Jimbilly

If I didn't like 5 ers so much, I'd play the 4 in my profile pic a whole lot more

as I understand it... generally it's the size of the inner core of the string and not the winding diameter, which is why a strat for example will most often have the two 'stair steps' at similar placement (cores of the wound strings are roughly similar diameter as the plain strings). I think I've got a tapered B on my old Chap 5, it's roughly a 'straight slant'. As a sidenote; there's a youtube review of a low cost headless bass, a model that I own and like, where the guy goes on and on with difficulty setting it up after a string change, FINALLY getting to the point: he put standard scale with tapered B strings on his fan fret (35" scale) headless: the taper on both ends, especially at the nut made it impossible to setup. 'User-error' ("what does this screw do?") is very common with used gear, I've been guilty but improving. When buying used bikes to flip, I call it 'the mark of the bonehead', - something has been adjusted or setup weird, now where is it? More common with bikes, but not uncommon on guitars

my first thought from the 2nd photo: "there's no way that's properly intonated" - which is a common observation/guess for me

they've been showing up in my youtube feed too, it must be their turn. The arrangement of I Like To Rock is really impressive. it's nice to see them getting some attention, I admit that I was mostly unaware back in the day. I actually sent the youtube link for I LIke To Rock to my 18yr old daughter, she thought it was cool.

John was really a genuinely nice good person. I'm glad I knew him, sad that I didn't stay in contact more recently

hmm, Guitar Maniacs has been a 'brick and mortal' store in Tacoma WA for 30+ years, Rick King (owner) is a real and early vintage expert. looks like he is just on facebook and reverb now, no standalone website https://reverb.com/shop/guitar-maniacs?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=shop&utm_content=68574

sounds like something I would have appreciated as a kid, piano was nearly torture! My kids also didn't enjoy the year or so of piano we put them through. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/piano-students-sweep-national-competitions-after-learning-payam-method-60-minutes-transcript/

cool find! I don't recall having seen on like that before, you've tried using 'google lens' on it?

my wife just counted guitar cases, uh oh!, - damage control! flowers? jewlery?

I believe my late '80s desert yellow Jem had the same color hardware as this black '89 Jem, the DY had a busted tuner and I wasn't able to find a matching Cosmo Black tuner or set back then, - at least it should be easier to find a trem bar than a tuner set for an 89 Jem. I have a 2000 ish 'Cortek' Ibanez RG (the neck through mik RG) that also has the same color hardware, but it uses a different trem arm I think, - and was also missing the trem arm when I bought it.

I see black, or chrome, but not Cosmo Black, am I missing it?

this looks like what is on the newer AZ series with Gotoh non locking trems, could be a good solution https://www.amazon.com/RED-BISHOP-MAGIK-ARM-IBANEZ-RBAH2B2/dp/B08B3X2YNK?th=1

black, chrome, gold, are easy to find. 'black chrome' is what I'm looking for

Push in (no threads, the one with the nylon bushings). I'm having trouble locating one in black chrome, I could be wrong about the color name. Somewhat common 30-40 years ago I think, not so much now. I'll add a photo when the site allows

and really really heavy to be authentic I just watched that the other night too, I though it was good. The truss adjust nut is probably the best clue, the fakers would really have to go to some effort to do a Gibson style truss rod nut. Whenever I see one at a pawn shop, I always start by assuming it's a fake