tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57264761880267953062024-02-18T20:40:45.592-08:00Barker Bass BlogLee Barker, creator of the Barker Vertical Bass, writes of Music, Bass, and, sometimes, Other Stuff.Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-10822447877178804992013-10-22T10:18:00.001-07:002013-10-22T10:32:11.438-07:00Taurus TM-2 Bass Preamp Downstream From Nordstrand P-J Pickups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswIJQmPTXk-TRmJxMj-gCEsEIkvHkp9UunbI5sC-zSUlQHQz3EXVVPRcOrU2QRio_4trcGWJThD5FtPojlrUxLR3Y9ndyFX63sJX8sLlbRp4IkvvYE77a-9WEoPrSLKyagw4924s59C4/s1600/DSCF7766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswIJQmPTXk-TRmJxMj-gCEsEIkvHkp9UunbI5sC-zSUlQHQz3EXVVPRcOrU2QRio_4trcGWJThD5FtPojlrUxLR3Y9ndyFX63sJX8sLlbRp4IkvvYE77a-9WEoPrSLKyagw4924s59C4/s320/DSCF7766.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Here she is, (note to self: Will you name this one too?), just plugged into the SWR Workingman's 10 up on the file cabinet, ready for about a zillion scales while I listen to the notes. No string buzz, no playing effort of note, everything as it should be. Retune. We have Pyramid black tapewounds on board here. Nice feel.<br />
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The pickup specifics: npj4SE set. More information on the <a href="http://www.nordstrandpickups.com/bass-pickups/" target="_blank">Nordstrand page</a>. Recommended! Nordstrand stuff is designed and built with great intentionality. If you are a fan of the P-J array, this is the one you want. In my opinion? Succinctly? The best there is. <br />
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Disclaimer: I'm no expert on preamps--I have put a couple different ones in Barker Basses and played them for a few months. Not much experience there for comparisons. However, the Taurus has a nice feature which will aid in this report: Pull up on the volume knob and you've got passive signal. My A-B tests will be against the passive. The SWR is set all flat.<br />
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Volume: Does as it says. <br />
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Pickup Blend: At the detent, the volume active is very close to exactly the same as passive. If you move off the detent either way, there is a slight volume drop but not an important one.<br />
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Treble: I don't get much variety with this pot. The sound so far has too much treble for the particular sound I am seeking.<br />
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Bass: This one makes my feet happy as I start to feel the lower frequencies like I want to.<br />
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Mid: I think this is a scoop. Lots of treble available here.<br />
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Conclusion: The possibilities seem wider than I have encountered in other setups. That said, personally I'm not interested in range so much as a certain woody sound for my JazCru casuals. And that woody sound is very much there with the pre, not so much without it.<br />
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More about the<a href="http://www.taurus-amp.pl/bass/preamp-efx/preamps/tm1-tm2.html" target="_blank"> Taurus here</a>.<br />
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Later that same day, as they say in radio dramas, Craig Brown, first call bassist from nearby Bend, Oregon, came by to do his own testing. His report: "Sweet, man!" <br />
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There you are--two reviews for the price of one!<br />
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<br />Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-37686288047210992272013-10-22T09:21:00.002-07:002013-10-22T11:02:30.500-07:00Installing the Taurus Tm-2 Bass Preamp in a Barker B1 Bass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Taurus is to be applauded for their creative thinking in the physical design of this unit. This image shows the completed wiring! Wow! Their idea was the tape-like wire that shows as a red line. This gray material, of multiple conductors, has plugs attached periodically. These plug into the pots, in any order. This gives you terrific flexibility when the cavity space is limited.<br />
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The Barker B1four cavity is roomy for three pots, adequate for for, cozy with five. I could have added two more switches from the Taurus kit if there has been space. That said, changing a pot for a switch is a simple, no solder process. Amazing.<br />
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I chose the volume, pickup blend, treble, bass and mid pots. The only soldering was the pickup leads, the output, and the switch. I chose a button switch instead of the usual switched 1/4" jack.<br />
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Here's a shot including the Gotoh two-cell 9v battery box:<br />
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And the bass at stringup time:<br />
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The neck is Ebony over Padouk. Here's the front of the headstock: </div>
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Next: Meet B1four #112!<br />
<br />Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-77423791606096052552013-10-22T08:10:00.004-07:002013-10-22T08:10:57.955-07:00Discounts Claimed, But Many Basses Still AvailableAngela in Brighton, UK and Stephen in New Jersey have claimed the two discounts mentioned in the June 12 post. Angela bought a custom B1five.<br />
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Rhonda has found a new home in a remarkable neighborhood band called The Bottle Openers. <br />
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More basses are making their way to the front of the shop including a B1four with the <a href="http://www.taurus-amp.pl/bass/preamp-efx/preamps/tm1-tm2.html" target="_blank">Taurus TM-2 preamp</a> aboard. This bass featured in a prior post; progress report coming up! <br />
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<br />Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-38263485882770458072013-08-27T16:40:00.002-07:002013-08-27T16:42:40.177-07:00And One For The Boss. Maybe Two!We're all entitled to a certain number of things we think we deserve and someday might get. Why else would be pick up a copy of <a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/" target="_blank">Car and Driver magazine</a> at Barnes and Noble and leaf through it. Or stroll through <a href="http://www.aftradition.com/" target="_blank">Dovetails Furniture</a> and stand next to a beautiful dining room table, 8 matching chairs, finished the same color as Grandma's.<br />
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It is a privilege to be able to act on that list, at least in the column headed "basses."<br />
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I've long been curious about an elaborate onboard preamp. By nature I'm not a preamp kind of guy though I have flirted over the line a few times. I have used, and actually enjoyed, the<a href="http://www.kksound.com/" target="_blank"> K&K PureBass preamp</a> (made in Oregon, be it noted) as well as the <a href="http://www.graphtech.com/products/brands/ghost/ghost-pickups---bass" target="_blank">Graphtech Ghost</a> complete with peizo pickups, one per string. Yet one day my interest would fade and that would be that.<br />
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The latest infatuation is with the<a href="http://www.taurus-amp.pl/bass/preamp-efx/preamps/tm1-tm2.html" target="_blank"> Taurus TM-2 onboard preamp</a>. The upside is the modularity of the components which makes it possible to try them out without installing them. The downside is that you can have up to 5 pots (knobs) and add one or two switches. One would need a manual to which to refer.<br />
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That said, I powered ahead on a Bass For Lee. Here are some progress images:<br />
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The center stripe is, from the center out, cherry, walnut, cherry, walnut, then the cherry bookmatched pieces. </div>
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The back is bookmatched alder with a spiffy little knot pattern in the lower bout. Center is pau ferro flanked with maple.</div>
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Flashy? Yes. Will it sound good? Well: It depends upon who is playing it! </div>
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Nevertheless, the self indulgence has allowed a number of other bass bodies to get closer to readiness by drafting this one. It doesn't have a number yet. Soon. Oh and one more thing.</div>
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Yes it's for the owner. And in answer to your next question, sure, it may very well be for sale. I have this other idea for a bass with just one pickup and the unthinkable simplicity of two--Just Two!--knobs.</div>
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<br />Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-60606179758807813422013-06-12T11:12:00.001-07:002013-10-22T08:21:57.768-07:00Cue the Beach Boys! "Since she put me down...."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2GEBgeMPpITUHg49ul6j0LByxbTDbDF0Irg63YsHmEpqY9bgkXARis7OAZXjNdv4QP-owmK_u2T49qNfYtrKNTcD-_zjIL66XDOR0kwu4y9M7cFEqCARHJNhEyEPoO5S-ar33S2McxA/s1600/DSCF5006.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2GEBgeMPpITUHg49ul6j0LByxbTDbDF0Irg63YsHmEpqY9bgkXARis7OAZXjNdv4QP-owmK_u2T49qNfYtrKNTcD-_zjIL66XDOR0kwu4y9M7cFEqCARHJNhEyEPoO5S-ar33S2McxA/s400/DSCF5006.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> It's the only one we ever did like this. Maple on maple neck, which you noticed on second look. First look was the body color. Wow! No wood grain showing at all! Paint even!<br />
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We don't have a name for the color. Lemon chiffon? Sweet potatoes en glace? Canary melon? Sweet banana pepper? I'm not sure why all these ideas are food. Now that I think of it...<br />
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Well we're back now, and it was a marvelous snack. <br />
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There is another uniqueness worth noting here: The layout of the knobs. Looking back in these recent blog posts you'll see that, on the B1, the three knobs are in a vertical line. On Rhonda, they follow, artistically, the arc of the shoulder. This identifies her as an early, perhaps the earliest, cutaway. Her serial number suggests that as well. <br />
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Everything else is typical B1: passive Duncans, all that. What's different here is the Wow factor, and it's notable. Sometimes when I walk back into the stock area I have to ask the other basses to quiet down. They're always ooohing and aaaaahing when Rhonda's in the room.<br />
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There was considerable extra effort to achieve that automotive finish, but that is canceled by the New Old Stock designation. She's been around a while. Not played at all, actually. We just never got busy marketing her. So now you get a chance to see and imagine.<br />
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MSRP: $3795<br />
Street: $2895<br />
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Your price: $2500 plus (continental US) $100 shipping.<br />
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But wait. As an added incentive to make a purchase of one of these Barker Basses, there's a discount.<br />
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<b><u>[note: as of 10/18/2013 the discounts described below have been claimed]</u></b> <br />
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The following information applies to seven of the eight basses currently listed in the blog (the exception is the B2 prototype).<br />
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Be the first to buy any of these seven, and <i>subtract five hundred dollars ($500) from the purchase price.<br />
</i>Be the second,<i> subtract</i> <i>two hundred dollars ($200) from the purchase price.<br />
</i>This is posted at 11:07 am June 12, 2013. <br />
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Payment will be via PayPal, in full. <br />
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Contact via email or phone, from our web site. I am generally gone from the office Saturday and Sunday but know the calls will be dealt with in the order they are received, messages included.<br />
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Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-49578297069578316742013-06-12T10:47:00.001-07:002013-06-12T10:49:23.873-07:00The Venerable One: The B1!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPQ3T7p-WfK8XkNhNZYpBRU-QNBvcz91lS65t35S9JQYK4bt05jMGJ_PZd17ELTQ5l-SZ3rXYoYN4GhqOHMsh6wx4G1R13uncork7dtCjCGsV-7654MqxTvtrThsfYYxaSofxBCWpplQ/s1600/DSCF5005.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPQ3T7p-WfK8XkNhNZYpBRU-QNBvcz91lS65t35S9JQYK4bt05jMGJ_PZd17ELTQ5l-SZ3rXYoYN4GhqOHMsh6wx4G1R13uncork7dtCjCGsV-7654MqxTvtrThsfYYxaSofxBCWpplQ/s400/DSCF5005.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> The Barker Bass that put us on the map: The B1. The first production model. Jazz bass neck width, jazz passive pickups (Seymour Duncans) and the heft and the chambers that dish up that chocolate tone. <br />
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This one is a bit splashy in the showy grain department. Not enough to snap necks (I hate those lawsuits!) but ample to generate comments about the "beauty of the wood." (Followup question always is, "what wood is that?")<br />
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Cherry. Always select, always bookmatched on the B1s. <br />
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The rest is likewise typical: rosewood fingerboard, maple neck. She's just awaiting your hands to bring a sense of purpose to the whole endeavor. <br />
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The numbers: MSRP.......................................$3795<br />
Street.........................................$2895<br />
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This is a new old stock bass--it has been in inventory for a while. It has not been played out, but it is just not, statistically, new-new. So the price is discounted thus:................................................$2500<br />
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Plus shipping (continental US)..............................$100<br />
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Your turn! Feel free to leave a comment if you have played or are playing a B1four. We'd like to hear....<br />
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Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-61533188472032108662013-06-05T10:44:00.001-07:002013-06-05T10:49:11.901-07:00Under $2000 or bust!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBXwbb_mnbIbrkAqPVh3vTAabIKTYR907l1IAHhcQR_swR_eO_UJyXweXPkUju8tk4eN8XyS9m_t1PnRQiAmFnoYdoMgZNixTs-YlC_R60u1HU0dYBAhp0i3NQJqarQpBvKABv9z3C68/s1600/DSCF5004.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBXwbb_mnbIbrkAqPVh3vTAabIKTYR907l1IAHhcQR_swR_eO_UJyXweXPkUju8tk4eN8XyS9m_t1PnRQiAmFnoYdoMgZNixTs-YlC_R60u1HU0dYBAhp0i3NQJqarQpBvKABv9z3C68/s400/DSCF5004.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> Joel Barker walked into his dad's office and slapped down a yellow legal pad on the desk. It got my attention, even though the pad was blank. "We have to make a bass that goes out the door for less than $2000," he announced.<br />
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"Can't do it," came the grump from Mr. Positive Mental Attitude. "We'll harpoon our reputation for quality. Not worth it."<br />
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"Gotta try," Joel said, so right then and there the two of us made lists: lists of all components of the bass and alternatives which would cost less. This covered everything from body woods to the endpin and the stand.<br />
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It was obvious that significant ground could be gained in the pickup department. Finish. Body woods. Nearly everything had a bargain doppelganger. <br />
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"We'll try it," Lee said, his polarity shifting slightly.<br />
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Eight B2 prototypes, as they came to be called, were constructed. We tried several brands of import pickups in them. Some of the options we explored were failures. That's good, when you're prototyping. One component failing can bring into focus other considerations that might not have presented themselves otherwise.<br />
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Here is one of these prototypes. I have been reluctant to let it out of the yard because, well, it's not the quality of where it led us, the Brio, as well as the B1. <br />
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However. If it is an entry level bass for someone who would not have access to a Brio, that's a good thing.<br />
$900 plus shipping. And bear in mind it's a rarity, not a bust.<br />
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Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-7843955811671698722013-06-05T10:30:00.001-07:002013-06-05T10:34:19.201-07:00Questions, questions, questions. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorxK_2ARR0Z6S0ww1wOUdcEhgu4TEjmJaEz13__aVCMu4Rm8YPgo_3HB7tvsISLM8gm5usz-sueUKnGlCDz9dITCLZMFud7sBBua5EiVz6ixOeyJLj6yAe-EEGk0dtveC8110LtTq9Uk/s1600/DSCF5001.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorxK_2ARR0Z6S0ww1wOUdcEhgu4TEjmJaEz13__aVCMu4Rm8YPgo_3HB7tvsISLM8gm5usz-sueUKnGlCDz9dITCLZMFud7sBBua5EiVz6ixOeyJLj6yAe-EEGk0dtveC8110LtTq9Uk/s400/DSCF5001.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> Some questions have the nearly chemical ability to keep you awake when your body wants nothing more than the solace of slumber. <br />
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Here's a bass that has as many questions around it as a cheerleader has running backs around her at the prom. <br />
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I'll tell you what I know. Joel Barker had the idea. Joel Barker brought a 6 string bass guitar to the shop and he and Lee Barker made a big bass out of a little bass. <br />
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What was the brand of the bass? Neither remembers. "Maybe Lyle," offers Joel. "Beats me," affirms Lee.<br />
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Does it play? Indeed. Does it sound like a Barker Bass? Hmmm. Well, it sounds like a Barker Bass would sound if it had an additional string. Or two. With an onboard preamp.<br />
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$2000 plus shipping. One only. Six strings Five knobs. Unlimited possibilities.<br />
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Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-44958442185778985882013-05-22T11:24:00.001-07:002013-05-22T11:49:51.613-07:00Meet The Couple! Scarlett and Bart!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoaHc2gMZcZeig5zGUi4pwxLTWyl9SHPqPaClItYE6MApAbJd70M8u0CFYQuLqi3lA19G4VNYqnj8zYT9ra_rEGv72qcjUlDDc-DNW5wyS787pzMq9LGknAmg0s75TbHkPQvt3AVoFe8/s1600/DSCF5008.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoaHc2gMZcZeig5zGUi4pwxLTWyl9SHPqPaClItYE6MApAbJd70M8u0CFYQuLqi3lA19G4VNYqnj8zYT9ra_rEGv72qcjUlDDc-DNW5wyS787pzMq9LGknAmg0s75TbHkPQvt3AVoFe8/s400/DSCF5008.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> Ever wanted a matched pair of Barker Basses? Well, you're probably not the only one who hasn't had this thought. Try it out.<br />
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The details: Scarlett is a fretted four, (both are B1s). That's a translucent red, so you see the grain of the cherry front quite readily, er, reddily.<br />
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Bart is a lined fretless. The grain is present but it takes a little more attention to note it. But with red strings and a red (RED!) tailpiece one can be forgiven for not noticing the other details. <br />
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Both sport stock Duncan pickups. Both give you the incredible sustain and the ergonomic joys of any other Barker Bass. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-ksIgI52nuf8JVVgwTHIzlpY8D0ok1mvm9pc4MzelAyc4EtmmZiH82bhsy1IISe3e3oGBc6dcx5NZCvl4P3hQiToGRwf20ZRppBSVHjT-VxDIz_73i0ajwgBoDFwAz_jWe595lwEfr0/s1600/DSCF5009.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-ksIgI52nuf8JVVgwTHIzlpY8D0ok1mvm9pc4MzelAyc4EtmmZiH82bhsy1IISe3e3oGBc6dcx5NZCvl4P3hQiToGRwf20ZRppBSVHjT-VxDIz_73i0ajwgBoDFwAz_jWe595lwEfr0/s400/DSCF5009.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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A matched set. His and hers? Maybe your current gig has an array of styles that could benefit from your doubling with this pair. Or you're in two bands with differing genres?<br />
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Perhaps you're a collector. There will never be another pair like this, be assured. <br />
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Their serial numbers are consecutive, of course: She's 101, he's 102.<br />
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Contact Lee if you're interested in more information. 541.923.2571. <br />
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Meantime, if you're wanting to experiment with the theme here, try <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hdwallpapers3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/black-red-vista-wallpapers_8708_1152x864.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hdwallpapers3d.com/red-and-black-background/&h=921&w=1152&sz=142&tbnid=g2O3bfwHyvMD-M:&tbnh=97&tbnw=121&zoom=1&usg=__pIMwLsTimkUOO5Ra9V-GXQKqELQ=&docid=MO6E4LPiOrQ8WM&sa=X&ei=2gydUZKoGabJiwLywYDQCA&ved=0CFwQ9QEwCA&dur=347" target="_blank">this</a> for your computer wallpaper. And wonder who copied whom....<br />
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Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-64896431633333838742013-05-20T11:24:00.001-07:002013-05-20T11:24:56.372-07:00Barker Basses in inventory, ready to find a new home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqnOU9UrPTfjcwRdKCZ3k9GTholethudFVPpV2uJJwvg5gFlx7qdz1opnijR6BJViigl-A8jnj1c5jmoOBzE7MmID-W5CTodPpYGdOmGdUb0IhtUybyW9IYuvrLZICh481cF4LsihIPY/s1600/DSCF5003.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqnOU9UrPTfjcwRdKCZ3k9GTholethudFVPpV2uJJwvg5gFlx7qdz1opnijR6BJViigl-A8jnj1c5jmoOBzE7MmID-W5CTodPpYGdOmGdUb0IhtUybyW9IYuvrLZICh481cF4LsihIPY/s400/DSCF5003.JPG" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yDfjV-VIrmTZykKw1Pj0W76DwUgqC0wptW0nZ37Xd2HpVnOtLDDwnD6aupsDgnC9dHzWv5ManXJ7sWjFB0PEGbSF6BD5W95pbw1n0f3q__Ljymyb6RcrmXfTzRuxz9J-0wx2FTTsz5k/s1600/DSCF5003-001.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yDfjV-VIrmTZykKw1Pj0W76DwUgqC0wptW0nZ37Xd2HpVnOtLDDwnD6aupsDgnC9dHzWv5ManXJ7sWjFB0PEGbSF6BD5W95pbw1n0f3q__Ljymyb6RcrmXfTzRuxz9J-0wx2FTTsz5k/s400/DSCF5003-001.JPG" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> Our first example is the value leader, as some folks call the, um, less expensive example of their products. And this is. And they're wonderful basses, if I do say so myself. I own two Barkers, play both regularly, and one is a Brio. <br />
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It's a stock instrument: alder front and back, alder chambers, with a walnut/alder stripe on the front. Four strings, frets, and our custom p-bass pickups. Basic, reliable, fun to play, easy to handle. The list price is $2595. Street price $1995 plus shipping. <br />
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And for something completely different (thank you, Monty) here is a B1four, the original Barker Bass, the one that brought the words "quality construction" (or equivalent) into all the early conversations. Cherry front, alder back, alder chambers. Side dots for subtle locators. Strung up with LaBella black tapewounds. Sweet and expressive. List is $3895; street price $2995 plus shipping. It could be on its way to you tomorrow.<br />
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There are two ways to pay for a Barker Bass: Paypal or a check in the mail. Either works fine. <br />
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There will be more examples of in-stock basses appearing here regularly, plus updates on custom builds (just for variety).<div style='clear:both; text-align:RIGHT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-26944414778156033202013-01-01T09:00:00.002-08:002013-01-01T09:16:53.537-08:00An Afternoon in the Shop with LilyShe's 7--the second oldest of our universe of six grandchildren. I got to hold her the day she was born.<br />
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We decided on a play date the last afternoon of 2012. Over quesadillas and rice and beans we talked about what we might build or do. Once we got to the shop, she decided she had an idea. Ok, I admit it, I posed the picture.<br />
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Birdhouse. You've got to start somewhere. If she said, "scale model of a Frank Lloyd Wright house" or "prototype air powered elevator" I would take a run at it with her. Process and time together were everything, product not much.<br />
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We did some sketching, which she caught onto right away. I did the tablesaw cutting and we got into some hand tools.<br />
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And learned, in about 30 seconds, how to spread glue.<br />
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And how a vise works.<br />
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And back to the sketch pad at her improvised desk.</div>
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But that's only half the story. First thing in the shop, she had sat at my desk. I suggested she was the boss. That stuck. So periodically, in the construction/playtime, she would declare a break and go into her office and then call me in for a conference. </div>
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I was taken to task for something that I did that wasn't safe. I was made mayor of the Carry the Wax Club. (I had to learn to carry the wax container by the handle <i>with my other hand underneath in case the box fell down.)</i> I had to demonstrate my competence at this in order to become mayor ("because mayors own the town, you know."). Later I got to be president and received a special binder clip to wear on my collar as an emblem of my station.</div>
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Once I had to come into the office as Lily, talking to the boss. There were some things I had to learn to do better. (I've not had a boss or a conference in over 30 years. This required great imaginative effort on my part! She seemed quite at home as the boss.)</div>
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But back to the shop. In addition to the obvious hand tools, we also<br />
<ul>
<li>used the drill press in 3 different processes, including boring with a pilot bit/countersink</li>
<li>used two different air staplers</li>
<li>cut shapes on the band saw</li>
<li>sanded putty with an orbital sander</li>
<li>used a screwgun to install the removable cleanout panels and to attach a metal bracket to one of the avian residences</li>
</ul>
I was amazed. All this was done with my hands on her hands, or vice versa, but she was very attentive to what was going on. For instance, with the drill press, she drilled a hole and the bit plunged on through. That sends three signals: your ears hear the splitting sound, your eyes see the chuck go down more quickly than it had been traveling, and your hand feels the plunge effect.<br />
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Next hole: <i>she slowed down her rate of feed when she got to what she thought was the end of the hole. And she was right.</i><br />
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I have taught adults woodworking, and I don't recall ever seeing learning like this. Quite the contrary, in many cases!<br />
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When we started our first bandsaw task, she said, "Grampa, aren't you going to wear safety glasses?" Before I could concoct a mumbly answer, she was tapping the sticker on the upper wheel housing: <b>Caution! Wear Safety Glasses.</b> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUzEwPH4ja7g6sdCgFt8eB52gi8o6zP3_Ig35oBk3uqU8l4Z4OlwTcl2wnIlv_pnaLubF1GtTxFIuXgWVQ3BLhNkkh15eIzwd1zuCqrkVto5M2DRKH8T3mcdc1AUfaVJPgDcHcMhcPgw/s1600/IMG_4110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUzEwPH4ja7g6sdCgFt8eB52gi8o6zP3_Ig35oBk3uqU8l4Z4OlwTcl2wnIlv_pnaLubF1GtTxFIuXgWVQ3BLhNkkh15eIzwd1zuCqrkVto5M2DRKH8T3mcdc1AUfaVJPgDcHcMhcPgw/s320/IMG_4110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We spent over four hours together in the shop on December 31. As I look at my new wall calendar which shows the entire year on one page, I can see some wonderful opportunities in 2013.<br />
<br />Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-54532235878720771332012-08-21T10:45:00.001-07:002012-08-21T10:45:24.337-07:00New Retro Instant Vintage Barker B1 BassMr Holly enjoyed looking at my wall of Barker Bass Mistakes. Bass bodies that didn't make the grade. That failed just late enough that they look done but never were. Some that got assembled, and played, and then up and failed, for any of several reasons: finish, material, unequal expansion of woody cells (splitting and cracking, in layperson language) or something I cannot remember. <br />
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He picked out one and asked if I could make a bass out of that. "Sure!" There was nothing of failure about this bass body. It must have been excluded from the line on a whim. He sensed the quality apparently.<br />
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We worked out a price and a schedule and a down payment and I gathered parts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd64Z6bF553DVE5ZT4T_SvhOsKCwwaDYQ4olho6tByB6sdkQ0_rZW3LWCRsCkYu1aTylouddH4GTDaZX8jfa9GU2ZJQo9l1s3KrDXMhDQyOEvMuFq5-R1iyNzrHc1ocG-QBjkVU0RsbiI/s1600/IMG_3568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd64Z6bF553DVE5ZT4T_SvhOsKCwwaDYQ4olho6tByB6sdkQ0_rZW3LWCRsCkYu1aTylouddH4GTDaZX8jfa9GU2ZJQo9l1s3KrDXMhDQyOEvMuFq5-R1iyNzrHc1ocG-QBjkVU0RsbiI/s320/IMG_3568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So much is the same. Sonically, the instrument has not changed since the beginning. Esthetically, however, it has changed more than a teenager gone from home for a year of college 4000 miles away. <br />
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Assembling this instrument for Mr. Holly has been a nostalgic journey. I have come to appreciate how many little things are different, slightly or emphatically, from serial #1 (which you see hanging in the background). Here is a picture of the first sounds that came from this rare birdseye pine bass:<br />
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Royal Thumpety, Batman! Sounds great! EMG pickups, which I'd had in stock but never used, have a nice, crisp sound with plenty of underneath. The strings are LaBella Super Steps, which look odd on the bridge but respond nicely and predictably. <br />
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And finally the formal portrait, having received the tailpiece, the monogram, the truss rod cover and the final buff.<br />
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And some closeups of this amazing piece of wood.<br />
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It looks like it was built 7 years ago or so, but no. It's a New Retro Instant Vintage Barker B1 Bass, ready for some serious playing on Mr. Holly's porch. Hand me that cord! Plug in that amplifier! Somebody count it off!<br /><br />
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<br />Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-6074665336899257882012-08-14T15:39:00.001-07:002012-08-15T09:32:31.816-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n8NOV50sXQui6NFNiT9oDrTgVsnYPkVJJPIIDUVKVzuv5HyF3H_O_CXlnP9nmg2WgUXrCWiImSOMUZ7dn1ZYZWR70in1qP_e0HCCQilX7yEpJZf35rlECPXSLBVHK9E9V5c38QmtDdk/s1600/3271816_com_img_449860.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n8NOV50sXQui6NFNiT9oDrTgVsnYPkVJJPIIDUVKVzuv5HyF3H_O_CXlnP9nmg2WgUXrCWiImSOMUZ7dn1ZYZWR70in1qP_e0HCCQilX7yEpJZf35rlECPXSLBVHK9E9V5c38QmtDdk/s400/3271816_com_img_449860.jpg" width="300" /></a>
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Juniper. It's ubiquitous, it's thirsty and it makes many folks sneeze. Quite a tree, actually, especially if you admire survivors.
I wouldn't say that we Central Oregonians are polarized by them.<br />
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In April the allergy prone would like to send a massive taser jolt through the desert so not one more grain of pollen would present itself. The rest of the time, ho hum. Until you talk about water conservation.
How thirsty are they? There are multiple examples these days of ranchers selectively thinning the trees and finding, within a year, that springs that had dried up have returned.<br />
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According to <a href="http://www.oawu.net/H2O/2008/Summer08/Water.Conservation.Hemenway.pdf">Bruce Hemenway</a>, "on average then, a 10 foot tall juniper tree will consume between 40 and 70 gallons of water a day." Left on their own they'll spread to about 50 trees per acre, he says. If they average 25 feet tall, then the water consumption, trees alone, not other vegetation, would be 5000 to 8750 gallons of water per day, every day of the year.<br />
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But there can be great beauty in the wood. I found and squirreled away two pieces which were clearly from the same tree and one day they spoke: front of a bass. That was several months ago.
Patrick, New York State, has purchased this Barker Brio. It is a stunning beauty and sounds very clean and punchy. I could own that bass, but Patrick does.<br />
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One strives, as a luthier (or, as I prefer, instrument maker) to incorporate some standardization in production so that "the sound" of your instrument is predictable in all of them. Sure, there are surprises, but every now and then all the measurements come out right and the result is a bass that sings.
This one makes a visual statement as compelling as its voice. One of a kind.<br />
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Congratulations Patrick! Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-88372553261175671792012-08-09T13:32:00.001-07:002012-08-15T09:34:50.422-07:00Let's Stirrup Some Memories<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQlSjVF0SWaHECmKcpjDIfGtzEWQOUp0GHHQ1HrhTO2tEBsDErnPppzz-WB5aOq3xXLN-wJ3NIMiT9XFSv6GW13yBsKWlbZXqFaPAF-dPpbDgbncsMG7eJUjprdYy1GMXtRcZ6DneibU/s1600/IMG_3509.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQlSjVF0SWaHECmKcpjDIfGtzEWQOUp0GHHQ1HrhTO2tEBsDErnPppzz-WB5aOq3xXLN-wJ3NIMiT9XFSv6GW13yBsKWlbZXqFaPAF-dPpbDgbncsMG7eJUjprdYy1GMXtRcZ6DneibU/s400/IMG_3509.JPG" width="400" /></a>
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County fair, theme above. What you're seeing here is my entry in the open class, Crafts, Woodworking, Other not listed above, Theme.<br />
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I got a first place and a smiley sticker on my tag.
Prior years I have done various kinds of things, including furniture, but I've never tackled the theme before.
All the metal parts, leather and shoe last were purchased at the scrap yard, thrift stores and garage sales. The indexing pins are brass. I thought that showed a certain level of style.<br />
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The bicycle part was inspired by recently seeing a picture of Linda C. and her sister Joanie, who lived across the street when we were kids. Joanie is developmentally disabled. She's a delightful person. She learned to ride a bike along with the rest of us, and would ride by on the street and let go of the handlebars with one hand and say, "Look at this!" We would clap or yell. Good for Joanie. A nice memory.<br />
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County fairs should be like that. A way to step back in time, to engage in conversations, to get past the "howyadoingfine" empty ritual and really talk. It's amazing what we'll share in a context like that, people milling about, cotton candy in Present Arms routines, kids asking dad for another string of tickets for the rides, hormonally oozing adolescents running in loose packs, talking loudly and jumping.<br />
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Conversations. The lady who canned the pickles. The kid who made the transformer out of sugar cubes. The commercial exhibitor who encourages you to lie down on the memory foam. (It didn't help--I can't remember his name.)<br />
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And there, perhaps oddly, was the city water department. Their goal, I would guess, was to increase awareness of our storm water system and our water treatment facility. We listened, enthralled, for fifteen or twenty minutes, asking questions, responding in amazement. The city appears to be doing a great job at the task, and I'd attribute that to the manager, with whom we were speaking. He was absolutely and thoroughly enthusiastic about his subject.
Whodathunkit.<br />
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Lots of memories, hard to unstir.Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-18532059121074646062012-06-19T08:44:00.001-07:002012-06-19T13:51:52.249-07:00Family Paint-O-RamaThe real puzzle is how to say thank you.
We knew this was going to happen. We were in on the planning and we made the final decision on the colors. What we didn't anticipate was the joy and the humbling nature of seeing our four kids, their three spouses (and all six grandchildren, to complete the tally) descend on our unsuspecting domicile and transform it in one day.
LiAndra (Andi)and Patrick (Maya, Bjorn) worked all week on the prep, caulking, abrading, adding trim. Joe and Sarah (Lily, Juni) replaced funky fascia, deshrubbified the margins, scraped and scraped. Down came the gutters.
Joel showed up from Portland, Pete and Kelley (Emily, Liam) from Sacramento.
Saturday they started at 9 and by 6 or so it was done enough that, when Linda returned from work, She got the full force of the newness.
It forces a neologism: chromablitz.
The cousins played, the trimmers trimmed and the polemen were wholly rolling.
If you really like the four color combination--the front door will be reddish and there will be some whimsy in the garage door panels--we will sell you the Sherwin Williams Product Numbers.
But we're keeping the kids. And the granderkids.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwkmV_kUstUU64_PwSAVBLJjCG2_XjGK6ginUBtTGBdvI15TJ1jbMs6R4aNyIpfyV331lNKyuX4mRoDYFLaa4bpsG8QZoUz5b2tPN6Myj0JqZBoWoufjG-uv45pamK9ezEPVUs3EN_gM/s1600/IMG_3318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwkmV_kUstUU64_PwSAVBLJjCG2_XjGK6ginUBtTGBdvI15TJ1jbMs6R4aNyIpfyV331lNKyuX4mRoDYFLaa4bpsG8QZoUz5b2tPN6Myj0JqZBoWoufjG-uv45pamK9ezEPVUs3EN_gM/s320/IMG_3318.JPG" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRbIjYDGnDOR0BS4VtJhWqxVYky324kzUyKoTKS7YhS2EGI-XJiW6THRPkJhKGf4zt11zBeAjCM_iWOoqMT0_lAfOD_4XogXga_uzNyDvwM0-q2qrJOStIBxP4gC0jmX9ymf19aj-YqA/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRbIjYDGnDOR0BS4VtJhWqxVYky324kzUyKoTKS7YhS2EGI-XJiW6THRPkJhKGf4zt11zBeAjCM_iWOoqMT0_lAfOD_4XogXga_uzNyDvwM0-q2qrJOStIBxP4gC0jmX9ymf19aj-YqA/s320/IMG_3312.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5PckaqMfmlKteP51nHPKJ3ChZ2srEUim7XoP-8oFiuIoVqjATRHbI32bjqumHgPuOjab_FBlcI-mq_FlAmK6GjgrA3dVDFin5Y55E-6nnHm1ud6yJ-fvxtRKgbtnj7hFhMW3hrQDRMU/s1600/IMG_3314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5PckaqMfmlKteP51nHPKJ3ChZ2srEUim7XoP-8oFiuIoVqjATRHbI32bjqumHgPuOjab_FBlcI-mq_FlAmK6GjgrA3dVDFin5Y55E-6nnHm1ud6yJ-fvxtRKgbtnj7hFhMW3hrQDRMU/s320/IMG_3314.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2Nbu29tQ1CPzvMj1tHX_nqcait_lgLPPvqmQctEJpFUSxfqVWWblH_YS5T1ZiysUlKHRKLEUnKb0vTAeDFRG7fFAYxi59OLavCxBs_kK0gYLsqg0fyZ0kfn9H3mrOj6MU9Wthpz3FS0/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2Nbu29tQ1CPzvMj1tHX_nqcait_lgLPPvqmQctEJpFUSxfqVWWblH_YS5T1ZiysUlKHRKLEUnKb0vTAeDFRG7fFAYxi59OLavCxBs_kK0gYLsqg0fyZ0kfn9H3mrOj6MU9Wthpz3FS0/s320/IMG_3316.JPG" /></a>Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-67340151003792467572012-06-02T09:08:00.000-07:002012-06-02T09:08:26.451-07:00AlmostEverything went well until the final test.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswvH3bbaTUC82NUQdTPz-9yyo8zsybv6fXrpYOAhF-L2ACkpGtfCmOarNOAfE5A9JrH8Bl5d-rPMXmvtmSJ2XmcgPQtApI98pOw1urSArHZ_tr587t-wS61Q0fsXXows3balg74io1nM/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswvH3bbaTUC82NUQdTPz-9yyo8zsybv6fXrpYOAhF-L2ACkpGtfCmOarNOAfE5A9JrH8Bl5d-rPMXmvtmSJ2XmcgPQtApI98pOw1urSArHZ_tr587t-wS61Q0fsXXows3balg74io1nM/s400/IMG_3278.JPG" /></a></div>Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-59489973570543408392012-05-18T11:03:00.000-07:002012-05-18T11:03:00.129-07:00Lines About the FinishThree B1 bodies in the finish room. I've softened the darkness of the color a little, bringing some reds to the mix. I like it, but I think I'll go a notch further next time. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hRWx2vYmjBh4Btcuj-ySBVvrV0laDTJkKsdLYmKMqNYOeu7ipmNNtoC6AUbZxllquf5qco6Q5xlZ5C1YEJ2gW77htQR6XN5cIO-kpVqTuRqvx4MrZC1Yz-C6OJgjnR_a8jB3TaR6Tvg/s1600/IMG_3181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hRWx2vYmjBh4Btcuj-ySBVvrV0laDTJkKsdLYmKMqNYOeu7ipmNNtoC6AUbZxllquf5qco6Q5xlZ5C1YEJ2gW77htQR6XN5cIO-kpVqTuRqvx4MrZC1Yz-C6OJgjnR_a8jB3TaR6Tvg/s200/IMG_3181.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmird5Gfu5RQ10v_-mBevsfci8oQnWJU5Ds4GtkzhEn8d5PRnfjP7pP08oTOI6NSfNhQuG_mnsT3YEjQuOkjwtDm2zKtjxnfF10tUeC2uScJMq_5xqNjg2denlwqM6GKPz03OIwbP1pY/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmird5Gfu5RQ10v_-mBevsfci8oQnWJU5Ds4GtkzhEn8d5PRnfjP7pP08oTOI6NSfNhQuG_mnsT3YEjQuOkjwtDm2zKtjxnfF10tUeC2uScJMq_5xqNjg2denlwqM6GKPz03OIwbP1pY/s200/IMG_3180.JPG" /></a></div>
These will get six or seven coats of waterborne polyurethane. Specifically, General Finishes Polyacrylic. I find it to be superior to any other WB poly I have tried. The real discovery, though, was the <a href="http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com//Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=toolshop&Product_Code=GT-WBBRU.XX&Category_Code=TFB">Gramercy waterborne finish brush</a>, shown. It is a synthetic bristle that doesn't load up with moisture.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUo9XBGtbsZc3SRtFrxI6lCtQMH9bu4MJUHaXBJbuOdNUJLYDCPGB3805ncAb1zDnuBT1KcMgXlre0i4mwCF00ybExSIc-GDKW8zDVaOK6ODiZZWukalxHBM_SsZryxAcDmGkzf1RqhJU/s1600/IMG_3191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUo9XBGtbsZc3SRtFrxI6lCtQMH9bu4MJUHaXBJbuOdNUJLYDCPGB3805ncAb1zDnuBT1KcMgXlre0i4mwCF00ybExSIc-GDKW8zDVaOK6ODiZZWukalxHBM_SsZryxAcDmGkzf1RqhJU/s200/IMG_3191.JPG" /></a></div>
It's the best distribution I have ever experienced with a brush. The detail picture shows the bristles actually conforming to the curvature of the edge instead of scraping it, which is what stiffer bristled synthetic brushes do.
Upon completion of the well-documented coats, these will sit for a week before final rubout. And then assembly. And then stringup. And then tuning and testing. But I get ahead of myself.Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-24901826161907565762012-05-16T09:28:00.002-07:002012-05-16T09:28:48.540-07:00Three B1foursThese are stock configurations with just a little tweakage.
All are bookmatched cherry fronts, alder core and backs. One will end up in Nate's hands, a fretless version.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeyZ2qmgyG-dTu0y70Ol-CJgakYCA7WSsvE9A1mzbgF9iAt25E6c7YT9uHfZ-lJpDMQBU3l_v2uixsEnxyP7wSSH7Nwn6fgXkry9RVR2HO6MgSnDy3_pzv8P-t4-RPPKa0V9dsANs3Lo/s1600/IMG_3171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeyZ2qmgyG-dTu0y70Ol-CJgakYCA7WSsvE9A1mzbgF9iAt25E6c7YT9uHfZ-lJpDMQBU3l_v2uixsEnxyP7wSSH7Nwn6fgXkry9RVR2HO6MgSnDy3_pzv8P-t4-RPPKa0V9dsANs3Lo/s200/IMG_3171.JPG" /></a></div>
Marking the layouts and drilling for connectivity. I don't really know what that is, but I thought it made me sound just a little luthierish. (I do not consider myself a luthier, by the way. I make tools for musicians.)
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqzaEnyiPYGHx9cL4NBdDd5KEcbGuQcp1kC3IFPE6_N-EDaOfeJzePhneY6l8PAFm4XJs9nsApD-_MLBr5fGQXCuEXPHcLoKGnbnRS15xxpnbVQs-J8FdHwQhIDU-hZUnxP5mN_bPk3E/s1600/IMG_3172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqzaEnyiPYGHx9cL4NBdDd5KEcbGuQcp1kC3IFPE6_N-EDaOfeJzePhneY6l8PAFm4XJs9nsApD-_MLBr5fGQXCuEXPHcLoKGnbnRS15xxpnbVQs-J8FdHwQhIDU-hZUnxP5mN_bPk3E/s200/IMG_3172.JPG" /></a></div>
Yes, those drill presses are spinning. I line up the bodies and do all the drilling at the same time. Neck bolts, control pots and knob countersinks, thimble hole and hatch fastener prebores.
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Ready for squirtage. All the details have been routed and the floor swept.These are very carefully sanded to 150 grit, dents repaired, ready to finish one would think. But first they need a shower:
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I like these images. You can see the water droplets leaving the squirter!
Next day, just prior to final, final sanding to remove the fuzz from the grainraising events of the previous, last coat of barrier paint in the electronics cavity.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG4Qnu6uYHEH-BqjzqxyhIYH3SL-FyjzFyLZd3TNbVOVu_gg-cXaYpbceFrr0ylsorfxAUFgKP6skf-n1YFOBhyArYroJ0m7KmutBWkvLN0kFQC9MlGYn1i3qviXjkAkY1efX80YAPvU/s1600/IMG_3179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG4Qnu6uYHEH-BqjzqxyhIYH3SL-FyjzFyLZd3TNbVOVu_gg-cXaYpbceFrr0ylsorfxAUFgKP6skf-n1YFOBhyArYroJ0m7KmutBWkvLN0kFQC9MlGYn1i3qviXjkAkY1efX80YAPvU/s200/IMG_3179.JPG" /></a></div>
Now: final sanding and colorants. Whoop! Whoop!Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-31898675921633997762012-05-10T11:21:00.000-07:002012-05-10T11:21:15.593-07:00Pottering about the raw material part of the shop yesterday I came across some juniper. All of it was about 6" wide; 4 count of 8' boards. Juniper has more irregularities than a sack of yams. I had to do some serious cutting. I ended up with pieces 2 - 3 inches wide and suspiciously long enough to be a Barker Bass back. Hmm. So here you have the initial glueup. This piece will be set aside until I get done with the current batch of B1s. And then, maybe...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWGji81n1oXOoyLHUusoO_GV2rywDDxd_IBVb9bR0cS0ZSYph1-EpSM3_x4D9RP7SW9k3_Q6411EfoG-gtdDhJh1g9RNzTzUeO_4vSbmYYGFmWkYCgWPVasx595uWTT72Kc85LpgE_7Q/s1600/IMG_3147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWGji81n1oXOoyLHUusoO_GV2rywDDxd_IBVb9bR0cS0ZSYph1-EpSM3_x4D9RP7SW9k3_Q6411EfoG-gtdDhJh1g9RNzTzUeO_4vSbmYYGFmWkYCgWPVasx595uWTT72Kc85LpgE_7Q/s400/IMG_3147.JPG" /></a></div>Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-81076769165564909892012-05-09T10:38:00.000-07:002012-05-09T11:05:40.918-07:00Pedestal, Rotating, On Demand, One EachFrom a drawer labeled "Motors and Controls" emerges a C-frame motor with a gearbox and a comparatively large pulley. Hmm.
The size of the motor drove the height of the octagonal base. The motor,mounted on a hinge with a spring to bring it to tension with the inside of the turning part of the lazy susan bearing, had everything but traction. The solution was some fuel line, purchased at the reliable CentWise Hardware Store. I joined the two ends with a bolt cutoff, bent slightly. It does not slip.
A curious feature of the motor was a brake. Remove the 110 volts and it stops rather quickly. I was concerned that might not be good, but I chose first to leave it engaged. It's fine. Kinda cool, actually.
The switch on the box inside the base lets you select off, continuous, or on demand.
If Macy's calls and wants me to do their windows, I'll tell them you're about to order a bass and I have no business going to New York just to do window dressing when I can stay home and do what I do best--make tools for musicians. And pedestals to put them on. The tools, not the musicians, though some of them truly have earned pedestals.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSpe7Ogv584T3K8tw4Et68EhwmtLY-3nP4h6EEpbVOWsOiyQ1L1fDnj2RywxGOa9nwRK5wIP9EGhg6vChaXnulfkp0qjXcFbJrWIUvpKyZSfisRhkN_yholYBFXlyf7XqJDpWAsWjwYM/s1600/IMG_3130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSpe7Ogv584T3K8tw4Et68EhwmtLY-3nP4h6EEpbVOWsOiyQ1L1fDnj2RywxGOa9nwRK5wIP9EGhg6vChaXnulfkp0qjXcFbJrWIUvpKyZSfisRhkN_yholYBFXlyf7XqJDpWAsWjwYM/s320/IMG_3130.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6Ikp7yycJK0nb9pikDIxqAzTUCEC_tTUDR8kGWSj70dMghNPtBc7izsHdZQAMiqacrIE78e54b2GoVm9-GCGhLmz3gUlmXTjb9nkZ6teDVxPh1PKuvY5c3dD3NWDjUt5LtMuXL3ds3g/s1600/IMG_3132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6Ikp7yycJK0nb9pikDIxqAzTUCEC_tTUDR8kGWSj70dMghNPtBc7izsHdZQAMiqacrIE78e54b2GoVm9-GCGhLmz3gUlmXTjb9nkZ6teDVxPh1PKuvY5c3dD3NWDjUt5LtMuXL3ds3g/s320/IMG_3132.JPG" /></a></div>Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-60527844932099339032012-05-09T10:25:00.000-07:002012-05-17T21:38:16.505-07:00Scarlett and Bart And Woodworking ArtThe Central Oregon Woodworkers are displaying their art and craft through June 16 at the Redmond Library. Included are some fascinating and spectacular examples of the many things you can do with wood. I was fortunate to be included. Scarlett and Bart are on pedestals, on a table. After these images were taken, the staff put some decoration on the brick wall behind. This lends a little more clarity to the shape of the necks. Those crimson strings, DR Red Devils to be exact, pop visually much better than the image shows.
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In the first image, there's a small black box peeking out from the sophisticated decor items added to the display. That box will be explained next.Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-14065726005441474302012-05-09T10:14:00.001-07:002012-05-09T10:16:33.907-07:00Scarlett and Bart, First PartOver a year ago, perhaps longer, I purchased a set of Schaller tuning machines on the web. They were red. Why not? The snowball started to roll, very slowly, and over the months there appeared a red tailpiece, some red knobs, little stuff. The tumbling and rumbling brought the parts together enough that we needed a name. Once chosen, it drove the project to a swift conclusion. Well, relatively swift. Ok, a loping conclusion. A shambling conclusion, that's spot on.
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The challenge here was to create a set of two basses, black and red being the primary feature, but have them be more than display models. They should play, and well, and differently to boot. So Scarlett is a fretted B1 with all the bite and chomp in place. Her partner is a lined fretless. Mwah at your service, master.
Both are premium material stock, Duncan single coil electronics, ready to be the center attraction of the back row.Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-90612142832779726312011-07-30T09:30:00.001-07:002011-07-30T09:43:48.361-07:00Here We Go Again: This one followed me home. Part 1.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR029cvGc0ZDaqOX_7d3QPMxaqPNtoKaM09xmrI-4pbcsvtsOSAJC24ZTrdnqDHosC9ay2Q-8YaMu0tFEjaNXwOdRCUYLF2RtO-TrpitgELRTtSfqQIaXqBoq1i7WdKui5evfBzF-js0/s1600/IMG_2178.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR029cvGc0ZDaqOX_7d3QPMxaqPNtoKaM09xmrI-4pbcsvtsOSAJC24ZTrdnqDHosC9ay2Q-8YaMu0tFEjaNXwOdRCUYLF2RtO-TrpitgELRTtSfqQIaXqBoq1i7WdKui5evfBzF-js0/s400/IMG_2178.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635186961106241794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-VRkIHfwHSkInG-3opAMFQQzbA8rRvEw5WPzlg3fvwUs0JvZiY8rK3aQ1vfFlEEoo4o5Xxqqph-pZZm28wqmiZEMXfxduAd32aFfQ5d__s1fBkge-3iHFnQTHyKaEYwI6UQaEYg5nzQ/s1600/IMG_2177.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-VRkIHfwHSkInG-3opAMFQQzbA8rRvEw5WPzlg3fvwUs0JvZiY8rK3aQ1vfFlEEoo4o5Xxqqph-pZZm28wqmiZEMXfxduAd32aFfQ5d__s1fBkge-3iHFnQTHyKaEYwI6UQaEYg5nzQ/s400/IMG_2177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635186964098910098" /></a><br />I was on my morning walk late this week, and lo, here is this cute little number poised coyly at the curb. Without the sign, I would have looked carefully and continued on my way. But the sign, oh the sign. My heart flubbed a dub. <br /><br />I came back an hour later and winched the little darlin' onto the truck and now I am flirting with Fleet Status.<br /><br />She's pretty much toast, really, except for running gear. But that's a seductive blank canvas. Already there's a sketch on my desk of something that might resemble an <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=army+mule&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=vls&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1024&bih=605&tbm=isch&prmd=ivns&tbnid=sJxyNACFl6pUhM:&imgrefurl=http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/side-x-sides-atv-quads-bikes-jeeps-4x4s/15200-m274-mule-mech-mule-fans-thread.html&docid=GQ_ES0kTdq7j-M&w=573&h=378&ei=cjI0TtLlHKjdiAKa4pnECA&zoom=1">army mule</a>.<br /><br />This comes at a particularly busy time. I think she will be reduced to usable components and salted away for a stormy fall weekend. Gentlemen, start your dismantling!Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-82642727415961001472011-07-11T08:40:00.001-07:002011-07-11T09:11:47.687-07:00From lawn mower to parade vehicle, part 4: Semifinal!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrO2VcL49hi5V_TykHlcICRbrC_2jVzk6I1_q7194Uw9QPIpSbtF-I-hlwHt689-QaITW1thUrykTa5jJ0Ks1BI-dDskuRA7h0Ho8VoE1vgaQxPURKVz9rAcXBOfJFhqNr5bZAvIF1Q8/s1600/IMG_2121.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrO2VcL49hi5V_TykHlcICRbrC_2jVzk6I1_q7194Uw9QPIpSbtF-I-hlwHt689-QaITW1thUrykTa5jJ0Ks1BI-dDskuRA7h0Ho8VoE1vgaQxPURKVz9rAcXBOfJFhqNr5bZAvIF1Q8/s320/IMG_2121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628127381833133346" /></a><br />The badge is badged. It is good; it makes the vehicle go faster and better. So well, in fact, that as soon as I got it attached, I went for an enthusiastic test drive and, sput sput, ran out of gas. Back to base was mostly downhill, but the part that wasn't was more memorable.<br /><br />The original nameplate read, "Oil O Matic" and was from a furnace, evidently. Purchased on ebay. The color was just right, but it was, alas, too big to fit on the nifty oval grille (from a roaster pan) so, after lengthy internal debate, I nipped off the oil. "O Matic" was cutesy enough but still too undefined and awkward to read and say. Especially when I'm doing upwards of 14 mph.<br /><br />Enter the brass "Ned!" badge which had been waterjetted by a business neighbor long ago and was clanking about in my desk drawer. Bingo!<br /><br />The machine is parade ready but for a cupholder. I have it, I just can't find the right site for it. So that will eventually occur. All I need now is a couple grandchildren, due this weekend, so I can hitch up the trailer and tour the neighborhood of a summer evening. Loudly.Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5726476188026795306.post-49359565855517944532011-06-29T08:20:00.001-07:002011-06-30T13:09:58.837-07:00From lawn mower to parade vehicle, part 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xCL9Ca-g_WF1PQbpiE52RcD_xmVVgE-3YguNE04KQf0rFqG96FMr6X7FrYtdecDKu74VxyCi8DzCZ-hE1Ql515-YU8fkeRvAJ2fRnlSwGaddJNdjV891UoT3BefAV8Klbb5oLXGfZAs/s1600/IMG_1991.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xCL9Ca-g_WF1PQbpiE52RcD_xmVVgE-3YguNE04KQf0rFqG96FMr6X7FrYtdecDKu74VxyCi8DzCZ-hE1Ql515-YU8fkeRvAJ2fRnlSwGaddJNdjV891UoT3BefAV8Klbb5oLXGfZAs/s320/IMG_1991.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623684787053187874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsex2oK0D_S1Dv8UogsCYXxmweWEN9lN4dWoPUdQB1hHQiJZo85mFF5ZaIcZ8v2INXirrRhr8C2nO9Yq9WBGg02yrKNiQfjjJubMyhGLCa6uNpkq-VoibIzGGS10Ox-b74OigAG8Y6po/s1600/IMG_1997.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsex2oK0D_S1Dv8UogsCYXxmweWEN9lN4dWoPUdQB1hHQiJZo85mFF5ZaIcZ8v2INXirrRhr8C2nO9Yq9WBGg02yrKNiQfjjJubMyhGLCa6uNpkq-VoibIzGGS10Ox-b74OigAG8Y6po/s320/IMG_1997.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623684785577826850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPlVWnulhu65qrjadIvc-fdqddSlo1Kwsou7qxtfp3oZ5LoSxTBtWUr7FryGp-qLbCN0QXvWhSTp_JO5Pvf4X6BwttRH8HTTgSys1JfbH-uC3ymruDJnV91m47v5o3yZGFHly6CJMAhc/s1600/IMG_1994.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPlVWnulhu65qrjadIvc-fdqddSlo1Kwsou7qxtfp3oZ5LoSxTBtWUr7FryGp-qLbCN0QXvWhSTp_JO5Pvf4X6BwttRH8HTTgSys1JfbH-uC3ymruDJnV91m47v5o3yZGFHly6CJMAhc/s320/IMG_1994.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623684791456949906" /></a><br /><br />"Final Shape" is a lovely phrase. It suggests an ending, but not quite. An accomplishment, but not a certificate. An idea realized but not completely released.<br /><br />Such is the paractor. There is one essential element which is, at this writing, in the United States Postal Service and due to land at the end of the week. That installed, late next week no doubt, will be a ribbon on the package.<br /><br />Meantime, we have "final shape." The machinery is operative, the main aesthetic details are in place, and when it is in the driveway, people walking and even driving by tend to stop. <br /><br />Shown is the dashboard above. With everything irrelevant except the choke and the ignition switch, the space remains a blank canvas. Current dashboard component stock is in depletion because of completion of dashboards for Bjorn's Christmas gift and the Steampunk Master Control project at the library. We may hit the road with a blank instrument panel for the time being.<br /><br />So, the only question to you is, what is clearly missing? And, as a hint, can fit in a small Priority box?Barkerbasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03815264689458312360noreply@blogger.com0