What Have You Bought Guitar-Related In The Past 48 Hours?

Ever since I found a couple of my acoustic guitars suffering from drought, I've been a bit OCD about keeping them in proper condition. All of a sudden, my frustration level has risen to a new high because the room humidifier I bought a year ago or so has stopped bringing the RH into the 45% - 55% range. Today, I took it out cleaned and descaled it (again!) and it checked out okay. Then, I put it back into the room and it was like I'd changed climates. I also noticed the temperature in that room is a few degrees lower than the rest of the house. Grrr.

Well, I did what any self-respecting guitar geek would do: I bought individual in-case humidifiers for my top-line acoustics. I already have a Humidipak system in my new Martin's case, and now I'm going to double up and do the same for a few of my others. They're also not being kept in the cool room, but are now being hosted out in my living quarters, where it's a nice, steady 72°.

https://i.postimg.cc/hjQTwD7b/2021-12-23-13-19-04.jpg

Dang, I don't want come on here & post a bunch of whiny posts, but I've just been striking out lately. Thankfully I spent less on this item than I did for my sub sandwich this afternoon:
Namely, Item #099-0689-000, the "Genuine Fender Standard Vintage Adjustable Leather Guitar Strap, black". Be warned, there's a reason shops are blowing these out at less than 15 bucks. They aren't leather, they're "leather". Remember cardboard belts? Think cardboard straps! These things won't hold up anything for long
https://guitaraudio.com/media/catalo...1z5icpznrl.jpg

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Originally Posted by Cogs

Dang, I don't want come on here & post a bunch of whiny posts, but I've just been striking out lately. Thankfully I spent less on this item than I did for my sub sandwich this afternoon:
Namely, Item #099-0689-000, the "Genuine Fender Standard Vintage Adjustable Leather Guitar Strap, black". Be warned, there's a reason shops are blowing these out at less than 15 bucks. They aren't leather, they're "leather". Remember cardboard belts? Think cardboard straps! These things won't hold up anything for long
https://guitaraudio.com/media/catalo...1z5icpznrl.jpg

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Good thing is: IIRC you own a very good quality woven 60s style strap made of real cotton/leather/metal with no plastics or cardboard, made in Brazil :D

Yes, I do :)
But that one is on display in a climate-controlled case with UV-blocking glass. It must not even be looked at!
Lol
Actually, the one I got from you has found a home on my Gibson CS-336. it just seems to match:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2688047b_c.jpg

That 336 makes me want to start a new religion. Tastefully photographed too.

I'll tell you what, playing it is definitely a religious experience. A revelation, as they say. Shortly after I bought it, I installed a set of Wolfetone Legends. They really opened it up! The headstock has been broken off three times. Still my #1 Gibson.

Headstocks come and go....That guitar can live forever. It's one of the most beautiful ES sunbursts I've seen.

Well let's see some more of it then
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1ca84995_h.jpg

I just picked up an Xotic EP Booster. I've been complaining about the sound of my Mesa Fillmore, especially with the Music Man Cutlass. They bought have a thinner, more modern sound than similar products (the Fillmore is fine with a Strat and the Cutlass is fine with the Dr. Z Cure). I recently bought a Catalinbread Belle Epoch and noticed that it thickened up the sound considerably. The Fillmore, Cutlass, and Belle Epoch actually sound pretty great together!

I thought it'd be great to have that fattness added from a battery powered device. I didn't consider the EP Booster because it's small and I assumed it'd have to be plugged in. I was at GC today, saw a used EP Booster and Googled it. It can be powered by a battery and works great!

They had a used TS-808 reissue at a decent price so I bought that as well.

Loosely guitar related-I bought a phono preamp.

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Originally Posted by Cogs

I'll tell you what, playing it is definitely a religious experience.

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Pretty much what I have to say about my American Standard strat. I bought it new and it’s still entirely unmodified except for a string gauge change and the obligatory claw/truss rod adjustments.

It is BY FAR the best guitar I’ve ever played, despite being, as the gourmands say, a kit guitar, a Fender (oh, sin) and not a Custom Shop. Someone really did something too right at the factory. Plays like butter and sounds just KILLER, either clean or dirty. And does it roar when dirty!

I'm a tad behind posting. After a few stumbles and restarts, I quit one vendor and went with another. I had my product in about 72 hours, maybe less. A solid brass block, about 2mm taller and much more mass. I put it into a body and put 5 springs on it.

And I guess I didn't mention the Raw Vintage springs.

I put the block on the existing bridge plate and it fit perfectly. Although taller, a back plate is still possible.

Also got replacement packs for my D'Addario humidpack in my Yamaha.

In the search for a replacement block, i also ordered a couple of bridge assemblies, in gold. I have one that I probably should return unopened. The other one will make a Hank strat or Mary Kay strat replica.

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Originally Posted by ch willie

Loosely guitar related-I bought a phono preamp.

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What brand/year?

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Originally Posted by Sérgio

What brand/year?

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It's a tiny little booster for my turntable--$15 at Amazon. No brand. I don't even know if it'll be worth it, but I want to try it. My turntable is really quiet compared to the other components of my audio system.

Let me say that I hate my audio system. Sony, 17 years old. It sounds okay for movies but just okay on music.

Back in the 70s, I had an amazing Pioneer system. When you listened, you felt like you were sitting in the room with the bands. The sound was authentic and had balls. Not into buying expensive things this year, so I'll keep what I've got. My Airpods Pros are pretty good.

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Originally Posted by ch willie

Let me say that I hate my audio system. Sony, 17 years old. It sounds okay for movies but just okay on music.

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that's exactly what I found with my Sony 5.1 surround receiver. I was using it in my bedroom, no TV hooked up to it. It was only mediocre for music.

Even the worn out Sansui I got for my music room was better. Then I got my Pioneer 1080-SX. With the Advent speakers, it was nothing short of magical. Can't wait to get it set up again.

That’s the pioneer I had.

I've got an old Pioneer SX-750 from 1978 in my toy room. It's wired to a pair of Bose 301's along with a graphic equalizer and a dBX unit. A few of the receiver's front panel lights are burnt out but it still kicks pretty good for 44-Y/O piece of gear.

getting a tad off topic, lol, but I love it. The old receivers can be restored, a buddy of mine was really into it, he bought three of these. One for his shop and two for his house. There was a place in NYC that did these, IIRC. He ended up using only one there so I bought the other from him. Same with the Advents, they have new surrounds and are ready for another 30-40 years. Probably outlive me.

Probably getting in over my head by venturing into unknown territory, but I bought some recording gear to enable me to perform live via Zoom and to create personal jam tracks. A few years ago I had purchased an Apogee ONE system for Mac/iOs which has pretty much everything I need, but I wanted a condenser microphone rather than its built-in, so I found a "bundle" on Reverb: Audio Technica AT2020 (recommended by a friend who does professional sound) mic, pop filter, shock mount, desktop boom stand, cable and closed-back headphones. I focused on the mic; the rest are nice to have, but may not be necessary, and so I didn't focus on specs and top-quality (i.e., $$$).

https://i.postimg.cc/pX9QXqQQ/2022-01-02-08-19-30.jpg

No pics, but a Mesa MKV 35 combo. I just moved and will need to network, probably often to places I can’t plug in my Fractal rig.

If nothing else, I got it at a price I could flip it for a profit.

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Originally Posted by phantomman

I've got an old Pioneer SX-750 from 1978 in my toy room. It's wired to a pair of Bose 301's along with a graphic equalizer and a dBX unit. A few of the receiver's front panel lights are burnt out but it still kicks pretty good for 44-Y/O piece of gear.

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Lol, I have that exact same receiver that I bought in New Orleans in 1978. Now it's just used to power a couple of Radio Shack speakers for my wife's TV setup. It was my main rig for many years, and moved with me from state to state over a dozen times in the early years.

Exciting purchase. Speed knobs for my 83 Ibanez Artist.

just got incentive to sell something, waiting for more details.

Because I intend to use it for recording and broadcasting, I couldn't resist Musician's Friend's SDOD and purchased this Marantz Turret system. This is likely a discontinued product, as I cannot find it on Marantz's web site, yet all the reviews I read give it the highest ratings. I know the Marantz name going back to my high school and college days as a manufacturer of high-end audio equipment. Well, since it's 1/3 off, I thought why not? The other gear I purchased recently hasn't even been unpacked, so if I need to start mixing and matching, I'm good to go.

https://media.musiciansfriend.com/is...00-500x500.jpg

appreciate the link, because that thing was in "what am I looking at" territory for me.

let us know if it's really just plug and play, sure seems like a pretty intuitive format. If you are going to interact with other players via internet, this seems a little more stable than a hand held cell phone.

*edit* aw, crap. It was 179 last night and now it's 290. Shoulda woulda coulda. But it didn't exactly garner lots of praise in the reviews I've read. Yes, grain of salt and all that. I'm not a professional so it might be ok for me. But it has me thinking. If I can get my buddy Dave to get a similar setup, we could work on stuff without having to travel back and forth, convenient for the winter months.

Well, got them for free and not exactly 48 hours ago, but these are the two new mics I got to review.

https://scontent-bos3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...Aw&oe=61F03ED5

Nice!

9V batteries count :biglaugh:

hopefully they're here today.

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Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan

9V batteries count :biglaugh:

hopefully they're here today.

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What will you power with them? Pedals?

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Originally Posted by Sérgio

What will you power with them? Pedals?

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that, and our smoke alarms

mostly I wanted to power my tuner

This just arrived today. At $99 on J. Rockett's site, I couldn't resist.

It sounds nice and fat. Very dirty- kinda old school Boogie-like, but it doesn't clean up well from the guitar. It's a lot of fun for $99 plus tax.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...de79ab76_b.jpg

Well, I have patiently. Been waiting.....watching....looking.....like a sniper waiting for one high profile target. Epiphone pr-350/SR. had one since about 2001 and started looking about 10 years ago. Solid rosewood sides back.....solid top. I found a 2000 in what appears to be unplayed condition. Unmolested if you will. I will throw a pic up later of the two side by side. This one is like brand new and much lighter than the 20 year old I had on hand. It will be getting bone nut and saddle along with a good dressing.

Look forward to it, Kenny

Kent Armstrong USA pickguard-mounted, floating 12 pole pickup for my Eastman archtop. The stock pickup is just clanky and nowhere near as sweet and warm as the guitar is acoustically.




https://youtu.be/dfuyFBITVfA<a href="https://youtu.be/dfuyFBITVfA">https://youtu.be/dfuyFBITVfA

Not a done deal yet, but I put in a pre-order for for a Monty's Greeny set of PAF pickups. They got me when I was vulnerable, watching hockey, reading about David Ortiz's induction into the Baseball HOF (I was born a Red Sox fan.) I read a Google news feed about the Greeny set. The first batch was sold out, of course. I decided to look for their website and lo, they had 3 openings left for pre-order on the next batch.

I ain't so good on pounds to dollar conversion, but I figured these were going to cost me a pretty penny. I was not wrong. However, I have a long standing relationship with Peter Green going way back to the very early '70s, when nobody but guitar players knew who he was. It was recognizing one of his songs on the radio that got me introduced to some local mainstays in the blues scene, the older brothers of a bass player I knew back in the day when we were hanging out on his parents' porch one summer evening. This was long before Stevie Nicks and Christie McVie were part of Fleetwood Mac.

If this happens, I'm just going to have to figure out which LP shaped object to put them in :D

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Originally Posted by FrankJohnson

Well, I have patiently. Even waiting.....watching....looking.....like a sniper waiting for one high profile target. Epiphone pr-350/SR. had one since about 2001 and started looking about 10 years ago. Solid rosewood sides back.....solid top. I found ab2000 on what appears to be unplanned condition. Unmolested if you will. I will throw a pic up later of the two side by side. This one is like brand new and much lighter than the 20 year old I had on hand. It will be getting bone nut and saddle along with a good dressing.

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I hate typing on my phone. Sorry for all of that mess.......

so I picked up this Epiphone PR-350/SR and LOVE it. Has to make the trip to local guy for install of fishman and new bone nut/saddle. I do a barely passable job on these - he is pro and has tools to do it all right, including the fret level/dress etc.

I just re-did the saddle in my Martin M36 - I had taken the other down too far and when I did the replacement, It had an improper contour and I couldn't correct it. I am in that "no mans land" of I want it a little lower, but have to be very cautious to not take this one too far also. I also need to file the comp at the B a little.

Picked up a Fishman Artist acoustic amp - and LOVE it. One of the guys I play with has one and I was enamored with it. SO easy to put in the PA with great sound and no feedback. I was amazed at how BIG it sounds in such a small package.

10 packs of strings and some extra single strings.

Fender Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb in Blonde....and yes the reverb isnt as good as a spring reverb, but the amp sounds like a typical deluxe to my ears, and once the band kicks in everyone elses... ;)

Exchanged my Dunlop ‘78 Badass Distortion for a DOD Gunslinger.

I never really liked the ‘78 as much as I expected I would. It sounds thin and shrill no matter how I set it.

As far as I’ve read, the Gunslinger delivers a more “tube like” distortion.

Not bought or delivered, but installed within 48 hrs.
9 guitar hangers. Used 8. Will see about getting a hosted pic so I can post. 7 across the back wall of the office. 1 on a short side wall next to a closet.

Not a purchase but today I received a parcel from our esteemed moderator "cogs" whom it's been my honor to help out on a few occasions. Enclosed was a beautiful set of Kluson vintage-spec tuners, a most gracious expression of friendship and gratitude. I think he's tacitly egging me on to build that '54 Strat clone in Desert Sand......

:yah:

Thanks, Robert!

New audio interface ordered and should be delivered today. Unpacked my Dynaudio BM5A monitors. The office/music room is coming along.

A new board/bag.

I just couldn’t leave the Fulltone Deja Vibe that Willie so kindly sent me out of my chain, and it doesn’t take batteries so I got back to power supplies. Needed more board room, so…

https://i.postimg.cc/wjCwJCmd/50-D79...5364-DE344.jpg

3 pack of EB Super Slinkies to tide me over until I get to searching the myriad boxes in the basement. I was stringing a project with the last pack of strings and one of them failed to wind properly. But it's going to be a week before they get here so I went to GC this morning and lo, they had .016 plain available as singles (I somehow managed to pooch a G string)

While I was there, I spied a Victoria 35310. I've been wanting to try one of these forever. Great sounding amp, used a thin line Squier Tele that was in much better nick than the Fender Tele that was more than 3x as much money. That thing had fret sprout of a medically dangerous level.

The amp is still on 30 day police hold until March 11th, just came in yesterday. 1699 is probably not a horrible price but still a lot of dosh. I have far more than enough credit on my GC card to buy it, and that nice Squier, too. But then I would still need a Marshall type amp, I already have Fender amps.

Even though the worst of winter is over (I hope), I've been keeping myself warm by layering. I found out that a long out-of-stock sweatshirt is now available, so I ordered one. Arrived moments ago.

https://www.martinguitar.com/dw/imag...sh=1600&sm=fit

Recieved my 5e3 built into a Hot Rod Dlx housing where the amp had coughed its last breath. Used Power Transformer was a Merc. Mag. from a doner who had used the amp for other things. Kit was mostly a weber, and will be modded with a master vol in the near future. Pics will follow at some point.

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Originally Posted by Sérgio

A new board/bag.

I just couldn’t leave the Fulltone Deja Vibe that Willie so kindly sent me out of my chain, and it doesn’t take batteries so I got back to power supplies. Needed more board room, so…

https://i.postimg.cc/wjCwJCmd/50-D79...5364-DE344.jpg

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Good to see you using a power supply, even if its only out of necessity, lol
Seriously though- if you are at all like me, you're going to be won over by the convenience & hassle-free nature of the thing. A good friend of mine still uses batteries every gig, & even goes so far as to chain his pedals together with pigtail 1/4" jacks like its 1982. Since his batteries never tell him when they are about to fail, it usually happens at a gig. Unplugging & moving around all his gear causes stress on the connectors, so then they become weak & are also prone to failure. This makes him a generally angry guy
Lol
Next up: GeorgeL cables

Stringjoy just announced a new "uncoated coated" acoustic guitar string called "Foxwoods" that they claim don't at all like coated strings, and have a long life (which Stringjoy is known for). I ordered a set of 13-56s to put on my Taylor, since I'm currently running 12-54 on it (which sound great!) and Taylor actually ships that guitar with Elixir Phosphor Bronze Mediums, which is a 13-56 set. I also ordered a set of Naturals in 12-54 for my Jim Dandy, since it's nearing time for a change on that little marvel as well.

https://stringjoy.com/wp-content/upl...-1268x1268.png

Two micro headphone amps--Blackstar Bass and the Fender Mustang Micro. I haven't given the Fender a go yet. Had some time on the Blackstar. It's got rhythm loops, and I love being able to jam AND work on timing. I'll write a proper review about the Fender, which is supposed to be the angels' tits.

Didn't actually buy it - got it for free to review... It;'s a great sounding mic with very little coloration.

https://scontent-bos3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...iw&oe=6221CDAC

I went 'all in' on Fender amps:
Rumble Studio 40
Mustang LT25
Mustang LT50
Mustang Micro

I had to trade/sell my heavier amps because of a bad back, but I needed to replace them with stuff that sounds good. I got turned on to the Fender Mustang series when I purchased the Mustang Micro. It sounded so good I decided to look at the LT amps. I already had the old Rumble 40 and decided to upgrade to the Studio version.

I have several different applications (bass, guitar, and pedal steel) and this 'suite' of Fender amps covers them all, and stays below my self-imposed 20 lb. limit on gear. :applaudit

Just got this small PA/Acoustic amp to review for Amazon. Battery operated with multiple inputs (including 48v mics). I'll be testing it out during the next couple days, but it looks pretty cool. oh... and here is a link to the actual page.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08YD9DB4D

https://scontent-bos3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...fA&oe=622DBDAF

https://scontent-bos3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...vA&oe=622DAF51
https://scontent-bos3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...0w&oe=622DAB90

lotta knobs for a busker box

wonder how well it works

Looks kinda cool (and what a sweet gig: reviewing for Amazon!). 120 watts in a portable package, which also provides 48v phantom power for condenser microphones. Let us know what you think!

ETA: I don't like the battery-only power. A DC adapter capability would be nice.

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Originally Posted by OldStrummer

Looks kinda cool (and what a sweet gig: reviewing for Amazon!). 120 watts in a portable package, which also provides 48v phantom power for condenser microphones. Let us know what you think!

ETA: I don't like the battery-only power. A DC adapter capability would be nice.

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The charging adapter can stay plugged in. I will give it a test in the next day or two. Working late tonight... plus most of my acoustics have active pickups and I leave the batteries out so I have to get one set up to test... although my Hummingbird has a passive pickup - maybe I can run that through its paces...

I bought an Eminence GA-SC64 to put in my Mesa Fillmore 25 combo. Though I've liked the Mesa Branded Celestion C90 in my 6L6 powered Mesa amps (a Mark IIB and an Express 5:50), I did not like it in the 6V6 powered Fillmore. It sounded kind of generic or "clinical", especially with a Strat. I like the GA-SC64. It's a little "stringier" sounding and can get a little dirty on its own. The amp now has a kind of Boogie Mark I vibe in the clean and Hi gain modes.

Only guitar related as you generally have one for accompaniment.
My beautiful bride has been talking about a Banjo, and I found a deal on one!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yr...-no?authuser=0

Well, I did it. All the dominoes fell in line and so when I picked up my Taylor GS Mini from the repair shop, I checked to see if they still had the Taylor Builders Edition 652ce on hand. They did. I played it again briefly, and the guy said if I was interested he'd see what kind of price he could give me. Since I had to cross the state line, I asked him if they shipped the guitar, would I have to pay sales tax? No, was the reply.

Considering sales tax would have run me another $250, the $50 I'd pay in shipping was quite the acceptable trade-off. Then, they knocked $375 off the price, so how could I resist? They're throwing in a fresh restring, setup and and Taylor's HSC, and it will be knocking on my door Tuesday. Pics to come!

In hockey I think they call that a "hat trick".

Congratulations!

:appl:

It's here! Delivered this morning by FedEx (signature required). Since it was shipped from just 35 miles away, I didn't think I needed to let it sit overnight, so after an hour or so, I opened it up. And here it is!

https://i.postimg.cc/N0VCgBD9/Taylor652ce.png

Stunningly gorgeous!