mountainpicker Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Fullmental, I think I got that dry bag from Northwest River Supply but I can't remember. I gave it away to a guy that runs the Arkansas a lot or I'd check. My little MSD-1 would also fit into the largest Bill's Bag too but I couldn't get enough rolls at the top to instill confidence if the raft were to flip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Anne, I checked all my notification settings and I should have received your message, BUT, I also sent messages to three other people about their guitars over the last fesw days and only received one message back so far, so I think something might not be set right.......On your guitar---The nut is a bit narrower than what I'm after. That was the main reason I let my J150 go. All my other Gibsons have that wider nut that is so comfortable for me. Sure wish it was around 1 3/4. I think "Magic" (if I recall name correctly) is one-hell-of-a-resonating-guitar. Awesome instrument. Whenever I've heard it on a recording I've said "Damn!" If you're thinking of trading it, I hope you think long and hard on it. If it's worth approx. 1500 retail at GC or some other store, all they're going to give you on a trade is 750 or so. The decision is 1000% yours and I hope you really consider the advice many are echoing here---get something like a 200-300 Yamaha, Ibanez, etc. Many of those guitars are absolutely great players and perfect for the beach, summer and winter. And, as others have said, in a few years if the sun and weather kill it, you get another. BTW, I think there are at least a few million cheap Yamahas from the 60-70s that are still around... Meanwhile, Magic still rumbles....lol.....Choose wisely, Grasshopper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneS Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Okay, here's the update: Not gonna part with the J100xtra--not to finance a travel (or any other) guitar and probably not ever. After playing it exclusively this weekend, I figured out why I hadn't been playing it much lately, and it was not (as I had erroneously assumed) because I so much prefer the short scale of my easier-to-play J45. For a long time now (maybe a couple of years, even), I have had a sore area under the callous on my left ring finger. Over time, I'd pretty much ignored it but, within the last 6 months or so, it started to be painful, but only while playing guitar (especially chording Cs and Fs). And while playing the J100, especially up the neck where she rings so beautifully--I was likely to feel it quite often. Who knows the countless ways one compensates for a s-l-o-w-l-y developing pain point, but I can see that I started to avoid the guitar and reach for the J45 instead, where the pain factor was less in play. I recently went to a hand specialist; turns out, the source of the pain is a wee wart. A quick needle then, and the healing is underway (though not complete). Playing the J100 this weekend, with a much-improved finger, made the light go on in my head: "Oh, THIS was the problem!!" Your feedback, especially those of you who pointed out that trading down doesn't make good sense (even if $ is an object), indeed helped me get clear on what's been going on lately. There's no reason I can't keep both of these fine guitars plenty busy, especially once the finger completely heals. Duh! Yes, I'll be looking for a better travel guitar than the Ibanez (which is fine, in its own right), but I am now shed of the illusion of choosing between the Cargo and the J100. Sophie's Choice was an actual dilemma; mine, it turns out, was just your typical false one. . I will try out as many carbon fiber guitars as I can get my hands on, and I'll enjoy the hunt and the saving up. Thanks again for all the input and observations--you guys were a huge assist! Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Wilson Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I admire the way you stuck with it and worked thru to a solution. Way to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Sweet! Fairy-tale ending...I don't think you will regret keeping your J100. I have one also that does not get much play. But when it does...it's awesome. None like it! I play different stuff on IT from what I play on my short scale Gibsons. Mine is one of the rare Norlin-era mahogany models from the early 70's...probably less than 300 made (according to the books). GOod luck on the CF search....AND what beach are you traveling to...;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneS Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Sweet! Fairy-tale ending...I don't think you will regret keeping your J100. I have one also that does not get much play. But when it does...it's awesome. None like it! I play different stuff on IT from what I play on my short scale Gibsons. Mine is one of the rare Norlin-era mahogany models from the early 70's...probably less than 300 made (according to the books). GOod luck on the CF search....AND what beach are you traveling to...;-) What...you are owning up to possession of a Norlin-era guitar?! But I thought...oh, never mind! (I jest, of course. ) I hit the SC beaches for long weekends, every couple of months at least. Kiawah, Edisto, Hunting, Fripp are the usual haunts. And the standard noon-ish check out time means that, if I bring a guitar, it needs to stay in the car until I'm good and ready to get off the beach that day, which is usually at last light. (Which explains why I'm after a composite.) From Black Mountain, where I live, I can be walking on one of those beaches in four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half hours, tops. I've been to Emerald and to the Outer Banks, too, but those spots are too far for the long-weekend-type jaunts Whereabouts are you? You thinking of headed to the Guit Show in Spartanburg at the end of the month? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Yes, I will "fess-up" to owning one from the "dark-era"! I have been the owner since '93...it is in fact my first vintage Gibson acoustic! I have played other Norlin-era acoustics...some good, some bad. I live on the Outer Banks (Nags Head). The SC show would be an 8 hour trip. Not going to make that, but I am sure it is a good one. I will have to live vicariously through you,ha! Please give us all a review afterwards though! Maybe you will find the CF(not Martin) guitar of your dreams!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Gents, here is my dilemna: I haven't much ready cash, which is usually the case. But I would like a good travel guitar, and while the little Ibanez parlor I bought last year is sort of OK, I really need something nicer for my ears and more suitable for hot cars and cold days. So of course I'm thinking carbon composites. I've just sent an email query to Dream guitars about this one: http://www.dreamguitars.com/detail/4648-ca_cargo_hg_red_with_electronics_003bck0141221/#full I have to say, that might do the trick, and I'm thinking a trade (plus some cash, I know) of my (gulp) 2000 maple J100xtra would be the way to go. It turns out, since I got the J45, the J100 isn't getting much use and, it also turns out, I really really like a short scale. Talk to me...😳 Carbon Fiber has a shelf life.. whether its raw resin or processed. and for the most part.. a tough product to repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 I had a Rainsong WS1000 several years ago. I couldn't get used to the carbon fiber tone compared to what I heard with wood. I used to take it outside when it was -10 and very quiet. Strum a chord and it echoed on and on. They really are loud and resonating instruments. The WS1000 is an auditorium-sized guitar and has a huge voice. Rainsong also makes dreads and jumbos.. Now, years later, I wish I'd kept it....Almost impervious to heat and cold (although there are limits to the heat) Still, far from the danger a wooden guitar has. They're less likely to ding and scratch than a wooden guitar, but they're not indestructible. You definitely don't want to sit on it, no matter what someone on the internet claims. They're not in-expensive guitars, but you can find used ones for a decent price. They're very nicely made guitars. Definitely worth a look.........Speaking of "repairs---------Rainsong contacted me and told me mine had a slightly warped-neck. They said it couldn't be repaired and had to be replaced. So, it's not like repairing an issue with wood. They sent me a new guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Carbon Fiber has a shelf life.. whether its raw resin or processed. and for the most part.. a tough product to repair. Carbon fiber itself does not have a shelf life limit. In its raw state, it is usable virtually indefinitely if properly stored. Carbon pre-preg (carbon fiber pre-impregnated with pre-catalyzed epoxy resin) must be stored in a frozen state prior to use, and does have a shelf life to guarantee the structural properties of the cured laminate. This is commonly used in the aerospace industry--or in my own industry of cutting edge racing yacht design and construction (or the building of F1 racing cars), where the engineering properties of the finished laminate are critical. Carbon fiber guitars can be made out of pre-preg (more costly) or wet laminate materials, which are resin-impregnated at the time of lay-up in the mold. I suspect that most guitars are built with wet lay-up, as it works in a similar manner to wet lay-up fiberglass and polyester. It's fairly easy to work with since the resin/fiber ratios are non-critical, and the "open" working time is fairly generous. Non-critical carbon fiber structures can be repaired in a manner similar to other fiber reinforced plastics. Your carbon fiber guitar isn't going to carry a thermonuclear device or fly to Mars, so I'd call that non-critical. I've worked with large carbon structures for the last 25 years, both writing engineering specifications and testing completed components for compliance with those specifications. Building and repairing a carbon fiber guitar ain't rocket science. The great things about carbon fiber guitars are their thermal stability, ruggedness, and the fact that they aren't sensitive to changes in humidity. The engineering of a carbon fiber guitar is totally different from conventional wood construction, even though the basic structural loading is the same. I don't know how well builders are actually exploiting the potential of the material. As far as I'm concerned, it won't replace wood for my guitars. But it does make for a rugged travel guitar, which is why I own one. And I can always give it to one of our boatbuilders to fix if I manage to break it. They get a kick out of seeing my carbon guitar, but turn up their noses at the construction quality compared to what they do for a living. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Nick, Good information. Thanks. How does this process compare to Charlie Kaman's original process using his helicopter business expertise to build his guitars? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Great info.. thanks .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Nick, Good information. Thanks. How does this process compare to Charlie Kaman's original process using his helicopter business expertise to build his guitars? Dave Not sure about that, but helicopter blades and large wind generator blades are two really common applications of carbon engineering and construction. As you probably know, a number of modern civilian aircraft, as well as modern military aircraft, typically have large amounts of carbon in airframe and skins. The materials cost has come down dramatically in recent years, and construction techniques have improved exponentially, just in the last five years. I know some pretty sophisticated stringed instruments have made with it--violins and cellos--but I suspect the production numbers are so low that they can't take real advantage of the possibilities of the material. You can't tap-tune a carbon guitar top, but a good acoustical engineer could create something just as sophisticated. And they probably have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Me too is kind of glad you kept the 100 - Hehe, just so that you know ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.