RBSinTo

John, Very interesting and thought-provoking posts. I too am left-handed, but do a number of things right-handed, such as playing guitar. With respect to pick usage, I use .60mm Dunlops as I don't like the feel of thicker ones. My only pick affectation is that they must be grey, because that colour sounds better. I do find that when doing hard struming, that the pick tends to twist between my thumb and index finger, but since I don't play gigs, it isn't terribly problematic. Wearing the finger and thumb tips of thin rubber gloves, or even the ends of condoms might improve grip, but they'd have to be durable enough to last, as well as being thin enough so as not to reduce finger tip sensitivity. Another solution (aside from a "sticky" surfaced pick) might be picks with a "collar" that slip onto the index finger or thumb. However, they would have to be custom-made to ensure that the pick orientation was optimum for each player, and so would likely be impractical to produce commercially. This thought has given me an idea to make a pick with a collar from the plastic of take-out food containers, and heat-bending the collar and see if that works. Another DIY project for me., and I'll let you know if it works. RBSinTo

Sparquelito, I know a guy named "Eddy" who might be interested in funding you. RBSinTo

Phil, My guitars don't have pedals. I took them off when I motorized them. RBSinTo

I can't speak to the issue of American versus Chinese electric guitars, but I can regarding both countries' quality acoustics. While looking for a slope-shoulder Spruce/Mahogany dreadnought, I played, and listened to a fine guitarist play both the Gibson and Chinese Eastman models, and found them to play and sound very similar. Assuming that a quality Chinese guitar maker doesn't exist, and only American companies can make quality instruments is foolish. RBSinTo

I suppose I should consider myself lucky that I only have "guitars", and have no need to buy more to " back them up ". RBSinTo

And you as well. RBSinTo

And who exactly created the month (not the day)? I'd bet it was people who profit from guitar sales. Thanks, but I'll pass. I'll buy a guitar when one comes along that I really want or more important, need. And since I already have all I need or want, it is unlikely that I'll use this excuse to spend money on another one. RBSinTo

gearbasher, Good to know. And what exactly should I do to celebrate? Should I take my foreign-made guitars out to lunch? RBSinTo

My 1974 Martin D-28 doesn't have an adjustable truss rod, but rather, as I understand, a square "U" channel in the neck. When not being played, it is cased, with an Oasis humidifier, which I fill weekly, all year 'round. Owned the guitar since 1979, and have never knowingly had a problem with the action. My other three acoustics all have adjustable truss rods, as does one of my two electrics, and the only time any of them have been adjusted, is by Luthiers during service. By way of full disclosure, I am not a Guitar God by anyone's definition, and truthfully, the Martin is an instrument waaaay above my pay grade, so I am not as discerning a person as others here are, when it comes to the fine adjustments to a truss rod that they speak of. RBSinTo

Sheepdog1969, Unless someone is using a truss rod on you as an instrument of torture, or to extract a confession, I think your fear of it is overblown. RBSinTo

Chief, So the Gonzaga team is called the Gorgonzolas? Very catchy nickname. I suppose there is a cheeses on the front of their shirts? RBSinTo

Chief, I thought Gonzaga was a kind of cheese. RBSinTo

Chief, When will they be down to none? RBSinTo

Sheepdog1969, Thanks, but no thanks. The game bores me to tears, and I have absolutely no interest in it at any level: NCAA or NBA. RBSinTo

Chief, That's basketball, right? When it's all finished, please take a minute, oh hell, go crazy, take two minutes, and tell me all about it. RBSinTo

ghost_of_fl, I usually buy my Velcro from a fabric/ sewing supply, so I doubt that it is industrial strength. I applied the adhesive-backed stuff I had to the flaps of a pouch in my hockey bag where I keep my supplies (tape, laces, etc,), and found very quickly that every time I opened the pouch, the Velco came off the two sides. In the end, I sewed both ends of each piece to the flaps and the problem was solved. Obviously won't work in a guitar, where a stronger adhesive for the Velcro is required. RBSinTo .

Murph, If the T-50 stapler doesn't fit through the sound hole, perhaps a pop-rivet gun might. RBSinTo

Dennis, Putting the case of a new guitar having a problem it shouldn't have aside, from personal experience I can assure you that the adhesive used on Velcro is not strong enough to stand up to the pull required to unfasten it, and will fail every time you pull the battery box out. I suggest you speak to a Luthier for a better adhesive alternative that won't affect the sound. RBSinTo

saturn, They already have. Check out the other thread here about the bridge collapse. RBSinTo

No its not. Not at all, and I knew immediately what you were referring to, but want you to spell it out. RBSinTo

merciful-evans, Why? RBSinTo

fyp., Nothing wrong with your ex-student taking up a career specializing in the dances of Poland. RBSinTo

I'd like to see a new biathelon introduced: farting and tap dancing. RBSinTo

Any guitar, regardless of quality will rock, if the musician playing it is talented enough. Not exactly an earth-shattering concept. RBSinTo

Chief, Nothing new here. A couple of years ago, someone put an expensive electric guitar down their sweatpants(!) and walked out of Cosmo Music (a very large retail music store) here in Toronto, and I don't think the thief was ever apprehended, or the guitar recovered. The act was captured on surveillence video, but the person was gone before any action was taken. RBSinTo