Brownsound

If it's Hawaii, book my flight! I find it interesting that in the sixties, music was a political force "for the better" if I read history correctly. But now, it's not supposed to be political? Clearly, those here that disagree with it vote with their pocketbooks and avoid buying the CD, going to the concert, or seeing certain movies. But to sit around and denigrate artists who do choose to political just seems corny to me. Jeez...I saw Ted Nugent a couple of years ago on the KISS tour and sat through an entire tirade against gays and some of the most ill-informed information on AIDS I've ever heard. But that doesn't mean I can't respect his guitar playing abilities and just roll my eyes at his schtick. Ok...I guess I was too general. Having something relevant to say like some music out there is different than self loathing and plain bitching like American Idiot. I would like to see some good songs about the UN...

Retribution is one thing, but being asked to leave (or, more accurately, having someone suggest to you that maybe you'd be happier somewhere else) ... wouldn't that fall under free speech? And I trust you know that when I say "you," I don't mean you specifically, Bill. Not to start a flame here but... What about the muslim students at Berkley that were jumping up and down and cheering and clapping when the planes were crashing into the Trade Center towers? Does that fall under the same category as voiceing criticism for the country that you call your home? I mean sure, free speech is guaranteed but you still cant yell fire in movie theater or say bomb when standing in line at airport security without getting a little attention and arrested for that matter. There is a line im sure but where is it?

Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree with that. This current trend of claiming that all opinions have equal validity, or “it’s my opinion, and it’s just as important as yours”, is crap. Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day is a high school drop-out. What you are saying is that he is just as qualified to comment on current events as someone who has a BA in Political Science, or a Masters in International Relations. Does education automatically make the more educated person’s opinions right? Not hardly. But in many cases they do have a more informed background from which to reach their conclusions. All opinions DO NOT have equal validity, and some are just completely wrong. It’s a shame when an otherwise talented band decides to use their music and celebrity as a platform to push an agenda I disagree with. I generally don’t buy albums or go to movies when I know that my money is going to contribute to causes I disagree with. To me, it’s like writing a check to the enemy. here here!!!

You know, I can read these political discussions on here all day and not get irritated. I don't care if you are on the left or on the right. I just hope that a person considers both sides of an issue before they start spewing their point of view. But now when you start saying one of my favorite bands SUCKS - now that pisses me off. Granted, the Boomtown Rats music may not be for everyone, but all of their CDs were recently re-issued (including the never released on CD first album) and I have been getting a kick out of listening to them. Your post reminds me of when I was in high school (79-82) and I was constantly given shit because of the bands I listened to - such as The Police, Elvis Costello, The Clash, U2, Joe Jackson, XTC, The Sex Pistols, etc. - and all those paint-huffing, burnt-out at 15-years-old twerps wearing metal t-shirts would go out of their way to tell me that my favorite bands SUCKED. I could continue but I might start getting really rude... Wow...you went to high school at the same exact time I did. I was not a metal freak then but I liked the hair band stuff. You list of songs are somewhat fringe for being in high school though...lol. And I dont remember a day in high school that I wasnt given shit about something so whats so special about you?

Actually if you have at your disposal a forum that would give you an unfair distribution of your particular views then I would say no, they should not use that "bully pulpit" to force their views on people. Also, the weak minded tend to take information that is distributed in such a manner as being somewhat "more valid" than if the average citizen were simply conversing about the subject You know MuseCafeChris, I used to love Greenday too. Then that American Idiot thing hit and I wont even buy it. If they really think that the US sucks then why not move to less offensive locales....not wait...there arent any..... The Ted Nugent thing bothers me too, I dont need to hear his politics either at a concert. However I have gotten his latest album and its not political. Its just nice and Nugenty.....sex and rock.....lol!

To me, I could give a shit less what a bunch of individuals with questionable personal habits think about the political environment today. I listen to music and enjoy it more on a gut level than intellectual so when I hear some of the crap that is coming out of otherwise decent bands and what I consider their un-deducated views of the world politic I get immediately turned off....What say ye?

Loud shiney things attract stupid people...what can I say. I was at an ouside gig and it had just finished raining. I sat and watched as this rocket scientist poured gas all over a large bonfire pile.....and his legs. Well, when he lit the fire, it ran up him as well. Instead of dropping to the wet ground he took off running as fast as he could through the woods....he was burned very badly...and I giggled like a school girl....!!!!

Put me down for 1...maybe 2

Good honest wear on a guitar that survived the 80s hairband onslaught deserves to remain in original condition. Its "comfortable".

Its interesting these quibblings over styles and musical talent/tech ability. I have listened to some really incredible Jazz players that had insane technique and skill, but I wouldnt go out of my way to listen to them...its just not my bag... Satriani is good and some of his stuff is tasty. I wouldnt call it wankery. Its unfortunate that some people wont admit technical mastery and call it crap because they dont like the music. I really dont enjoy listening to Zappa but man, that guy had ability pouring from him. Cut to todays hard rock/metal. I have heard very little technical mastery OR musical talent. Im talking about the universal litmus for musical ability. A wall of drop D noise with some crack head screaming into a mike takes little or no ability....or talent. Its much like farting the alphabet, a neat little trick but not a talent...!

Gerlitz Guitar Honey...specifically designed to clean and condition fretboards. I use it and its the absolute shiz, I used to use a very good quality of lemon oil...not anymore.

Add to all that, I was told by a luthier that the older a guitar gets the more likely it will develope dead spots AND they can move with age. Ist that a shitter?

OMG...I started a mess!!.. Well after breaking out the ol 87 Standard Custom I have found a weak/dead spot on the 12th but nothing amiss on the 14th. Again its weak but not plunk dead. I picked up a Bill Lawrence Tele and it has a dead dead dea spot on about the 12th. My Studio Custom has a weak spot at the 14th on the G and finally my Gibson ES-137 which has a bat for a neck has no spots that I can detec, in fact its got more sustain than my other guits.

There must be degrees of "deadness" to dead spots. On further review if my guitars issue I would say its weak and not totally dead. Its only really noticeable when I hold the note with high gain. It lasts a about 3 secs and warbles away to feedback sustain if the amp is loud enough. If I apply some finger vibrato I can coax a bit more out of it. Its interesting to note that if I tune down a half step it moves to the fret where that particular note it so I know its a resonance cancellation. With all the probs I have had with Gibsons lately Im blessed if thats all the problem I have from my Hamers.

So...in effect is he saying that the pre-97 guitars are somehow...sub-standard or iffy or....prone to be bad..?

I spoke to a K Keller... I forget if its Kim or Ken.

Ya thats him. Why is he an asshole?

I cant believe I mispelled Hamer in the subject....forgive me....ahhhhhhhh!!!!1

I had an interesting conversation with a customer service rep at the Hamer factory in Con. I was asking about dead spots and what they suggested as a possible remedy. After talking about the usual things, tuners, fat finger etc. he asked me the year of the guitar. I told him it was an '96, He told me that prior to 97 there were incidences of dead spots but after they moved in 97 they dont enounter them anymore. I asked if he had any idea and he didnt know. I find that interesting, just thought I would pass it on to fellow HFCers.

Showman amps...hmmm..gonna have to look for one of those.

Bill, I tried so hard to find a little animated gif of the Fat Albert Gang crackin' up to post here after your post but alas couldn't. I'd never thought of that before. It always kinda chapped my ass when he'd go on and onabout family values when he's always been kinda boastful about his groupie conquests and marital infidelities not to mention he tried to pickup a friend of mine a few years ago. Lol!...ah we are wearing our political leanings on our sleeve again are we? I met Ted in '86 and he was no more a tool than ANY of the other rock stars I have met. Again I could give a shit about the politics of the man I was just interested in tone...some people just cant get over themselves though. So please be helpful or go join a protest somewhere.

Amen...they should shut up and play!

So, what other hollow-body guits did Ted use? I dont think I can afford a Gibson Byrdland plus they dont have the Florentine cutaway anymore. Also didnt he use Fender amps back in the day. I would like to try and get that Wango tone...

Hmmm...a drunk guy at a rock concert...you dont see that everyday...no wait....

I know what your saying about mixing politics. I think the right and the left should just shut up and play. I love his tone. I have his latest album and he still tears it up. Some of the stuff is a little corny/racey for me now...Pussywhipped is one of his new songs...not that great. There is an instrumental at the end of the CD that harkens back to his early work. Overall a good CD. Some of the lyrics are...umm interesting. "My baby loves my butter on her grits, she cant get enough of my jam, and when my baby goes lookin for double trouble, she knows damn well where I am"