Dead Gaijins

[Grumpy Gramps]

Oh, "the Quo" were a big thing for a long time of my life. RIP Rick.

[Wage Slave]

An odd one isn't it. A Musician's musician most certainly not. But, he (and they) influenced nay inspired scores of bands and countless budding guitarists. Maybe even made it possible at all.

Anyway, I was listening to the battle for the top song this Christmas the other day and the thought struck me that there has probably never been a better time to buy a guitar. Unless the sound falls even further out of fashion. What do you reckon? Near bottom of the market or is there a way to go yet?

I understand that I am (finally) supposed to think that the music young people are making and consuming is total rubbish even though of course it isn't. What jars with me is the almost total lack of instrumental sound of any kind and the fact the vocals have been processed so far they are almost unrecognizable as a human voice. It's probably an excellent time to buy a drum kit, electric bass or anything else that isn't classical.

I'm semi serious about this - Banks pay bugger all as we know. So, OK I can't really play the damn thing but I will love it and care for it. So what would you buy for serious (say up to about one and a half million in extremis) money? I've always liked big ole country style guitars like Martins but the music I listen to is played on Fenders and Gibsons. I also think that the electrics are a lot easier to play so .......

[Grumpy Gramps]

Yep, electrics are (mechanically) easier to play than steel sting acoustics and a little less stretchy on your hands than the classicals, but that's not your criteria, because practise, practise, practise anyway. What kind of sound/music it is that you want to play, however, is. There are a thousand ways to play the guitar, pick a few (types of songs/sound) that you want to learn first. They will define your type of instrument and then: off you go.

And no need to go into the millions of Yens, unless you become addicted to that. Very well playable and good sounding guitars have become very affordable these days. Five to ten man should gets you a very comfy set that takes you years to outgrow.

But then, musicians, who go thousands of practise hours just to learn one instrument are probably a dying species in times of computer music.

[Wage Slave]

I think I have learned that no matter how much I practice I will never learn to play anything properly. I honestly gave it my very best shot a long time ago. I will forever be stuck in the foothills of beginnerhood never to scale the heights. That's known and accepted. I'm more interested now that a guitar can be seen as a canny investment as well as something to try and play. Trying to play will fail but if the thing appreciates a bit in value that doesn't matter. I would be happy if I managed to learn to play anything. Kid's songs, anything. Hmmm I wonder:

[Wage Slave]

On second thoughts maybe something like this 1968 model:

[Grumpy Gramps]

I would suspect that the market for vintage electric guitars went through the roof some 10 plus years ago, so you might be a little late to the party. And the collectors look at weird things, like whether or not the solder points are still original, you better become an insider in order not to fall into traps

Acoustics vintage "boom" came a little later, but they are "woody", you need sharp eyes and exact calipers to tell trash from treasure (one keyword is "neck reset", which is not always possible).

And the classicals are either overpriced master pieces or undervalued good sounding "junk".

Lots of fakes going around, sharp eyes needed. And the CITES rules for exotic woods (e.g. rosewood on fret boards) are getting stricter all the time, making it harder to buy and sell instruments legally across borders.

That's all I know about this topic, close to nothing

But if you catch a nice pre-war Martin, I'd love to play it once

[Wage Slave]

Words to the wise methinks. I think I'd better think it out again.

[Coligny]

I understand that I am (finally) supposed to think that the music young people are making and consuming is total rubbish even though of course it isn't. ....

I think you really need a recount... unless you understand that language... but that would make you somekind of "last code talker" for auditive projectile vomit...

[Grumpy Gramps]

I think I'd better think it out again.

Thought to put some of my savings into real things like whiskey, real estate, vintage Ferraris or super yachts too. Rather than currency/shares etc, they seem to hold their value quite well through all kinds of troubled times. Mainly in the light of the upcoming great worldwide financial crash of 2017, it might be wise, but has to be done right, unfortunately

[Yokohammer]

Not long ago ... maybe 10 years (not long on my timescale) ... a '59 Les Paul in decent condition would easily sell for a quarter of a million US$, without any special provenance. I remember being at a vintage guitar show in Tokyo where there were several of the things lined up, all with price tags in that range. Freakin' ridiculous, and a little overinflated. I haven't been following the vintage market lately, but I kinda doubt it's still that hot.

A million bucks or more for a Stradivarius violin is one thing, and people actually play the things, but that much moolah for an electric guitar is strictly a well-moneyed collector thing.

[Wage Slave]

Not long ago ... maybe 10 years (not long on my timescale) ... a '59 Les Paul in decent condition would easily sell for a quarter of a million US$, without any special provenance. I remember being at a vintage guitar show in Tokyo where there were several of the things lined up, all with price tags in that range. Freakin' ridiculous, and a little overinflated. I haven't been following the vintage market lately, but I kinda doubt it's still that hot.

A million bucks or more for a Stradivarius violin is one thing, and people actually play the things, but that much moolah for an electric guitar is strictly a well-moneyed collector thing.

Wow. That market would have to fall a long way for me be any kind of player then. A glass of wine too many (an excellent Rioja I bought at Madrid airport) when I was writing that nonsense I think.

[Yokohammer]

And speaking of dead gaijin: George Michael at 53



2016 is cursed.

[Coligny]

And speaking of dead gaijin: George Michael at 53



2016 is cursed.

I sort of phear that the last days of 2016 are gonna be a grand finale of that all you can eat turd buffet...

[Taro Toporific]

And speaking of dead gaijin: George Michael at 53

Wham.jpg

[Mike Oxlong]

Did anyone mention Zsa Zsa Gabor?

[Taro Toporific]

Did anyone mention Zsa Zsa Gabor?

Zsa Zsa Gabor doing a charity show to benefit Japan after earthquake; November 01, 1959.

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Zsa-Zsa-4.png

Zsa-Zsa-2.jpg

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[Taro Toporific]

SONY MUSIC REPORTS BRITNEY SPEARS IS DEAD!
japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/12/27/business/sony-music...

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rest-of-the-story

[legion]

I think you really need a recount... unless you understand that language... but that would make you somekind of "last code talker" for auditive projectile vomit...

By explicit do they mean you can almost see her nipples or is it the person skinning up?

Woooooooooo, how shocking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kurogane]

And speaking of dead gaijin: George Michael at 53 2016 is cursed.

Other than Faith I always thought his music to be disposable fodder, but he was always a very nice man and quite an interesting interview. At least we can say that on his last Christmas he gave it his heart and the very next day they took him away, but 53 is far too young. RIP

And in the latest news, Princess Leia has found her death star. Struck down, may she grow stronger than we could ever imagine.

So, is 2016 worse than usual or is it the effects of social media and the specific deceased, esp. sucky fanboy favourites like Bowie, etc.?

[yanpa]

Good question... Studies must be done on this.

Meanwhile: Watership Down author goes down the rabbit hole for the last time.

[Taro Toporific]

in the latest news, Princess Leia has found her death star. Struck down, may she grow stronger than we could ever imagine

down-fighting.jpg

She live forever like Peter Cushing CGI...

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/rogue-one-cgi-grand-moff-tarkin-actor-peter-cushing-princess-leia-carrie-fisher-animated-a7483991.html

[legion]

Good question... Studies must be done on this.

Meanwhile: Watership Down author goes down the rabbit hole for the last time.

Have to give Shardik another read and get in touch with my inner bear

[Mike Oxlong]

Vera Rubin: 1928-2016
She was a vibrant role model for women in astronomy, but was not defined by, nor will
she be remembered for, her gender, but by her remarkable contributions as a scientist.

Guest blog by Lawrence M. Krauss

[kurogane]

Meanwhile, under the WHO THE FUCK WAS THAT? banner

https://www.theguardian.com/film/tvandr ... r-comedian
Ricky Harris, Heat actor and comedian, dies aged 54
Def Comedy Jam regular who found fame in the 1990s draws tributes from Snoop Dogg and Cedric the Entertainer

Even da big dogs dun be fallin' Y'all, and da big names dun pay tribute, yo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Snoop Dogg in da house for his negro Ricky, yo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His ole friend Black Pietr gonna be comin down the chimney, yo!

At this rate the media is going to have to adopt a triage approach to avoid saturation and apathy.

PS my question above was about the reactions and coverage, not the people themselves, whom I sincerely RIP. I always thought Bowie a dignified man, even if his early promise as a proper rocknroller was wasted on all that wanky prog shit, but this hagiographic media driven hysteria is simply baffling. I smell a veritable diaper fest over Whamboy and Leia, and they were both shameless wastrels, which should at least be a warning of a potential early death.

[Russell]

And in the latest news, Princess Leia has found her death star.

So now finally Gary will be able to live with her daughter....

[kurogane]

Ooook! How did we miss this one!!???

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/10/europe/it ... oman-dead/

(CNN)An American woman, Ashley Olsen, has been found dead at her apartment in Florence, Italy.
Her death is being treated as a homicide, police spokeswoman Maddalena Carosi said on Italian TV.
Italian news agency ANSA reported that Olsen, 35, was found strangled, but authorities declined to comment on the cause of death until an autopsy is complete.

I am a bit too old for this one but she and her twin were in something called Full House as The Baby and then turned into famous for being famous types. Anyways, sad to hear. They were both kind of sickly LA types but they like dating way older men........hubba hubba.

[Russell]

It can all be explained.

[Mike Oxlong]

Debbie Reynolds dies at 84, a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher's death

[Taro Toporific]

Debbie Reynolds dies at 84, a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher's death

Three more days, only THREE more days.

[Russell]

Debbie Reynolds dies at 84, a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher's death

It's OK. Gary will still be able to live with Carrie's daughter...