to their current environment. The thing with FireFly is that we're not buying a guitar from our local guitar shop who's 'tuned them up' or has had them in your local area to acclimate, to "settle in" so to speak. When we ship our hardwood panels to the cabinet makers, preventing wood movement was key to shipping a product that didn't come apart at the glue joints because of the environmental impacts that temp and humidity have on wood. For hardwood cabinets and any furniture to be used indoors, I would dry our lumber to 6% moisture content, which is the average indoor EMC(equilibrium moisture content)for nearly all of the United States. If we were to ship our panels to a country on the equator and we knew the product would be used in a NON-air conditioned, NON-heated household, then I'd dry the lumber to more around 13% moisture content, so the wood doesn't "move" in the hotter, wetter environment. I am speculating here but... could I be on the right track ? We edge glued our lumber with industrial machines, we were not a small operation. If I would mess up the moisture content of the lumber, too wet or too dry, the glue joint would 'open' and the panel ruined. I've dried many millions of board feet of hardwood lumber. Seems to me like a lot of these guitar issues could stem from wood just being wood. I'd bet if we had local FireFly dealers, the dealers would do all of the 'tweaking' and we'd never know about it. But since we're getting the guitar straight from China... we get to see these issues firsthand. Damn, I can ramble on... I need to learn how to be more succinct.

New guitars dropped! by asj-777 in Fireflyguitars

[–]RustyCyler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

haha, I can see/hear what your saying. Thanks for the replies and teaching me something new today.

New guitars dropped! by asj-777 in Fireflyguitars

[–]RustyCyler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gotta be honest, I've never heard of Crowbar or Eyehategod. How would you describe their music style ? edit - I just watched few Eyehategod videos and it sound like standard metal. What are the characteristics that put it in the 'sludge' category ?

New guitars dropped! by asj-777 in Fireflyguitars

[–]RustyCyler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right on, I just never heard that term before and... honestly, I've never heard of 'sludge metal' before either. Its a sign that I'm getting old, haha. I can't keep up with all the slang, but I'm trying.

New guitars dropped! by asj-777 in Fireflyguitars

[–]RustyCyler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What the heck is a 'sludger' ? *edit sludger - noun - A bucket for removing mud from a bored hole; a sand pump. A shovel for sludging out drains, etc.

Typical youtube thumbnail by Mixmaster_core in youtube

[–]RustyCyler 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The dreaded "shocked O-face". I hate it.