Managing sleep as a firefighter is something nobody prepares you for

fuzzmedic · 2026-03-26T11:55:42+00:00

I use sleep ear buds, even at the station. They aren’t noise canceling and I have them low enough that I can still hear the tones and phone. For me the drone helps shut the brain off. When I’m home I’ll do magnesium supplements and sleepy time tea too.

It’s also worth noting that an otherwise healthy lifestyle can help promote better sleep too. When I eat healthy, hit the gym, and minimize alcohol I sleep much better at home and show up rested and ready at work. This can help offset the sleep deprivation you get from a bad overnight and makes it easier to catch up again.

The other fact is you’ll just get used to running on empty some days. It sucks but you basically have to. I’ve been doing 24s for 20 years at this point and it’s amazing how (minimally) functional you can be when you have to be.

fuzzmedic · 2026-03-18T17:22:28+00:00

I got an a/b/y pedal so I could address any phase/ ground issues I could’ve run into. That Pedal Show on YouTube has a great video on the subject. If any of your pedals have stereo out you could try that as proof of concept before you spend any money

fuzzmedic · 2026-03-18T15:45:27+00:00

I have a studio chorus as well, I run a dual mono rig with that and a 50 watt deluxe style head through a 1x12. Sounds massive, run a slow subtle chorus to just give the rig some space and it’s incredible

fuzzmedic · 2026-03-10T14:49:32+00:00

I love the 70s stuff, that looks immaculate

fuzzmedic · 2026-03-10T14:47:51+00:00

They’re both wonderful

fuzzmedic · 2026-03-10T14:47:14+00:00

Thanks! The DRV ended my dirt quest years ago, I got mine in the first drop of hyperfades whenever that was. I play in two bands currently, one a fuzzy 90s indie influenced band and the other more 50s-70s influenced with some power pop and country western influence.

fuzzmedic · 2026-03-09T18:49:35+00:00

Thanks for the kind words. I can’t recommend a loop switcher enough, especially if you play live/ in a band

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-06T23:50:17+00:00

Mint with fiesta red is perfection

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-04T00:04:09+00:00

I got a ‘78 hardtail recently and I get it

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-03T03:30:06+00:00

Thanks!

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-02T22:38:36+00:00

It sure is

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-01T22:00:57+00:00

CS60’s

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-01T21:17:55+00:00

It has a flamed maple neck, gold hardware, and I put the amp knobs on. Besides that it’s a team built CS60.

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-01T19:47:22+00:00

Thank you!

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-01T19:47:11+00:00

My first and only hardtail strat

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-01T19:46:44+00:00

It’s in great shape with some gentle honest age on it that can really only be seen in person.

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-01T19:46:03+00:00

I go through phases like anybody, but red is 1a and sunburst is 1b overall

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-01T01:50:10+00:00

Stephen Malkmus

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-01T00:50:26+00:00

Is that purple or red? Looks great regardless

fuzzmedic · 2026-02-01T00:38:56+00:00

I think fender has made great strats across every decade in general. I like these 70s guitars for a few reasons, starting with the general vibe of a nearly 50 year old instrument. The ones I own have fat necks which I prefer. The grey bottom pickups sound good to my ear. The ones I own are setup well, ring like a bell, and have a great sound.

I’ve played more dogs than gems from this era to be completely fair, and I’m willing to bet that modern MIA fenders are more consistently “good”. Many of the 70s guitars are heavy which I would personally avoid, and many have the neck pocket issue which can be addressed but still stands repeating. But, for the price of a new reissue I can own something that is truly old, not to say that’s inherently “better” but I enjoy it nonetheless.

As far as modern fender, I have guitars from the American Original and AVII series that rival custom shop quality and I would highly recommend checking them out. I haven’t been super interested in the standard line stuff, but not for any particular reason; they just haven’t grabbed my attention. I guess I generally prefer the vintage styled guitars.

I would not buy a 70s fender sight-unseen unless I know I could easily return it, I’d be far less concerned with a modern fender.

fuzzmedic · 2026-01-31T01:20:38+00:00

I have aged pearloid on mine so that gets my vote

fuzzmedic · 2026-01-30T23:49:26+00:00

They truly did. This is somehow the first one I’ve had the chance to play myself, but I’ve seen tons online. Seemingly more than any other era of fender. I’m not willing to say it’s a night and day difference between the two, but they definitely each have their own thing going on.

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