Lunch Report For Wednesday, June 8, 2011

[Boogie Bill]

Back from the Taylor Road Show I told you about yesterday. It was fun and we saw some incredible guitars. Miss Leslie won a t-shirt and I scored a bag of Taylor picks. The T-5 demo was especially impressive. By using an A/B/Y box and a Fender Hod Rod amp for electric tones and a Roland AC60 amp for acoustic tones, he showed the full range of what that instrument can do. I had my eye on a K65ce. This is an all koa, jumbo 12-string acoustic with a cutaway and Taylor’s Expression System pickup. Gorgeous!!! Unfortunately, they did not have any of their new electrics. (Though I will say that I have played a few, and I still prefer my G&Ls!!!!)

We stopped a Red Robin and had a burger for dinner on the way to the show. They are a local chain, specializing in “gourmet” burgers. I used to go to the original RR in the Seattle’s University District, back when the burgers were a buck.

So food question of the day: What do you like on your burger? Make mine with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato mayo and A-1 Steak Sauce. Or, I might do BBQ sauce, or salsa, or guacamole depending on my mood. I definitely like mine cooked on the BBQ grill. I’m partial to charcoal, but we have a gas grill, and I’ll add some mesquite smoker chips to it. I hope our weather gets better soon—I need to get that grill fired up!!


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Over the next three days, I was going to do a little feature on my toolbox and my gig bags, but decided to do something a little different. So here is the first installment of “Boogie Bill’s List of Greatest Inventions and Things I Can’t Live Without”.

Today, let’s talk tools that make my life easier.

1. Xcelite 10-piece screwdriver set. I bought this set 34 years ago in Coos Bay, Oregon, while on the road far from home. It wasn’t very expensive, but it has been a lifesaver on many occasions. It has three Phillips-head, and five flat-blade screwdrivers, with a torque handle and a nifty little plastic carrying case. Don’t remember what I paid for it, but I think it was about $8. Value—priceless.

2. AVON Battery Checker. My Mom was an Avon lady and she gave me this neat little battery checker, probably 30 years ago. I use it all the time, both for gigs and around the house. Three LEDs tell you in an instant the battery’s status. It’s good for AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt cells. Don’t know what I would do without it. Thanks, Mom!!!

3. A Sharp Knife. I carry a Victorinox Cyber-Tech 36 Swiss Army Knife on me at all times and it seems like I use it daily. It comes in handy at gigs, believe me. I also keep in my toolbox a mini-box cutter, about 2.5” long. Sharp blade, handy as heck for cutting tape or having to strip insulation.

4. Craftsman Wire Strippers. Another tool that I have had forever, and it has held up well. My advice is to buy good tools rather than junk. I used to make my own cables, and saved myself a ton of money and heartache by learning how to solder and repair my own cables. I think these are as sharp as the day I bought them. (I wish I was!!)

5. Radio Shack Solder Iron. Mine was a nifty little kit with a stand, solder, heat sink, clamp and an all-purpose 40-watt element. Learn to solder!

6. Behringer Cable Tester. Always wanted one of these gizmos, and these are so cheap you can’t justify not getting one. Works with many different types of plugs. Tells you whether the cable is good or bad--fast.

7. Sears Digital Multi-meter. This one is a medium size unit and it wasn’t all that expensive. I’ve had this one for about 20 years. I’m a novice when it comes to electronics and stuff, but this is another handy tool.

8. AC Outlet Checker. It’s always a good idea to check outlets to make sure they are properly wired and grounded—if you want to live. We had a situation last summer at a street fair where we could have been killed. They’re like six bucks—you can’t afford to not have one.

9. Rubbermaid Toolbox. I think I’ve had this kit since 1980. Mine’s about 22” wide and has two trays that nest together in the top of the box. Gotta have something to carry the tools in. Mine also holds my slide, amp fuses, pens, harmonicas, etc.--and a bottle of aspirin—for those gigs when nothing goes right.

10. Vice Grips. Handy to have around when you need a set of pliers. Makes a great stand for holding a cable plug while your trying to re-solder it on a dark stage. I carry one that’s full size, and another small one.

11. Stage Tape. I used silver Duct Tape for years but Stage Tape is better. It comes off much more easily, and doesn’t leave any glue residue. It’s more expensive, but well worth it. Tape those cable-paths down in high-traffic areas—it saves the embarrassment of tripping over your own cables and it’s cheaper than a cracked headstock on your prized guitar.

12. Colored Tape. Comes in real handy for color-coding cords, inputs and outputs. Makes set-up simpler, especially if your Roadie is inexperienced. Makes it really simple to patch effects into my amp’s EFX loop—yellows to yellows; reds to reds.

13. Zip-Lock Quart-Sized Plastic Bags. I’ve used these for years to keep my guitar and mic cables in. They are clear; you can see right away what’s in the bag. I carefully curl the cables, and place them in the bag, which is a much better way of winding the cables than hanking them. Cheaper than cable ties or Velcro strips, and since you don’t have to actually seal them—they will last for years. A nifty little way to keep your cables neat, organized and untangled.

14. String Winder. Do you realize that I am so old that when I started playing, they didn’t have string winders? Shocking!! I keep one of the 99-cent Dunlop winder in each of my acoustic cases, in my acoustic and electric “Jam Night” bags, and in my toolbox. But I keep a couple of special ones with my string changing supplies. Dunlop makes a fancy one for about six bucks that is more ergonomic, and it seems to be more durable and better quality than the cheapies. The best of the bunch though, is one I found that’s made by Shubb. It was expensive, but it has a wonderful feel—very smooth. Of course if you’re really lazy or need really fast winding, you can get adapters for your cordless screwdriver or your drill; or buy one of the new powered string winders. I really like the Shubb.

15. Side Cutters. I saved these for last because I have a set of Diam-alloy cutters that my Dad gave me when I was 15 and just learning how to play. They are very old, I think they were antiques in 1965. But he pulled them out of his toolbox and gave them to me. He was really conscientious about keeping a sharp edge on his cutting tools, and these are no exception. You can still cut a piece of paper with them. I’ve never had to sharpen them in 45 years of use. I think of my Dad every time I change strings. It might not seem like much, but it was truly a wonderful gift, and his way of supporting my music. Thank you so much, Dad. So get yourself a good set of side cutters and clip those string-ends off. You don’t want to put someone’s eye out.

There’s more to come on this list of “Boogie Bill’s List of Greatest Inventions and Things I Can’t Live Without”. Tune in tomorrow.


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Just a quick G&L question, since I ended my list with some string changing tools.

G&L has used a couple of different types of tuners over the years, by both Schaller and Sperzel.

Do you have a brand preferencefor tuners on your G&L guitars?

Locking tuners, or split-post style?

What do you like on your other guitars? Kluson, Planet Waves, Ping, Grovers, Gotohs, Waverlys, or???


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Sorry, but I will be on the road today and won’t be able to check in, but I will try.

Let’s all be careful out there!

Bill

[Dave_P]

Great week so far Bill! it's been crazy at work lately but I finally got the chance to read through this weeks' lunch reports.

Thanks for the list, excellent idea for a lunch report, I'm going to go grab one of those cable testers next paycheck. Not only will it be great for gigs it will actually come in handy at work as well.

Red Robin, I've been there a few times when I lived in AZ, RI is getting it's first one any day now, may even be open already haven't checked in a few weeks. My favorite burger place right now is Ted's Montana Grill, it's a chain but man their burgers are great! I get the bison(buffalo) burger with sauteed mushrooms and onions, bacon and cheddar cheese nothing beats it and I've had a LOT of burgers
I'm partial to charcoal too, I think it gives a better flavor, but for convenience I have a gas grill at home. I use it pretty much all year round but right now it's almost daily.

I've only had Schaller tuners on my G&L's, I prefer the locking to the split post. Not sure what's on my other guitar.

Just to touch on yesterday's topic, I ran into a G&L acoustic on ebay once. I know there are no current production but does anyone know if they dabbled at some point or was that one a fake?

-Dave

[sirmyghin]

Burgers eh? The best burger for me, is bacon,cheese,bbq sauce,pickles,onions,maybe some mushroom (ideally in the burger), and cole slaw.

Tools :

My Hakko Soldering station - seriously, it makes soldering so much easier it is insane.
Side cutters rock
Feeler guage for setting up my action.
And a utility knife which I use for all my cable making (can't be arsed when the wire strippers barely work.


I don't need no stinking string winders, all my guitars have locking tuners, even if they have a locking nut. You cannot beat locking tuners for stability, and they make changing strings quicker and easier. I have both Schaller and Sperzel, I prefer the schaller, but at the same time the other has never caused any issues.

[guitar_ed]

A few things that I need;

1) A sharp knife. I use it for cutting my finger nails, making food, stripping wires, and too many other things to name.
2) Zip lock baggies. For all sorts of things, large and small.
3) A label maker. My handwriting sucks, so I use a label maker for those things that need a label. And lots of things do need one.
4) Book cases. We don't throw books away or recycle them. It's almost a religious thing. So we need lots of book cases.
5) Guitars. I have WAY too many of them, but I am not getting rid of them.

edg

[sickbutnottired]

Great Report Bill -

xcelite-I had a set of those, might even have the remnants of the set around. Gotta try the zip lock trick for cables. I spent a ton of time and more scratch than you think on velcro ties. Which is great, the velcro sticks to every *#((*# thing.

I have an outlet tester, but don't use it near enough...going to put it in the power/speaker cable box.

A soldering station, that everyone has mentioned, makes life so much better. I do cables and stuff, but I get my brother to do repairs/mods to guitars and amps. It takes him no time, and the result is much better, with far fewer (very nearly zero) cap casualties.

Burgers? Hmmm... I love the burgers at the York Bar, with cheddar, onions, ketchup, and canned jalapenos.

Tuners, I prefer locking, but have only split type right now. I slightly prefer shallers. But I am not willing spend much money to upgrade from a good set of regular spetzels or shallers on a fixed bridge guitar.

[bassman]

I like all kinds of stuff on my burger, but I usually just go for cheese, ketchup and mustard. I'll have bacon on it if there is any left. It seems to disappear very quickly in my household.

Tool kits and gigs. I tend to just bring my bass and a backup with multiple cords to gigs. That has gotten me though so far.

I agree with the notion that you should check the outlets for proper grounding at clubs and outdoor events. Many people have been killed from opposite grounds on outlets esp. outdoors.

[repoman]

Good list of tools there Bill. I really should learn how to solder. Don't know what's held me back all these years. I have been to Red Robin once or twice bit I've only head the veggie burger and a chicken sandwich.

I much prefer the locking tuners. Makes string changes a snap. I curse those split tuners whenever i have to change strings on those. Especially the high-E string. I always seem to have a hell of a time getting that string to stay put and and wind right.

Jeff

[blargfromouterspace]

I'm going to buy an outlet tester next time I'm in a electronics store - we've been doing a few outdoors gigs with generators. Thanks for the tip. I really need to get a bunch of tools together in my gig bag. I carry is a spare set of tubes, strings, extra leads of all types and some tape. I'll remember to buy spare fuses one day...

Locking tuners all the way for me. You don't need to trim and bend the string prior to using it. Beautiful.

What sort of world is it where you can buy an electric string winder!?!? How many turns do you want???

I'll have one burger as described in each post above. Though I'm not sure how you get mushrooms to stay inside the bun.

[zapcosongs]

Great report full of useful information.

I like Red Robin - and endless fries..... I actually used to get the pot roast burger, but that's been discontinued at our location. I've been getting the fried fish sandwich there recently. On real burgers, I'm a fairly simple guy, but I do sometimes get a craving for Swiss, mushrooms and good tomato.

Regarding tuners, I really like Sperzels. Split shaft tuners drive me crazy. Give me a post with a hole drilled across it and I'm a happy camper as long as the darn thing holds. - ed

[sam]

That Taylor Koa 12 string sounds sweet.

Have yet to go to a Red Robin, but based on reviews will try one this summer. I prefer burgers on a grill with various cheese, mustard, pickles, onions, and occasionally bacon, jalepenos and bbq sauce.

A few of my favorite things:
string winder, wire cutters, duct tape, surge protector, and Aleve.

I lean to locking Sperzels.

[Ahryn]

great seeing this list from the beginning, so many little tips that I haven't heard anywhere else.

I don't like the action of changing strings so I have to say I much prefer locking tuners, plus it doesn't hurt tuning stability none

[meowmix]

These tips are very helpful and good to know. Thanks for posting.

1.) Xuron cutters. Simply awesome, so good I bought 2.
2.) Planet Waves string winder. The best winder I ever owned.
3.) Locking tuners, yes. They both work, I have no problem with either.
4.) Imperial Wire cutters. They work the best on teflon.
5.) 100 ft of guitar cables. I like to build my own guitar cables.
6.) 100 ft of mic cables. I build my own.
7.) ?? forgot how much speak cables I have.
8.) Soldering Iron. Tons of caps, resistors, and crap.
9.) Spare tubes. I see no mention of those. I guess you use solid state.

[Brock]

Boogie Bill wrote:

Today, let’s talk tools that make my life easier.

1. Xcelite 10-piece screwdriver set.

I had a harbor freight mini screwdriver set that I thought was fine, but as my hours of wrenching increased, it really wasn't. I bought a set of Wiha mini screwdrivers:
http://www.wihatools.com/pro_Precision.htm

They've been great. I think I have the 26190 set. If you spend enough time with certain tools, it's worth ponying up for the higher grade goods. I log a fair amount of hours with mini screwdrivers these days.