Misha

I remember you writing about your young autistic son. 20 y.o. already!! It goes fast! I'm glad to know it's been a better year! In Quebec, Canada, younger students now have access to ressources in some schools and I think more and more people are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, autism, dysphasia, dyslexia, etc. However, I often hear about a lack of resources, waiting lists, etc. In some areas, it's more difficult to get the services you need. A lot of people who should be hospitalized are not because they did what they call the deinstitutionalization and it's not always for the best. When kids become adults (at 18 y.o.) it gets much more difficult for them to see a shrink. Some articles state that 3/4 of children with mental health problems lose their follow-up at 18 y.o. Staff shortage certainly does not help! An adult with a mental health problem will be able to see a shrink for an emergency at the hospital but as soon as he gets a little bit better he goes back home - if he has one (if he doesn't, he goes out of the hospital, anyway) - and then may have to wait for months. Free healthcare system in Quebec means long waiting lists (over a year sometimes) and very high tax rate. (For every dollar we earn, there is maybe 25 - 30 % left!) At his 1st attempt, my brother stayed at the hospital for less than 2 days. Then, he was sent home with my parents. (Who were 80 and 84 y.o.) I think he refused medical treatment/medication at the hospital. I know for sure that he refused medication from his family doctor after because I warned his family doctor myself. The only thing they did to him was not allowing him to have his hunting firearms for a while after his first attempt because he sawed-off the barrel of one. (He slid and shot one of his hands superficially.) A couple of months later, he found a rope instead... ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- I don't even know if I am allowed to write about this here. If I am not, I'm sorry. If you ever feel bad, depressed, or simply need to talk, please ask for help! - Canada: 9-8-8 - USA or other countries: https://findahelpline.com/

Hi Kwakatak! Nice to hear from you again! I like to look at your guitar building posts! About my brother, before the exposition of the urn at the funeral home everybody was after us. I was thinking it was almost too much. I felt scrutinized though I knew people had good intentions. After that, people went back to their routine and it became even tougher. I'm still grieving, the pain is still there. Fortunately, as time goes by, I'm starting to get a little bit better. I'm trying to think about the good days. My brother obviously had ADHD even though he never accepted any medication. (I asked his doctor myself after his 1st attempt.) He was seven years older than me and I never imagined life without him. I hope people never have to face this kind of event. This is not a linear journey. However, I'm trying to become the best human behing I can be for the time I have left on Earth. I will keep your post in mind if I find the courage to try it! I asked a reputable music shop how they would charge to fix the Cort - I did not had the guitar with me, they did not see it - but they said they could not do it and that I needed a luthier. A couple of years ago a reputable luthier would have charged 350 $ CAD plus taxes to make a brand new bridge from scratch. (It would probably be even more expensive than that, now.) At the time, the bridge was cracked but it didn't affect the playability, yet. I also know a good repair shop that might be able to replace the bridge by a Stewmac prefebricated one (or one made by another company.) I don't go there often nowadays because I moved out of the big city but this is another option! You guys are really brave! I look at the pictures of your tools and everything, I guess I'm just not that handy! If I had the space I would love to try though!

I hope I won't lose or break any!!

Merci DeepEnd!

Pickguard added! (Before it get scratched!)

I'm not sure if it's an OM-15 or a 00-15 because I'm not sure that there is a difference between both! I don't think it's a 000-15 but I could be wrong! He plays much better than me!! And he can sing too! (And he does not know I shared his video!) 🙃 I tried a Sigma 00M-15. It was nice, but the Yamaha felt better in my hands! (And I felt more confident buying a Yamaha product.)

Thank you panhandler! 🙂 I play it every day! A friend of mine has a Martin OM-15. I'm curious to know what he thinks of the Yamaha! The luthier refretted his Martin and adjusted it perfectly, though!

Hi DeepEnd, thank you! I used to not like the look of mahogany topped guitars very much but now I love them and I like how they sound! Most of the time I prefer the sound of mahogany over other wood combinations. I used to like spruce top with rosewood back and sides guitars. (The best would still be to get one of each but it could become a bit too expensive!)

Thank's Garthman! Last evening, I got the little guitar to my liking. I oiled the (walnut) fretboard, the open tuners and applied guitar grease to the nut slots. I'm all set now and can practice! Playing guitar will maintain my dexterity. I went back to school to become an auxiliary nurse, lately. (I'm not that young anymore but I decided to go for it anyway and do something I like for the rest of my life, take care of the ill, elderly or disabled persons.) Playing guitar will keep my mind - and my hands - in good shape! The money I saved by getting a less expensive model is primarily for books right now. I still have in mind to get my Cort fixed, but it can wait a little bit! Time to learn Space Odity from David Bowie now! (Saveur of the week!) No school, no work, today, just revision and homeworks... Have a good day! 😊

This thread needs some pics: 🙂 Not an expensive guitar, but perfect to carry at the park!

Yamaha Storia 3 at home tonight!! I tried several guitars and tried the Storia 3 (for the first time, I only saw the 1 or 2 before). I compared it to and LS6 and LS16 and LL16. The LL16 was better, but much more expensive and not 2 times better! I kept going back to the Storia 3. It is perfectly adjusted, it's beautiful and felt a bit better than the LS6, maybe because it is a bit thiner. I plugged the Storia 3 and at first, I was discouraged but then I rolled back the gain and mids on the amp ( it was a Godin Acoustic Solutions ASG-8) it sounded very good, very natural. I decided to buy the guitar! I don't think there are videos where they make the Storia sound as good as it can, online when plugged in, unfortunately. (The money I saved will help get the Cort fixed and I will have two very different guitars.) Now: let's play it!! 🙂

I tried some inexpensive Eastman guitars but there were better guitars in the store. I found a used Yamaha LL6 ARE but it’s 600$ Cad plus taxes (15%) and there is a ding in the top. It’s small, but seems deep. At first I did not see it. Too bad because I really liked the guitar. I asked for the price and I think he thought I would not negotiate and did not offer a rebate. The other guitar that I liked is a Taylor 114 CE-S (1100$ Cad + taxes…) I will show my Cort Earth Custom to a luthier and ask how much it would cost to fix it before I spend 1000$ on a guitar with laminate back and sides… I still like the Yamaha Storia but it’s a toy compared to a Taylor 114.

I tried a few guitars today. (unfortunately, did not see a single Lag where I went.) I tried a Yamaha Storia II and it was nice. No cutaway and very basic pickup but it’s a nice little guitar! They hang their guitars so high on the wall, it’s complicated to try several. Also, there was someone playing an electric very loud. That was not the best day to take a decision. I will have to try more guitars. I did not hear anything that was incredible. ————- Edit: (But I think the Storia II felt better tha the Martin 000-15 I tried in another store and sounded better even though it does not have a solid back and sides and for a fraction of the price! The Yamaha was brand new and in perfect condition, the Martin looked like new old stock not so well taken care of…) https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical_instruments/guitars_basses/ac_guitars/storia/index.html

I could also look at Lag guitars. At least two shops have them but one is 3 hours away! (But the roadtrip would be nice!) What means "Open Pore back and sides" ??? https://www.theguitarcorner.ca/shop/c/p/Lag-T170ACE-Tramontane-Auditorium-Cutaway-Electro-Guitar-x67437248.htm Edit: (I think it means thin finish instead of thick veneer !?! )

I know a shop that used to sell Crafter guitars, but not anymore. I don't know why, I think they were good ? I just realized that Tanglewood and Orangewood guitars are not the same brand. There is a place where they have Tanglewood, Taylor, Walden and Martin. I will check them all. (Lag, not sure I could find one here.) Several places have Sigma guitars. They look good, I don't know if they are made by Cort. (I think Prs's are, but I'm not sure (!?) Of course, I can find lots of Godin's (Seagull, Art & Lutherie, Norman, etc.) but they went up in price so much that I think I would prefer a Martin or a Taylor that will hold its value better. (I re-read myself and I probably will think the same way about anything that doesn't say Martin/ Taylor/ Gibson on the headsock! Geez! I'm in trouble! Or at the least, my wallet is!)