Scrappy
Legendary Knight
I keep threatening to tie a sparkler to the aerial on the roof. To give it the full "Bumper Car" effect!
You have it exactly, bloody bumper cars or dodgems!
What's Boiling Your Pi$$ Today?
- Thread starter DD67
- Start date
You have it exactly, bloody bumper cars or dodgems!
Sarky B’stard
Legendary Knight
My mother in law will be writing off a celestial Micra somewhere ‘up there’. She only started driving in her 60s when widowed. And, yes, exactly as you describe but unlike her daughter she had a sense of humour.
BAD LUCK DUCK
Forum Duck
How many pages have I gotta go back to see what's occurred and tarnished my up until now Sterling Reputation 
I'll save you some time mate.How many pages have I gotta go back to see what's occurred and tarnished my up until now Sterling Reputation
The genuine reason Mick is conspicuous by his absence. Is he had a bit of a rant (as several of us often do
)During his rant he used the term "Black B@st@rds" & he was advised by @Public Enemy that was a step too far on a public forum. He was politely asked to edit his post but
he didn't like that, & he hasn't been seen since.
He isn't banned, but according to Mick. If he can't express himself however he likes, this forum isn't for him.
A shame, cos he's a stand-up guy. But we need to protect the forum from those that would use such a statement as a stick to beat us with.
Before I start, this post most definitely isn't a dick waving thing.Yes, is is the 190 hp, 3 litres straight six (1986, 300 SL, R 107) And you are right: it is not a sports car. More a very refined cruiser. I think, as with an extraordinary wine or whiskey, you should have reached a certain age to truly enjoy
it. It is built like a tank. One of the last Mercedes, where in the process of construction and production, money was not an objective, but only quality.
When I first drove it for a test-ride, I could not believe how solid and comfortable a 30 year old car could be.
I own it for two years now. Never had been actively looking for a Mercedes; but a friend of mine sold this pristine car with only 75000 klicks on the odometer and I couldn’t resist. It looks like it rolled straight out of the factory.
Capt. D's 1986 SL300 is without a doubt a beautifully well preserved example of a classic Merc. From an era where quality (& being the best) was far more important than profit margins.
But I checked out our 2017 SLC compared with supercars of my youth.
The short version is it kicks several of their arses big time. But in a refined & Germanic way. I don't necessarily think that's a good thing, if driving is about pleasure not outright speed between A & B
Then a far cheaper MX-5 beats the far more expensive Merc.
MartytheMartian
Legendary Knight
Here is a piss boiler from me although not strictly 'today' as it has really this has been for a few weeks now.
Right I decided after having a hankering for a while that I needed to get me a trumpet as I haven't played in about fourteen years and never really learned more than the basics back then as I was just monkeying around with it when I wasn't playing guitar, piping etc.
Some weeks ago and fter reading umpteen reviews and 'best of's' for basic beginner to intermediate trumpets I settled on a Bach TR650 Trumpet that was recommended as an instrument that would take you all the way from beginner to just below 'professional' at a cost of three hundred odd quid brand new. The trumpet arrived and while it was from the American Bach company of course it was emblazoned with 'Made in China' so undoubtedly came from one of the generic Chinese factories. I didn't really take to it and so I picked up a secondhand 'Gear4Music' trumpet from Cashconverters online for fifty quid. Much better than the Bach although it must be noted that, without having to pay for the 'Bach' name this was an instrument that sold new for somewhere around two hundred quid. Now both these trumpets probably came out of the same factory as do probably most trumpets below 'Professional' prices and probably even some of the 'Professional' models made by CNC machinery in a modern hi-tech factory and, you would think, about as good as you can get in terms of quality really. Fast forward to last week and I picked up a 1937 Buescher 'Aristocrat' custom built silver plated trumpet made in Elkhart, Indiana USA in good condition and with a rare and collectible mouthpiece plus shipping included in the price I paid for it of £150. Jeezus this 84 year old trumpet is an incredible trumpet to play and sounds beautiful. So good in fact that, when I found another of exact same model for sale on fleabay I bought it. It was in even better condition than the first one but did cost me 130 quid more at £280 including shipping.
You would think that, over eighty years on, even cheap instruments would be better made and higher quality than these more than eighty year old veterans that have travelled the world, endured use. corrosion and many years of exposure to atmosphere etc. but you would be wrong. Quite frankly the modern instruments suck in comparison.
Right I decided after having a hankering for a while that I needed to get me a trumpet as I haven't played in about fourteen years and never really learned more than the basics back then as I was just monkeying around with it when I wasn't playing guitar, piping etc.
Some weeks ago and fter reading umpteen reviews and 'best of's' for basic beginner to intermediate trumpets I settled on a Bach TR650 Trumpet that was recommended as an instrument that would take you all the way from beginner to just below 'professional' at a cost of three hundred odd quid brand new. The trumpet arrived and while it was from the American Bach company of course it was emblazoned with 'Made in China' so undoubtedly came from one of the generic Chinese factories. I didn't really take to it and so I picked up a secondhand 'Gear4Music' trumpet from Cashconverters online for fifty quid. Much better than the Bach although it must be noted that, without having to pay for the 'Bach' name this was an instrument that sold new for somewhere around two hundred quid. Now both these trumpets probably came out of the same factory as do probably most trumpets below 'Professional' prices and probably even some of the 'Professional' models made by CNC machinery in a modern hi-tech factory and, you would think, about as good as you can get in terms of quality really. Fast forward to last week and I picked up a 1937 Buescher 'Aristocrat' custom built silver plated trumpet made in Elkhart, Indiana USA in good condition and with a rare and collectible mouthpiece plus shipping included in the price I paid for it of £150. Jeezus this 84 year old trumpet is an incredible trumpet to play and sounds beautiful. So good in fact that, when I found another of exact same model for sale on fleabay I bought it. It was in even better condition than the first one but did cost me 130 quid more at £280 including shipping.
You would think that, over eighty years on, even cheap instruments would be better made and higher quality than these more than eighty year old veterans that have travelled the world, endured use. corrosion and many years of exposure to atmosphere etc. but you would be wrong. Quite frankly the modern instruments suck in comparison.
BAD LUCK DUCK
Forum Duck
Why can't we just take the stick from them and beat em up with their own stick...I'll save you some time mate.
The genuine reason Mick is conspicuous by his absence. Is he had a bit of a rant (as several of us often do
During his rant he used the term "Black B@st@rds" & he was advised by @Public Enemy that was a step too far on a public forum. He was politely asked to edit his post but
he didn't like that, & he hasn't been seen since.
He isn't banned, but according to Mick. If he can't express himself however he likes, this forum isn't for him.
A shame, cos he's a stand-up guy. But we need to protect the forum from those that would use such a statement as a stick to beat us with.
See how my powers of diplomacy could have saved the day yet again
Scrappy
Legendary Knight
I used to play Trumpet as a kid, got up to grade 5 or 6 (can't remember), and used to play in bands and orchestras on the odd occasion. I started with a cornet, and desperately wanted a trumpet, so my parents got me this old trumpet (old in 1970s) it was heavily tarnished and the horn was dented and bent, and knowing my parents it would have been very cheap
. I vaguely remember the trumpet being soaked in the bath over night before being cleaned, it was straightened, the dents removed and polished. The trumpet turned out fantastic, looked and sounded brilliant, and I was often complimented on it from older musicians who had many years experience. I can't remember what make/model it was, just that on the horn it had a small applied star logo that was filled with green enamel
MartytheMartian
Legendary Knight
Capt. Drunkey
King Of The Schnitzelwiesels
I fully agree with you there! I play keyboards (piano, organ but mostly synthesizers) and even with these electronic devices, you get the same impression as you described above: the older instruments had imperfections that took influence on the timbre and finetuning of the instrument and therefore gave it a unique character.
My old Moog has a much warmer sound than say one of the new replicas that are also produced in China and sometimes cost a tenth (
) of the used original. Same with a Hammond organ.The new instruments turn out so perfect (or better sterile), that the producers insert ‘imperfections’ which they give names like “vintage knob” to copy the sound of older days…
The flooding with Chinese cheap-shite is highly frustrating.
And people keep telling me: they just cover the customers demands. So WE as buyers are the spineless twats that ruin the market. Right.
BUT: at least in Germany I see a trend away from that. 2nd BUT: you need a nice income to buy local and high quality.
And exactly that’s when the cat bites its tail…
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Sarky B’stard
Legendary Knight
You talking about me, Big Boy?Before I start, this post most definitely isn't a dick waving thing.
Capt. D's 1986 SL300 is without a doubt a beautifully well preserved example of a classic Merc. From an era where quality (& being the best) was far more important than profit margins.
But I checked out our 2017 SLC compared with supercars of my youth.
The short version is it kicks several of their arses big time. But in a refined & Germanic way. I don't necessarily think that's a good thing, if driving is about pleasure not outright speed between A & B
Then a far cheaper MX-5 beats the far more expensive Merc.
450 SL Mr Winkie.
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Sarky B’stard
Legendary Knight
Chinese shite?
I am afraid we are victims of marketing taken a step too far that will ultimately be self defeating….. my thesis!
Loads of jargon in flogging stuff like ‘leveraging’ but it boils down to price/quality perceptions = bargain. Take Bell helmets; probably THE brand from the 60s and early 70s but quality costs so AGV went a bit up market sponsored Sheene etc., and out competed along with Japanese competition. Bell lose out on volumes and sell the name to a European manufacturer who makes good enough helmets while they cover N America and diversify into bicycle helmets etc.
More managerial shenanigans to exploit their good name and the company is re-united into the USA with a quality range and price and the bottom end of the range Chinese made and polycarbonate. But they are just not in the same league.
As the perceptions of quality drop off so does the ultimate brand value…. And Mercedes have not been without their problems there either. Buyers are getting cannier.
I am afraid we are victims of marketing taken a step too far that will ultimately be self defeating….. my thesis!
Loads of jargon in flogging stuff like ‘leveraging’ but it boils down to price/quality perceptions = bargain. Take Bell helmets; probably THE brand from the 60s and early 70s but quality costs so AGV went a bit up market sponsored Sheene etc., and out competed along with Japanese competition. Bell lose out on volumes and sell the name to a European manufacturer who makes good enough helmets while they cover N America and diversify into bicycle helmets etc.
More managerial shenanigans to exploit their good name and the company is re-united into the USA with a quality range and price and the bottom end of the range Chinese made and polycarbonate. But they are just not in the same league.
As the perceptions of quality drop off so does the ultimate brand value…. And Mercedes have not been without their problems there either. Buyers are getting cannier.
chas
Legendary Knight
I'd like it on the record that I have not posted a picture of Kraftwerk or Neu! With a caption 'Capt D third from left'.
Don the Don
Legendary Knight
I wonder if this will come to pass, as for the cost why use commercial aircraft just tie the feckers in the back of an old Herc, still going to be more comfortable than how they reached the UK
Scrappy
Legendary Knight
I don't give a toss about the cost, just get rid of them, and why wait 7 days, there are so many currently coming they could have flights out every hour
But surely it would be cheaper, to not let them land in the first place, fill the channel with patrol boats and tow the f#ckers back to France.
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MartytheMartian
Legendary Knight
The interesting thing about those trumpets I have acquired is that the American made ones weren't cheap when they were new in actual fact they were damned expensive. According to the company catalogues available online they were around $120 each in the late 30's which, according to an inflation calculator and converted into UK pounds equates to a 'today's price' of around seventeen hundred pounds. The most striking thing is that you would expect that a 'student' quality instrument should make it easier for a beginner to play where the modern 'advanced student' trumpet I bought is nowhere near as easy to play as an 80+ year old trumpet made by hand without all the technology that is now available even for making the cheapest of instruments and that has seen plenty of wear which should have made the valves and slides less airtight and so make it more difficult to play.
Interesting that you have found the same character phenomena with electronic instruments @Capt. Drunkey it never occurred to me that electronic instruments could have the same distinct character but of course when I think about it the electronics industry in the past had much more room for movement in tolerances that would mean variations in sound output over the accurately made and precise modern technology.
When it comes to brass and woodwind instruments there is a distaste amongst Jazz players for brands such as Yamaha, Yanigasawa and Buffet Crampon because, while their mechanisms are near perfect and the sound is clear and very well tuned they don't have any 'character'. That makes them perfect for Orchestral work where uniformity and clarity is desired but not for the kind of music where an individual voice is desired.
Interesting that you have found the same character phenomena with electronic instruments @Capt. Drunkey it never occurred to me that electronic instruments could have the same distinct character but of course when I think about it the electronics industry in the past had much more room for movement in tolerances that would mean variations in sound output over the accurately made and precise modern technology.
When it comes to brass and woodwind instruments there is a distaste amongst Jazz players for brands such as Yamaha, Yanigasawa and Buffet Crampon because, while their mechanisms are near perfect and the sound is clear and very well tuned they don't have any 'character'. That makes them perfect for Orchestral work where uniformity and clarity is desired but not for the kind of music where an individual voice is desired.
MartytheMartian
Legendary Knight
Yamaha certainly have a reputation for precision in their musical instruments @Strawberry although they aren't known for being particularly cheap either . I find that for me though there is something missing with Yamaha instruments and I find this with their motorcycles too and that is that, while precise and very good at their job they just seem to lack a certain individuality and 'colour'. In essence they are too precise.
Capt. Drunkey
King Of The Schnitzelwiesels
Agreed, I bought a Yamaha Tenor Sax about 30 years ago and it still is as good as new. But I can also relate to what @MartytheMartian said about the preferences a jazz-playing musician might have.
It is funny, how in a world where perfectionism rules, the imperfect often is perceived as having more character.
Take a drum-computer for instance: with the good ones you‘ll find a way to introduce „shuffle“. A timing offset, that makes the computer sound less like a machine.
So, do we want to live in a perfect world?
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Steve 998cc
Legendary Knight
They make good bikes too had quite a few in my time