Tools of trade were tax deductible. Owning top equipment effectively reduced the tax liability at the time. Over a number of years the value of the said items was written down to zilch. So I guess they are worth nothing now. I have not really played “professionally” for quite some years now. I’ve been retired for 8 years so have no taxable income as such. I’ll probably die still owing this stuff that has been a major part of my life. The guitars will eventually be passed on and become someone else’s issue to sort.
The olde Tele and Maton CW80 photos of the Precision and Rickenbacker will be on and old external drive. I don't have the guitars with me at the moment.
Last edited by Teunis; 10/25/2104:48 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
I am going to be like my grandmother. When we told her she could not take her stuff with her when she died she said OK...I am just not going to die! She lived to be 104.
So I got 30 more years to think about it I guess...lol
Tony, those are some really cool guitars you got. At least some of them are worth quite a bit of money nowadays.
In conversations with Trevor and drummer buddy from Brisbane plus several other friends living in Australia, I think I would really like it there. Not too keen on meeting up with one of those brown snakes that I hear live in your neck of the woods...lol
Enjoy life as long as you can!
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…”
After 5 weeks in Australia and knowing my brother-in-law for 40 years, I'd really love to live in Australia. The problem with that idea is, I'm either too old or not wealthy enough for them to let me in
But my house is paid off, I live near the east coast of the mainland of Florida, my duo has an excellent reputation, we have a lot of repeat business, and I like it here.
Life is the best way to pass the time of day
I have a minimal amount of musical instruments, I'm a player, not a collector (there is nothing wrong with being a collector). I have a stage instrument and a spare of each of the instruments I play.
I always figured another instrument that I'm not going to gig with or isn't a back-up axe is a cut in pay. If I don't play it, I usually give it away to some student.
If I die first, Mrs. Notes can do whatever she wants with them. I won't need them anymore.
If I die first, Mrs. Notes can do whatever she wants with them.
And with the age gap between you, statistics say that will likely happen.
The last bullet I dodged, er, girlfriend that I had, was 17 years younger than me and that weighed heavy on my mind as I dumped her. That age gap was JUST enough to put her into a generation with a different mindset on life and it didn't go well with mine.
Focus here has shifted from amassing guitars to rebuilding the studio. Once I get it painted and put it back together, and again I say "And this time I will run the wiring neatly", I should now have a good handle on sounds. Here's the rack I have spent the last month or so assembling.
Kurzweil 1000 PX Korg M3R, which is an M1 in rack form Alesis 12 channel mixer Yamaha TX81z EMU Proteus MX-8 midi routing box Furman power conditioner
And the companion rack.
Behringer stereo compressor Digitech vocalist Korg Volca drum machine and a Zoom drum machine Roland JU-06a module that is roughly based on the Juno 60 and 106.
A lot of Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Reverb shopping here.
NICE! What brand? The picture cuts off just at the top of the headstock.
Originally Posted By: Planobilly
The supply of goods and services is becoming a serious issue here in Miami, especially medical supplies.
It's everywhere and for everything. There have been some foods I haven't been able to buy here in a year and a half, guitar store walls are looking a bit empty constantly, and I had to special order a motherboard and CPU for my new computer because nothing is available - video cards especially are in short supply.
Originally Posted By: Teunis
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.
Hope you're doing alright now Tony!
Originally Posted By: Teunis
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.
That is exactly what I used to tell customers when I worked at the guitar shop! It's also what I say to justify the amount of time I spend in a video game - if I spend 80 bucks on a game but spend 200 hours playing it then it only cost 40 cents an hour. Guitars and video games end up being less costly than going to a movie by far!
The same can be said for Band-in-a-Box of course. 129 bucks for the Pro version is a downright bargain when you can spend hundreds of hours making wonderful music with it, or even simply exploring the sounds.
Originally Posted By: Planobilly
Everyone should buy all the music stuff they want and can afford. Life is short.
Word. Music stuff is an investment in yourself - as long as you're not going hungry for gear, it's always worth it.
Originally Posted By: eddie1261
Yamaha TX81z
But man, Tony has a 50+ year old Telecaster...
Always loved that TX81Z, but dang it I love that Telecaster more...
---------------------------------------
Back on topic, I've got a "new" guitar as of last weekend. Just a cheapie with a playable neck (for now) that I intend to re-fret to get some microtonal notes in there. See attachment for the "before" pic...
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Savannah, more made-in-China stuff. $350. It sounds pretty harsh but OK and works for learning slide guitar.
I have a lot on my plate at the moment and I am not sure what the future will bring. I am not totally sure what country I will be living in. The pandemic has totally put a monkey wrench in how I planned to spend the rest of my life. Cancer has been another curveball but if it does not come back that will have been just a bump in the road.
National Reso-Phonic NRP Steel Tricone 2021 is a new one I would like but don't think it is a good idea for me to spend $4000 dollars.
What I really would like to have is a NATIONAL DUOLIAN RESONATOR STEEL BODY GUITAR 1930's. Marty, the music store owner in Miami Beach had one that I have played but at the time I did not want to own one. He sold it a few weeks back for a pretty large amount of money. If I was twenty years younger I would consider buying it for an investment.
Due to this large cut on my neck, I can only stand to play guitar for a few minutes at a time. It is getting better day by day but I am far from normal. I am sort of expecting it will be the first of next year before I am more or less back to normal.
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…”
It seems there are many really good low priced options. As I said about the Yamaha Pacifica 612 I bought a couple of weeks ago I’m blown away by the playability and the tones.
The hardware on this guitar puts it up there with guitars easily twice the price. SeymourDuncan HSS pickup layout with the humbucker being split coil (it can be used as a single coil or humbucker), Grover Locking Tuners, Wilkinson VS50 trem bridge, Tusq Nut and trees. Then the guitar and finish of the guitar itself. The Yamaha Pacifica range has been around for many years.
If I sound like I’m selling this thing well I’m letting all and sundry know that a really good guitar does not have to cost an arm and a leg.
My opinions 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
Price or brand name is certainly not a guarantee of a good instrument. I have had at least 500 Fender Stratocasters in my hand over the years and only a few played really well.
I bought an acoustic guitar in a pawnshop for $35 dollars that played and sounded better than any high-dollar acoustic I have played. I gave the guitar to a well-known singer-songwriter friend of mine.
Large improvements in guitar making have been a function of high-quality computer numeric control machines being used in their manufacture. That is the reason cheap guitars play well nowadays. The main issue is if the wood stays put.
The only way I know to get a guitar that you will really like is to go play them until you find something that fits your hand. Then hope the wood does not move around more than can be easily adjusted.
It is common for people to go buy the make of guitar their guitar heroes play. I guess they hope that will be the key to their playing well...good luck with that.
The guitar manufacturers have to compete with one another so Yahama will always try to make the best they can within the budget.
I have had the good luck to be lifelong friends of the owner of one of the biggest vintage guitar shops in the country. That let me play hundreds of guitars both inexpensive and guitars that cost over $200,000 dollars.
At the end of the day, it is more about the player than the guitar, to begin with. We all spend way too much time talking about guitars than playing them...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…”
Ok if we are showing recent guitar purchases, I’m falling in love with my first guitar with a Bigsby. Bought used. The Bigsby suits me so much better than a strat type trem. Gretsch Electromatic 5410t “Rat Rod”
That is a really cool-looking guitar. I think I would like the Bigsby.
The first choice for me has been Kahler tremolo and second Floyd Rose.
I am not sure what you call that white stuff out the window but I am pretty sure I don't want any...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…”
I am not sure what you call that white stuff out the window but I am pretty sure I don't want any...lol
No panic. You won't get any where you are Billy, that's for sure!
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
A couple of months ago I purchased a Xaviere P90 guitar. It can perfectly set up and sounds great. The neck fit my old arthritic hands perfectly. The frets were polished perfectly. It is the best $329 USD guitar that I have ever purchased; even better then the Harley Benton, YMMV. I am so happy with this guitar that I saved up and just purchased the coil splitting humbucker model. As soon as that comes in I will let you know about it.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
That is a really cool-looking guitar. I think I would like the Bigsby.
It’s a completely different feel and allows for nuance that I’ve not been able to master with terms that move the bridge. I’m really digging it and wish I had tried one decades ago.
My strat sits in its case. It’s a Peavey strat copy that I modded with the grease bucket mod and added a toggle for the bridge pup on/off.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
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!
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
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