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Location: Flahdaw | Just an observation, but this time last year there were alot more distressed deals out there on C.L., Ebay, even here....absolute steals. This year, not so much. Maybe the corner has been turned? |
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Location: closely held secret | Or maybe they're in pawn shops... |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Funny, in terms of buying stuff, I'm holding back except for the essentials. My combo speaker is dying and I'm replacing it (with an Eminance Swamp Thang!) I don't feel a corner's been turned, it's more like purchases for essentials have been deferred and now I can't wait any longer. |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | My yardstick doesn't have that-small increments. |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | It's been my best year yet. 4 1/2 years of running the shop, and I can finally afford to custom order my dream guitar.
I WILL say though that the cost of heating my home has doubled in the past few years. At $3.44 a gallon for fuel oil, I will have to start passing up great deals on guitars, like the one OMA has up on the for sale board. I WANT it, but I can't have it. :( |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | So, Alison, what are the specs of your dream guitar? |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Still working out the details with Al. |
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Location: Michigan | Things are going so well here in Michigan I am going to buy you all the custom Adamas of your choice... |
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Location: NJ | buy a guitar or amp or something and I will let you know |
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Location: Yucaipa, California | ... my work hours have been cut from 40hrs/week to 24hrs/week since April with no real change in the immediate future......no improvement for me.
...on the plus side, I am becoming very good at "puttering" |
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Location: Flahdaw | Well, like I said, last year craigslist had tons of great deals out there. Most of the ads said things like "must sell, lost job, need money for kids Christmas presents"....stuff like that. This year there's nothing but Estebans, Squires, and Hohners....at retail pricing!!! Something has changed. Maybe everyone that HAD to sell something already has....last year. |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I'm sorry so many are hurting. I occurred to me that my post sounded callous. South Dakota has not been hit by the economic downturn like most of the rest of the country. Our unemployment rate remains around 4 percent. North Dakota is doing even better. Nebraska isn't too bad either. I just lucked out and moved to, not only the most beautiful place in the country (IMO), but one where jobs are relatively plentiful.
Of course here in the Black Hills, most of those jobs are service sector, low paying jobs. Tourist economy. But except for HEATING OIL :mad: , the cost of living is pretty low here. |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | OK, I just finalized things with Al.
The top will be dark grey, the natyral color of the graphite. loke on the 2080's.
The epi's will be a bit lighter, pearlized grey, but pieced together like the wood ones are so they look like leaves.
The neck will be a typical Adamas neck with the skunk stripes.
The bridge will be plain, not carved, and it will be walnut.
The fretboard will be walnut with maple fretmarkers. But those fretmarkers will be SWANS!
The headstock will be burled walnut.
The trussrod cover will be walnut with a maple A on it.
The rope binding will be walnut.
Al D electronics with the BOOST BUTTON.
And of course the neck will be l-o-n-g.
Won't be ready for at least six months, but I'll post lots of pics when I get it. |
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Location: south east Michigan | nice |
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Location: Utah | Nice, Alison. I'll be by to give it a test drive next summer. |
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Location: Flahdaw | So, you're talking a baritone? |
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| Sounds wonderful, Alison. Can't wait to see it. |
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Location: Utah | IMO, worth what it cost you, is that we are seeing a temporary false improvement. The fundamentals haven't changed in terms of corporate profits, and the government policies haven't changed, so I see no reason for the long term trend to change. There are a lot of indicators hinting at a second recession next year.
However, we are seeing signs that consumers are more willing to spend money. Black Friday was busy in the Salt Lake valley this year. I went to our local master violin builder's shop for a metronome, and literally there were no parking spots available. I walked out after waiting 10 minutes and came back an hour later, and still had to wait 30 minutes to pay for the item. In the meantime the other patrons were trying out and buying all kinds of expensive violins, violas, and cellos. We're talking $2k minimum. Some people obviously have significant discretionary money to spend.
Local CL and KSL.com instrument listings seem less desperate, but much is going unsold. I sense some caution but less panic than a year or two ago. |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Yeah Darkbar, it's a baritone. And after I get it, I should be done for at least a while. I'm going to make one of those New Year's Resolutions. NO NEW GUITARS THIS YEAR. |
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| Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
I'm going to make one of those New Year's Resolutions. NO NEW GUITARS THIS YEAR. Ask Beal how that worked out for him... |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Canterbery, that is going to be one sweet git. Now I'm jealous. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Way to go, Alison! |
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Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | Hate to be 'doom and gloom', but the places that I am looking show no sign whatsoever of recovery. If anything, just the opposite.
I spend a lot of time looking at vintage and high end guitar sites, and a disturbing trend has been emerging.
Have a look on EBay (or Craigslist...or yadda yadda...) and you will see MORE absolutely primo, closet queen guitars now than at any time in the last ten years. I'm talking about stuff that was put under a bed in the sixties and hasn't seen the light of day since. The absolute best of the best...
These are guitars that only the most serious, well-coined collectors could have been able to justify buying... even back in the day when they were more 'affordable'.
I'm sure there are many here who will have contrary opinions, but no serious collector (at least, none of the ones I am acquainted with) would EVER part with items like these unless they had their back to the wall.
A few examples... Early 60's Firebirds. There are usually one or two available on Ebay at any given time. Last week there were 10+, two or three of these being AAA, museum-grade examples with BIN's half of what they were a year ago.
I have been following Rickenbacker basses for almost five years now. You might occassionally see a pre-'73 (the really rare ones...). Last week, there were several, including a '67, again in NM. Never seen a 60's 4000 series on there since I have been looking. They just don't come up.
Fender Jazz basses, same thing...including probably the best 60's example I have ever seen, going for a BIN that makes me cry.
This may just be a 'blip', but if the people that could previously afford these high-end toys (usually the ones that drive the American economy...) are now hurting enough to have to them let go, it can't possibly be a good sign.
I know everyone wants to stay positive and put the best spin on things, but the deficit being what it is (totally out of control...), means that until the tax-paying public decide to bite the bullet and take measures to start paying it down (instead of voting down every measure that has any hope of getting it back in check), there won't be any recovery. How can there be?
No one likes taxes (obviously...), but if the people that CAN afford it don't start dealing with the problem, will anyone else?
I doubt it...
:eek: :eek: :eek: |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally by dark bar:
Just an observation, but this time last year there were alot more distressed deals out there on C.L., Ebay, even here....absolute steals. This year, not so much. Maybe the corner has been turned? Don't know about that... Some poor soul just had to sell me this for much less than it is worth.
(Still has Factory Dust, 3 shim action and the string that connects the preamp to the can)
And I Thank Him!
This one's a Keeper.
And I am still unemployed with no sign of that changing.
I will be going-out busking for rent money in a bit. |
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| Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Don't know about that... Some poor soul just had to sell me this for much less than it is worth. Maybe he shoulda tried being unemployed... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by G8r:
Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Don't know about that... Some poor soul just had to sell me this for much less than it is worth. Maybe he shoulda tried being unemployed...
And the kids need Christmas and the landlord needs rent. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Alison, I'm happy for you. Maybe a twinge of envy, but mostly I just think you deserve it.
Our consumer buying is up, led by SWMBO. I just bought myself a crown for Christmas, but I don't feel regal. I broke a tooth eating popcorn Friday night. If there was a guitar budget, there it went.
There have been a lot of local desparation sales on CL. Some nice stuff, like a 99 Takamine "Mountain", but no bargains. We had grossly inflated housing costs and a lot of people are upside down on their mortgages. That may take a long time to correct, but for now it looks like people are just getting used to paying way more than their house was worth, as long as they can still afford to make those mortgage payments. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | That's what I said about this year. "No New Guitars"
I did pretty good, I only got six. Got rid of about 10-12.
Same thing for next year, no more. Need to learn to play the ones I got.
I'm still unemployed. I did have a gig this summer and after I played it I got stiffed on the money so I guess that makes me a professional musician now. |
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Location: California | I am still looking for a 1547 Elite. Maybe next year. |
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Location: NJ | if you are busking for rent
What the hell are you doing buying a new guitar? |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Trying to Stimulate the Economy!
Plus, it was an Awesome deal that I couldn't pass up.
(Like I said, the poor guy needed the money... NOW)
Plus, I will sell something and it will all balance-out in the end.
anybody wanna buy a bright red balladeer? |
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Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by alpep:
if you are busking for rent
What the hell are you doing buying a new guitar? C'mon Al...a man still has his priorities! |
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Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Trying to Stimulate the Economy!
Plus, it was an Awesome deal that I couldn't pass up.
Plus, I will sell something and it will all balance-out in the end.
Soooo... I guess when it come down to it, you are a capitalist!
(Like I said, the poor guy needed the money... NOW) Ah yes... another case of the advantaged taking advantage of the less advantaged. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Slipkid:
Ah yes... another case of the advantaged taking advantage of the less advantaged. Uh, it was a BIN on evilBay....
The guy was selling and I bought it.
It was not a Best Offer, I paid the full asking price.
That the full asking price was low goes to show that these are desperate times.
I see it as one poor person trading cash for goods with another poor person.
You can see it anyway you like.
I got a nice guitar and I am happy.
I hope he got enough money for whatever he needs and is happy.
But back On Topic... No, The Economy Still Sux. |
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Location: Flahdaw | I don't even know what to say to you, OMA....but if I did, it wouldn't be nice. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Whatever will make your little ego feel better. |
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Location: Scotland | a little ego is a good thing. It's big egos that are the problem, especially when there is no talent to back it up.
arthur, you constantly post about your fragile financial circumstances, yet your signature line boasts a guitar collection of which others, who actually work for a living, would struggle to afford. And believe me, this is just an observation, not a criticism. |
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Location: Scotland | Edit: double post |
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Location: Flahdaw | The question about ego is....Do you constantly need to feed it?
In my case, no.
In your case, obviously yes. |
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Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | Com'mon guys.... it's almost Christmas.
Peace... love... goodwill to all etc, etc.... |
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Location: Vernon CT | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Yeah Darkbar, it's a baritone. And after I get it, I should be done for at least a while. I'm going to make one of those New Year's Resolutions. NO NEW GUITARS THIS YEAR. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH!!!!!!!! Really Alison?? ;)
Seriously, Sound like a wonderful guitar, Congrats!
Oh and yes I think things are Improving.
Laid off 12/07 Started working again 10/27/10
I need a Vacation................. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Hey, I don't begrudge or get jealous of anyone's guitar collections or signature lines. OK, maybe a few ... good for them. But don't flaunt it and then try to tell me the economy sucks. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Yeah Darkbar, it's a baritone. And after I get it, I should be done for at least a while. I'm going to make one of those New Year's Resolutions. NO NEW GUITARS THIS YEAR. Coooooollll. I think I really want one of those. |
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Location: On the Coast - Halfway between SF & OR | Just how long can a person collect unemployment these days?
Economy here sucks; timber and fishing industries are gone, next to no new construction going on, and lately a number of B&B's have been taken back by banks and the furnishings sold at "estate" sales.
I still seem to find enough work to keep my bills paid though. It's interesting to me that there always seem to be ditches to dig and dishes to wash, but people would rather take hand-outs than do "that kind of work." |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Starts at 26 weeks, then extensions up to 99 weeks...
But not until they pass that extension thingy.
But even if you have money in your Unemployment Insurance account... 99 weeks is the end.
That FICA thing that they take outta your paycheck is what pays into your Unemployment Insurance account. |
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Location: closely held secret | No, that's Social inSecurity. |
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Location: NJ | Arthur
what happened to the signature line? |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Darkbar, when I get it, you'll have to come out to the Hills and see/play it. I would LOVE to hear this (and all of my guitars for that matter) in your talented hands! I'm HOPING it will be here for the 2nd Annual RRBH Gathering. |
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Location: Flahdaw | The pictures from L.Y. sure make it look tempting |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | alpep asks:
Arthur
what happened to the signature line? People implied that keeping a guitar tally was somehow not tasteful.
That I was flaunting my good-fortune before my less-blessed brethren. |
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| Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Darkbar, when I get it, you'll have to come out to the Hills and see/play it. I would LOVE to hear this (and all of my guitars for that matter) in your talented hands! I'm HOPING it will be here for the 2nd Annual RRBH Gathering. Good luck; I can't get him to drive less than 2 hours to get together for some recording... |
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Location: Flahdaw | I'm coming, I'm coming!!! I took a wrong turn, dammit! |
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Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | Arthur...
I, personally am not the least bit offended by you posting a list (either complete, or partial) of your guitars, which I am pretty bloody sure you had to work really hard to get (... and if you bought them with the profits of busking... I would personally like to nominate you for an award for industriousness!!)
Posting your guitars in your signature line isn't about arrogance or status, but simply a way of showing your fellow OFC'ers what you are into as a guitarist. You can tell a lot about a person by what they collect.
There are people here that have huge collections of REALLY NICE guitars. I wish the signature line was longer so they could post them all!! Very interesting reading...
Take Dave's collection (sorry for singling you out, Dave...). Is there anybody here that doesn't aspire (or lust after...) owning a collection like that. Hell, I do... no apologies whatsoever for that!!
;) |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by Avatar4550:
Posting your guitars in your signature line isn't about arrogance or status, but simply a way of showing your fellow OFC'ers what you are into as a guitarist. I'm glad others see it this way. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Your point is well taken, Avatar. But this thread was supposed to be about peoples different impressions of the current state of the economy....not an opportunity for someone to post pictures of their latest acquisition. |
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| I don't lust after dave's collection.
They've all got shiny necks.
(Although that Custom Legend....) |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I don't lust after Dave's collection
several used to be mine.
Those ones don't have skinny necks though. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | on a serious note, the sig line is nice for a while to list things.
after a point it turns into "Lookie here what I got!!!..." and then you're an asshole, or certainly could be percieved as one.
I like what Damon did where it takes you to a different place to talk about them and doesn't stick it in your face. |
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Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | DB, sorry for the 'lateral' thread movement.
In a roundabout way, the discussion of guitars listed in the signature line IS about the economy...
If unemployment was at 3%... the deficit wasn't going up by $50,000 a second (just checked...), no one would mind a bit of guitar braggadocio.
The fact that the discussion shifted to a dressing down over what might have been perceived as someone taking advantage of those hard times, just goes to show how hard the times have become.
Just think back to the 80's (or even more recent high times...) when no one would even blink at arrogant little 'oik' stockbrokers swimming in Moet or breezing past in their beamers flaunting their consumption (no matter how excessive).
Everyone would just say, "... what a successful chap... look how well he's doing....". The fact that the same behaviour now is enough to stir the masses to lynching goes a long way to saying just how hard the times have become.
I think that this 'attitude shift' in the US may be almost as hard as coming to terms with the idea that the good times (at least as we have come to know them...) might not be back.
I hope I'm wrong.
:( |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | You can still buy a bunch of guitars for the price of a car, and they don't depreciate as much or cost so much to maintain. Also, I've never made any money playing with my car and singing on the street corner. For most people, it's just a matter of shifting your priorities.
BTW, I'd bag the signature line if I could find another convenient place to look up what I've got. That's why I try to put in the years and model numbers. |
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Location: Flahdaw | If I were having serious financial problems right now and living off welfare or unemployment, I might have ONE (1!) guitar for busking purposes, but I'd sell my other 15 guitars and amps. I would not be making new acquisitions, proudly posting pictures, and adding to my tag line. Anyone on this forum who is in dire straits should take great offense to this kind of irrational behavior.
The fact that someone may be selling more expensive guitars and replacing them with lower priced guitars is still illogical. No one needs 16 guitars, especially if you are busking for rent money. Bottom line, if you're rich, it's a collection. If you're poor, it's ridiculous. |
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Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | darkbar,
while I completely respect your opinion I still feel the strong need to tell you that it is "just" an opinion of many. Everyone of us is different and we all should respect the way somebody lives or acts. This is MY personal opinion and I don't want to offend you in any way. So please don't get this wrong.
I wasn't even sure if I should post this or not. But I see a lot of "hate" here at the OFC in the last weeks. I hope all this will settle soon and we can get back to what we really are here for.
(Posts like this really show me English isn't my motherlanguage. I hope I was able to make myself clear without any offence to anyone.) |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | It's not a collection or ridiculous...I have G.A.S. and I consider it my passion/hobby. I've long since outgrown bar-hopping. I suppose I could put the money into investments so I could really enjoy watching the market bounce all over the place...sure, that kind of stress is good for ya.... :rolleyes: |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | For those who don't think times will get better, just wait. The baby boomer generation has served as an anomaly and created the need for an asterisked footnote in just about every demographics study in which it has ever been included. As the baby boomers retire (which has been delayed a few years by the current economic slump), they will leave holes in the employment rolls that cannot be backfilled because of a shortage of available resources. Data supporting this theory is already very well known and readily available. There simply will not be enough people needing jobs or willing to work to fill the vacancies that will be created. Those replacement people have already been born and are now in school or just starting their careers, and their numbers have already been counted. Entry level skill positions and service sector jobs will be the most difficult to fill. One answer, of course, will be to turn to resources available beyond the borders. Another option will be to raise salaries high enough to attract non-workers (patriotism was similarly used during WWII to attract moms and others to replace men who went off to war). It will be an interesting phenomenom to observe. Hope I live long enough to see how it all turns out. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Hey Meuti, no problem disagreeing with me (most people do). That's what makes the world go round, and I certainly respect your opinion.
I don't think there's a bunch of HATE going around, certainly not on THIS subject, but certainly some confusion and raised eyebrows. |
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Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Thanks db! What makes thing so difficult on a message board like this is probably "the written word". I am sure if the discussions that lead to confusion and misunderstaning here would be held with each other in real life it would make things a lot easier. "Letters only" are easily taken down the wrong pipe. Or maybe I'm just a wimp ;)
Anyways I'm sorry for hijacking this thread! Must be one of those sentimental evenings for me. Please back on topic everyone! :cool: |
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Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Tim in Tidewater:
It's not a collection or ridiculous...I have G.A.S. and I consider it my passion/hobby. I've long since outgrown bar-hopping. I suppose I could put the money into investments so I could really enjoy watching the market bounce all over the place...sure, that kind of stress is good for ya.... :rolleyes: You're not broke, living on welfare or unemployment compensation, busking for rent money. If you were, adding to your impressive tagline, or posting pictures of new acquisitions, WOULD be ridiculous, (IMHO). |
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Location: Nahant, MA | Speaking as somebody who got laid-off two weeks before Thanksgiving (from a company I've been with for just over 12 years), yeah, the economy still sucks.
As to the buying of guitars, I had just ordered a 2079LX from Oklahoma two days before I got laid off. So yeah, my timing sucks too. The plan was to sell my 1619 to fund a rebuild of my 1869 by the mothership. No sale on the 1619 as yet, so rebuild is on hold. Having three decent Custom Legends is currently a nice problem to have, and I'm hoping I can get my son (home from college) interested in playing.
I'll have a better feel for what the economy is truly like after the holidays. At least I've got more practice time...and family time as well. You ain't heard nothing 'til you've heard us do the Chipmunk Christmas Song ;-) |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | But maybe if i was living under those conditions, acquiring a new guitar may make me feel better about my surroundings and worth fighting to maintain a level of self respect. The streets are filled with those that have flat out given up...
Now, me personally, I'm like that commercial where the guy is on the lawn mower in front of the big house, big boat & new cars in the driveway. How do I do it? I'm in debt up to my eyeballs...
The American dream; I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go... |
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Location: Flahdaw | Maybe I just look at things different. I live in a "nice" home, but could certainly afford a much nicer place. I own 5 guitars, I could certainly afford 50. I could drive a Mercedes, but I drive a Honda. I could shop at Nordstroms, but I look for deals on clothes. We live on less than half our income.
But, hey, this is America....people buy more home than they can possibly afford, they lease a new BMW, they keep acquiring more and more toys 'cos they have a Visa card, then they blame everyone else when they go bankrupt.
Any because I did everything right, the way you are supposed to do it, I'm bailing them out. Am I angry.....a little. |
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Location: Bluffton, SC | "I could shop at Nordstroms, but I look for deals on clothes."
Um, nah. |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | You and me both, but honestly, I would much rather know a chunk of my taxes are helping the 10% out of work than than the several thousand Wall Street types that got a bigger bailout check than the 10% tuffing it out at the bottom of the pile.
Anyways, enough bantering. Let's enjoy what we have and spend more time playing!
T'n'T |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | posted December 16, 2010 07:35 PM
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"I could shop at Nordstroms, but I look for deals on clothes."
Um, nah.
NOW THAT'S FUNNY!!!!!!!! |
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Location: Flahdaw | Actually, if Nordstrom's sold gay shirts I'd be all over 'em! |
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Wow, I feel bad "bragging" about getting my longneck made now.
Business HAS been good, but all who came out here last summer can testify that I dress in "rags". I mean, there is a mall in Rapid City, yet in the almost seven years I have lived here, I have never been to that mall. It's just a matter of priorities. I'd rather have new guitars than new clothes. I shop at yard sales or Family Dollar on those rare occasions when I need something new.
I don't eat at restaurants. (None of 'em are any good here anyway.) I don't go to bars. I don't really go anywhere except to the shop and then home. Home is less than a mile from the shop. The grocery store is a mile from home. I fill up my gas tank about once every TWO MONTHS. In the summertime, my "entertainment" is either a ride through Custer State Park, or a trip to my favorite fishing hole.
Yet, in my mind, I'm living the good life because I am "working" for myself, up to my neck in guitars every day. I've never been so happy.
I won't point fingers at anyone who has a lot of guitars, no matter what their "situation" is. If they can have those guitars and still eat, I'm sure they are just as happy as I am. :) |
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Location: Flahdaw | Okay...all is well.
So, how 'bout that economy, huh? I want to acquire some low priced guitars from distraught sellers and not having any luck. (I'm such a friggin' hypocrite) |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I play guitar outside of Nordstroms Rack, but I have never even gone inside.
The workers and the security guard come out with requests.
"Do that Pink Floyd one again"
DB-- I am not on Welfare, my unemployment has run it's course, and I owe NOBODY any money.
I have no credit cards, no debt, and enough cash money to pay my bills for at least six months.
But I am unemployed and looking for work.
And the economy does stink.
Originally posted by dark bar:
Your point is well taken, Avatar. But this thread was supposed to be about peoples different impressions of the current state of the economy....not an opportunity for someone to post pictures of their latest acquisition. This is a guitar forum... Like it sez on the Welcome page.
You stated that there were not as many "Deals" to be had due to people selling their beloved instruments because of hard times. I mentioned that someone sold me their brand new guitar. I paid their asking price. If I had not bought it, someone else would have...
I used that as an example that the economy still sux.
I have no job and I still live well because I save my money, or spend wisely.
Get Over It! |
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Location: Flahdaw | I stand corrected. You should buy many, many guitars. |
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Location: Nahant, MA | Well I'm happy about your new guitar, Alison... |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | me too |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | me three |
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Location: Flahdaw | yepper, and don't forget to record something, Alison! (will that have a standard 1-11/16" nut?) |
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Location: south east Michigan | yes Alison... sounds like this will be a once in a lifetime guitar for you.
Good on ya. |
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Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | I wanna come visit that guitar personally some day Alison!
As for the economy, I feel I'm a pretty good indicator. My job is finding other people jobs. In December of '08, I lost mine due to clients laying off my people, and no new jobs to place people into.
I started back up in September, and though the jobs are still more scarce than the pre-depression days, I have jobs to fill now.
Things aren't perfect, but in my mind they're getting better...
Buy more guitars. |
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Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | My barometer is similar to Damon's. When it's really bad, I don't hear from any recruiters for weeks or months. When it is getting better, I get more calls. IMHO it's definitely starting to pick up. |
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Posts: 3969
| Stop buying the cable news product (fear, hopelessness and anger) and you'll be a lot healthier. You'll also see that things aren't anywhere near as bleak as they want you to believe.
Maybe OMA should give Damon a "PM sent," and not about a guitar purchase. |
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Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Originally posted by CrimsonLake:
When it's really bad, I don't hear from any recruiters for weeks or months. When it is getting better, I get more calls. So...
Shoot me over your resume |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | On its way. |
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Location: SoCal | Originally posted by G8r:
Stop buying the cable news product (fear, hopelessness and anger) and you'll be a lot healthier. You'll also see that things aren't anywhere near as bleak as they want you to believe.
Maybe OMA should give Damon a "PM sent," and not about a guitar purchase. When I'm stuck at my desk and surf the news sources, I can get depressed as hell about things. When I go out and talk to clients and others in my profession, I realize that things are still happening and that there is opportunity out there.
My dad, a year ago, commented that the rules of the game (the economy) had changed. The task ahead was to figure out the new rules..... |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | The trick is to be adaptable. I've seen too many people lose their jobs and then hold out forever for the "right" position to come along. |
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Location: Nahant, MA | Is there a "right" position? Even working for yourself has elements that aren't ideal. I usually shoot for interesting and close enough.
Damon, if you recruit for high tech let me know and I'll shoot you some paper ;-) |
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Location: Jet City | High tech is all I do.
Carol, it's best to send to my work addy...
damon(dot)thomas(at)compucom(dot)com |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I started out working for my physical output, literaly using a broom, shovel and a dustpan. At each step I tried to meet the need in front of me and make the challenges easier for my Boss/Manager/Team. After about 20 years in that meant that I had to take on some increased conflict and change, which at the time had risks but is now the "standard". Now I get to "serve" higher level Managers and impact the daily lives of more people and I kind of like that.
The Musical Moral: Give them what they need and you will be taken care of.
OMA, knowing a little more about you than some I think you are quite sucessful! Try asking the "Rack" if they can put you on their security team since you undoubtably "have their back" watching the entry. |
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Location: Indiana | Congratts Alison. |
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Location: Vernon CT | As stated before. I was laid off for almost 3 years. I applied for everything from what I was doing (Senior Buyer)to a buyer, Customer Service, Inside sales, Retail store clerk,Warehouse work even partime jobs at Blockbuster and the Movie theater just to do something. I was either to qualified or
unofficially too old (You can't tell me Age descrimination doesn't exsist!)I finally got a Job 7 weeks ago 40 miles from where I live at less money then I was making. So yes it's getting better,but, It's a different type of Employment.
A "99'er" working to replenish his 401k!
Oh, and I sold 7 of my guitar to help me pay bills..... |
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Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Congrats on the job, Bob. (You seems a lot happier too)
Sorry 'bout the gits, but you can always replace them. |
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Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Bob - congrats! I didn't know that you found something. That's awesome. Maybe it wasn't what you were looking for, but who knows what'll lead to.
As for the commute - get yourself a good ipod adapter for the car. Best listening time there is. |
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July 2007
Posts: 161
Location: Seoul, Korea | Sorry for coming in late into this thread. I would like to offer my assistance for people who may be looking for a job. I work for one of the largest executive search firms in the world, specializing in the senior level positions. If anyone of you is interested in sending his/her resume, please feel free to do so. All the best in your endeavors and Happy Holidays! |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Thanks Mike and Bob!
Bob,
You are a gifted man to sense my happiness over the internet. Can you psychically send your Guitar Skills over the internet to me too?? ;)
Oh, leave the shirts.....
Mike,
I am enjoying my "old" CD collection to it's fullest! |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I'm in a pretty unique position to gauge the economy and its impact on residents of Colorado. Generally, it does appear to be improving from a macro perspective, but we're not out of the woods yet, and we'd have a tough time selling the idea to the hundreds of thousands of individuals and families who continue to struggle to make ends meet. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Of course what STK didn't tell you is that the jobs are all in Seoul. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I've got neices working in China, and the economy is not so great, despite what you they say ...
Essentially 300 million people are in a first world economy, but 1 billion still live in the third world. Check out this article
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/world/asia/12beijing.html |
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Posts: 161
Location: Seoul, Korea | Beal, you are absolutely right! However, our firm has 10 offices in the U.S. alone, 53 other offices around Europe, South America and Asia. I can't say I can provide an immediate solution to anybody but willing to assist in any small way I can. Taking a different approach to job search by getting out of one's comfort zone (such as applying for overseas job, especially in Asia) may increase the success rate. My offer still stands. And Happy Holidays everyone! |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Originally posted by STK:
...I work for one of the largest executive search firms in the world, specializing in the senior level positions... That statement made me think you worked for MRI (950 offices in more than 35 countries), but after your response to Beal above, I see that's not the case.
What firm are you with? |
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July 2007
Posts: 161
Location: Seoul, Korea | I am with Egon Zehnder International. Here is the website www.egonzehnder.com and you will find my bio for Seoul, Korea. |
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economy improving?