The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

You can have any one thing or place all to yourself for twenty-four hours. What would it be, and why?

cg

 

[Rich_S]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

Can you elaborate on an experience you've had that you think others can learn from as well?

When I graduated with my engineering degree in 1984, I viewed "guitar" and "real job" as an either/or proposition. I went the engineering route, and eventually job, wife, house, and kids displaced guitar almost completely. Looking back, I can see that there were guitar-related job possibilities other than "rock star". If I had been a bit more creative in my thinking back then, I might have been able to make a career out of some aspect of the guitar biz, and I'd be a happier camper today for it. Unfortunately, if you depend on mid-life wisdom for these revalations, you're often too committed to your obligations to make a change.

You can have any one thing or place all to yourself for twenty-four hours. What would it be, and why?

My time. As much as I love my wife and kids, there is nothing left over for me. I'll take my 24 hours in six 4-hour blocks, every other day for 12 days. Each day, I go for a three-hour bike ride to a start on getting back in shape.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

When I graduated with my engineering degree in 1984, I viewed "guitar" and "real job" as an either/or proposition. I went the engineering route, and eventually job, wife, house, and kids displaced guitar almost completely. Looking back, I can see that there were guitar-related job possibilities other than "rock star". If I had been a bit more creative in my thinking back then, I might have been able to make a career out of some aspect of the guitar biz, and I'd be a happier camper today for it. Unfortunately, if you depend on mid-life wisdom for these revelations, you're often too committed to your obligations to make a change.

What are some of the career paths you wish you had pursued?

 

[Rich_S]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

What are some of the career paths you wish you had pursued?

I think I could have succeeded doing the kind of work I do now - designing manufacturing facilities, automation, etc. but working in the music business rather than general industry. I actually looked into it about ten years ago. Several guys: Paul Reed Smith, Chris Martin IV, Bob Taylor and a few others were very helpful, and spent some time with me on the phone, or at their plants, talking about the business of manufacturing guitars, rather than "luthing" (as Bob Talyor calls it). We all agreed there was a need for engineers with an appreciation for the artistic side of the guitar, but I could afford the pay hit, jumping from general industry into the guitar biz. So, these days, I'm just whorin' myself out to the petrochem folks.

Obviously, the boutique amp/effects business appeals to me, too, but there was no such thing back in the mid-80s.

I also could have done well in sound reinforcement systems. Back then, that meant "touring" systems; the life-style was a big turn-off for me. These days, there's a huge market for permanent installations of concert-level sound systems; very involved projects needing formal engineeering skills. It's largely driven by the Christian-contemporary worship movement, but I didn't see that coming...

 

[B Bent]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

You should post a more up to date picture of yourself.

 

[Gamera]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

Is the title of this thread a reference to "Hitchhiker's Guide?"

 

[Rich_S]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

You should post a more up to date picture of yourself.

Why would anyone want to take a picture of me these days? I look like the old pictures minus some hair, plus 40 pounds.

Is the title of this thread a reference to "Hitchhiker's Guide?"

Ding ding ding! We have a winner.

 

[tone4days]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

so Rich

tell us of some experiences you have had overseas (business, pleasure, etc) ...

 

[Rich_S]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

Funny you should ask. Around 1991, I spent 7 months working on a steel mill startup in Chengdu, the city nearest where yesterday earthquake occurred. Ever commute to work by bike with a million other people? That's a different kind of experience.

I've never really been travelled overseas for pleasure. For business, I've been to Brazil, Mexico, China (Chengdu and Shanghai). I wish I could spend more time in Europe - my Georgia Tech grad school class spent two weeks in France and Germany studying international business, but I'd like to go sometime when there's no schooling involved.

 

[tone4days]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

what kids of things (tools, materials, test equipment, reference materials, etc) should a first-time tube amp kit builder have on hand in order to reduce frustration and make it easier to work through challenges that crop up?

 

[threechordcharlie]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

My Drexel U. bro T4D asked me to host The Well this week. Fire away.

Will there ever be a Banana Splits reunion tour?

 

[Rich_S]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

what kids of things (tools, materials, test equipment, reference materials, etc) should a first-time tube amp kit builder have on hand in order to reduce frustration and make it easier to work through challenges that crop up?

• A decent-to-good soldering iron (I use a 25-watt Weller)
• A decent-to-good digital multimeter (I have two - the Fluke 87 is overkill, but I highly recommend the Fluke 177)
• Medium-sized diagonal cutters, needle-nose pliers, adjustable wrench
• Screwdrivers

I think that's about it for kit-building. Building from scratch is a lot harder, you need to be able to drill or punch large holes in the chassis for tube sockets.

Materials are similar - it's pretty simple if you're building a kit, buit a scratch build is tougher. You need to come up with a bill of materials, and then have some stock on hand in case you need to tweak. Nothing worse than having to place a Mouser order for one 150-ohm resistor when the 120-ohm the design calls for isn't quite right.

I think the best source of info is the web. There are some good books around, but not many give direct step-by-step instructions. Dave Hunter's book is good for background material on various types of amps. Gerald Webber's latest is good for troubleshooting and tweaking. But I still thingk the best resource is the web: the kit manufacturer's site, Doug Hoffman's, 18Watt.com, AX84.com; that's where I learned, and those guys will help you out if it goes wrong.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

Will there ever be a Banana Splits reunion tour?

Gimme the sunbusrt teardrop and the lion suit, baby... I'm there.

 

[tone4days]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

a time in your life when, on retrospect, you shouldve zigged instead of zagged? ... what was the situation, the zag, and the zig?

 

[Rich_S]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

See post 23.

 

[B Bent]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

I am still sad for you that the neighbors have never invited you over for a swim!

 

[Rich_S]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

Having your own pool here is stupid anyway... the neighborhood pool is a block and a half away.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

Hey Rich!

Would you share some general tips from gigging experiences with us?

What is your most embarrasing or awkawrd moment?

What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?

Least favourite guitar finish?

Why is your favourite band your favourite band?

 

[Rich_S]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

Would you share some general tips from gigging experiences with us?

Don't worry about the subtle stuff. For example, you don't need to program 5 different flavours of chorus on a multi-effector. Out front, the people will barely be able to tell if the chorus is on or off, let alone which flavor you're using. Hell, about half won't care if you use it at all. It's better to keep it simple.

Don't let the owner of a sound system mix your band. They guy who owns the gear is more interested in showing how loud it is than in making you sound good. I believe many sound system owner/operators subconciously correlate decibels with genital length. A trusted (musical) friend with a good ear will do a better job.

Have fun. 95% of us will never "make it" in music, so if we're not having fun, why do it? I wish there were more opportunities to just go a play with people and for people, without all the B.S. involved in bar gigs, or all the "gonna be a star someday" overhead.

What is your most embarrasing or awkawrd moment?

Let's stick to the most embarassing musical moment. Years ago, I was friends with an original band that I thought were brilliant. They had all the guitarists they needed, but at one point they had to fire their bass player for refusing to do an important (or so they thought) battle of the bands. I talked a lot of smack and convinced them I could transform myself into a bass player in five days, and learn the tunes needed to play the battle. I rented a Rick 4001, borrowed an amp, learned the songs, and attended a lot of rehearsals.

On the day of the battle, when our turn came, the drummer launched into his 4-bar intro to our big concert opener. Right on cue, I hit my low G. Unfortunately, I got the song confused with another, and the rest of the band was playing an A. Everyone turned around and stared at me for the two seconds it took to get straightened out. We played a killer set, but those two seconds cost us first place.

What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?

I'm a traditionalist, and I'm from Philly. Make it Breyer's vanilla.

Least favourite guitar finish?

I'm not wild about most figured tops, especially cherry sunbusrt. I'd take a plain tobacco burst instead.

Why is your favourite band your favourite band?

I like stripped-down bands, especially trios. I like the Police because the music is interesting, but still has space. Also, I like it when three guys are really busy doing lots of stuff, rather than a big band with everyone sticking to their one, little thing.

 

[Tor]

Re: The Well - Part XXVIII: Life... don't talk to me about life.

Without going too much against the rules here...

What did you like the most about Texas and what did you dislike the most?

And same questions for Pennsylvania..

Limit to your own geographical sphere if need be.