Maybe go for a walk, since the weather seems reasonable to do so.

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I hope your son is well and improving, Marky. Tell him I said you need competition at the gaming chair.
But, seriously I hope he is in good spirits and doing better.

FSB

Me? I'm listening to the radio (Beatles for now) and doing some boring software cleanup with some older cellphones that I'll get rid of somehow. Not sure of where they'll go. In some ways I prefer them to that other brand. So much for obsolescence replaced with time management. What a shame long time storage batteries aren't universal like double and triple A.

Hey! What if I could . . . Aw, fuggedaboutit.

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Finally went into this store that sells everything for $5 and under. It's amazing at all of the cool crap you can get for that cheap.

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Those kind of places are crazy, huh? Here we have Dollar stores where, for the most part, the goods are a dollar or around $1, but not all. It seldom gets past 4 or 5 bucks. It’s good for paint brushes and such, but a dangerous place for snacks, chocolate, and cookies. They even have those chocolates with the brandy.

I’ve never been to a $5 store. Boy! I bet that’s a real treat. Should I bring a pickup? I’m on my way if you didn’t clear the place out, Paul. I emptied out a bunch of boxes yesterday. Room for more goodies. I don’t know how I ever made it camping with the bear essentials. I must have been outa my tree.
FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Well, now that you've made room by clearing out boxes, you have space to fill more stuff in there.

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I went for a long walk and now I'm going to catch up on some films I have recorded and put in some bass time. I wasn't going to go out for a walk, but then I'd hate myself if I didn't.

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My son has not improved but thanks for asking, FSB.

We have Dollar Stores here too. It's kinda fun to go there once in a while and I always seem to find some little goodie for a buck or two.

I slept for 12 hours last night and just woke up from a 4 hour nap. I guess I needed to catch up on sleep. My plan for tonight is to have an easy dinner, play and watch TV.

I have to do another set up on my new Strat. I re-positioned the trem springs, according to a YT video and what I have read here, to be in 3 straight parallel lines and use the floating bridge. It's hard to get it to go into the right key when I lift up on the trem arm and my action is messed up. I love the action on my old Strat and the trem is blocked on it so I think I'll write down all the exact measurements on that one and set up my new one the same way. I think there are only 2 springs in the back of my old Strat but I'll have to look.

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Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar

I'm getting ready to flip some burgers on the grill.

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"Electric Lady"

Sorry to hear that, Marky. Good to see that you are getting your much needed rest. That can be very helpful in a number of ways.

Axes can be a blessing and a curse with the trem set up to meet one’s preference for sure. When I first got my Amn Dlx, the factory setup was pretty much bang on for my playing; however, that was with the original 9s. The tuning did vary a little though, and could probably have been tweaked with little effort. I knew I would soon move up to 10s or maybe higher. Higher gauge was the Strat sound I related to in my youth and I wish I knew the percentage that play with today’s stock gauge strings. So many I know move up to 10s. YMMV Of course, a few even drop to 8s, and all those choices are covered elsewhere.

So moving to 10s I had a new setup by a very proficient tech. I had taken it back a few times because the movement was more limited than I asked for or preferred. Interpretation can vary depending on the style of the tech, although it really shouldn’t. Think of it this way. there are a lot of different interpretations of how a steak is cooked such as rare and medium rare or medium. So too is the setup at times.

My Strat is better now and, most of all, it stays in fantastic tune with good intonation as it should be. That said the trem movement is not exactly as it was before. I’m good with the result knowing that’s a compromise since all things are not equal. I guess. what does irritate me though is that one grub screw is higher and rougher than I would like, especially since I like
palming the trem. The Fender rep never got back with a solution, but I know shorter grub screws are difficult to locate, and although I’ve heard about the grind down approach, and since I can live with it, my question still is how and why shorter grub screws (considering they will find a usage) do not appear to be a stock item with Fender AFAIK. All I know is that my setup basically works and I am of the group that believes in don’t fIx what’s not broken. When my setup doesn’t work well or if a string change or humidity demands a change I’ll readdress the little fella.

Let us know how you made out with the spring change and setup, Marky. Hope it works well for you.

FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Thank you, FSB. Your thoughts are gratefully accepted.

Have you read this thread in the Stratocaster Guitars Forum?
Looking to Replace the Bridge on an FSE MIM Strat

It may be helpful to you.

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Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar

Thanks, my friend, I just read it and it pretty much explains those dastardly grub screws. The reason I haven’t shortened the troublesome screw by either cutting or grinding is as said. I’m sure I could manage it, but I’m not so sure I can trust anyone else to do the same (should I need to snip it off)
being that the left over mangled threads could present a further issue. That’s where the shorter grub screws come in. Strange that John mentioned that Fender should have presented the guitar from the get go that way. Not that I disagree, I believe that would be likely. Perhaps, my tech found a way to dispel that theory. The rep didn’t follow it up, or forgot. I know they exist; but, where or when I’ll hopefully get them in time and luck will tell. I don’t give up easy, i’ve seen some, but the threads, I’m told, vary. Not sure about that, but it is possible. Thanks, for the post/thread suggestion, Marky. I hope your spring alteration worked out for you.

Went for a walk today. Woke up late today. Other than coffee, I skipped lunch, got back from a brisk weather walk, made Penne Alfredo, tossed in baby shrimp, mozzarella, garlic and onions, topped it with parmesan, grabbed a small plateful, and sipped a glass of red vino. First pasta in months of losing weight, and still I beat the calorie count! Now I have cherry Jello and light whipping cream to just scrape under the limit. Gotta love that. Now that I’ve figured out how to get that forbidden pasta, it’s on the hitlist. Bam!
FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Well done, FSB!

I didn't get around to my springs but I got on a lot of playing time that was very rewarding.

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Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar

I found out that my dad died yesterday, so I'm now dealing with the process of knowing that someone that's been with me my entire life is no longer around. He had been seriously ill for some time, and in hospice, so it was something that was bound to happen soon.

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So sorry to read about your Dad, Paul. Prolonged illness is difficult and we know well what a toll it can take and yet it brings a difficult time when it’s over as well. We live in the home my wife grew up in and a day doesn’t pass when my mother-in-law (my buddy) isn’t thought of or felt. She’s all around us and so we include her in conversations and she gets me out of trouble like she always did when I got into mischief. If I play a song I might ask if she liked it. If I work in the garden and so on, it helps to comfort my wife and works for me too with the inclusion of others gone when the opportunity arises. Nothing goofy or spiritual, just because I can.

Her sister (and children), the last family member of that generation from my wife’s side is very close to us. I knew her and her husband before my wife and the rest of the family and she is the godmother and like a mother to my wife. She passed suddenly from cancer this week so we are in the family mode at this moment.

I miss my father and kid brother who passed at a distance mostly because there were things I would like to have shared and conversations missed. However, the good times were great times and such memories that many never had or have the opportunity to appreciate. As I cleaned up around home here this week, emotions came back as I re-discovered letters, photos, and other memories. These things will always be around, Paul and they trigger your feelings often and sporadically when least expected. Just remember it’s normal and it's all good.

Everybody has a timeclock In life. Take your time my friend, and enjoy the good times’ memories.

Best
FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

So sorry, Paul. I'm familiar with losing loved-ones and I feel for you. My dad passed way back in '74 and I still have a picture of him in my sight. We have to accept the chain of life, but it's not easy. Somehow I feel that my dad is ok and even drops in on me, now and then.
My prayers are with your dad and you and your loved ones.

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Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar