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.
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.
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; 10/24/2112:14 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
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
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; 10/24/2103:51 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
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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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