Replies

1. 
   Rich14 | Jun 21, 2006 08:00pm | #1

   seatoe,

   Try this thread:

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=30204.1

   Rich

2. 
   jazzdogg | Jun 21, 2006 08:38pm | #2

   Buy some Zinsser SealCoat; it's a 2#cut, fully de-waxed, super blonde shellac with a 3-year can life - there's a "born on" date on the bottom of each can).

   FWIW, the folks at your local big box store should be able to find out if they carry Zinsser SealCoat - even if they don't know it's shellac.

    

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   Patto | Jun 22, 2006 06:39am | #3

   Jazz

   I don't have too much to say about our two competing big boxes here, but it seems that about a third of the staff are ex practicing tradesmen. The qualified ones wear a name badge that tells you their qualification (eg horticulturalist), and most of the other helpers will very quickly point you to the right person.

   Stocking policy is a different thing all together - no brad point bits, plug cutters, brass shelf supports etc.......at least I help keep the specialst shop open, and they give you a good coffee while you browse.

   Dave

1. 
   jazzdogg | Jun 22, 2006 07:07am | #4

   "it seems that about a third of the staff are ex practicing tradesmen."

   Dave,

   Around here (San Diego & Los Angeles, California), the qualifications of big box employees seem to be inversely proportional to building activity: when there's a building boom in progress, those who are truly qualified seems to flee the big boxes for work in the trades.

   When I have to shop at a big box and need credible advice, I try to find an employee who looks like he's probably a retired tradesman. However, these days, they seem to be replacing qualified older employees with less-costly and less qualified young people whose comportment reeks of disdain instead of pride in their abilities.

   Our big box stores were able to attract qualified and well-informed tradesmen ten years ago, but it seems to have gotten worse with each passing year; my guess is that 1/3 used to be the norm, but I doubt it is any longer.

   Is this consistent with your experience down under?

    -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   Patto | Jun 22, 2006 08:30am | #5

   No idea what the pay rates are, and they have their share of unqualified punks - in 1983 I dismayed when an employee didn't know what a spokeshave was, no chance these days.

   But we have bsically two competing national chains of big box. They address the DIY market who are seeking a fairly narrow range of tools up to abot the Makita quality. One of their competetive positions is which of them provides the best professional advice to supplement the DIY shows on TV. I have a new one right near home that has a permenant training area for about 30 people and runs seminars on things like tiling and pergola building every weekend.

   The ex tradesmen here will send you to other shops rather than sell inferior product if you ask the right questions. The model seems to be that ifthey provide good advice the single lost sale will result in returning custom - seems good to me. The young punks assume that what you really need is a full set of 75 assorted bits and drivers in a handy plasitc box (that time I was chasing a long 10mm brad point on a sunday afternoon - silly me) because if they dont stock it (or can't find it on the shelves) it clearly isn't necessary. On the good side, you can enjoy the byplay as the older hands provide education.

   Is that you on the Bass in your profile? I have just comeback from a Jazz festival at Merimbula and seemed to spend half the time comparing different styles of Bass. (from the perspective of a trombone player in a swing band and interrupted by a rugby test, which only works after several glasses of scotch). Simple pleasures can make life pretty good eh?

   Dave

1. 
   jazzdogg | Jun 22, 2006 05:34pm | #6

   "Simple pleasures can make life pretty good eh?"

   Right you are, Dave.

   It's not until someone asks that stop and think: I've been playing bass for just about 4 decades now. My dad was a fantastic jazz bassist. He bought me my first bass - an inexpensive electric with a warped neck & fingerboard -  when I was in high school. I guess he figured if I stuck with it, despite the compound challenges of learning on an instrument with a warped neck, I might be in it for the long haul.

   Pop played left-handed, and his big upright bass ("Baby") was strung backwards as a result. I decided I wanted to learn to play upright a year or so after I started playing electric, and I learned on backwards Baby. When I finally got an upright of my own, I had to learn to play it as if I were learning an entirely new instrument because I'd never played an upright strung normally before!

   I had a mishap a few years ago in which I clipped the corner of one of the fingers on my left hand while woodworking. Took over a year before I could start playing bass again - electric with a modified left-hand technique; I am just beginning to reach the point where I can consider playing the upright again, and it promises to be a painful and prolonged adventure - but worth it in the end.

   Glad to hear you're a fellow jazz enthusiast (my brother is also a jazz trombonist)! Great hearing from you,-Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 22, 2006 10:53pm | #7

   When I finally got an upright of my own, I was about five and my MOM insisted! I STAND UP OR NO MORE FOOD!I'm not into Jazz but my stepdad is! (I JUST LOVE OLD BLUES AS IN ROBRERT JONMSON oR newer Ry COODER) said he listened to it in Korea at the front line at night watch on a radio.. (I'm almost as old as he is!) I asked him... woulden't the enemy hear it also.. He said YA!.. They drank alot and never bothered us!

3. 
   Floss | Jun 23, 2006 12:14am | #8

   If you like Robert Johnson then check out Lonnie Johnson. Lonnie was much more accomplished as a guitar player. He is not as famous since he didn't have as tragic a life as Robert.However if you really want to get some good sounds then check out Skip James one of my favorites. Also Lightnin Hopkins can't be beat for that good 'ol south Texas blues.Have you heard of the reverend Gary Davis? You probably know of Blind Lemon Jefferson but if you can find some tapes/CD's of Blind Willie Johnson then check him out too.J.P.

4. 
   EdHarrison | Jun 23, 2006 05:28am | #9

   Reverend Gary Davis: Pure Religion and Bad Company - I've got that on my iPod, essential blues.  If you ever read an interview that RGD did, you will quickly realize that he did not lack for any confidence in his guitar playing - it comes through in his music as well.

   For me, blues begins and ends with John Lee Hooker - I'm hooked into the "world boogie."  I don't know exactly what it is but since he talked about it so much and I'm trying to learn all of his guitar work, I know I'm travelling in that groove, somehow.

   Back to dewaxed shellac:  Used that Zinser "Sealcoat" recently.  Three very thin coats of that, sanded with 240 between, razor-blading nibs, if any, then three thin coats of Minwax wipe-on poly is my new favorite idiot-proof (and I need idiot-proof!) finish.