Old beaters that are unplayable, for my wall

[capnjuan]

OTOH, we have no melamine in our milk.

... or sulfur in domestic drywall ... Japanese cars are cheaper in part because the Japanese pay higher income taxes out of which the Govt runs the health care biz thus no element of the cost structure of Japanese cars goes towards retiree health benefits ... or the eye fund ... or the vacation fund ... or the legal fund ... or the strike fund ... or the fund fund ...

Just so I don't sound like I'm sticking it on the Unions; I own two cars; one is a diesel sedan that Detroit doesn't make and the other is small, supercharged 4-cylinder sedan that gets 30 mpg highway with the AC off ... Detroit doesn't make one of those either. I (and others) can't buy what Detroit doesn't sell.

The economy depends on consumer spending but our individual well-being depends on not spending ... our self-interests are in direct conflict. The US economy, where the workers have the lowest savings rate of the industrialized countries, can only recover if everyone spends every dollar they take in ... Since so many people are losing their jobs and those still working pinch their pennies tighter, recovery is pushed further off ...

 

[Scratch]

Solidarity forever!

I certainly understand the sentiments, Dr. Spivey. I also remember; however, family food and clothing rationing during strike after strike. We could count on dad's union with Nat'l Electric Coil to strike at least once per year. Sometimes, as he left for the picket lines, we kids would ask why? His answer was usually something like: "Not saying I agree with all we do, son, but right or wrong, we must stand strong together." It never made sense to me, especially after studying the issues.

I fear it may take Chapter 11 for America's auto unions to realize that they are standing on fragile ice. A GM and/or Chrysler reorganization, for example, would at best, limit union powers. If the feds allow, GM, Chrysler, and possibly Ford will follow Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai models that provide quality products without union intervention. Big three organized labor have already scoffed at the thought of accepting pay and benefits commensurate with non-unionized manufacturers.

I buy American whenever possible. More a patriotic thing than anything else, but I believe in it... I've owned nothing but American made autos for many, many years. I love my two Ford vehicles and put up with my daughter's cantankerous Chevy. If buying today, I'd continue to shop the local Ford dealership. I'd quickly shop foreign; however, if the feds stepped in to tell the bailed out US auto manufacturers how, when and what to build.

Lastly, and for what its worth, I had a GAD G212 a couple of years ago, and as stated many threads ago, if limited to an Asian produced acoustic guitar, I'd select a GAD over any other competitor. Even as an amateur picker; though, I can easily tell the difference between a US crafted Guild and a Chinese made GAD. I hope the New Hartford plant continues the high standards set by Westerly and Tacoma craftsmen.

 

[killdeer43]

Let's Talk Guild. OK?

Joe
:?

 

[Dr. Spivey]

The big 3 Autoworkers, made concessions in their last contract. This gets very little press. I've worked union and non-union jobs in my life. A big problem is workers don't attend union meetings, or even understand how the process works. I've met union workers who don't even know the name of the union they belong to. I've been hundreds of feet in the air, and damn near killed by non union ironworkers, with their lack of job skills, and defective equipment. Every union, every local and every contract is unique. Both sides sign a contract, and when one party doesn't honor the contract, that is wrong. Labor problems are complex, and I don't pretend to have all the answers. But I know one thing for sure; if the labor unions in this country disappear, the American worker is terminally screwed.

 

[killdeer43]

Seemed like such a fun topic in the beginning. Old guitars hanging on the walls and such. Conjured so many great images, and then.....
Oh well, veer on, me hardies! Let me know when you get back to the Guilded age. :?

Joe

 

[Default]

killdeer's right. This thread is probably going to be locked/deleted, so in an attempt to veer it back on track, I have a perfectly execrable Kay acoustic flat top that I am willing to donate to the cause!

 

[West R Lee]

Well dadgummit....Coastie just paid good money for one of those. That was my first guitar...a Kay. Coastie's sits right here at the house awaiting some type of case with which to ship her to New Zealand in.....and you're giving one away De? :wink:

West

 

[killdeer43]

I have a couple of old gems from Harmony that just sit in my shop, looking sad and forlorn. One's a 6 and the other's a 12. I'd be happy to donate them to "the beater wall." Who's going to provide/monitor this wall? Will there be visitation rights? Heck, I might even throw in a Framus parlor guitar, that specialty from Bavaria!

Joe

 

[West R Lee]

:lol: I think he's decorating a bar/diner myself :wink: .

West

 

[killdeer43]

:lol: I think he's decorating a bar/diner myself :wink: .West

What better place to have visitation rights! Eat, drink, drink....
Maybe even pull down some of the hangers and pick a bit! Could become a Mecca for pickers. Remember, you heard it here! :lol:

Joe

 

[West R Lee]

Pretty cool idea really. Sort of like a low budget Hardrock Cafe....just fill the place with old beaters that were donated. I envision a very rustic type place where local amatuer talent comes in nightly to play, drink a coffee, a beer maybe, and throw your peanut shells on the old wood floor.....sounds like fun.
:wink:
West

 

[killdeer43]

Pretty cool idea really. Sort of like a low budget Hardrock Cafe....just fill the place with old beaters that were donated. I envision a very rustic type place where local amatuer talent comes in nightly to play, drink a coffee, a beer maybe, and throw your peanut shells on the old wood floor.....sounds like fun.
:wink: West

Now we're talking! Seems like I've seen a few places like that....in east Texas! :wink:

Joe

 

[West R Lee]

Except for the guitars on the wall, there used to be a place just like that in Dallas. The name escapes me though.

West

 

[killdeer43]

Except for the guitars on the wall, there used to be a place just like that in Dallas. The name escapes me though.
West

Far too many places like that to remember....makes my head hurt just trying. :lol:

Joe

 

[nutmegger1957]

I suppose, as the starter of this thread, that my intent was to stay on topic,......but I couldn't let Bill's comment go unanswered.

Am I sensitive about owning foreign-made guitars? Yea, I suppose I am. But not about the fact that they are foreign-made as much as the fact that I can't afford the American-made "expensive" ones.
I'm thrilled to no end to have two Guilds in my house, (Asian or not) but I'll tell ya what...........

I'll give every guitar I have, to the person who wants to trade me an American-made Guild GAD-50 Sunburst. Any takers??????

 

[Default]

Just to clarify, the Kay I have is an unplayable plain plywood guitar that possesses all the acoustical flair of a slug in a salt factory.

nutmegger, I don't have much of a budget either, but you can buy American if you shop around. I've never minded buying used.

 

[nutmegger1957]

As it was, the Guild GAD-25 I bought, I bought "used" from California. I'm sure I got a good price, and I sure got a gem of an all-Mahogany guitar!! (I've really grown to love the sound that Mahogany produces).

 

[fronobulax]

I envision a very rustic type place where local amatuer talent comes in nightly to play, drink a coffee, a beer maybe, and throw your peanut shells on the old wood floor.....sounds like fun.
:wink:
West

Does Mrs. West know about your secret plans for what she thinks is the family room?

8)

 

[Default]

She sets the cover charge. :lol:

 

[BobsterMan]

Old wall beaters... in November of 1987 I was in Lerici, Italy, buying Oto bow guns in La Spezia for a destroyer refit. Lerici is a seaside resort town with lots of vacancies in November. The pubs take turns being open in the off-season so that they can survive the slow months. One place had a lot of wall hangers, but one I got my fingers on was was good enough for a for a rousing chorus or two of bawdy Oscar Brand sing-alongs. Never judge a wall hanger until you try it with bawdy songs and grappa...