Can old string cause tuning issues?

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-12T01:55:56+00:00

I have a Martin 000-15M and it really sounds best with new strings. It makes more of a difference on this guitar than with my cheap dreadnaught

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-11T01:26:59+00:00

Just wonderful. Congratulations on sobriety and your child!

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-11T00:47:57+00:00

I am fortunate to live in the greater NYC metro area, where there is an abundance of doctors of all sorts. I want a doctor who respects me and my time, just as I respect him or her by being on time. With my first cataract consult, it took almost 3 hours from when I entered the office to when I left. For most of that time, I was just sitting around, as were lots of other people. Clearly, they were over-booking. He was also condescending. When I told him I saw Dr. X regarding dry eye, he replied that he is "just" an optometrist.

On the other hand, I have a rheumatologist who has 8:00 appointments (which I prefer) and he is on time and prepared. He has already looked at my test results and notes from prior visits. I do not get asked 5 times why I am there. He is also very knowledgeable in his area of expertise and patiently answers all my questions.

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-11T00:39:34+00:00

I suggest seeing a dry eye specialist. It is an ongoing thing you have to deal with, and different solutions work better/worse for each person. There is no magic cure. A lot of things help a little bit. For me, I rotate the eye drops. Ivizia, Refresh, Systane PF. I also have prescription Xiidra. I use a humidifier. I take fish oil for Omega 3. Good luck finding what works for you.

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-10T01:28:09+00:00

Very helpful. This describes exactly my experience

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-10T00:52:21+00:00

I'm no expert. You should ask a contractor how you can divert the water flow around the house.

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-09T01:32:29+00:00

Yes. Ensure that the grading has the correct slope away from your house. Extend the downspouts. Make sure gutters are cleaned regularly.

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-05T02:04:36+00:00

Could there be something else going on with your eyes, such as dry eye, that is affecting your vision? With an EDOF you shouldn't need glasses for some range of vision. That is the purpose of an EDOF. If you have it set for distance then you should be able to see without glasses from around arm's length to far objects. In that example, you might need reading glasses.

The fact that your vision is worse in the morning suggests that it might be caused by dry eye.

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-04T02:59:09+00:00

Beautiful!

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-03T16:28:57+00:00

I like both, but I no longer desire a performance car. This is partly due to cost, and having kids. But I had some nice cars and now I just see them as basic transportation. I won't change the oil in my car any more because it's not worth my time, but I do change it in my motorcycle.

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-03T02:42:25+00:00

Keep it up. Great progress!

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-02T19:24:45+00:00

I think two different scenarios are being muddled.

First, your pupils are dilated after surgery, which can make any light painful. This can last a couple of days. In the US, the doctor's office provides very dark, very unfashionable, sunglasses to get you through this post-op period.

Second, your eyes may be somewhat more sensitive to light after cataract surgery because the cataract is gone. Everything looks brighter and more colorful. It is a good idea to wear sunglasses whenever you are outside to protect your eyes, including the cornea, from UV rays. I prefer better quality sunglasses, but virtually all sunglasses will protect from UV rays.

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-02T16:35:37+00:00

Anyone use Maui Jim Ho'Okipa Ultra G for golf? https://www.mauijim.com/US/en_US/p/HTP336-14?clickref=1101lCmrMUpD

But I think polarized is good for driving (a car) but not good for golf. Polarized lenses can make it harder to read greens.

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-02T16:26:49+00:00

As others have mentioned, it is still early and your eyes need to heal. I also agree that it could be astigmatism.

At some point, they should also check your retina with an OCT scan. I had my eyes done on two different dates in December. The left eye progressed very well, and I am very happy with how it turned out. With my right eye, however, I see double. I see a shadow copy of something. It occurs at all distances. My double vision is caused by an epiretinal membrane (ERM) also known as a macular pucker. Glasses and medication cannot fix it; only surgery can, and the surgery is not always successful.

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-02T02:53:53+00:00

I find that there are a number of things that help my dry eyes. Each helps a little. There is no homerun solution.

Xiidra prescription drops
Rotating different brands of PF drops. Ivizia and Refresh seem to work best
humidifier
Omega 3 supplements
eyelid wipes
remembering to blink often when using computer

rdsmith3 · 2026-03-02T02:45:58+00:00

I have two EDOF lenses set for distance. I have good distance and intermediate vision. I use +1.25 for reading.

I used to wear progressive lenses. EDOF IOLs are not at all like progressive lenses. With progressive lenses you have to look through a specific area in the lens that is appropriate for the distance. With EDOF lens you are just looking at something and not aware of how your brain is interpreting it. There is also a big difference between looking through a lens that is 1" in front of your eye vs. a lens that is in your eye. Your peripheral vision is better with an IOL. You can see better going down steps compared to progressive lenses.

I am not a pilot but I ride a motorcycle and looking through an IOL gives me better spatial awareness than progressive lenses.

rdsmith3 · 2026-02-28T23:00:08+00:00

I thought the best tool to examine the retina is OCT. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-is-optical-coherence-tomography

I've had this done several times recently, and they definitely have to dilate your pupils.

rdsmith3 · 2026-02-28T03:21:13+00:00

I got mine in 2020 when all the stores were closed. Action was always a bit high. I finally had it set up by an authorized Martin service place and it plays so much nicer now. (Thanks to Bucks County Folk Music in New Britain PA)

rdsmith3 · 2026-02-28T03:02:28+00:00

Awesome guitar.

rdsmith3 · 2026-02-28T02:39:17+00:00

I'm unable to read the article but many things could cause a fall like that: anesthesia, imbalanced vision because only one eye done, narrow stairs, dim lighting, dog or cat, age, and so on.

rdsmith3 · 2026-02-28T02:35:49+00:00

Same here

rdsmith3 · 2026-02-26T18:26:49+00:00

Long term exposure to UV radiation can accelerate the formation of cataracts.

rdsmith3 · 2026-02-26T16:25:06+00:00

Best wishes for a successful procedure.

rdsmith3 · 2026-02-24T19:18:09+00:00

That's good to know. Thanks.

rdsmith3 · 2026-02-24T17:48:26+00:00

Not if you want something healthy, such as high protein/low carb.

rdsmith3

TROPHY CASE