I just love this, Peatle ... so vivid and warm! I live in a fairly rural area without a lot of people, so running into old classmates isn't that uncommon. Sharing old memories, stories of mischief, altered aspirations, etc. is always fun, and always helps to re-establish a person's roots. Again, I just love how you've captured all of that, and so much more ... it's aces!
352 2019-02-07 11:39:37
Re: HOMEPORT (6 replies, posted in Poems)
This is as good as any "ocean-based" analogy I've read ... well done, and very graphic. My late father-in-law was a British merchant seaman during WWII, and he would have loved this.
353 2019-02-07 11:37:27
Re: The Remembered Song (11 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Very good, Jeff ... it does make a guy long for simpler times and clearer lines. Everything seems so dang botched up these days!
354 2019-02-07 11:32:22
Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays (580 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Steve Rothery Band "Old Man of the Sea" Rome, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOGhRn5rZKc
Perhaps best known as founding member & guitarist for the group "Marillion", Steve has also embarked on some solo projects. His album "The Ghosts of Pripyat" was released in 2014, and is a delicious and haunting collection of instrumentals. The album is about the the city of Pripyat in Northern Ukraine (near Chernobyl) which was completely evacuated on April 27, 1986, the day after the nuclear disaster. The number who died as a result of the meltdown is unclear, but to this day the city sits completely abandoned and uninhabitable ... apart from the "ghosts". 
This concert also features guitarist Dave Foster (from "Mr. So & So") and between the two of them some amazing and emotional guitar work is produced. Much of Steve's style reminds one of Andy Latimer (Camel) and even David Gilmour (Pink Floyd). Enjoy the ghosts!
355 2019-02-05 22:24:08
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Richard Smith "The Entertainer" (by Scott Joplin)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCGGG9piAGY
One Tommy Emmanuel's many appealing traits, is his ongoing mission to celebrate and promote guitarists from everywhere ... and this guy's really good!
356 2019-02-04 10:52:11
Topic: Has anyone heard from Strummerboy Bill? (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I was noticing Bill's absence (last post was on Dec 30, 2018) and wondering if anyone has had any contact with him? I also sent an email today, and hope all's well with both Bill and his lovely wife Dondra.
357 2019-02-04 10:43:26
Re: How to write a song (10 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Yup, that there's a cool looking bass ... and probably a LOT lighter than my ThunderBird. I honestly didn't know Hohner made head-less guitars, and they clearly paid a fair bit of attention to this one, with the various electronics upgrades. A very cool instrument!
358 2019-02-04 10:31:39
Re: Thank Christ for the bomb (3 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Nice work, Graham ... I was never aware of that song until now. Says a lot about human nature that we even need a nuclear deterrent to prevent us from completely destroying ourselves, while at the same time purposefully designing the means to do so.
359 2019-02-04 10:23:23
Re: Add song to my songbook (9 replies, posted in About Chordie)
Welcome to Chordie, G&B ...
I spent some time trying to come up with a way to accomplish what you're asking, but wasn't successful. There are several Moderators in the group who are much more technically inclined than I am, and I expect one of them will reply to your question soon. The only thing I could come up with is to save each song on your PC as a Word doc or PDF, make the edits you want, and save them again on your PC or tablet. If Chordie has abilities beyond that, I'm not sure how to access them.
All the best ...TF
360 2019-02-03 11:02:35
Re: How to write a song (10 replies, posted in Songwriting)
I like your "head-less" guitar, Neo, although I've never played one. What brand is it? Steinberger? Kiesel? Strandberg? I'm especially curious about the tuning stability of one with a tremolo. Steve Howe (Yes) plays a 12-string Steinberger in several songs, and speaks very highly of it .
361 2019-02-02 12:39:46
Re: friday's blues fix (1,560 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Good choice, Badeye ... it's a cold weekend here in Nova Scotia ... fire going, and some inside puttering for today. Brrrrr ...
362 2019-02-02 12:37:47
Re: Ernie Ball "Everlast" Strings (2 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
beamer wrote:
I never have liked Elixir either. Also over priced.
Thick? LOLOL wait till you see me post about my guitar mod! LOLOL
Hahaha ... I grinned when I saw your reply. Must be installing some industrial cable for strings, are ya?
363 2019-02-01 10:15:50
Topic: Ernie Ball "Everlast" Strings (2 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I was talking to "my guy" at the local music store, and expressing some dislikes about the Elixir NanoWeb strings. I've been using them for a couple of years, but find them stiff and hard to work with. It felt like having heavy gauge strings on (been using 11-52's) with the guitar's action being too high ... none of that was the case.
Paul mentioned that Elixir's coating is quite thick, and that also don't make their own strings (they just coat them) so the coating covers the whole string, filling in the wraps. That's where the thick feeling was coming from. He suggested trying these Ernie Ball "Everlast" strings, as they coat the core and the outer wire before wrapping. He described their coating process as being much thinner than Elixirs, using a hex inner wire instead of round for less bulk and more flexibility. I also prefer 80/20's to Phosphor/Bronze, which they also make.
I am so pleased with how these sound and feel. Much more pliable, more sustain, brighter tone, and easier to handle with less grip. If anyone's in the mood to try something new, these are very good ... be using them from now on.
364 2019-02-01 10:02:05
Re: LaBella 2001 Classical Guitar Strings (3 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
The LaBella 2001's finally arrived, I installed them about 2 weeks ago, and they're everything you've said they are, CG. Thanks for the recommendation ... I wouldn't have known about them apart from your telling us about them.
365 2019-01-31 10:23:44
Re: A Video I made with My Neighbour A Party Animal (8 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Hahaha ... I read your description before I saw the picture of Wongy, and formed a whole different perspective of a womanizing rogue ... well done! That said, Wongy looks like a cat consumed with malicious intent. Do you have a "Beware of Wongy" sign on your front gate? 
366 2019-01-31 10:20:50
Re: The Scheming Chattel (12 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Yup, loved the Celtic / Medieval feel of this one ... good work, CTECH.
367 2019-01-31 10:19:05
Re: Mountains To Sea (6 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Again, Peatle ... excellent work. I left a comment and a "Like" on your YouTube channel. Keep it up, man ... you're an inspiration.
368 2019-01-30 11:03:30
Re: SCORE FOR CORY! (8 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Wow! A hundreds bones for all of that? That's a heck of a find, Beamer ... I'm sure "SonBeam" is thrilled.
369 2019-01-30 10:55:29
Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays (580 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Hans Zimmer "Why So Serious? / Like a Dog Chasing Cars" Prague, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjJnWuA7-ps
There are several ways to make a good movie a great movie, and having Hans Zimmer do the score with Christopher Nolan directing, have produced some gems in the last decade. These two selections from the film "The Dark Knight Rises" are impossible to relax to. Zimmer's ability to create tension with his work is unparalleled, and that was a real highlight of the film in keeping with the Joker's chaotic mission. Zimmer is seen at center stage, alternating between guitar and keyboards. And I also see guitarist Govan Guthrie (long hair to the right) who is one of the best guitarists I know of, that few have heard of. Enjoy!
370 2019-01-30 10:36:44
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
TIGLJK wrote:
That is just ridiculously awesome. If I practiced every day 8 hours a day for 10 years - I couldn't do that.
Some people are soooo talented
I know exactly how you feel, TIG. There's always some little technique we can pick up by watching these terrific guitarists, but for the most part I just have sit back and enjoy them. I'm glad it's not a competition!
371 2019-01-29 11:04:44
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Sonke Meinen "On the Run" (original)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxOlEI3WgeE
Here's an energetic jazzy piece from this gifted young guitarist from Aurich, Germany, who has won numerous awards and accolades ... enjoy!
372 2019-01-28 10:20:12
Re: Icons and Inspirations (9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
That must have been a real thrill for you, DE, and I'm glad you were there to hear it. Way to go, dude!
373 2019-01-28 10:10:04
Re: QUESTION ABOUT TUBES (2 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Hello, Lacaca ... welcome to Chordie!
I have a Peavey ValveKing212 which has the same tube setup as yours, and I re-tubed it a couple of years ago. My symptom was a high pitched squeal which would come out the amp once in a while, even though it wasn't very loud. The tech at a local music store suggested some things:
Pre Amp Tubes (6L6's)
- he said that when the pre-amp tubes start to go, there will typically be clicks, squeals, crackling, fuzziness, etc.
- If it's just one bad tube it will usually be glowing less than the good tubes.
- he also said a person can also gently tap each tube one by one, using something that doesn't conduct electricity (like a paint stir stick, plastic utensil, etc.) while the amp is on. A bad tube will react to this in a way which you will hear
I just replaced all 4 of the 6L6's at that time, and the problem was solved.
Power Amp Tubes (12AX7's)
The power tubes (12AX7's) will show trouble by a noticeable drop in power, and usually glow more of a deep red color than usual. If they're really bad, the amp will over-heat, and the on-board fuse will blow. These tend to wear out faster if the player is loading them heavy on the front end, with overdrive pedals, active pickups, etc. Here's a pretty good link that describes these things better than I did ... I hope this all helpful:
374 2019-01-26 18:18:35
Re: Happy Australia Day!! (2 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Yes, Happy Australia Day to our Aussie Chordians!
I did a quick read in Wikipedia about it, and found it very interesting. Like Australia, Canada was also established via British colonial interests, even though there were healthy and well-structured nations of aboriginal peoples here before "we" arrived. Getting along has been challenging over the years, but we keep trying ... which is the main point.
375 2019-01-25 18:42:55
Re: friday's blues fix (1,560 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Hey BadEye ... happy TGIF to you as well, dude! So I "tried it" as you say, and definitely "liked it". It's a bit sad that Tracy is only known for a couple of songs promoted on mainstream radio, when in fact she's released at least 8 albums to date ... she's a terrific talent ( and Eric's not too shabby, either! 
).