The Big Al Good Mojo thread

[ourmaninthenorth]

If I took an amp and a guitar to my docs, and played anything, they'd cut both my hands off - as a service to music.

I don't think I'd have an argument at that, hamfisted bollocks that I am.

I'd take up clog dancing instead to make a racket...that'd show the bastids...

Him who laughs last and all that jazz...........

Steady as she goes Al.

:blbros

 

[J.D.]

Hysterical OMITN, as always, your posts are awesome.

Hoping for the best for you, Big Al.

 

[Big Al]

I'm still whole, more or less. The steel implant that replaced my humerus bone became unstable and tore through the little remaining soft tissue and popped out of my upper shoulder. A result of being dislocated for over a year.

Amputation was a real option. I endured over two weeks with a piece of steel 2 inches wide protruding through my arm while I tried to find surgeons willing to try a difficult and risky operation to save my arm. I found one who would attempt a total humerus replacement including the elbow, which would cost me my radial and ulnar nerves, resulting in a useless hand.

Also a pretty cool plastic surgeon stepped up and would try to remove my pectoral muscle and skin to transplant over the now massive wound in an attempt to create a stable capsule to help hold the new steel implant in place.

I didn't want to lose my working hand so in desperation I took a Melodymaker and THR10C to the surgeons office and with a hunk of steel ripping out of my beat up 64 year old arm I played some Cm blues and noodling to try and impress them enough to do the riskier option in order to save my hand. It hurt beyond words and I'll admit I was squirting tears, but that stunt worked.

I've been frankenstiened together and now I have to hope it works. I'm pretty beat up and sore but so far it looks good. The muscle flap and skin graft are still iffy and if it takes I should be ok. Fingers crossed. The new steel humerus implant seems stable and is screwed into the little bit of bone I still have above MY elbow. That bit of bone is hammered and not in good shape but I accepted the risk in order to keep my functional hand. It may last a few more years and I'll have very restricted use of that arm but if all goes well I may be able to play guitar a wee bit and I am so greatful for that. It is my greatest desire and why I've fought so hard to save that hand.

Right now, as far as I'm concerned, the 1960 Melody Maker D, (the guitar I used to sway the Orthapedic Surgeon to do the riskier operation and maybe allow for some limited playing ability), is the greatest guitar in the world! I'll die with that guitar. I suck at pictures but I'll try to have Nick do some and post 'em.

Thank you all, your support helps and it is amazing too me as I don't deserve it. You all have cheered up a grumpy old man at a very scary and desperate place. It means so much.

Thank you.

 

[grimlyflick]

Thank you all, your support helps and it is amazing too me as I don't deserve it. You all have cheered up a grumpy old man at a very scary and desperate place. It means so much.

Thank you.

No, thank you Big Al, your wit and wisdom has served this forum for many years, and long may it continue.

All the best to you.
:salude

 

[ourmaninthenorth]

Picture the scene.

Strength returned, Kate and yourself get out for one of your long walks in the woods, the sun's on your backs, and you have hands to hold.

If that ain't something, then I don't know what is.

Been a long trudge.

Well played Al & Kate and Son, well bloody played indeed.

:3zone:3zone

 

[Stephens]

Awesome! Truly awesome! Nothing but thoughts and prayers for you sir! You are a fighter and a great example to us all to never give up.

 

[brandtkronholm]

A happy day! Get well soon!

...I took a Melodymaker and THR10C to the surgeons office and with a hunk of steel ripping out of my beat up 64 year old arm I played some Cm blues...

-That's how we keep it on topic at the LPF! Guitars! :hank

...Fingers crossed...

+1 I suspect that this phrase has deeper meaning at the moment. :yah

...the 1960 Melody Maker D is the greatest guitar in the world!

Ok now, let's not allow strong opinions to derail this thread! :hee

Best wishes!

 

[sonar]

The world with Big Al just makes more sense.

Glad to read your words, sir.

 

[Tom Wittrock]

You rock, sir! :yah

 

[Wallace]

Big Al you are beyond brave.
:salude
best wishes for a strong recovery.

 

[L.A.Man]

.

 

[Tom Wittrock]

Stay healthy, and remember you have made a difference here, and especially with me.

Couldn't say it better! :dude:

 

[Big Al]

Big Al you are beyond brave.
:salude
best wishes for a strong recovery.

No, I am not.

I cried like a baby after I made that first post when the steel first cut through. I was sure I would lose the arm. I went through the extra measures to try and save my arm through fear. I am still so consumed by fear that the surgery will fail or the muscle flap and skin graft wont take. Every twinge and pain spike fills me with dread. I am so scared. The old Big Al was pretty fearless and brave. He died. I told Kate, that I don't know how to be me anymore and I feel lost and so small.

Not brave at all. I try to push on. I will not give into fear and surrender but I fight on and face this head on because I'm stubborn and if I'm beat, well I'll go down swinging 'cause I'm not going to make it easy. It's what grumps do.

If you knew how scared I am you'd not think me so brave.

 

[Ken Fortunato]

No, I am not.

I cried like a baby after I made that first post when the steel first cut through. I was sure I would lose the arm. I went through the extra measures to try and save my arm through fear. I am still so consumed by fear that the surgery will fail or the muscle flap and skin graft wont take. Every twinge and pain spike fills me with dread. I am so scared. The old Big Al was pretty fearless and brave. He died. I told Kate, that I don't know how to be me anymore and I feel lost and so small.

Not brave at all. I try to push on. I will not give into fear and surrender but I fight on and face this head on because I'm stubborn and if I'm beat, well I'll go down swinging 'cause I'm not going to make it easy. It's what grumps do.

If you knew how scared I am you'd not think me so brave.

That's exactly, precisely, what a true brave man would say... Anyone who finds themselves in a terrible, life threatening situation, and doesn't feel fear, is either lying, or they're psychopathic... It's natural to fall to your knees and "cry like a baby" under these circumstances, but a true hero dries their eyes, stands up, picks up their weapon, and marches on, as you are doing...

Rock-on brother... :salude

 

[talonmm]

Al, wishing you the best and praying for you!

 

[CoyotesGator]

...

Not brave at all. I try to push on. I will not give into fear and surrender but I fight on and face this head on because I'm stubborn and if I'm beat, well I'll go down swinging 'cause I'm not going to make it easy. It's what grumps do.

If you knew how scared I am you'd not think me so brave.

The unwillingness to surrender in the face of your fear and pain makes a damn good definition of bravery.

Damn impressive in book.


:salude

 

[Big Al]

The unwillingness to surrender in the face of your fear and pain makes a damn good definition of bravery.

Damn impressive in book.


:salude

Look, I love you guys and I don't think you all realise how your support bouys my spirit and gives me strength. It touches deep my friends. Still it is embarrasses me when people talk of bravery. My point is I have no choice. This thing happens to me, NO MATTER WHAT I DO!! It's with me when I awake and stays with me all through the day, constantly reminding me just how useless I am and how I cannot provide for my family or protect them. Everyone has to adapt to my needs and can no longer count on me like they always could.

I know my wife and son and myself share a strong bond and love each other as families do. They are brave and strong. The source of whatever strength I have. But I have no choice in facing this. It is always there and in the end it will kill me.

It is not bravery to face something I have no choice but to face. I'd run away if I could. Believe me, I'd be gone. It's easy to appear brave when you've no choice. Really fellas, it is always present and I remain because I'm here still. I merely awoke.
Enough of that morbid boo hooery, back to gear!!

You've no doubt by now have noticed my affection for the overlooked, sneered at and looked down upon true workhorse gear. I learnt the truth, decades ago and I will not remain quiet while gear snobs heap dirt over worthy gear and a culture of only super rare, limited production, high dollar showy uber models are the be all end all only way to achieve sonic nirvana, IF ONLY YOU HAVE EXQUISITE TASTE AND REFINED EARS!

BULLSHIT!

I'll talk more about this later. Remember the rare, high dollar uber fancy stuff is cool, too. Not either or, but my heart lies with the workhorse.

 

[Bob Womack]

 

[J T]

You know the one amp I could always depend on. Grab and go. Knocked, tossed, dropped, plug it in and it just always delivered --> The Fender Pro.

That little thing delivered the goods. From my P90 R4, Tele, Strat, R9, didn't matter. Small, Simple freekin mean when it had to be and cleaned up with a roll of the guitar volume knob.

Hey Al what is your favorite amp?

 

[Big Al]

You know the one amp I could always depend on. Grab and go. Knocked, tossed, dropped, plug it in and it just always delivered --> The Fender Pro.

That little thing delivered the goods. From my P90 R4, Tele, Strat, R9, didn't matter. Small, Simple freekin mean when it had to be and cleaned up with a roll of the guitar volume knob.

Hey Al what is your favorite amp?

Seriously, JT, the humble Pro Jr is a great amp. My son just got a new Tweed Pro Jr IV. I was blown away by how really musical that amp is. A true classic Fender. Any honest time spent with one is an ear opener. Harmonicly rich, chimey bell like highs and a girthy growl when wound up. How is it a bad thing?

I used a tweed Blues Jr, dead stock, on my last East Coast Club and Festival Summer Tour and in clubs and studio dates for years before. Used right, Master up high and footswitching the Fat option covered all my needs. Other guitarist and soundmen loved that amp.

In the late 70's I used a solid state Yamaha G100112 II replacing the Blackface amps and Musicman amps I favoured. The Yamaha sounds great with a rich smooth singing voice and was the first affordable, high quality channel switching amp available at that time, I still have a pair and use them sometimes. I later got a Legend Rock n Roll 50 G50112 to use with the Yamaha in a stereo set up.

That setup of Yamaha and Legend amps was my main rig until the early 2000's when it just became easier to hump the Blues Jr as I was mostly doing Blues gigs and simplified my rig. Still the Yamaha/Legend combo got used for Rock dates and though I own and use many, many amps I'd have to say the Yamaha/Legend pair is my favorite.