IanHenry

Mark Knopfler is selling off some of his guitars Christies - The Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection

I think a lot of the manufacturing done in China may be in for a major upheaval in the not-too-distant future, it seems their "Tiger economy" has fallen off the edge of a cliff. I can't see that manufacturing returning to Western nations though because basically, we are too expensive but most nations price themselves out of the market eventually, I can remember when Japanese products were referred to as Jap crap here in the UK, not so now.

Oh, sorry to hear that Prairie, sadly it looks like there's no hope for you🙂

It's probably because cardboard is more environmentally friendly and cheaper.

Funnily enough, I once got chatting with a couple of young Ladies in a bar in New Orleans when they asked me where I was from, I told them The UK which drew a blank, then The United Kingdom, and finally England but they didn't know where that was. They were from Alabama which is a place that I've never been to, sounds interesting though.

All Single Malt Scotch whiskies are very different from the next one (note, that's Whisky, not Whiskey, that's Irish) for example Islay Whisky is very peaty and I avoid that like the plague. The best way to drink it is with a little drop of water, or as I prefer, with an ice cube but leave it to melt into the Whisky.

Most people I buy for will probably be getting a good bottle of Scotch.

Thanks for the info, when I bought it I always assumed it was just a run-of-the-mill 335, you learn something every day🙂

I've checked what Gibson e-mailed me when I bought the Guitar "ES-335 Plain in Cherry finish, nickel hardware, made in 2010 in Memphis US as part of the Custom Shop series.". So yes, contrary to what I thought, it must be of the Custom Shop Series, but I haven't a clue what that means.

If in doubt you could contact Gibson with the photo's and serial number, they may be able to put you mind at rest.

A place in Scotland that I like to visit has a Tree Hugger Community, they also sit on top of large rocks overlooking the river meditating, when I see one I always like to strike up a conversation with them. They always respond it's Human nature to answer back😁

My ES 335 came with one and I don't think it was from the "Custom Shop Series".

Yes, but true Custom shop guitars are only built in Nashville, it's just that Gibson in their infinite wisdom supplies Custom shop COA's with the, now-defunct Memphis factory, I hope this helps.

No Gibson Memphis is not the same as the 'Custom Shop' which is, and always has been in Nashville but, rather confusingly the ES models were labelled 'Custom', why that is so is one of life's mysteries.

A different Paul Young joined Mike and the Mechanics (they had two vocalists simultaneously, the other being Paul Carrack). Sad Cafe was a top-notch live band (I saw them countless times), they released ten albums, two of which were live.

A guy I know makes a very good living out of playing or promoting bands where there is only one remaining original member, he's actually a member of 'The Animals' and he's often on tour in mainland Europe where apparently there is huge demand. I Have tickets to see Sade Cafe later this month, I'm not sure how many original members are still in the band but I'm going out of curiosity as much as anything but really any hope of seeing Sad Cafe at their peak ended in 2000 when the singer, Paul Young, an incredible frontman turned his toe's up (not the Wherever I Lay my Hat, Paul Young). Realistically every orchestra in the World is a cover band, I guess that's how the music stays "alive".

Murph, did you get any photos' for us?

We might find out how relevant they are next week when they release their final single.

Watching Cricket is a bit like watching paint dry. Here's the most amusing thing to happen at a Cricket match:

I get the impression that Rodger has always been troubled, he's always had an obsession with his deceased father, a bit like Prince Harry with his mother.

I think you may have everything covered 😄

I can just see that sitting on a stand in a pub. You might have difficulty insuring it.

How about this for an Olympic event: https://youtu.be/9BkwnGq2yaA?si=CTIKFTJbrct1-vso

Yes, they called them "Panda" cars, but I've no idea why.