The Best in Town
I recently switched my gin-of-choice out from a more floral one to a very aggressive London Dry and its caused a dramatic improvement in my own martinis. I tend to like a bit more vermouth than many, so the sharper juniper flavor really works a lot better.
Music Project Stuff:
Well, last week I took a break from my amplifier project to regroup a bit, and to work on another project (because I totally don’t have enough already). I’ve wanted a Les Paul since long before I even started playing guitar, but I could never really justify the expense. Then along came the Gibson LPJ last year – a proper Les Paul with lower-end cosmetics. Very cool!
I like the LPJs a lot, but I was turned off by the looks. I can see the appeal of the plain matte lacquer finish and black hardware and the like, but it wasn’t really my cup of tea, so to speak. So the only logical choice was to do a refinish. I found a really good deal on a red 2014 Gibson LPJ on ebay with no hardware. Perfect! I can refinish it, and load it up with the chrome and cream hardware I want.
when it arrived, it looked like this. Admittedly, it was prettier than I expected already. But I had other designs for it.
I stripped the lacquer off with acetone, only to find that the red in the lacquer had seeped into the wood itself, staining it pink. This meant I had to hit it pretty hard with a sander, but it was worth it! After a week of periodic coats of Tru-Oil (a gun-stock varnish popular in the guitar-finishing community), I was left with this beauty:
And now I’m faced with the hardest part: I have to sit and wait while the finish cures before I can actually attach the hardware seen above, string it up, notch the saddles, set it up, and play it til my fingers won’t move anymore. But I guess that’s okay. More time for comics.
Alright, that’s enough gushing about guitars from me for today. I’ll see y’all on Thursday!
Hm… “How to tame your Elaine.” comes to mind. 😉
Also: That’s one great looking instrument you got there, chief!
Thanks! She’s ALMOST done. I’m very excited.
Speaking of drinks. I found a beer today (yes, I’m more of a beer or mead drinker when it comes to alcoholics), that I definitely could get drunk from.
It’s the Samichlaus Classic from the Austrian Schloss Eggenberg brewery. They label it an “Extra Strong Beer”. And at 14% it is! I only had one bottle, so I’m not drunk. But dang that stuff goes straight to the head! Especially if drunk after training like I did today.
Wow, that is a REALLY high ABV. How does it taste?
I wonder if my local liquor store has any. They have a pretty huge selection of west-coast craft stuff. I’m not sure how big their import selection is, though.
It doesn’t taste too bad. Quite aromatic. But at these levels, obviously the alcohol starts to distort the taste.
Also I fell asleep in my clothes on top of my blanket in a rather uncomfortable position short time after drinking (granted, my body being exhausted from training did have a bit to do with it as well) and consequently spent today with a light cold and a few aching muscles. Though a good meal and a short ride with my small Honda helped a lot on that regard.
Post-workout booze is powerful stuff. Especially when it is powerful to begin with.