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I did it for you Big Al....

chuckNC

New member
Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Messages
1,261
The point is, as I see it, not to close your minds or ears to ANY possibilities as I have often found accepted wisdom not always true in my case. The whole point about Norlins and SS amps is that they are not universally terrible gear choices and can make wonderful contributions to making music.

It is so easy to fall in love with an ideal, to the point where anything less is regarded as inferior, that truly wonderful, useful and sometimes superior choices are overlooked or derided in an almost religious belief in the vintage ideal. My thrust all along and from the very beginning has been to keep open options and ears. To see the usefulness in all things, and find the right or at least an acceptable application for making music.

.........

Remember the big picture. I would most like to emphasize this one thing,

MUSIC IS A COMMUNAL THING. IT ALLOWS US TO SHARE IN SO MANY WAYS, FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS IN A WAY THAT CAN TOUCH OTHERS DEEPLY. IT IS WHEN WE REACH DEEP INSIDE OUR SELVES THAT IT IS BEST. HONEST EMOTION AND IDEAS FROM THE HEART MAKE IT BEST IMO.

Keep the joyful part of yourself alive in your playing.
There's an acre of diamonds here.

Al, I saw your post when it first came out but, being new here, I felt funny about chiming in. It's obvious to me that you have not wasted your time on the internet. You have shared your passion and your knowlege in a very personable, winning way. You have challenged some of us here to rethink our assumptions. Over and over again. And helped many to find the FUN in doing so. Thanks for that. You have blessed me--and many, many others. Literally around the world.

You have been in my prayers and will continue to be. Love ya, brother.
 

L.A.Man

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
1,143
The point is, as I see it, not to close your minds or ears to ANY possibilities as I have often found accepted wisdom not always true in my case. The whole point about Norlins and SS amps is that they are not universally terrible gear choices and can make wonderful contributions to making music.

It is so easy to fall in love with an ideal, to the point where anything less is regarded as inferior, that truly wonderful, useful and sometimes superior choices are overlooked or derided in an almost religious belief in the vintage ideal. My thrust all along and from the very beginning has been to keep open options and ears. To see the usefulness in all things, and find the right or at least an acceptable application for making music.

.........

Remember the big picture. I would most like to emphasize this one thing,

MUSIC IS A COMMUNAL THING. IT ALLOWS US TO SHARE IN SO MANY WAYS, FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS IN A WAY THAT CAN TOUCH OTHERS DEEPLY. IT IS WHEN WE REACH DEEP INSIDE OUR SELVES THAT IT IS BEST. HONEST EMOTION AND IDEAS FROM THE HEART MAKE IT BEST IMO.

Keep the joyful part of yourself alive in your playing.

This is why I did the solid state Norlin thing. Big Al and I differed greatly, me being in love with what I know best, and both of us defending the points we felt passionate about.

What Al did for me personally was to open my viewpoint on the possibility that I didnt know everything about all things tone wise, and to be listening as much as talking about what others know. Thats really where you learn.

I love reading Big Al's posts, he certainly isnt bashful about his point of view. And I would rather deal with a guy that has HIS own opinion instead of morphing into the sheeple based mantra's of so many about so much.

How boring would these place be if every thread was a NGD, and bla bla bla about plastic, and pickups etc.

Personally I love a good debate, and Al can go 15 rounds with me anyday of the week, we both love guitars and good tone. How you get there is most of the fun anyway.

My object of starting this thread was more tongue in cheek about the foolish mice patrol that occupied the back of this amp, than what it might have sounded like.

Recently I have tried to sell my black 76 custom. Thankfully I had no takers. I played the guitar extensively across the range of LP's I have. And as BA said it holds its own, in different ways, but still is a formidable opponent in the guitar world. 76 was a pivotal year for me in a lot of ways, and the black custom was a guitar I always wanted but could never afford. So as much as it was a nostalgic kind of purchase, it fills a void that couldnt be done with a new guitar.

Although I believe in more face to face, than Facebook, if it wasnt for the internet, the opportunity to meet and make friends would be lost.

So Big Al, take care of yourself,keep posting when you feel up to it, and never forget the impact one can have on this forum, or the rest of the world.

For Cripes Sake, you got me to buy a solid state amp after all that rabble rousing shit in our thread, come on man, thats a victory you cant dispute.

:3zone :3zone :3zone :3zone :3zone
 

Triburst

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Messages
4,353
Beautiful post, LA Man. I couldn't agree with you more!:salude
 

joemags54

New member
Joined
May 17, 2011
Messages
1,275
You are welcome to read my new addition to the sig line.... Thanks Big Al...:salude (Keep up the good fight)
 

Musicman

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2002
Messages
1,909
Wow, take care Big Al and don't let the bastard's keep you down!
 

MapleFlame

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
14,044
I played through these amps in the 70's and early 80's and could get great tones through them.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
I want to thank everyone for the nice things posted. It means alot too me, and it helps my mood, I want to win. I don't think I can beat it at this point, but in 2007 I was told I was in stage 4 Renal Cancer and after my kidney was removed I was told to prepare for my death. I was given about a year to live.

I freakin' blew their minds. I endured a 54 week Drug Chemo trial and worked at Whirlwind the whole time, against advise from everyone.

And still I remain.

Now it is Deja Vu all over again as I have been given the same dire news. Terminal, no cure and limited treatment options. I will have to prove them wrong again and extend my stay.

The people at Whirlwind and Michael in particular were supportive and helpful in every way, and though I can no longer work I am so proud to have been part of that company and its great people. I'd add that nobody does it better, and they are number 1 IMO.

My most fervent hope was to play on stage one last time, at least. I was working up a set list and lining up musician friends for this to happen. I don't know if that will now.

Maybe I can get together with Steve Craw, who has been a cool friend and fellow music nut that I always enjoy being with. I love his enthusiasm for the Les Paul and enjoyable banter. Steve if I can I will have you over for one last jam.

LA Man, I love your posts and enjoyed our debates. We are not that far off in our thinking, my friend.

I have often thought of myself as a Gadfly, someone to poke and prod orthodoxy, and provoke arguments. Even if I agreed with others, I would take an opposite POV to force argument to defend and explain the points being debated.

The Sheeple as I call them need to be shaken up sometimes, and busting up a flock of Sheeple and Lamb brains has given me much pleasure.

Opposite opinions are valid, and if strongly held and deeply felt are always correct. It is the blind adherence to a popular ideal that brings out the Battlen' Big Al! Sometimes it seems that each and everyone of us must have the same guitar, pickups and plastic, aged the same way and played through the same amp. How uniformly dull that is.

Makes a fella fall asleep.

Now the fact that many of us have the same ideal, or desire in a guitar isn't bad. But be careful not to overlook others with different tastes and visions of their ideal. Too often I see things like Clown Burst, Norlin Dogs, Pink Plastic, Non Authentic Flame??? and other things that become negatives and are promoted here on this web site where it becomes an accepted thing that becomes shunned and outcast.

Amish Anal Vintage Luddite thinking at it's worst.

It is all good!!!

I have freinds that lost their minds when I put Bigsbys on my Les Pauls. Some questioned why I would prefer to play my worn brown all mahogany Les Paul Studio, when I have so many "cooler" guitars to use. I love it when I show off one of my favor axes and have someone say something like the color is wrong, the plastic isn't authentic or I should use some other pickups. REALLY????

That kind of stuff keeps me alive. I get too cranky to die. Sometimes I read things that just make me sad. But Cranky Big Al is an alive Big Al.

And still I remain.

Now I am more focused on passing along any cool things that I can to those that care.

I cannot stress enough the collected wisdom and knowledge that is contained in the members here. I have learned so much and made some very good friends. Some like Mike Slubowski, have been excellent. Mike is the true gem of this place, his collection and knowledge is way more vast than he lets on, and though low key, he is a major guru in ALL things Les Paul, not just some small area, but all encompassing. His enthusiastic love and unbounded appreciation for this instrument has been a source of much inspiration to me. Mr. Mike is the one person I would most like jam and play with. Mike, I love ya, and thank you so much for all the quiet little things you have done for me, I will never forget your generosity!!!!

Anyway this is getting maudlin and I don't want to do that.

I plan to remain.

I may not get to the computer as much, but I do drop in on my Playstation which is easy for me to access now. Posting on that thing is a bitch though, but playing Red Dead Redemption makes up for it, Yee Haww!!!!

Keep the joy in your playing and music, keep open mind and ears and go your own way!!

Who's your Buddy? Who's your Pal??
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,167
Big Al, thanks for the kind words, but you've given a lot more to me in your knowledge, passion for Les Pauls and friendship than I could ever return to you. Keep the faith, and I will keep praying. You've beat this before and can do it again with the right treatment and the right spirit. :2zone
 

shred

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 13, 2003
Messages
4,667
I plan to remain.

Keep the joy in your playing and music, keep open mind and ears and go your own way!!

Love those sentiments :dude:

You know all the LPF bros have you in their thoughts & prayers and are doing their utmost to put the Les Paul hex on your cancer.... Fight on, keep checking in and thanks for the wisdom, friendship and experience in all things Gibson LP :salude
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,582
Love those sentiments :dude:

You know all the LPF bros have you in their thoughts & prayers and are doing their utmost to put the Les Paul hex on your cancer.... Fight on, keep checking in and thanks for the wisdom, friendship and experience in all things Gibson LP :salude

ain't that the truth ! ..hang in there Al :salude
 

bluesforstevie

New member
Joined
Jun 20, 2002
Messages
12,771
I don't know you well, but you remind me a lot of my mom...whom I cherished.

God bless you Al!!
 

CDaughtry

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner and Moderator
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
12,646
Big Al....you've always been one of my absolute favorites around these parts. One of my regrets is that I've never got to jam with you.
Hang in there my friend. Attitude means alot in this type of thing, and you've got a killer attitude.
I'll be praying for you my friend. I happen to be one of those that thinks it helps.

My first amp was a Casino solid state through an 8 ten cab!:hee I'm afraid I wasn't able to coax the tone out of that thing like you've described. :rofl

Love ya man.:2cool
 

Cogswell

The Duke of Dumbassery
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Messages
15,717
Dang, Al- I haven't seen eye to eye w/you on stuff, but I would never wish this on you. God bless. I'm pretty sure you sold me a Takamine acoustic at Castle Music in Santa Barbara back in the day, so I can say we've actually met IRL-
 

Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,295
Al, I can't wait to hear that story again about going fishing and the Rattlesnakes. I still chuckle to myself when I think of the time you told me that story.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Hey Charley!
I never claimed all SS amps are good, there are lots of truely awful ones!!!!

However,and WTF!!!!!:bigal :bigal I thought your old ass was at least as ancient as mine. How cheap or poverty stricken, were you that you couldn't have a tube amp?????:rofl :rofl

Hell didn't you sprout from the most geetar rightious State of Texas????? :dude: :bigal WTF!!!!!!

I for one am aghast with disbelief and quite frankly stunned that a mighty Texan Tone Tornado would begin his sonic rampage of tasty tubealicious tone torquage with a spizzy spazzy transistor tone turd!!!! :rolleyes:

Hell and tarnation Charley !! I didn't see my first SS amp till High School. And even then I had the good sense to use Kustom and Acoustic, not no dang Checkmate!!!!!-- Did you have a Teisco Del Ray to go with???

Seriously though Charley, I've always found you to be a kindred soul. If I am able I would love to come down and jam. You are one of my favorite forum bros! I was even thinking of sending Bad Betty to you to photograph for me. Brother you got real good with that there camera! I know I live in Kodakland!!! If you could say hi to Ganz for me.
 
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ourmaninthenorth

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
Not one for frothy emotional sentiment Big Al, just hope this shit forgets where you live.

I wish you well, and time.

:salude
 
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