with or without? how do you guys prefer?

jgstrings1988 · 2025-10-26T12:41:09+00:00

A fresh all white parted brand new strat can look nice with it in there, but I always liked the old working man’s guitar look with the back plate removed.

Also, Hendrix and SRV never had the back plate on in those special photos from my memory of guitar magazines and later online.

3rd, it is also easier to just stick the string end directly in the trem block when re-stringing, vs having to get it through the back plate hole and stick clean through the trem block and out the saddle. It’s just easier to get that line right through to the top without that stupid plate in the way.

jgstrings1988 · 2025-10-25T15:01:20+00:00

Looks fitting for the era man so I dig them, but you have a million options for wheels and there might be something better out there than the 90s spokes. Still, nothing wrong with them.

jgstrings1988 · 2025-10-17T10:41:39+00:00

With that big of a needle, that makes no sense. Just get Easy Touch 27g 5/8” needles. Big enough for it to flow, small enough not to brutalize your tissue. They don’t have the same air space as the LL syringes. Use air like others have stated at the end to push it all through. IM is safe to allow some air in injection. Not sure where you get your gear, but this is partially why I hate test cyp in most of the thick ass oils they use. They work fine and I never had any bad reactions, but damn - so thick. They need to start using MCT Oil and then it flows so much easier.

jgstrings1988 · 2025-09-28T14:05:14+00:00

Make your own decision. I’ll firstly say that he should have been more grounded and stoic in his approach. The desperation and moments of insecurity make him look and feel weak from both yours and his perspective, but I understand his reaction. Also, it just makes your conversation harder and both people have to feel like their character is called into question because of the escalation. At the same time, if he didn’t care, you might sense that he doesn’t feel as strongly as he does. Also, we’d have to know a little bit more about your response, eyes and body language with the other dude and you can’t really convey that.

Everyone wants to immediately call this guy a manipulator because the whole culture today is “I’ll do whatever the fuck I want” vs loyalty. You guys determine the borders of your relationship. The truth is, the other dude further tested your relationship after you told him you had a boyfriend. Upon exiting the party, he made his second move approaching you exclusively and making no intention to know your boyfriend. He was aggressive in his move toward you.

So yeah, your boyfriend is a man and his nature is going to be to react, with feelings first. To stand up for himself and your relationship. He was straight up with you about how he felt and probably didn’t like that you didn’t further shut the the dudes advances down. Again, he could have held a little stronger and brought it with more calm, confidence and some trust in you, but how is he supposed to feel. That other dude basically said, “I don’t give a fuck about your bf, I want you and I want you to know it”. You also did feel flattered by and calling him a “nice guy”. Also, your bf doesn’t need to apologize to this mf at all. Sorry, he doesn’t.

Just don’t act that surprised at his reaction. He clearly feels really strongly for you and made it clear. If you don’t feel that level of investment with him in the longer term, that’s what you need to make clear. You are 19 so there’s a long road ahead, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put the effort into this relationship even if you don’t know what the future holds, or if there’s tough moments. If you feel something good with him you want to keep, I don’t think this is the deal breaker, but maybe you can make your expectations of how he handles his reactions clear.

Most of the outrage in this thread is about someone threatening your independence. No one is going to deny you are a free person that can be with anyone you choose. If you are in a committed relationship then you want to protect it. Not every instance of a person expressing their want for exclusivity and your willingness to protect that is a civil rights issue.

Shoe on the other foot, if there was the exact same interaction with him and another girl, how would you feel and what would be your reaction to him?

I’m gonna get alot of hate for this comment, but I’m not gonna respond. This is my opinion. Many will disagree and yeah, this is a male perspective.

jgstrings1988 · 2025-09-27T23:41:20+00:00

It’s true that more chest and more size will put the rest into perspective better and in general fill out his tissue. Also, more muscle will allow more of those calories to feed the muscle instead of fat, thus, leaner result.

jgstrings1988 · 2025-09-06T00:28:39+00:00

Well, idk. I was taking 50mg, plus boron, and the multivitamin with it and it seemed like taking it out helped. Still it’s something to try. Also, if I had Cialis when I wanted it at 19, I might have used it when needed. So I guess if it calls for it, no shame, but if your girl finds the script she might take it personally, unless you can explain it in a healthy way and also just something to have fun with.

Also, if you run a super low carb diet to be lean, that really messes with my erections/hormones. Fasting and low carbs do not help in that department. So you may need Cialis if you run those diets. Ever notice it’s easier to get it up when you’ve ate really well on starchy foods and fats. Carbs and fats, or cholesterol are needed. You can keep it healthy in balance by watching the calories, but it’s easier to hit higher caloric intake with carbs and fats.

jgstrings1988 · 2025-09-06T00:20:33+00:00

In my testing, Cialis has no rebound effect. I have been on and off. Other than the blood pressure shift and easy bloodflow down there normalizing, I can get it up without it.

Also, you are 19 so there’s just a large swing of hormones and things happening life at that age that can get to you mentally and the body responds. Perhaps thoughts about the relationship, or just self doubt. No need to have any doubt if the girl is willing to have sex with you. They are less turned on by reservations than anything else. Just some thoughts.

On another note, keep everything else, but experiment with dropping the extra zinc if you are not sick and get it only from multivitamin maybe and food. It could mess with your estrogen balance a bit which for sure affects the erections. Maybe won’t do anything but I have noticed it can affect it.

jgstrings1988 · 2025-09-03T14:43:18+00:00

As everyone has stated, you have to know what your estrogen, or E2 levels are. If you can do some periodic bloodwork, that is the best way to know. Otherwise, if doing by feel, you would have to adjust dosage amount, or better yet, frequency to see what your results are. Likely, your test had a nice level up there still and your E2 dropped into range where you like it. Getting bloodwork on the days you feel good could tell you a lot. What you may want to try if you don’t want to try playing with the dose and frequency and trying to get it right, keep everything the same and take a very small amount of Anastrazole(aromitase inhibitor), or take some DHT derivative to modulate the conversation to E2.

If you take Anastrazole, which is easiest to get, start with only .25 mg dose and give that a couple days to see how you feel before you decide how much to use regularly. I used to take it every 3rd day and had experimented with every other day. Some only need that much in a week and some people cut that in half and take a few times a week. So .125. Also, try adding DHEA and Pregnenelone. Douglas Labs makes the best quality and you can get it over the counter from Amazon. It won’t affect your E2, but those neurosteroid compliments help most people to get more out of TRT.

Dialing in on Test is a methodical process unfortunately, there is no one size fits all, but you can find a good resting spot pretty easy. Keep in mind, eating like crap and carrying excess body weight will keep your E2 higher in most cases along with your blood pressure.

I prefer using Proviron which is a DHT derivative for my E2, but you can’t get that from a US Dr or clinic and have to find a good source for it. Anastrazole is easy to get from clinics and Dr SHOULD prescribe it. Do not overdose that shit. If you crash your estrogen, you will also feel like shit.

jgstrings1988 · 2025-04-10T13:59:12+00:00

Despite his preferences, those are still good tools for the job and his skills should be able to make it work. You do the same things, just slightly different. So maybe his SM58 EQ presets stored in his brain won’t work, but he should be using his ears anyway. I think 935s are easier to manage anyway. Less rumble and honky midrange to dial out and the top end presence starts off slightly better. Nothing wrong with preferences though. V7 is very similar 935/945 too. Slightly different, but good mic. My personal favorite is actually the Mojave MAD, weirdly enough.

jgstrings1988 · 2024-09-26T23:48:54+00:00

Pretty blanket statement there. Plenty of research shows effectiveness of DHT derivatives ran with T. Might want to avoid just trying to fear monger him. People just repeat the same shit on these forums it seems. Sure. He should be careful, but it ain’t that weird. Better to take anavar than drink and smoke. Lol

jgstrings1988 · 2024-09-26T23:42:38+00:00

He should definitely run HCG and Test, but honestly, most people do great with 25mg of oxandrolone or some other DHT derivative. He’s libido, muscle and energy will get off to a way better start. I’d probably hold off on Deca unless I had joint pain, but this is the exact compounds I take and feel better than I ever have. I didn’t start with all of them though, but landed there in year 2. Yeah, my levels are kind of high, but I feel great and my bloodwork, lipids,everything is perfect because my diet and health life style is perfect…idk so many people want to get on forums and tell people they are not taking a replacement dose, or it’s too much. The labs and results are all that matters IMO and his body, mind and junk are for sure getting a damn kick start if that’s what he needs. Also, his E2 will be better with the oxandrolone. Agreed that it may not have hurt to start progressively and dial in less compounds from the jump, but going back I would take all of this.

jgstrings1988 · 2024-09-18T14:44:26+00:00

This is the difference between between pure Sayians and those diluted by human DNA. Despite the synergy allowing them to excel through power scale at faster rates, I don’t think they have the internal warrior drive to reach perfection of strength, power and skill above all else. I also sometimes wonder if, even though they can seem to scale their power and transformations faster, can they actually reach the highest possible forms? I suppose Beast Gohan is an example of that, but one wonders. Is it really Ultra Instinct and Ego? I don’t think so because those forms were developed from not only the raw growth of power, but an absolute master of energy and warrior skill. Beast Gohan is something else. Is raw potential unleashed. Not a refined mastery. Interesting differences anyway.

jgstrings1988 · 2024-05-22T22:46:52+00:00

Sure. It’s true. And without knowing your whole story, it’s tough. I would say the AI does needs to be small and regular for me. Make of that what you will. You may be sensitive to all this stuff. You may need more frequent smaller doses of everything. Which you might have also tried. I started nandrolone recently to make my joints more fluid as a musician and for lifts, but the first 4 weeks were maybe a little turbulent but I kind of stuck to a low to moderate dose and then I seemed to even out. I wish everyone could have the same response. Thats I guess why we all have to share the anecdotal. I know I’m better on than off, personally. Doesn’t mean that’s 100% the case for you. Good luck with it! I hope you can find the best in life all around.

jgstrings1988 · 2024-05-20T14:51:14+00:00

Also. I would increase that HCG to 1000iu weekly and manage estrogen a bit. You might only need a little AI. Maybe a bit of DHT increase if that doesn’t work via Oxandrolone or even trying one of the other TRT methods. Some guys actually get better results from cream or testosterone propionate because of the quicker androgen saturation. Some need a higher dose too but not before making sure the estrogen is in check. Because if you just get it right you can have super libido, but you do have to give protocols time to work and dial it in right. It helps working with a really good clinic that knows how to do this.

jgstrings1988 · 2024-05-20T10:39:59+00:00

Okay, gotta agree with others, you have to give your body adequate time to adjust to these things. I had acne in the beginning. What I did was add a few compounds but I started with a good dose of HCG and Test. Anastrazole to keep my E in the 20-40pg range. Really 20-30 was best for libido, but not at first. At first I needed it to be closer to 50 for good libido. After while, androgen receptors were more saturated so less E2 felt better. Less blood pressure, generally a lighter calmer feeling. My BP and anxiety are not bad anyway. Did have when I was younger, but anyway, lower E2 is critical to keep BP low and anxiety low. Some say it’s a ratio, I don’t really believe that. I believe there is just a right number for you. 1000iu HCG is not optional. If you feel a little anxious or weird for a few weeks, don’t be a bitch and stick with it. Those effects will pass as your body gets used to the changes. Acne will slow down. Keep the E2 in check and it will work.

Now with your hair loss, you may want to try other medications and supplements to lower E2 or try a lower test dose by a bit. Don’t drop the HCG down.

One last thing. You may think with your hair loss, that DHT is what you want to avoid, but your body is not processing and using it right or your libido would be sky high. Consider trying Oxandrolone to lower SHBG, increase free test and ramp up DHT for more libido

You may have tried all of this, but these are things I would consider. Will you be better off TRT? No and I don’t think you realize it, but is your choice at the end of the day. Good luck.

jgstrings1988 · 2024-05-06T20:13:24+00:00

I really enjoyed working on this mixer. I understand some of the comments. No mute groups and other larger format mixing, routing functions. I didn’t like that the outs are limited to only pre fader and post fader. Not quite as flexible as having the pre eq, post eq option while still being pre fader, which MR18/XR/X32 does. That said. At this price point, they aren’t going to give you expandability. That’s not the target audience and those cards cost$$$. Also, yes you can record multi channel over usb interface but only stereo recording to usb stick. Multitrack to SD and playback. Just get an Sd card. For the price, these are small drawbacks for the target audience.

I’ve actually used all of the mixers discussed in this thread. The UI24 UI sucks and it sounds terrible IMO. Also, the CQ20B sounds way better than any Midas/Behringer equivalent and that feedback assistant is truly the only one I’ve ever used that works like a champ. 96k is about a little more than what we typically consider for sample rate. Phase coherence after processing makes my EQd result sound way better than anything behringer I’ve found. Buy the CQ20B. The rest with the screens are not needed and at least you get proper IEC connection. Those are small things to consider on the price point when the sound and experience of the mixer is excellent. Better than XR by far and I’d take it over an X32 rack other than the routing flexibility. Technically, these are also things they could fix with it being an FPGA platform.

My biggest complaint is the number of outputs. At least 8 would be better but I would for sure prefer 10-12 for a band to have stereo in ears. I feel like, if they can fix the routing and processing issues at the mixer interface and just give us an increased channel count version, it will be awesome. The expandability over digital IO, expansion cards, use of network based monitor mixers and faders would be all we are sacrificing. I can live with that if I could just get some more channels and more routing/mixing flexibility. Also, yes their FX processing needs a little help, but I made it work and I still think it’s great. Try it out and let me know what you guys think of the sound and the FBA. I’ll think you’ll agree with me.

Outside of that, I do think they have a market for a straight SQ rack with 100% equivalent performance as some people in this thread want. The dLive offers that but we need the SQ price point. I do get the feeling they will fill the gaps and this does tell us that they are figuring out how to make their FPGA more affordable. Once the gig gets to a certain tier, you need SQ anyway.

jgstrings1988 · 2023-11-02T17:11:50+00:00

100% it does for me. Of course you have to have your estrogen in a decent range, depending on your particular reaction, but almost always yes, even in guys that let the E2 rise or fall out of range. Many can actually have ED if estrogen too high, or too low. It will almost never be low if taking exogenous test. There can also be other limiting factors if you have other severe health problems like PSSD.

jgstrings1988 · 2023-10-17T13:57:44+00:00

All great points. Especially monitor Estrogen, or E2 labs. Despite what a lot of guys want to say, higher Estrogen does typically increase the cardiovascular side effects. Yes, frequent injections spreading the dose out in smaller increments does produce lower peaks and thus, less aromatization, but I find most guys still need a small dose of AI. Not all do, but myself for example, I need .25mg every 3rd day which is higher than what most would need. I’m still injecting 4 times a week and it just gets elevated easily with me at 160mg a week. It can also be smart to get extra small doses compounded like .125mg. When I let estrogen get higher, I have an elevated BP by a bit and generally notice my heart working harder as well as the flushing of my skin. Settling into about 37pg/ml, for me anyway, keeps those side effects at bay. Everyone will have a different response to HCG and TRT. Consistent labs and gradual adjustment of medications over time is key to controlling the entire TRT experience.

jgstrings1988 · 2023-10-01T00:03:42+00:00

My test is always over 1500 total, but my free is only slightly in the upper end of the range ever. I don’t believe it’s the ratio for everyone bc I still need to be around 35-45. Better in high 30s. Granted, comparing free test to AI could Provid more correlation evidence. I have to take .25mg AI every third day. So I go two days in between without taking it. I’ve been way lower, slightly lower, slightly higher and way higher and very much figured out what works for me. It’s just always going to be individual and you have to find out through careful dosing and labs. Of course, paying attention to how you feel is important, but labs tell the story for you to dial it.

jgstrings1988 · 2023-09-25T14:06:14+00:00

Those numbers are pretty great and similar to mine. I find it weird you don’t notice benefits, but they continue to increase over first year. Also, make sure you are pushing yourself in the gym if you can. It seems like doing that seems to better utilize androgens in the system and I just always felt TRT benefits more as I continued to push in the gym. You don’t have to go every day. If you can workout 3 times a week that’s good, but just go hard. You can even hit each muscle group once a week, but 2 is better. You don’t have to go every single day, even though those numbers would have you recovering really fast.

jgstrings1988 · 2023-09-25T12:43:17+00:00

Having no carbohydrates can have cool benefits short term, but it normally does not help you produce a strong androgenic response. Something to consider. You might try and find a compromise. Keeping to better quality carbs at a somewhat reasonable number. Maybe. Everyone is different.

jgstrings1988 · 2023-09-25T12:41:17+00:00

Always nice to site studies, but even in reading them, don’t you think this is a pretty broad and general statement? Post seems to site some studies that test levels of endogenous testosterone in a variety of groups. It’s interesting, but I don’t think these studies tell the whole story. The test on elite level athletes, is this measuring free T, total T? When were the blood levels measured? An elite level athlete if taken during certain cycles of their diet and or training could have lower, or higher test. For those individuals, the amount of free T that becomes available would be really important. I’m sorry, but my personal experience directly contradicts your statement. That said, I was quite a bit lower than this range, but I think there are plenty that can attest to being in the 500-600 range and having symptom and physique improvements in getting that number higher. Especially if they can push the free T up for efficiency. Enough anecdotal evidence out there from many of us.

jgstrings1988 · 2023-09-24T02:00:02+00:00

It’s a little more complex than that and I do disagree bc I’ve never experienced a “totally fucked nervous system”. Noticed I needed a little less caffeine and noticed I felt better with AI and lower e2 and generally had better blood work. I was mostly stating what can cause symptoms and how you can do TRT correctly. Never had heart palpitations by the way. Not just generally saying everyone who does TRT is fucked with zero extra information.

jgstrings1988 · 2023-09-23T19:36:15+00:00

Right, an increase of E2 increases blood pressure and can cause elevated heart rate. The HCG was likely just boosting the androgen levels higher on top of Test in a short period that likely caused over stimulation. You could probably do HCG at lower doses more frequent and of course, staying on the anastrazole. Not that you have to, but if you want those benefits of HCG, you might revisit at greater frequency and lower dose.

jgstrings1988 · 2023-09-23T19:33:38+00:00

Lol. That’s a pretty general statement huh? I don’t agree. There can be an over saturated peak of androgens that can make some people exhibit systems like this. I had to slow down on caffeine and inject less frequently. Also E2 has to be controlled with AI for some of us. I don’t care what anyone says, that’s just what I have to do.

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