What I wanted cost three or four grand. What I can afford costs three of four hundred.
Tuned to E at the moment. Some not too difficult slide stuff to do in that tuning plus some not so hard things to play stuff in the open position.
Something to take my mind off not being able to eat solid food. Also distracting me from being irritated about the $50 GFI plug I had to replace...lol Lowes had two left in stock.
The supply of goods and services is becoming a serious issue here in Miami, especially medical supplies.
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Not to worry Eddie, you got way cooler-looking guitars than I do anyway. It is very loud. Not really a good thing here in my house. My wife is not very amused at me learning slide guitar.
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Hey Planobilly, that looks a really nice instrument. If you are anything like me you'll be spend hours playing it look at ways to set it for yourself. I bought a couple of new guitars but yours looks classier.
I recently bought a couple of guitars but being the age I am did not want to spend too much after all I still use my old Tele. The old tele and a Maton CW80 (an acoustic) I bought over 50 years ago. The Maton is getting a bit past it but the Tele is simply brilliant.
To substitute for the Maton I purchased an Ovation 1778TX-5 which has a neck that plays more like an electric guitar. It plays really easy and sounds ok as an acoustic but is brilliant plugged in or to record with.
I wanted a tremolo to play around with I did not want to spend too much but I wanted something usable. After some looking on YouTube I came across the Yamaha Pacifica 612. This guitar has fairly high end hardware. SeymourDuncan Pickups, GraphTec Nut, Grover Locking Tuners and Wilkinson Trem. With those features it seems a good buy. Spent a week or so getting it together. Last Tuesday had it how I wanted it sounds really good and was going to actually use it in a gig next week.
Then last Wednesday night came the stopper I had a heart attack so no gig this month. Just as the restrictions eased again I'm out of commission.
Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 10/24/2111:14 AM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
Jeezs Tony, sorry to hear about the heart attack. I guess there are a lot of us here who are getting older and should expect some health issues. But it always comes as a shock. Here's hoping you recover soon.
Cool looking guitars. I also did not want to spend a bunch of money on new stuff I am not sure I will continue on with. I have a fabulous electric guitar, a Tom Anderson. I got this new stuff just to pass the time while I recover.
I am sort of stuck here at home. Not much in the music world has opened up here. Then this cancer thing happened and added insult to injury...lol
Some old Indian said " we will endeavor to persevere" I guess that's just what we have to do...lol
Cheers,
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Hopefully playing with your new toy will keep you mellow!
Thanks, I'll be OK. Just need some time. To mean to die...old Texas cowpoke...lol
Still got dreams of playing on Austin City Limits. I am sure I will need to learn some new stuff...lol
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
I am very lucky. Where I live on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia we have truly excellent facilities and brilliant paramedics. From the time the ambulance was called to the time the blockage was removed it was all less than a few hours. I’m told I had a major issue (a STEMI) but I struggle to feel any issues now but must not overdo it for a few weeks.
My advice is “listen to the wife when she tells you “it is not just indigestion get the ambulance””
Keep well all.
Thanks Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
Better get this back onto new guitars rather than health. It is exciting to get a new instrument. Often they can seem expensive but if one works out the hours of joy then at an hourly rate it soon works out pretty good. If you spend a $1000 on a new guitar then spend 100 hours over the next few weeks playing, adjusting and admiring your new instrument it works out cheap (only $10 per hour) in terms of entertainment.
Enjoy Billy
Just some thoughts
Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 10/24/2102:51 PM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
ONLY a musician leads with his new guitars and ends with "Oh yeah. And I had a heart attack."
Do what they say and get well soon. I have a Pacifica in blue to match my Telecaster and for the cost, as you said, the hardware is surprisingly advanced. Very good tuners, and the pickups are top notch.
There are several of us having to deal with health issues as of late. Been thinking about Keith also.
Everyone should buy all the music stuff they want and can afford. Life is short.
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
There are several of us having to deal with health issues as of late. Been thinking about Keith also.
Everyone should buy all the music stuff they want and can afford. Life is short.
Billy
Took a while to realise I needed to set up a SKI Account and not feel guilty about spending money I earned. (SKI = Spend the Kids Inheritance) I won’t enjoy the spending when I’m gone. Having a little extra by not spending due to restricted life lately and the realisation it is mine to spend, getting bits of gear I want makes me feel better.
Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
It is mine to spend, getting bits of gear I want makes me feel better.
Abso-frickin'-lutey bro! I have always, and will always, think that worrying about being the richest corpse in the graveyard is extremely stupid.
That being said, I get the concept of being concerned about a medical emergency that is not covered by insurance and the potential for that wiping out a bank account. However, being a disabled veteran I have the VA for my medical care. Most recent was removal of cataracts from both eyes, 4 weeks apart, which resulted in my no longer needing glasses. I also get shots in my eyeballs every 12 weeks to try and slow the diabetic retinopathy down, and those would cost $5000 per visit. If I had to pay that out of pocket, I just couldn't get them.
So my situation is not like everyone else's. Particularly those who pay 100% of their own medical insurance. I'd still be working if not for the blessing that is the VA.
As far as the kids inheritance, I figure that by the time I die my kids will be 50. If they are not established in their own life by then it is not my problem.
When my father died I was just short of 40. I went to see my mother soon after and sat her down and had a chat about this topic. I told her that this was HER time to finally do whatever she wanted without a grouchy old man making her life miserable (yeah, it runs in the Y chromosome side of the family). That the guilt trips were over, and if she felt like going to Vegas 3 times a year and Atlantic City as often as she cared that she should NOT be concerned about things like leaving the 2 of us money when she went to meet dad. And she did exactly that! She lived until she passed at 79 on HER terms, and was on about the 3rd trip through her bucket list when she passed. And THAT is why I have all these guitars I barely play and am rebuilding my studio with racks of synth modules and such. Once I am gone, I have designated specific things to go to specific people, and the rest can be sold at an estate sale and any profits are to be donated to the animal shelters that my last 4 dogs came from.
In my case my children were never a part of my life, as I divorced their mother when they were very young. Thus there is a line in my will that specifies "2 children (and their names) have been intentionally excluded from this document." SKI baby!!!
It is mine to spend, getting bits of gear I want makes me feel better.
Abso-frickin'-lutey bro! I have always, and will always, think that worrying about being the richest corpse in the graveyard is extremely stupid.
That being said, I get the concept of being concerned about a medical emergency that is not covered by insurance and the potential for that wiping out a bank account. However, being a disabled veteran I have the VA for my medical care. Most recent was removal of cataracts from both eyes, 4 weeks apart, which resulted in my no longer needing glasses. I also get shots in my eyeballs every 12 weeks to try and slow the diabetic retinopathy down, and those would cost $5000 per visit. If I had to pay that out of pocket, I just couldn't get them.
So my situation is not like everyone else's. Particularly those who pay 100% of their own medical insurance. I'd still be working if not for the blessing that is the VA.
As far as the kids inheritance, I figure that by the time I die my kids will be 50. If they are not established in their own life by then it is not my problem
Hi Eddie,
As far as medical insurance we here in Australia and particularly on the Gold Coast Queensland are very fortunate and have truly great Public Hospitals which are generally free particularly for pensioners.
Whilst I have Private Insurance and said to the Paramedics you can take me to a Private Hospital they made a call and said it would take too long to be admitted in Private and I’d be better off in the Gold Coast University Hospital (a Public Hospital) where there was a team of heart specialist waiting for my arrival. (It blew me away how ready and efficient they were.) The cost for the treatment was exactly $0.00 due to the healthcare (Medicare) system we are very fortunate to have in Australia.
The hospital did ask if they could get some recompense from my private insurance to which I agreed but that was not mandatory. I see some see this as Socialism in the USA but in general we see as looking after all. We are far from a socialist country but in an emergency everyone deserves to be safe IMHO. It is important that people can get the health care they truly need even if they cannot afford it.
Why have private insurance in Australia? One can avoid waiting lists for non urgent needs (say a hip replacement) and pick your own doctors etc. Also if you are over a certain salary there are tax advantages to Private Insurance.
As far as the Kids Inheritance my daughter can buy and sell me similarly my wife’s siblings. They are all well off and in really good jobs. They don’t need my money.
Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
My Brother-in-law is a world-famous doctor among other doctors and chose to practice in Brisbane instead of the USA. He said that he could make more money in the USA, but he could heal people better in Australia. In the US, it's more about treating them because that's more profitable.
He's lectured other doctors in the US, Canada, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and has over 100 papers published in peer-reviewed journals. He and a Russian doctor developed a way to extend the legs of birth deformed children, they decided not to patent it, and it has become the standard way of doing it all over the world.
You folks in OZ are lucky to have a better medical system than we do.
On the other hand, I spent 5 weeks in OZ in a camper van, from Brisbane to Cape Trib, over to Darwin, down the Stuart Hwy to Kangaroo Island and then eventually to Sydney. You may have better medical care, but we have a larger variety of guitars in the stores
So Eddie, you might want to leave some guitars to Tony.
.... You folks in OZ are lucky to have a better medical system than we do.
On the other hand, I spent 5 weeks in OZ in a camper van, from Brisbane to Cape Trib, over to Darwin, down the Stuart Hwy to Kangaroo Island and then eventually to Sydney. You may have better medical care, but we have a larger variety of guitars in the stores
So Eddie, you might want to leave some guitars to Tony.
Notes
Actually I’m pretty right for guitars. I have all I can fit in my unit and left a couple with my daughter. I left a Rickenbacker 12 string electric, a Fender Precision Bass and a banjo with my daughter. I have the olde Maton CW80 and Fender Telecaster that I’ve had with me for over 50 years. I recently purchased an Ovation TX-5 and a Yamaha Pacifica 612 both of which are fairly useful guitars.
Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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