Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Does it ever end?

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Does it ever end?

Old 04-08-22, 06:55 PM
  #51  
USAZorro
Señor Member
 
USAZorro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,934

Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs

Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1491 Post(s)
Liked 1,071 Times in 633 Posts
Originally Posted by smd4
My personal "grail" bike doesn't really matter to the question. Why do I want to build another bike? Do I want to re-create my youth somehow?
I did. For me it was partly the circumstances under which I lost contact with the first "good bike" that I owned (a 1978 Raleigh Super Course, which was stolen in between the time I finished college and joined the Navy), but I also had not done any appreciable amount of riding for the intervening twenty years. A couple months before I replaced it, I located a 1972 Fuji Finest, and by the time I got the Super Course on the road, it didn't seem anywhere near as special as it had when I was in college and able to ride tirelessly in the 52/14 combination. I suspect that while we both can attribute the desire to nostalgia, your experience is likely to be different from mine. The odds of you feeling the let-down of the experience may be lower than mine.

This said, my journey into the hobby and subsequent proliferation of bicycles began during that period of time. It has been a satisfying hobby/adventure thus far, and I plan on it continuing for many more years.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
USAZorro is offline  
Old 04-08-22, 07:54 PM
  #52  
bamboobike4
Banned.
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,070
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 581 Times in 335 Posts
Originally Posted by swampyankee2
...or a Tele thru a brownface Fender at the edge of breakup...sonic nirvana!
8” Pignose in a closet.
bamboobike4 is offline  
Old 04-08-22, 08:44 PM
  #53  
RiddleOfSteel
Master Parts Rearranger
 
RiddleOfSteel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Posts: 4,680

Bikes: 1982 Trek 720 - 1985 Trek 620 - 1984 Trek 620 - 1980 Trek 510 - Other luminaries past and present

Mentioned: 221 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1553 Post(s)
Liked 2,005 Times in 984 Posts
A number of people have said it here or there, but for me it has been a case of as I evolve as a rider/enthusiast/whatever, coupled with expanding knowledge and interest, plus not being 5 or 10 years (or name your time frame) younger and thus not wanting to put up with certain things, that Grail changes (and thus it never ends). I know my riding style better, I know my fitment better, I know I don't want to get jackhammered on city streets, etc. I love a lot of vintage frames/bikes, namely early full Reynolds 531 Treks in their tallest size (as it fits me), but modern frames will surprise me in that it's not--as a road/race frame-preferring guy--the tip of the spear race bikes and exotically-constructed frames that I end up liking. This is me with my Trek 1.5 and FX 7.3. The FX also has gorgeous paint, and outright beauty/not having to repaint/re-coat a bike plays into the "logic" for keeping or selling or hunting.

I do find myself thinking about old frames/bikes I've had that I now would like back as my preferences have changed and knowledge increased. A bit of this is driven by wanting a little more tire clearance on a race bike frame. Thankfully, and ultimately, I don't need to worry about that as I have a touring bike (a touring bike!) that does all of the fast bike things just a hair less fast but a lot more comfortably. And yes it's a 531 Trek. Sometimes we just want things, or we are simply curious about them for any number of reasons. Accidental Grail can be the best kind of Grail.

RiddleOfSteel is offline  
Likes For RiddleOfSteel:
Old 04-08-22, 10:59 PM
  #54  
Bad Lag
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal, for now
Posts: 2,475

Bikes: 1974 Bob Jackson - Nuovo Record, Brooks Pro, Clips & Straps

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1104 Post(s)
Liked 794 Times in 452 Posts
Originally Posted by smd4
My personal "grail" bike doesn't really matter to the question. Why do I want to build another bike? Do I want to re-create my youth somehow?
"Rosebud!"
Bad Lag is offline  
Old 04-09-22, 03:54 AM
  #55  
delbiker1 
Mother Nature's Son
 
delbiker1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,111

Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,414 Times in 801 Posts
It ends if you allow it to. It took me too long, but I have gotten much better at just saying no. Now I am working on lowering the temptation by not looking so much. At this point, in my 2 wheeled world, not much is going to improve my biking pleasure. If anything, lowering my inventory would probably do that better than increasing it. I have been doing that with the thought I would use the dollars from sales to "upgrade" the few bikes I want to keep. I have not done that as I have come to realize that "upgrade" is more about my ego than any performance or comfort gain.
delbiker1 is offline  
Old 04-09-22, 04:18 AM
  #56  
Bogey Speedwell
Full Member
 
Bogey Speedwell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: SW WI
Posts: 217

Bikes: Cannondale Topstone, Trek Dual Sport, State Bicycle Klunker

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 127 Times in 67 Posts
Originally Posted by Andy_K
"It's cheaper than hookers and blow."
Yeah and at my age I can still ride a bike longer than the former, and when I ride it longer than 4 hours I don’t need to consult my physician.
Bogey Speedwell is online now  
Old 04-09-22, 06:44 AM
  #57  
Spaghetti Legs 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 5,085

Bikes: Numerous

Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1672 Post(s)
Liked 3,034 Times in 904 Posts
For most of us here this is a hobby with the added benefit of getting us some exercise. A true “grail” object doesn’t really fit into a hobby as that would necessitate an endpoint and I’d say those of us that use the term mean it as a bike that stands out among others for some reason.
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur

Spaghetti Legs is offline  
Old 04-09-22, 07:03 AM
  #58  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
Originally Posted by RiddleOfSteel
A number of people have said it here or there, but for me it has been a case of as I evolve as a rider/enthusiast/whatever, coupled with expanding knowledge and interest, plus not being 5 or 10 years (or name your time frame) younger and thus not wanting to put up with certain things, that Grail changes (and thus it never ends). I know my riding style better, I know my fitment better
This.
There is no bike that is a nostalgic connection to my youth unless its a stripped English 3 speed with the bars turned upside down.
I'm earlier in the evolutionary process than RiddleOfSteel, but as I learn more and grow in my ability and stamina, I am refining what I need from a bike, and keep trying things in pursuit of the ideal bike. And along the way. I might acquire some pieces that I just find unique or interesting.
swampyankee2 is offline  
Likes For swampyankee2:
Old 04-09-22, 07:28 AM
  #59  
BobbyG
Senior Member
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,962

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 1,658 Times in 822 Posts
Damned auto-correct...
BobbyG is offline  
Likes For BobbyG:
Old 04-09-22, 08:31 AM
  #60  
tkamd73 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,850

Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 601 Post(s)
Liked 1,054 Times in 530 Posts
Given that you have posted on the CV forum, I’d say for you, like the rest of us here, the answer is a definite No.
Tim
tkamd73 is offline  
Old 04-10-22, 03:41 PM
  #61  
repechage
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,323
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3449 Post(s)
Liked 2,800 Times in 1,974 Posts
Originally Posted by smd4
My personal "grail" bike doesn't really matter to the question. Why do I want to build another bike? Do I want to re-create my youth somehow?
Consider the "Grail" to be the ultimate Quest, once found, there is no more looking necessary.
repechage is offline  
Old 04-10-22, 04:11 PM
  #62  
75lechamp 
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 344

Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 748 Times in 172 Posts
I empathize with all the above sentiments... for me, the goalposts keep getting moved out further. At first, I thought, if I could find an orange Motobecane Champion Team, that would do it. Found two. Then I thought - De Rosa. Got that. Then I had to have a cobalt blue Colnago, a Raleigh Pro in mink blue (x2), a Raleigh International in orange, a Moto Grand Record in black/red (x2), and a Columbus frame Trek, then a Paramount, then an early Moto Le Champion. All done. I think my ultimate grail bike would be a Carlsbad Masi GC (think "Breaking Away"), but I wonder if I would be done even then.....

Andy
75lechamp is offline  
Old 04-10-22, 04:55 PM
  #63  
SurferRosa
señor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,346

Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3846 Post(s)
Liked 6,437 Times in 3,183 Posts
Originally Posted by Bad Lag
"Rosebud"
Doesn't end well...

SurferRosa is offline  
Old 04-10-22, 07:57 PM
  #64  
Bad Lag
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal, for now
Posts: 2,475

Bikes: 1974 Bob Jackson - Nuovo Record, Brooks Pro, Clips & Straps

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1104 Post(s)
Liked 794 Times in 452 Posts
Nonetheless, it is what happens in life. I think it also explains (or at least reflects), what smd4 said.

Originally Posted by smd4
Why do I want to build another bike? Do I want to re-create my youth somehow?

Last edited by Bad Lag; 04-10-22 at 08:00 PM.
Bad Lag is offline  
Old 04-10-22, 09:52 PM
  #65  
WildRalph
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 158

Bikes: '85 Le tour Luxe, Puch Mixtie, Raleigh Gran Sport, Mystery Machine

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by genejockey
"How do you make a small fortune in C&V bikes? Start with a large fortune."
"I spent half my fortune on gambling, alcohol, and wild women; the rest i wasted!" - W.C. Fields

My grail bike - finding a chrome, '59 Cinelli SC in a dumpster. So i'm leaning toward unobtainable! Lol
WildRalph is offline  
Likes For WildRalph:
Old 04-11-22, 10:39 AM
  #66  
merziac
Senior Member
 
merziac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 14,101

Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2

Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4493 Post(s)
Liked 6,297 Times in 3,632 Posts
Originally Posted by WildRalph
"I spent half my fortune on gambling, alcohol, and wild women; the rest i wasted!" - W.C. Fields

My grail bike - finding a chrome, '59 Cinelli SC in a dumpster. So i'm leaning toward unobtainable! Lol
Never say never and always be ready to step way up if necessary.

You don't want a few or a $1000 standing in the way of your happiness.
merziac is online now  
Old 04-11-22, 10:56 AM
  #67  
Russ Roth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,762

Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1073 Post(s)
Liked 999 Times in 710 Posts
I've got 3-4 classical bikes that if they fell into my lap I'd take them but I make no active effort to find them. I bought the modern bike I really want and in general it supplies my interests. Dealing with kids that train and race means that more of my focus is on getting them the bikes they need while keeping it affordable. I suspect its this constant search process which keeps me from bothering to look for more for me. For example, right now I need to build a track wheelset for my daughter, I'd like to keep it under 600, which might not be possible, but the hubs I really wanted to buy aren't available at this time since they're made in Russia. This gets me looking at Phil which are either heavy or expensive, Dura Ace which are decent but boring, and I don't know what else. Also choosing a lightweight and aero rim while not going carbon since we'll race in Canada which doesn't allow carbon for Jr. Even when I finish this, BMX season opens and my middle kid needs a new bike and the younger kid needs some updates to the hand-me-down to have it running right. Who's got time for looking for more grails?
Russ Roth is offline  
Old 04-11-22, 01:07 PM
  #68  
squirtdad
Senior Member
 
squirtdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,854

Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2304 Post(s)
Liked 2,740 Times in 1,498 Posts
Originally Posted by Russ Roth
I've got 3-4 classical bikes that if they fell into my lap I'd take them but I make no active effort to find them. I bought the modern bike I really want and in general it supplies my interests. Dealing with kids that train and race means that more of my focus is on getting them the bikes they need while keeping it affordable. I suspect its this constant search process which keeps me from bothering to look for more for me. For example, right now I need to build a track wheelset for my daughter, I'd like to keep it under 600, which might not be possible, but the hubs I really wanted to buy aren't available at this time since they're made in Russia. This gets me looking at Phil which are either heavy or expensive, Dura Ace which are decent but boring, and I don't know what else. Also choosing a lightweight and aero rim while not going carbon since we'll race in Canada which doesn't allow carbon for Jr. Even when I finish this, BMX season opens and my middle kid needs a new bike and the younger kid needs some updates to the hand-me-down to have it running right. Who's got time for looking for more grails?
Russ Roth maybe mack hubs....??? https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...vendors?q=Mack
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)



squirtdad is offline  
Old 04-11-22, 02:03 PM
  #69  
Russ Roth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,762

Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1073 Post(s)
Liked 999 Times in 710 Posts
Originally Posted by squirtdad
Out of stock and 8-10 week wait. Probably going with profile, they're bmx hubs are some of the best, suspect the track are top notch
Russ Roth is offline  
Old 04-11-22, 02:13 PM
  #70  
repechage
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,323
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3449 Post(s)
Liked 2,800 Times in 1,974 Posts
Gone are the days of a self-funded racer under 18 year's old
repechage is offline  
Old 04-11-22, 02:33 PM
  #71  
seedsbelize2
Senior Member
 
seedsbelize2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Yucatán. México
Posts: 6,056

Bikes: 79 Trek 930 is back on the road, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe,87 Schwinn Prelude, 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3076 Post(s)
Liked 1,784 Times in 1,132 Posts
Originally Posted by smd4
My personal "grail" bike doesn't really matter to the question. Why do I want to build another bike? Do I want to re-create my youth somehow?
You want to do it because you have found your way to this forum. Sorry. I was very happy with my 79 Schwinn built with 1020 steel. Then this forum found me. I didn't even know what a grail bike was, and now I have two, and a couple other second tier bikes. A town bike, a gravel bike, a mountain bike.
Hear me now and believe me later. Get out now, while you still can.
seedsbelize2 is offline  
Likes For seedsbelize2:
Old 04-11-22, 05:30 PM
  #72  
jonwvara 
Senior Member
 
jonwvara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Washington County, Vermont, USA
Posts: 3,787

Bikes: 1966 Dawes Double Blue, 1976 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1975 Raleigh Sprite 27, 1980 Univega Viva Sport, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1984 Lotus Classique, 1976 Motobecane Grand Record

Mentioned: 77 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 758 Post(s)
Liked 647 Times in 343 Posts
[channeling Mister Natural] "In the grave, my boy, in the grave."
__________________
www.redclovercomponents.com

"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
jonwvara is offline  
Old 04-12-22, 09:12 AM
  #73  
bamboobike4
Banned.
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,070
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 581 Times in 335 Posts
Grail bike....

There are bikes you want to build, because building is fun.
There are bikes you want to build, because they are cool bikes to build (+ fun).
There are bikes you want to build, because they are unique and desireable to you (+ build + fun).
There are bikes that you want if you see them, purely on that. They "have it."
To me, these are not Grail bikes. They are just different bikes desireable on different levels, for various reasons. Like watches, clocks, cars, beanie babies, whatever.

A Grail bike trumps all. You will sacrifice to have it. And that sacrifice most often is painful in some way.

For me, it will not end, but I'm not actively seeking: A Wright Brothers bike.
bamboobike4 is offline  
Old 04-12-22, 09:19 AM
  #74  
smd4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,641

Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,824 Times in 1,723 Posts
This has been a great thread! Thanks for all the interesting takes. And great inspiring photos!
smd4 is online now  
Old 04-12-22, 10:53 AM
  #75  
The Golden Boy 
Extraordinary Magnitude
 
The Golden Boy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,640

Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT

Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2597 Post(s)
Liked 1,678 Times in 926 Posts
I wasn't into bikes. I mean, I had a few bikes when I was a kid and got a bike when I got out of the Army; but it wasn't any love affair with the bikes at all. I used to be really into guitar and bass gear. And then really into stereo gear, then into old stereo gear. When I got into bikes- it was an extension of how dorky I was into guitars; I got interested in what the bike was- what makes a good bike vs a not so good bike, what was the frame, why you differentiate the frame, fork and stays, why good parts are good and what makes bad parts bad... For me, there's no nostalgic look backwards. I have no interest in bike racing or former or current racers. I pretty much have no interest in racing bikes. I sort of had a focus- I thought my bike, a 1987 Schwinn High Sierra, was cooler than all get out. Based on that, I started learning about 80s ATBs and what made them cool, and how my bike embodied those traits. I guess it's the 'ATB' aspect that appealed to me- the adventure, and then I realized how many of those same traits are a part of touring bikes... either looking at it as a tourer is a more elegant ATB, or ATBs are the burlier cousins of tourers. And to this day, I look at the upper level touring bikes and seeing the long graceful lines- and the balance between premium tube sets and the need to carry a lot of weight long distances and the durability of both the frame and parts to function with that weight, to steer, stop, shift with a load... the balance of elegance and business. That's cool to me. From that point, it's getting dorky about components and what I think is cool, what I think is useful to my own particular... ...idiom. In the past 5 years I've strayed from the 70s/80s/early 90s interest area- and I figured out how much nicer it is having 10 speeds in the back rather than just 6- but I still prefer the aesthetic of 70s and 80s frames and components.

As far as why I have so many bikes... I fell in love with the look and colors of the 1986 Trek 400 Elance. In all honesty- at the time I didn't think I would ever be able to find or afford my dream bikes (1985 Trek 620 or 720). Eventually, I overpaid and acquired my 620 and then it became about trying out different things... and then not moving them on. Someday I'd love to get a custom- but it's not necessary and I don't sit around and daydream about it like I do about riding across the country.

When I was a kid, I was into guitars, basses and amps. I always had a stable of 3-4 guitars and 2-3 basses. When one came in, one went out. In the early 90s I was trading guitars every 2 weeks or so. Sometime in the late 90s I think there was a combination of I was more busy playing bass so less interest in guitars and "old" guitars became "vintage" guitars and things I'd been picking up for $400 were suddenly $900 or $1200. As far as my amps... I had a Marshall half stack, I traded the head around a few times and ended up with one I really liked. By the mid 90s, I wanted that ultra-high gain sound- like a Mesa Dual Rec or a Soldano- and the Marshall wouldn't do that. At the time, no one would give me a decent trade in price for my Marshall... Eventually I just gave up on it. At some point in the early 2000s I realized just how good my Marshall sounded. I effing love that amp. But these days, when you show up with a half stack, the sound guy looks at you all side eyed. I'm mostly a bass player these days- I've got a stable of cool basses, but I'd love to get another, more modern short scale- and I'd love to get some modern lightweight amps and cabs- my lightest cab is 90 pounds. But, I'm pretty happy with my bass gear.

As far as my stereo gear... I had my 80s Yamaha/Bose setup. Replaced the receiver around and ended up with a surround unit- and that was fine for me. Sometime in the mid 00s someone gave me an early 70s Pioneer SX-838. It wasn't a top of the line unit at the time, it had not been serviced in decades and it was only 50w. But that thing sounded SO much better than my fancy pants, high wattage surround unit. At that point, I went looking for "better." I acquired a Sanui 9090DB, a Pioneer SX-1250, a Marantz 2325 and a Marantz 2238. Nothing sounded "better" than the 838. I've really stopped chasing it. Ten years ago or so, I sort of wanted to get some McIntosh gear- but that ship has sailed due to prices because of interest in "vintage" stereo gear. I'm sort of looking for a better CD player than the ones I have and need to get some speakers repaired but I think I've got a pretty kickass stereo setup.

So, the short answer is- if you're looking for something "more," whether real or imagined- it's never over. If you come to a point where you're OK with your stuff- you don't need to chase it any longer.


Untitled by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

Stereo April 2020 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*

Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!

"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
The Golden Boy is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.