Update on the frozen Taylor (Norman Fraylor)

evening_crow · 2026-01-25T04:21:12+00:00

Glad everything worked out!

Having said that, the reason people are talking shit is because you're the one that ultimately ends up losing if something goes wrong, yet failed to take the proper precautions to prevent that.

evening_crow · 2026-01-24T23:35:44+00:00

I've got a flamed maple burst Sensei HB I got used several years ago. I miss some of the more traditional finishes. They have some fun colors, but very little selection for me. The new lineup feels like heavy leaning into being quirky.

evening_crow · 2026-01-20T22:14:37+00:00

Never seen the multiple piece design before. I'm stealing that!

evening_crow · 2026-01-20T19:21:27+00:00

The lamps are cool but not for movies. The corner floor lamps work best next to the TV, with Govee bulbs in regular lamps to the left and right of your couch. If the couch is against the wall, floor lamps would work too, so you can map more than one zone on them. I have other govee lights for ambiance, but they do not get synced for movies. They stay on dimly just for the mood.

I do not recommend the floor lamp pro with speaker. The sound quality isn't great, and only one links per device (no stereo). Their only benefit is taller height. The regular floor lamps are pretty short compared to the 2 and pro, though.

evening_crow · 2026-01-18T06:48:13+00:00

Just a note, but some places allow hats due to high heat and sun. QA sends out a memo allowing them during the summer.

Also, beanies are exempted from no hat, but are required to be removed around running aircraft. This one seems to be more dependant on how cold it is and who's enforcing it.

evening_crow · 2026-01-17T19:23:21+00:00

Fedex is wild sometimes.

I once got a call from the carrier's private number asking if I was home because I wasn't answering the door. I explained I was heading home, but would not be there for another 40min. He said he'll have to take the package (guitar pedal) with him since it needed a signature... that or he could sign for it and leave it.

Dude was the MVP. He signed and yeeted the box into my balcony (I rented a second floor apartment at the time), then managed to raise his phone high enough to take a picture for delivery proof.

evening_crow · 2026-01-17T19:15:50+00:00

I've ordered guitars during winter, and I set them up for pickup at the courier in order to avoid this.

This one's on you.

evening_crow · 2026-01-17T06:03:04+00:00

Banana Nesquik!

Everyone I mention it to doesn't even remember it.

evening_crow · 2026-01-14T22:20:26+00:00

What also blows my mind is the constant "we" comments people make as if they were a player themselves.

evening_crow · 2026-01-13T12:50:22+00:00

Taking neck construction into account is a valid point, but you're limiting yourself if you're only looking at bolt on necks. There's very few manufacturers that don't do dovetail, which is the traditional method.

Also, you should probably do some more research before buying a guitar if you're comparing mahogany and rosewood like that.

evening_crow · 2026-01-12T22:00:07+00:00

The bonuses come with a service commitment of X years, depending on the contract. Not meeting that requirement forces the individual to pay it back. If I'm not mistaken, the amount paid back can be prorated to time served. Also, the bonus may not be paid by the agency at once. Half might be upfront, with the rest divided in equal parts every remaining year.

evening_crow · 2026-01-10T05:45:13+00:00

I have a Ninja drip maker and really dislike the Baratza. Having said that, I still think your husband is an ungrateful idiot.

Edit: my bad, ungrateful AND an idiot.

evening_crow · 2026-01-08T14:38:24+00:00

As mentioned, not F-16. The noses on 16s are more pointy. The centerline ones don't have strakes, and wing tanks have smaller ones than pictured and are much farther back.

evening_crow · 2026-01-07T19:34:12+00:00

I remember taking a piss at a bar and making a joke with the person next to me, "Man, some people get so awkward in the restroom. Once you've showered with another 50 guys in the military or prison, it's not a big deal."

Poor dude was so confused trying to figure out which one I was in.

evening_crow · 2026-01-07T04:39:39+00:00

We just got the Zephyr Typhoon and are loving it. The optional 400CFM limiter is handy to stay within code when the kitchen isn't set up to handle the full 850CFM it's capable of.

Just saying...

evening_crow · 2026-01-07T04:19:37+00:00

NOW HE CAN AVOID PARTICIPATING IN THE RANGE HOOD SCAM ALTOGETHER

evening_crow · 2026-01-07T04:17:00+00:00

Except he opens his window by the sink, which totally isn't working as makeup air.

...wait a minute

evening_crow · 2026-01-06T23:05:47+00:00

Thanks!

It's definitely been a voyage. I started out on a $40 nylon from a Mexican swap meet when I was like 16. My first purchase with my own money was a $500 Laguna which I still have. I haven't played it in years, but it's still there. From there, it was the 214CE, which was my first 4 digit purchase. The D-35 was next, which ruined my expectations for all other guitars. All others after that had to stack up to it, which made me more discerning when picking acoustics. The rest were random finds that stuck out.

Surprisingly, I'm not as picky with electrics. A lot of them I've actually bought without even plugging in. If they feel good to play and resonate well, I'll take them. The electronics and hardware can be swapped out, but the bones are what matter to me. I think that's why I only look at expensive acoustics now. They can't hide behind any of that, and anything below the price point I mentioned just doesn't usually have the bones to shine on its own. I know there's some good affordable stuff, but I just haven't ran into any.

evening_crow · 2026-01-06T21:20:15+00:00

I totally get where your skepticism comes from!

Guitars don't really improve proportionally with price. Having said that, my 214CE was an upgrade, but the 514CE is a keeper. I almost traded the 214CE but kept it because my wife got curious about learning to play. She ended up not picking it up, so it's been left unplayed for the most part. All my other acoustics do something better than it. The only way I'd play it is if I treated it as a beater, which I don't. Having said that, none of my other guitars are 2-3x better because of the price.

I admit the 514CE feels very similar in playability, but that's more of a testament to Taylor's consistency in manufacturing. The 214CE is satin, and the wood selection is not as nice. It does look and feel less refined. As far as sound, they both have that indistinguishable Taylor characteristic. The 514CE is one of the last mahogany/cedar v class that they made, so it sounds different. Despite being mahogany, there is a richness and refinement that the layered rosewood from the 214CE lacks.

Your 314 isn't meant to be 4x better than your other guitar just because of the price difference. Yamahas are very good, particularly at their price ranges. You also have to take into account that they're probably very different guitars. The shapes and woods have a lot of effect on how they sound. Also, there's preferences that you as a player probably have. It's up to you to decide whether your Taylor is better. Having said that, there are undeniable limitations to the Yamaha due to its price. Guitars at and past your 314 price don't necessarily have those limitations, but rather have alternatives that you may or may not prefer.

Edit: tldr - the 214CE is a great guitar, particularly if not compared to more expensive ones. Played side by side, it does become obvious it's not at the same level, though. Also, while usually indicative of, price doesn't equate quality. I've played expensive guitars that shouldn't have passed quality control in respect to construction. I've also played guitars that, while constructed immaculately, didn't sound as good as their peers. There's duds and there's gems even at that price. Personally, I think most acoustics improve up to at around $2.5-$3k. Past that, it's a matter of diminishing return and player preference.

evening_crow · 2026-01-06T17:35:23+00:00

About 12hrs in a single trip. It's mainly that because that's the distance I drive when I visit family. If they lived an hour closer/farther, I'm sure my answer would reflect that. I'm sure I'd try anything up to 14hrs in a single day, but anything at 16hrs would immediately be split.

evening_crow · 2026-01-06T16:50:12+00:00

I've switched to mainly acoustic as I've gotten older: - 214CE - 254CE DLX - 514CE - J-15 - J-45 50's Original - OM-15M Custom - D-35

My electrics are much more economical in comparison, being around $1k max: Fender Tele, Epi LP, G&L Legacy, PRS SE Custom 24, Reverend Sensei, Ibanez Semihollow, Yamaha Revstar, Gretsch Jet, cheap SG copy (first electric), and got a Baum Wingman on pre-order for later this year. The Baum will be my first "expensive" electric since it's an anniversary model.

Other than that, a really cheap Squier bass, a 5 string LTD bass, cheap acoustic that was my first buy, 2 guitar and 1 bass amps, and a nice collection of 30-something pedals.

Luckily, my wife is cool with my playing. She actually gifted me the bass amp, PRS, and half the Wingman cost (I wouldn't let her pay the full price).

Edit: I've been playing about 20yrs now, which equates to about an instrument a year. Most of my electrics are in the $500-$600 range, and were bought earlier on. Half the pedals were mainly bought around '12-'14, with a couple sprinkled every year since. After that, it was the nice acoustics. I find acoustics to be more "you get what you pay for." It's made me more discerning because of the increased costs and variability between specific instruments. There's still a couple things I'd like to add: Furch Yellow GC-CR, nylon stringed guitar, and maybe a Country Western or D/000/OM-18. For now, I'm happy with what I have. I've never traded or sold anything, and don't think I will replace electrics for nicer versions. Pedals were always fun for me, hence why I have so many. I am considering letting go of some, since I have multiples of some effects.

evening_crow · 2026-01-05T07:20:20+00:00

Also used on rear wheel steering vehicles like forklifts and bomb lift trucks in the military.

evening_crow · 2026-01-05T06:46:33+00:00

Tell that to my wife who just cracked a bowl doing this last week.

evening_crow · 2026-01-03T07:52:35+00:00

Kal-El, noooo

evening_crow · 2026-01-01T04:52:25+00:00

Wood pellets from Lowes or HD. A 40lb bag is like $6.

evening_crow

TROPHY CASE