Monday Lunch Report 5-05

[Elwood]

Greetings fellow GbLers,

Thanks to ChrisP letting me be your lunch reporter this week.
It's been a cold,dank winter here in the NW and I'm looking forward to sharing
a couple projects that happened in the last few months.

My somewhere around noon snack will probably be a banana, some granola and Almond milk .
I eat light during the day, otherwise I tend to slow down . About a year ago I went
from a lax vegetarian diet to a vegan lifestyle (that means no leather guitar straps etc.) .
It's made it harder to 'mesh' with some events that are feast heavy ; one of the reasons I've been shying away from anticipating in the LR's here .
So thanks again to Chris for helping me tear down that little wall, and maybe I can turn someone on to the wonder that is Almond milk ...yummmm

It's tough to find a good guitar strap that doesn't use leather. I still haven't got rid of all my old ones,
I think out of maybe the 15 straps I have only two are leather free. One is the seat belt style, the other
is a strap I made out of some old Levi's . I'd love to have a nice woven padded strap made by G&L .

What are your favorite straps ? Do you use the same one with all your guitars or do you have one in each case?

My Rampage has been my daily player for the last month or so .I tried some Curt Mangan strings
(thanks louis !) and they are wearing well.


What has been your go to guitar lately? (pics if you gott'em)

My brother brought a cheap Maestro to play on the beach,keep in the truck,etc.
We were watching a video on how to stain wood and he decided he wanted to stain the Maestro.
I had no idea how it would turn out (the top veneer is maybe 1/16th thick).
After experimenting with just a blue I decided to pull out all the colors in my dye bin ;
I really like how it turned out, what do you guys think?



I'll gather some good pics of my G&Ls and other projects for tomorrow, cheers !
Elwood

[astutzmann]

HI Elwood:

Sorry, carnivore here. Lunch was bacon and eggs with some left over duck from the weekend.

Too bad about leather straps, I have one on each guitar and have been buying the levi leather straps from stringsandbeyond To me, the rest don't look right.

I love what you've done to that guitar, are you going to put a gloss or satin finish on it? Would be cool!

[Elwood]

It has a few coats of clear on it now, I'll buff her as best I can, but I imagine it will be more of a satin finish ...it certainly has got me thinking about colored wood possibilities . I have a few nice boards waiting to be guitars.
Me thinks I'll have to make up some more "Levi's" (homemade from old pants) straps, they are really soft and comfy.

[darwinohm]

Elwood, great to see you as LR. You have a lot of knowledge and wisdom to add to this forum! Lunch was a small sandwich. I have to start slimming down a bit. Winter is tough to deal with and food becomes comforting.

Wild looking Rampage!

My favorite guitar straps are the Leather straps that come with the American Deluxe Fenders. They are black and work with anything.

Your guitar dyeing project is spectacular. What an idea. This is a whole level above Claptons multi color Strat. Post pics when it is completed.

My most recent go to has not been G&L but a Hamer Newport that I recently picked up. This one of those that it is hard to put down. The G&Ls still get test driven all the time but this one is easy to grab, and run. It has a spruce top and the Hamer SD Phat Cats (p90). Here it is.-- Darwin

[meowmix]

Hey Elwood.

Lunch today is Burrito style.

I use Wool straps for all my guitars
Renunion Blues Merino Wool
http://www.amazon.com/Reunion-Blues-Mer ... 403&sr=8-1

Too bad I tore a muscle in my forearm. Playing guitar is not the same. The fingers can move, but I am limited with movement. So, not much playing. When I do play, it is most my 90's S500.

That burst on your guitar has some cool colors to it. I hope it plays well.

[Elwood]

Too bad I tore a muscle in my forearm. Playing guitar is not the same. The fingers can move, but I am limited with movement. So, not much playing. When I do play, it is most my 90's S500.

Sorry to hear about your forearm, hopefully with careful rehab you will be playing your S-500
more. Last year at a gig I was in the middle of a fast song on bass and my hand froze up...I
have had to focus on playing more relaxed since then and it's been a blessing for my musics,
I hope in the long run you can say something similar.

The tie dyed guitar will play better since I've had a chance to do the fret work etc.
we'll see what thinning the top then cramming it with color does to the sound, I'll try and get
strings this week.

Elwood

[JagInTheBag]

That is cool!

[Elwood]

Wild looking Rampage!

They are a nice canvas for guitartists ,there have been a few on ebay over the years that had nice airbrushed art.
I'd like to have one of the reissues.
I noticed the Cantrell models don't have the KISW Rock stickers,

I'd have to fix that .


Your Hamer looks like a keeper, I've never played one ...that'll have to change someday soon.
I bet she looks great in the sunshine .
thanks for the good words,
Elwood

[Sprinter 92]

What are your favorite straps ? Do you use the same one with all your guitars or do you have one in each case?

I only play at home so I seldom use a strap. I have an old Fret-sling strap, and a newer Levy's strap that has strap locks on it.




Interesting Rampage! I've been restoring a Rampage Red one.

What has been your go to guitar lately? (pics if you gott'em)

My go to guitar lately has been a Collings, 001 with mahogany back, sides & top with a sunburst finish. I don't have any pictures of it.


Sprinter 92

[repoman]

Hi Elwood,
hmm... thought I posted a response earlier but don't see it. I'll try again.....

I guess I'm a part time vegetarian. I can go days without eating meat and usually feel better when I don't. But I did eat quite a bit of flesh last week. The past couple of days have been meat-less. Today was p'nut butter sandwich and greek yogurt. The wife drinks soy milk but I've never really acquired a taste for it. Maybe I'll have to try the almond milk you are so fond of.

I have a couple of well worn leather straps and a black woven G&L strap. The G&L strap is comfy enough and looks nice with my black Asat. I wouldn't mind if G&L offered a few different styles of straps. I have a wallet from Couch http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/ - and will probably try one of their straps eventually. I think most/all of their products are vegan friendly.

The dye job on your acoustic is very unique. Nice job!

Jeff

[Elwood]

Jeff,
thanks for the link to the Couch straps,

I look forward to trying one or two.

Almond milk is tasty, I like the Almond Dream brand.
I don't like soy milk either. I'm glad to see dairy alternatives
in the stores these days.

[louis cyfer]

i couldn't do the vegan or vegetarian thing, for me getting enough quality protein without too much fat is important, and to get my protein need from vegan sources would have me eating 10000 calories. so i am an omnivore, the way we are intended to be.
my go to guitar lately has been m the bluesboy and the srv signature strat.
i have a separate strap for each guitar, but i don't have one in any of the cases. i leave them on the guitars. the 4" moody strap is the king of straps. bar none. there is really nothing that comes close. italian glove leather. thick and soft. look up moody straps, http://www.moodyleather.com/mm5/merchan ... -0-leather you will have your mind blown. i picked up a pete schmidt strap recently, http://www.peteschmidt.com/Articles.asp?ID=250 supposed to be a competitor to moody, it is very nice, but the moody is a lot nicer. the schmidt is 3.66" i also have a brookwood leather strap http://www.brookwoodleather.com/cut_to_size (the first strap you see is mine, i mean the actual strap i have), custom made, also very nice. another one is from eyeland straps http://www.eyelandenterprises.com/html/custom.html , those are very nice as well, you can have it with hidden adjustments. i was gonna get another eyeland strap when i discovered moody, and i have not looked back.

[louis cyfer]

Jeff,
thanks for the link to the Couch straps,

I look forward to trying one or two.

Almond milk is tasty, I like the Almond Dream brand.
I don't like soy milk either. I'm glad to see dairy alternatives
in the stores these days.

couch has vegan straps. i tried their straps, but the quality was so poor compared to what i am used to, i couldn't handle it. i guess i am spoiled with good straps.

[RampageFan]

Hi Elwood,

Great start to the week! I am looking forward to reading your reports this week. I am interested in all things Rampage, and yours is very cool. Can you share any info about it? What kind of fretboard is that? I've never seen anything like that. What year is it? Looks about as rare as the one Mark St. John of Kiss played. His was a light blue with gold hardware. His was also equipped with a Floyd Rose instead of the Kahler.

My go to guitar has been both my '86 Rampages. The white one is setup for standard tuning, and the yellow one is set up tuned down a half step. Just depends on what I'm in the mood for.

Thanks again,
Dave

[darwinohm]

I have found I do not like the way most straps adjust. I do not like the notch straps. I use Schaller strap locks and the lock has to be removed to adjust them. I like the slip adjustable kind and that is why The Fender American Deluxe straps work so well. I do use 4 inch wide straps on my basses. The type of Strap is important especially on a bass for a dude my age!-- Darwin

[louis cyfer]

I have found I do not like the way most straps adjust. I do not like the notch straps. I use Schaller strap locks and the lock has to be removed to adjust them. I like the slip adjustable kind and that is why The Fender American Deluxe straps work so well. I do use 4 inch wide straps on my basses. The type of Strap is important especially on a bass for a dude my age!-- Darwin

i think you'd like how the eyeland straps adjust. you don't have to take of the straplocks. i never have to adjust the length of my straps. just once when i get them. i can not imagine why you'd have to adjust them a lot.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

About a year ago I went
from a lax vegetarian diet to a vegan lifestyle (that means no leather guitar straps etc.) .
It's made it harder to 'mesh' with some events that are feast heavy ; one of the reasons I've been shying away from anticipating in the LR's here .

Greetings,

I know what you mean, I always have a rack of ribs next to the keyboard while I am posting in the LRs.

I could never go vegetarian. Meat grounds me. If I do not have it I feel like the wind could blow me away.

I met a woman several years ago who was into the holistic lifestyle. She spoke of a colon cleanse retreat like it was a week in Maui. She was genuine though. It worked for her. Some years later she was on a spiritual trip in India and was shot three times by terrorists while having lunch at a hotel when they attacked several locations frequented by Westerners. She was pulled to safety by a hotel worker. They said she might not walk again but last year she completed the Boston Marathon, of course she took her time and only wished to finish.

I love my ASAT Classic.

I used to have a very comfortable guitar strap when I had an LP. I like them softer. The closer they are to a belt the more uncomfortable they are. After a little while it is killing my shoulder. I bought one sight unseen or rather seen but not felt around the time I bought my first recent guitar and it is too close to a belt. I'll bet those Moody's are nice but I am not on stage or anything. Support and comfort is somewhere to be found for much less. I've now spent about $4000 since mid 2011 on musical gear.

Nice guitar!

How did you acquire a neck like that with a G&L headstock?

[kakerlak]

I'm vegetarian, as is my wife. For a while we were doing pretty good going to the store regularly and eating 95% vegan. I think we both felt healthier, too. Things have gotten busier lately, though, so shopping and cooking have become irregular and more dairy has found its way into our diet, lol.

I don't buy any leather/wool these days, but have a few leather items which I'm content to use until they wear out: wallet, work shoes, guitar straps. The strap is something I made out of some old belts I found in my grandpa's house (where I lived for a year or so after high school, since it was vacant):





Love the half-n-half fretboard on the Rampage.

That is one psychedelic flattop, too!

[blargfromouterspace]

Jeff,
thanks for the link to the Couch straps,

I look forward to trying one or two.

I had a Couch strap for a while. My advice is to get something else. Vinyl has a sharp edge that'll cuts into your neck. I found them very uncomfortable.

[louis cyfer]

Jeff,
thanks for the link to the Couch straps,

I look forward to trying one or two.

I had a Couch strap for a while. My advice is to get something else. Vinyl has a sharp edge that'll cuts into your neck. I found them very uncomfortable.

exactly. i was disappointed too

[Ahryn]

<-------- My goto guitar.

I always seem to go into a guitar store thinking that money will be no object and get the most comfortable best strap I can.

That being said all but three of my straps are Levi's and I have not spent more than $25 on any of them.

I have a no name brand leather (I think it's leather?) strap that I use with my ASAT but since it was kind of binding up one me (kind of clinging to tight to my body) I switched it around so the smooth leather part is against me so it can slide around a bit but still do the job.

[Boogie Bill]

I like the Rampage and the tie-dye--both are pretty cool.

I must be the strap king. I now have 50 guitars, each one with its own strap--and all of them leather. I won't use a vinyl strap--they can damage the finish. I try to avoid buckles, conches, rivets--any metal of any kind--on my straps. And I always take the strap off the guitar when it goes into the case. Even with a leather strap, prolonged contact can damage a NCL finish.

I would say that I have two favorites. For a very good quality guitar leather strap, the Franklin Straps from Greg Bennett Company are an excellent value. I get them at Guitar Center, and I think they run less than $40.00. I also have one of their newer padded straps. Most of their straps run up to 56" long--which is really nice for my portly, padded bod. I probably have something like 25 of these. They come in 2.5" and 3.0" widths, and are very soft and comfortable.

My 50th, a 2006 Les Paul Historic, just got a new Levy's leather strap. I think I have nine from Levy's. I really like some of the carving leather designs, and I bought one for my Martin HD-28V from Levy's Acoustic Guitar collection that is 2.5" wide but it tapers down to 1" where it attaches to the heel. It's a nice feature, minimizing any obstruction to the upper frets.

The rest of them are a hodgepodge. I have single straps from:

Martin
Taylor (Similar to the Levy's acoustic strap, with a gold Taylor logo.)
Washburn
Music Man
Atlas (two of these in faux crocodile)
Fort Bryan
Harley Davidson (two, by Dunlop)
Eyeland
Double Treble (This is one has a Shooting Star design on ultra-suede, with a leather backing.)
Italia

My banjo has the original Silver Eagle cradle strap I bought for it from back in 1976. It has a lamb's wool cushion under the shoulder. My Precision Lyte bass has a Bobby Lee strap from 1976 that was originally on my Gibson '55 Special Les Paul Reissue. The Martin strap was bought back in 1972; it's still in good shape--even though it has seen a lot of bars and a lot of sweat.

I have a beautiful basket-weave tooled leather strap that was custom-made by an Oregon leather company--I believe it's by Calabreze ("seagull", in Italian). It was a gift from an old GF. I also have a 4" wide custom Moody strap that I bought used, and it was still damn expensive. It's a little wide for me. It is a top quality strap, but I think there are better values out there. And perhaps one of the best values are the Italia straps. Beautiful leathers, but they run a little short for me, so I have to do a custom order--more expensive, but still a good value. Many of the strap companies will do custom orders and lengths, but it gets spendy. I like the Franklins and many of the Levy's for their length.

The best strap for me is one that is comfortable, sturdy, and stylin'. There's something about finding a really special guitar, and then finding exactly the right strap to complement the look of the guitar.

Bill

[Kit]

My family is not vegetarian, but we seldom eat red meat. Our meals are mostly chicken, turkey or fish.

I have a few straps, but the one I use practically all the time is a made-in China leather strap that I saw and bought in a local mom and pop store for $11.95. It is a really good strap for being so cheap.

My go to guitar unfortunately is not a G&L but my Melancon Pro Artist. It is my go to guitar because some of the songs we play needs a whammy bar and I only have 3 guitars with a whammy, and the Melancon sounds really really good.



Kit

[darwinohm]

Kit, nice guitar. I really like the narrow outside band on the burst.-- Darwin

[ChrisPcritter]

Thanks for taking over..

Very cool..
I love the older straps I have that are about
four inches wide and have leather ends with
what apears to be around 8 "ropes" of braided
cotton. a strap for just about every guitar.

I also couldn't do the vegitarian thing for long
although I have great respect for other folks
beliefs. My best friend went veg for about a
decde and there's a lot of stuff that's good without
meat in it. ..

[Elwood]

My go to guitar unfortunately is not a G&L but my Melancon Pro Artist.
Kit

Looks very solid, what is your band's name? Do you ever venture north to play in Seattle?

I like the Rampage and the tie-dye--both are pretty cool.

I must be the strap king.
Bill

Yes, I believe you are
Thanks for the rundown...If I ever come up with a marketable veggie strap I'll have to send
you a prototype to see if it can compete with the big boys

I don't buy any leather/wool these days, but have a few leather items which I'm content to use until they wear out: wallet, work shoes, guitar straps. The strap is something I made out of some old belts I found in my grandpa's house (where I lived for a year or so after high school, since it was vacant):

That's where I am with what few leather things I still have. Good job on the belt strap , and
nice action shots !

How did you acquire a neck like that with a G&L headstock?

It is stock. They occasionally left the model name off if the headstock was black ,
Some of the wizards at G&L in the early 90's made about half a dozen instruments with the split fretboards.

Hi Elwood,

I am interested in all things Rampage, and yours is very cool. Can you share any info about it? What kind of fretboard is that? I've never seen anything like that. What year is it? Looks about as rare as the one Mark St. John of Kiss played. His was a light blue with gold hardware. His was also equipped with a Floyd Rose instead of the Kahler.

I found this on ebay about 6 years ago. There was a couple otheres around the same time that were custom and IIRC had "St. John" written with a sharpie in the pickup cavity.One had an airbrushed white tiger and the other was some sort of skull theme. I wish I saved pics from those auctions.
I haven't checked the neck pocket for dates but my other G&L with a split fretboard is dated Mar. 6, 1991.
Some cool stuff happening at G&Ls shop that winter.

[yowhatsshakin]

Hey Elwood,

That split board always has me looking twice. What a looker

My current go-to guitar, also known as 'the guitar of the week', is my Korina Deluxe. As far as my straps go I'm a one-brand/one-model kinda guy. Each electric has its own Levy MSS-3 suede 2.5" wide strap with piping. Different designs here and there, some different colors (both mostly black). They are perfect for me, feel comfortable, I can put them to my favorite length without thinking, and they are of excellent quality. But I guess that for you they are taboo

- Jos