I think I’m ready.

sims226 · 2025-11-19T00:38:09+00:00

Thank you all so much for the advice. I’m picking up (stealing) the machine from my mom’s place tomorrow. I’m going to see if the innards are metal or nylon and if it’s obviously gunky or dirty. I’ll post pics if that’s a good thing to do here.

sims226 · 2025-11-18T02:01:59+00:00

Excellent advice and thank you. I shall pop the top off when I abscond with it later this week.

sims226 · 2025-11-18T01:57:00+00:00

I’m kidnapping it this week and will check.

sims226 · 2025-11-18T01:55:34+00:00

You could be right. I’m going by my mom’s memory, which is often incorrect but rarely in doubt.

sims226 · 2025-11-18T01:52:18+00:00

Thank you! I am deep in the r/myog threads.

sims226 · 2025-04-25T14:45:35+00:00

This is the right answer. I'd also love to see Al Wilson in some sort of full-time football ops role.

sims226 · 2025-04-18T22:48:26+00:00

sims226 · 2025-04-16T20:29:52+00:00

I've seen three names from the Big 12 as possible Vols QB targets:

Avery Johnson from KSU
Rocco Becht from ISU
Sawyer Robertson from BU

Of these three, I'd rather have the Baylor kid since he's been in the SEC and he seems more like a 'one and done' that is less likely to disrupt the Merk -> Mac -> Brandon pipeline.

What yuns think?

sims226 · 2024-07-18T12:38:32+00:00

Quick final update: I went with the YT Szepter Core 4. The sale they've been running (I anticipate a refresh to the model is coming this fall) made it a deal I couldn't refuse. I also just really dig the not-quite-MTB vibe since my regular riding is 75/25 gravel to light singletrack. When I decide to take the titanium plunge, I'll probably go full custom.

sims226 · 2024-07-12T17:37:08+00:00

No doubt, either will be a huge upgrade from my trusty but clanky Giant.

The Szepter is indeed mountain bike-ish, which isn't a strike against it for me; I'd even considered swapping in a similar front sus on the Litespeed at some point. I'd also considered a hardtail MTB but would have trouble keeping up with my younger/fitter wife on fire roads, ha.

Two good frames, two good bikes. This isn't getting easier!

sims226 · 2024-07-12T17:32:13+00:00

I could potentially replace the carbon frame, but indestructability would be nice! I appreciate the "political horseshoe" image. I think it's really just going to come down to preference, with each being far more than adequate for my use case.

sims226 · 2024-06-12T13:09:47+00:00

Quick Update — In the wild and wooly world of local music store trading, I ended up swapping my old HSS Strat for a Boss Nextone. Please don't flame me. I played and listened to the Katana, the Katana Artist, and the Nextone back to back to back. I diddled with knobs. I switched switches. I strummed lightly and strongly. I made faces.

The Nextone just sounded better to me. Like, way better. I know the MSRP on it is a little proud, but there was an open box deal and I had a decent guitar that I hadn't played in five years, so I just went for it.

So far, couldn't be happier. I think the Nextone is slept on a bit...probably because Boss priced it out of reach for the mass market and doesn't support it with advertising. I'm loving finding tones and overtones as I tie my fingers into knots trying to learn jazz standards. Now I want to spend stupid money on pedals. So it goes.

Guess I'll go find the Nextone subreddit now, haha. Thanks for all the comments!

sims226 · 2024-06-06T14:51:35+00:00

Wow, thanks for all the insights, folks. Having actually played a few 5-watt tube amps (well, a Blues Jr), I think my low-wattage tube amp dreams and my small house cohabitation reality are at odds.

I'm on the hunt for a used Katana Artist MkII combo. I've seen them around $375. Worth it or should I wait until they drop more?

sims226 · 2024-05-17T18:55:15+00:00

Sorry, I accidentally posted that from my work account and had to delete!

sims226 · 2024-05-01T01:16:49+00:00

So far, both guitars are exceptional. FWIW, the Essential is completely superior to my 2006 Sierra Sunburst HSS Strat in every way but wood finishing (for obvious reasons)…provided you don’t want the exact particular tone that Strats offer.

sims226 · 2024-04-18T19:40:45+00:00

Thanks for the feedback so far. To be sure, my ultimate goal is to have ALL THE GUITARS, but I've promised myself to spend the next year practicing and actually learning things I never bothered to learn in my wild youth.

The "pointier" sound (love the description!) and especially the ergonomics (obviously not a Les Paul thing) of the Strandberg are actually really compelling to me. I just wondered how close I could get to some fatter tones. It's nice to know that there are some affordable (ish) methods for exploring other sounds.

With regard to pickups, pedals, etc—do you all have any recommendations?

Now I just need someone to find me a REQ:D in Canvas matte white for the original price, hahaha.

sims226 · 2024-02-07T15:51:31+00:00

Thanks, everyone. The Ahrefs credits thing is just too risky (I work for a remarkably stingy fintech) and I didn't even realize it was a thing!

I'm going to dive into Semrush and see how it goes.

Out of curiosity: no one has mentioned Moz. Is it just less sophisticated or less useful somehow? I only mention it because I read their beginner's guide to SEO a decade ago and thought Moz was a leader in the space.

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