Another project completed and set up

[Leon]

This particular machine is an embroidery machine. The dongle is used to store embroidery patterns and to calculate stitches needed and where on the x,y grid, and to calculate which stitches are what color.

The display on the right side of the machine is for entering the resulting size that you want and to display real time a progress report on the stitching, and a display of the finished pattern.

The dongle is initially plugged into a computer to receive pattern data for an embroidery design down loaded from the internet. It also receives data from a computer program for deciding "IIRC" resolution and stitch colors for a particular design.

The above explanation is how I understood the explanation from my wife. Any information given to me beyond that is somewhere in my brain's corrupt FAT.

[pastedavid]

That is very cool! :-)

[Gray_Wolf]

Leon your your work is beyond fantastic!! Have you ever built fine guitars? I'll bet you could be a world class luthier.

[Leon]

Thank you Gary, No, I have not done much of anything except cabinets and furniture.

[Bill]

Can you play a guitar, Leon? I can totally understand not wanted to build a guitar I didn't want to play. For a player, I think the concept of building your own instrument is very attractive.

[Leon]

No. I played a ukulele when I was a kid but having chopped of half of my left thumb would probably make learning to play a guitar difficult for a right hander.

[Swingman]

Didn't stop Django. ;)

[Bill]

I don't think that's true. Lighter strings would be easier to push down too. What might be difficult is "finding the time". The first couple of months can be slow going. So, it you are not going to play guitar, at least don't blame it on your thumb. I bet Swingman would be glad to help too. He might have you on stage in a few weeks! : )

Bill

[Leon]

IIRC some of the chords require a thumb to wrap around and press the string/strings. At least I did with my Uke.

I did try the guitar when I was a teenager, the strings on a guitar are much stiffer than a Uke.

[Bill]

To many, using the thumb that way is considered poor technique. So, it's absolutely not required. Strings on an electric guitar are probably easiest to push down. Classical guitar strings may require less force to hold them down, I'm not sure; I know they are strung under much less tension.

[Leon]

Ummm how do you tune the guitar correctly if under less tension? Do you actually play a guitar?

[Bill]

Classical guitars have nylon strings, thus lower tension. In fact, if you put steel strings on a classical, you'll probably break it (so I hear), because they are not made for the same amount of tension. Yes, I can play a guitar. I'm an amateur. Not a pro, like Swingman. I think the invention of the Internet took away alot of the time I used to spend at guitar. There are alot of different guitar playing styles. If you could be content learning chords for some folk or country songs it wouldn't take too long. I'm sure you can get all of the advise you need here if you ask. The first thing you would need to decide is where the "time" is going to come from. I think it's generally accepted that

1/2 hour per day will work, but it takes me half that long just to get "warmed up".

"Angie.. Angie.. when will those clouds all disappear? Angie, Angie, where will it lead us from here? With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats You can't say we're satisfied But Angie, Angie, you can't say we never tried..

...867-5309... Jenny Jenny, who can I turn to? (I learned my "barre chords" on that one... : ) )

Bill

[Bill]

This one sounds just like me! ; )

I remember walking down the street playing it A cappella

[none]

Well, you could learn to play with your teeth. Note: He is not using any thumbs to do much. :)

[Leon]

Actually they have steel string too.

In fact, if you put steel strings on a classical, you'll probably break it (so I hear), because they are not made for the same amount of tension.

I think you might be in a bit over your head here Bill, I certainly am, but do know you are doing a lot of guessing. :-(

Take a look here, this is the brand guitar that Linda Lowe owns. Scroll down to the close up of the strings.

Regardless, Most of what I build I never use, I would not have a problem with building a guitar and not using it.. I would have a problem with building something that resembled a guitar and sounded terrible. I highly suspect that knowing how to play a guitar would be instrumental in building one that might be at least a cut above average.

Yes, I can play a guitar. I'm an amateur. Not a pro, like Swingman. I think the invention of the Internet took away alot of the time I used to spend at guitar. There are alot of different guitar playing styles. If you could be content learning chords for some folk or country songs it wouldn't take too long. I'm sure you can get all of the advise you need here if you ask. The first thing you would need to decide is where the "time" is going to come from. I think it's generally accepted that 1/2 hour per day will work, but it takes me half that long just to get "warmed up".

[Swingman]

Bzzzt ... I can guarantee you, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you play better guitar than I do. :)

Never more than a mediocre guitar player at best, at one time 'fair to middlin' with Travis style and Blues finger picking; good enough on rhythm to not embarrass myself onstage (mainly because I loved chords and learned a bunch so I could play what we called "sock" guitar, backing up fiddle players when I was younger), and always absolutely terrible at playing leads.

Actually played much better 5 string banjo than guitar, but my chops are long gone on both guitar and banjo these days. (noticed that guitars are now smart enough to turn red with embarrassment, in their stands, when they see me coming these days).

Mostly a bass player by trade, playing both upright and electric bass ... I do love tickling your wives and girlfriend's bottom ends, and making them move. ;)

BTW, Mike Marlow is a good guitar player and songwriter, if you didn't know that.

[Swingman]

Here's Linda's actual 1977 Collings guitar, featured in a "Serious Guitars" ad in 'Guitar Player' magazine a few years back:

She does let me fondle it on occasion, but not as much as when we were younger and playing together a lot. ;)

[-MIKE-]

Bass players are always such pervs. :-p

[Kevin Miller]

Some years back, Richy Furey did a concert here. He tuned his guitar a half step low (maybe to match his vocal range?), and would just capo up if he needed to.

One can also, of course, use light gauge strings instead of medium or heavy gauge...

...Kevin

[Swingman]

Bofus have to be ... drummers and bass players only get to see the chick singers from behind.