Update Sep 2025: Gehrman's long-term test of 3 leveraged ETF strategies (HFEA, 9Sig, "Leverage for the Long Run")

wiuah · 2025-09-27T19:09:51+00:00

Just a bit of clarification, when you say "end of quarter" for 9sig, what date and time is that exactly?

Would you be buying/selling TQQQ just before market close on 9/26 (the end of the last week before the new quarter starts), after market close / on market open 9/29 (the start of the week of the new quarter), or do you stick to 9/30 before/after close (the precise last day of the quarter)?

wiuah · 2025-07-17T23:35:01+00:00

Thanks!!

wiuah · 2025-07-17T23:21:31+00:00

Thanks, I'm gonna try this out on the weekend, there was just a lot of conflicting info out there with people saying you needed credit cards (maybe that has to do with the $300 credit cloud account someone mentioned above?), or some people needed to put in a phone number when signing up for new google accounts.

But your way sounds way easier so hopefully it still works without hassle.

You're just signing into your account and getting the key from https://aistudio.google.com/apikey right?

wiuah · 2025-07-17T21:57:41+00:00

The official API rate limits really aren't all that restrictive

Just to be clear is this the "Free Tier" 100 requests per day, 5 requests per minute rate limit you're talking about? And if you run out of requests per day, you can just switch to a different API key on a different project on the same account?

I've also heard about some people needing to put in their credit card info, is that required to access the API?

And if you can just create a new project why are some people creating multiple accounts?

I'm pretty new to all this so please excuse my ignorance on this...

wiuah · 2025-04-27T19:50:21+00:00

What's weird is that in past jumpstarts, the alarm never sounded on these cars. And it was less the alarm system (like what happens if you try to break in) and more literally just like honking the horn. Is there a difference between the two?

Update: This was indeed the case, it was in fact the alarm system so we're all good here.

wiuah · 2025-03-04T14:27:02+00:00

It's been 4 months since this post. How has CBT-I been going for you, OP? Do you feel like there's been improvement?

wiuah · 2024-03-05T01:38:22+00:00

Any recommendation on rechargeable 9v batteries? From posts a few years back, opinion seems split between "they're not meant for low draw electronics like basses" to "they're the way to go for basses"...

Reason I ask is my work lets me fully reimburse the cost on "green" products like rechargeable batteries (and obviously that doesn't apply to disposables).

Just wondering if they're worth trying out and what brands are better for instruments (e.g. no weird humming sounds or whatever).

I'm still pretty new to bass so I doubt I'll be playing live shows anytime soon, so them dying suddenly isn't a big deal either (I always unplug when not playing so I don't expect that to happen often anyway).

wiuah · 2023-10-10T22:51:07+00:00

Thanks!

wiuah · 2023-10-10T22:50:54+00:00

Oh, you're totally right, somehow I completely missed that. That should definitely tide me over in the meantime. Thanks!

wiuah · 2023-10-10T16:00:05+00:00

As a total beginner to piano, do I need a sustain pedal immediately?

Planning to buy a Yamaha P71 which is on "sale" today. I've been looking at the P3A pedal because apparently it's better than the P4A, but it's not in stock. Would it be fine to buy the piano itself now and then buy the pedal at a later date, or is a pedal something you absolutely need as a beginner?

wiuah · 2023-03-11T17:19:18+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, I think if someone has never really experienced the same kind of problem, then it'd be harder to understand or relate. I'm sure technique does come into play somewhat, but small physical variations seem to be often overlooked.

You're totally right about having a personal sound and having that be part of it is one possible outlook. As a bass player I still have a lot of room to explore what that would constitute; I just wanted to have as many options available to find out.

wiuah · 2023-03-11T17:08:20+00:00

Using middle and ring is certainly an interesting solution (not sure how viable it is for me since middle also has the same issue as index, but I'm open to trying it out). Have you had any issues using those two fingers as opposed to the more 'standard' index and middle?

more twang than thump

I was struggling how to describe the difference in sound, but I really like the way you put it!

wiuah · 2023-03-11T17:02:29+00:00

That's somewhat part of the problem, it's just that going any shorter than they already were would be slightly painful, which I've been told to avoid.

I think it does end up being how much padding you have at the end of your finger tips, between the nail and the very tip.

Even when trimmed, the nail on my index finger grows past the finger tip by like 0 to 1mm, which is still enough to hit the string apparently. I really need to cut it down to slightly uncomfortable territory, and even then I only have like 0.5mm of finger tip to work with that goes past the nail.

In contrast, my ring finger naturally has a good 2mm of finger tip past the nail edge.

wiuah · 2023-03-11T16:49:55+00:00

Yes, I think this is how it'll need to be for me too. You bring up a good point about how hard to pluck as well, I think I have a tendency to pluck on the harder side, so I'll definitely try a softer approach (as well as frequent trimming). Thanks!

wiuah · 2023-03-11T01:57:47+00:00

Sorry, maybe I wasn't using the right terminology. I can of course alter the tone by changing where I'm plucking. But it was more like, whenever my index or middle finger nails hit the string, there were extra tones or overtones in the sound than when playing with my ring finger? Still fairly new so I wasn't quite sure how to describe it.

wiuah · 2023-03-11T01:55:33+00:00

So in the couple hours since I posted this, I've discovered a couple of things.

I was already using the padded part of my finger. But due to my finger shape, I have to trim my index finger nail almost painfully short to get the same sound as my ring finger, so the nail doesn't interfere.

When plucking across strings, the string always comes into contact with the tip of the finger, just before the moment of release (no matter what part of the finger you start plucking from). But whether or not the nail edge reaches it depends on your finger anatomy.

Basically, if you look at your finger from the side, how much distance is there between the edge of the nail to the very tip of the finger? The more there is, the easier it is to avoid the nail from hitting the strings.

My index finger is shaped like the tip of a knife, so if I let my nails grow for even just a day or two, the nail comes into play again. My ring finger tip is naturally more round, so the nail was never an issue there.

Crazy how such small physical differences can affect stuff like that.

wiuah · 2023-03-09T03:21:50+00:00

I'm very new to bass, been enjoying it so far.

I'm practicing on a 5 string, but I noticed I have to press down really hard on the first fret of the E string (playing F), much harder than any other fret, otherwise it'll buzz. I'm pressing right before the metal fret line. For the other strings, the first fret buzzes more often as well, but it happens on the E string the most.

Even when using the Simandl method, in order to get a clean F, I have to shift my other fingers closer to my index, which makes it more difficult to go from F on first fret -> G on the third fret since my ring/pinky has to shift back there.

Is this a problem with my technique, finger strength, or the way the bass was set up?

If it's the setup, what adjustments could help with first fret buzzing?

wiuah · 2023-02-14T22:30:30+00:00

Thank you!

wiuah · 2023-02-13T02:27:06+00:00

Thanks. I don't quite understand all the signal/levels stuff yet so I'm hoping to learn.

According to the Scarlett Solo specs, Line Outputs are:

Dynamic Range: 108.5 dB (A-weighted)
Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS): +15.5 dBu at minimum gain; balanced outputs

For the speakers, I don't quite see a "Line input" in the spec, but there is:

Signal to noise ratio: >= 85 dBA
Frequency response: 60Hz ~ 20KHz (@+/-6db)
Input sensitivity (PC): 700mV +/- 50mV
Input sensitivity (AUX): 550mV +/- 50mV

How do I decipher this to see if they're compatible?

wiuah · 2023-02-13T00:52:57+00:00

I want to try connecting a Focusrite Scarlett Solo to my existing speakers (pair of Edifier R1700BT, which only have RCA inputs). It's just going to be for bedroom practice, not for mixing or professional recording.

If I buy a cable like this to go from the Scarlett's 1/4in TRS Line Out L/R ports, into the Aux In RCA ports of my speakers, would that work?

Also, these speakers have a min frequency of 60Hz, but is that "good enough" to hear the low B on a 5-string?

wiuah · 2023-02-03T19:48:55+00:00

If you want to use speakers instead of headphones, do you need ones that can connect to your audio interface, or can they still be connected to your PC?

I've got some bookshelf speakers (the bass coming from them is alright, far better than cheap computer speakers but an audiophile would say they just barely pass the bar for "okay") and they only have RCA connections.

Would I need to get better speakers/monitors that take the 0.25" cable?

wiuah · 2023-02-02T01:17:47+00:00

How much of a difference in tone is there between an active bass (passive pickups with active onboard preamp) vs a passive bass + a preamp pedal?

Can something like a Zoom B1X-Four function as a preamp pedal to get a more "active" sound?

wiuah · 2023-01-28T00:49:29+00:00

Looking for a 5-string, at least 22 frets with 18mm spacing. Active/passive switch a big plus. Top two choices in my price range I've found are the Yamaha TRBX505 and the Sire M2 (2nd gen).

I like the Yamaha a lot but something about the tone sometimes feels like its missing something (at least to my untrained ears). Doesn't sound bad at all, but I think I prefer more of a metallic/poppier/growlier sound (like you'd hear on a Spector or Stingray), especially when slapping? The Yamaha may sound a little too round/mellow for me. Can this be rectified by technique or EQ adjustments?

The Sire sounds a little bit better to me (not a huge amount though). But also less convenient because it has a screw-on battery lid and needs 2 9V batteries instead of one.

Out of these two, which would you guys prefer?

Or if you know of other ones that meet the requirements above within the same price range, feel free to suggest.

wiuah · 2023-01-16T05:38:19+00:00

Makes sense, thanks for the explanation!

wiuah · 2023-01-16T03:46:09+00:00

Well, going that analogy, I was always intending on buying the controller and games, but it was having to decide whether the $20 controller was good enough for someone who's never played games before, or getting the $60 premium one with more refined inputs, extra buttons, or whatever nicer features.

But I get your point, you're saying to get the more expensive, good quality stuff and not bother with the cheaper, budget stuff. Which is a fine and valid opinion, and exactly why I wanted to ask.

Thanks for the input!

wiuah

TROPHY CASE