All sorts of new stuff, gear and gizmos

**Jim Soloway** · 09-17-2023, 09:58 AM

We have begun our drive from Halifax Nova Scotia all the way across the continent to Victoria BC and we're doing the drive through the US. Since we knew this was coming, both Deborah and I have spent the summer getting things shipped to a package depot in northern Maine. I also bought a Strymon Iridium pedal from someone who just happened to live right on our route though southern New Brunsick on our way from Halifax to the US border, so I was able to pick it up.

Other than the Iridium (which I won't be able to test until we get to our new home around the end of the month), I loaded up with the 3-packs of Chome Extra lights, so nine sets total of my standard strings for the last several years; a Neck-up narrow body guitar support; a DV Mark Jazz Micro amp; and a Raezers Edge NY 8 cab. So quite a haul.

The Jazz Micro head and the NY8 cab are both items that I owned in the past and regreted selling and I managed to buy both right on this forum recently in nice friendly deals. I suspected that they would do a great job of waming up my Mustang and sure enough, they all sound wonderful together. The Mustang sounds richer and fatter and I feel like it brings out the best from the Fralin noise free P90. That could be a real winner.

The Neck-up support is something that I read about here (thanks Marc), and I bought it specifically for the Mustang partscaster. I've been using the Dynarette cushion for several years but I had archtops when I bought it. It worked with my solid bodies but not nearly as well. They always ended up tilted more towards my body than I wanted. The neck up keeps it straighter and it feels good. If I decide that it is really what I want, I may just find the best position for it and tape it permanently to the bottom (one of the advantages of having a guitar like ths is that I don"t have care at all about messing up the finish).

So that's the haul annd I still have the drive all the way from upstate NY to Olympic Washington to decide if there are any other goodies that I may want. And most of it came from members on this site or as a result of info I found here. So thanks all for the help and cooperation.

**marcwhy** · 09-17-2023, 10:22 AM

Safe travels, Jim! Thanks for the update!

**Jim Soloway** · 09-17-2023, 10:20 PM

I typed this whole thing on my phone. I've never been very good at that but that was almost record setting bad. I think I corrected 14 typos.

**Litterick** · 09-18-2023, 05:06 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

I typed this whole thing on my phone. I've never been very good at that but that was almost record setting bad. I think I corrected 14 typos.

I am very impressed that you should write so much on a phone.

**Jim Soloway** · 09-18-2023, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Litterick

I am very impressed that you should write so much on a phone.

Speech to text mostly.

**Jim Soloway** · 09-18-2023, 09:21 AM

The Neck Up is going back. I tested it again this morning and while I really like the stability and the playing position, it's not nearly as comfortable as the Dynarette cushion. I think what I really want it something like the Dynarette but without the slope on the top. Time to try some prototyping on my own.

On the otherhand my Fender Mustang Micro headphone amp remains a wonderful tool for traveling. Great sound and dynamics through a simple pair of ear buds.

**Woody Sound** · 09-18-2023, 12:23 PM

Good luck, best to you. You are one of the great people here.

**srs** · 09-18-2023, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

The Neck Up is going back. I tested it again this morning and while I really like the stability and the playing position, it's not nearly as comfortable as the Dynarette cushion. I think what I really want it something like the Dynarette but without the slope on the top. Time to try some prototyping on my own.

I went the same route because I wanted to try specific neck elevations. I use discarded styrofoam packing which is free and easily sourced. It's easy to glue into blanks, cut , and shape.

**Jim Soloway** · 09-19-2023, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by srs

I went the same route because I wanted to try specific neck elevations. I use discarded styrofoam packing which is free and easily sourced. It's easy to glue into blanks, cut , and shape.

That's the sort of thing I had in mind. I'll probably wait until our travels are done next week but I'm starting to plan out the process. Once it's specifically for my purposes, I can get really specific about the shape and the angles without having to compromise.