Tony’s legendary 1930s D-28, previously owned by Clarence White, served as the model for an instrument design that combines the bass presence of the old D-28 with more substantial midrange and treble response, which is necessary for Tony’s modern lead work.
Writeup adds that the instrument, and “world class performance domination,” can be had for as low as $4,720.
Back in college, we all trekked to Mandolin Brothers, where they used to let you play everything, even the $30,000 Strats or whatever.
Ah, the spoils of international mega rock stardom. Via MercuryNews.com:
MARIN COUNTY — Metallica rock band leader James Hetfield has donated to Marin County a 330-acre agricultural conservation easement near his home on land overlooking Lucas Valley.
…The donation is adjacent to another 438.5 acres that Hetfield donated previously as an open space easement. Both donations essentially vacate development rights on the land, preserving it for open space and agriculture, while also providing a massive ring of open space around Hetfield’s home and property.
Rick Saltus of the U.S. Geological Survey explained that because geologists often don’t have enough data to say definitively what went on millions of years ago, creativity is needed to fill in the gaps.
“You have to think outside the box, you’ve got to release your inhibitions, and beer is one way to do that,” Saltus said.
Right the fuck on.
More booze. The WSJ on the chemistry of carbonation in sparkling wine. There are apparently 20 million bubbles in a bottle of champagne. 20 million!
I checked out MPomy’s 43-minute mix yesterday. One of the tracks on there was “On and On,” by Gungfly (also known as Beardfish’s Rikard Sjöblom). After hearing the tune, I looked up the record on iTunes and downloaded. Home run. As MPomy put it, “That guy’s in anutha zone!”
Here’s “She is Gone Again,” a video featured on the Gungfly MySpace page.
I heard it was you,
Talking ’bout a world where all is free.
It just couldn’t be,
and only a fool would say that.
- Steely Dan
That was the first song that popped up on my iPod yesterday morning, and it fit perfectly with a few reflections I’d been having on last weekend. The 9/12 right wing demonstrations have been pretty well picked over by now, and there’s part of me that’s reluctant to pay much more attention to that crowd, but here’s my view on it for the record.
FBdN son #1 and I set out on Saturday morning for the U.S. Botanic Garden, a lovely spot right near the Capitol Building. I had forgotten the demonstrations were even happening until I saw, from the bus window, a couple of sign-bearers headed for the White House. Then our bus, which normally would have gone down Pennsylvania Avenue, was forced to detour.
We ended up over by Union Station, so we got off and walked over toward the lawn in front of the Capitol. That meant we had to cross the street, right through the parade. Right into the path of the crazies.
We made it past the parade and into the botanic garden, a haven. For anyone who hasn’t been there, I recommend it. It’s an extraordinary building, and like a lot of things in Washington, it’s free. Some of the wingers had figured this out – a few were straggling in to use the very clean and well-maintained restroom. I saw two even strolling around, taking in the flora. Maybe they needed a break from chanting about socialism.
Now FBdN son #1 and I had some business to take care of: playing trucks in the very clean and well-maintained gardens behind the greenhouse. But our haven was upset by all the yelling and bullshit coming from the serious sound system.
One speaker was some sort of activist from Louisville, KY. I guess she’s got a band, because they busted into a song, ‘The U.S.S. of A,’ warning of impending socialism here in the U.S. (government’s going to take over your churches, etc.) She sounded like a bizarro Grace Slick.
So at best these people are just dumb. I wonder what they think when they ride the Metro? That maybe private enterprise would have done it better?
Conservative Protesters on the Metro, September 12, 2009
I also grabbed a photo of a couple of protesters eating lunch at the excellent Cascade Cafe inside the National Gallery of Art, a government-run museum where the price of admission is zip. You still have to pay for lunch, so I suppose it’s not a world where all is free.
Tea Partiers Enjoying a Quiet Lunch at the National Gallery of Art
Finally, I took a quick a video of the right wing protests from the Mall. Down towards the Washington Monument was the National Black Family Reunion. Quite a contrast to what was going on down by the Capitol.
First, MPomy, right here in Washington and taking the Starcaster out for a spin. For the record, we also had a quick piano-guitar jam and a serious hang with el Sturj and wife.
Second, a pug named Daisy who is staying at FBdN central tonight. I swear this photograph was not staged. The dog climbed into the baby chair on her own volition.
