DB ChimerOLD - Posted - 08/05/2018:  10:29:38

For the last couple of days I've been going back and reviewing forum posts to get an idea of what topics have already been covered and trying to dissect the personalities of the posters.

Bill, I'm a pure novice at this but I think I have you categorized with a strong A personality trait, intelligent, super ego and willing to share your vast knowledge on a myriad of subjects

All enviable traits to be sure, perfectly suited for the role you play on this website.

The post on your planned move to the Tar-Heel state caught my attention. Seems that the bulk of northeasteners who yearn for a change in location choose North Carolina while those from the midwest normally choose South Carolina.

Since I didn't get a chance to post my "dos centavos" on your original post, allow me the chance to do so here.

Your choice seems to me to be a wise move because of your circumstances. Moving from the Big Apple to North Carolina is not the drastic move it once was. The Carolinas
have been somewhat integrated into a northern mind set with the influx of folks like you from the northeast.

And it's been a boon to what is now referred to as hyphenated Raleigh-Durham.

This area over the last 30 years or so has become known as the techno center of the east, on par with many areas of Silicon Valley. It is world reknowned for its top-notch medical facilities, universities, weather and over-all friendly people. I don't know what you do for a living, but if you made it there in Gotham you should fit in like a puzzle piece in RDU.

You're right, hurricanes going up the east coast are less of a problem with inland cities and metro areas in the Carolinas. But don't let your guard down, some have been known to cause damage with power outages and injuries to just east of Asheville.

Three pieces of advice. Lean the difference between "upstate" and "downstate". It's vital to understand where a Carolinian is from when they mention a town. And when driving the interstates, eyeball your rear view mirror, the gray ghost troopers don't give you much of a break. Speed limit 65 means speed limit 65. But they do say, "have a good day sir when they hand you a ticket."

Two urgent ingratiating tools when trying to make friends with a new Tarheel...learn how to make biscuits and red eye gravy for Sunday morning breakfast and be sure to learn how to spell "Kryzcewski", sic.

BTW, my Billy Mac moniker is meant to be an endearing term not a put down.

billmccloskey - Posted - 08/05/2018:  15:29:12

No worries Bill. As my dad used to say call me anything but late to supper.

Sorry: I don't know when you posted this. I don't post here as often as I did, mostly because I've been playing lap steel mostly and for the last 90 day, playing nothing since I've been laying on my back with my foot elevated after having every bone in my foot fused together and no weight bearing on it. I tried, but just couldn't get the hang of trying to play laying down with one foot in the air. :)

North Carolina may not be in the cards anymore. Still want to sell the house but thinking of renting in the area. Not sure I can leave the northeast. My daughter just moved to Denver and my son may follow her so the rockies may be calling me back after 40 years. Lived and went to school in Boulder when I was a wee lad with more dreams than sense.

DB ChimerOLD - Posted - 08/05/2018:  16:41:34

Best laid plans not brought to fruition...all part of living.

Wish you the best on whatever you decide to do regarding your relocation plans. If the Rockies beckon, so be it. I hear dobros and lap tops sound better at altitudes and just think how many people will be able to hear you pick from a snow-capped peak even without an amp.

I'm really sorry to hear about your orthopedic problems. Hope the prognosis is a bright one and you get back to some sense of normality soon.

I too own a lap steel, it's a 6-string built by a well-known luthier and dobro picker. Have it paired up with a Fender Super Champ 30-watt tube amp and it suits me just fine.

Hang in there, get well and keep doing what you're doing. Everything of course, except trying to play your laptop lying on your back with your foot in the air. Just the vision of it causes a smile to crease my lips.

billmccloskey - Posted - 08/05/2018:  17:01:22

I'm afraid, as usual, I've gone down a road less traveled with the lap steel. I'm not only playing a 10 string lap steel, but a tuning that I think only about 4 or 5 people in the world currently play (the Alkire Eharp tuning) and I just ordered a 12 string. But I've become addicted to the tuning.

Here is me playing it after about a week or two of fooling around with it, so set your expectations accordingly.

Lady Bird (an old jazz tune)
youtube.com/watch?v=NU2tZvSj4lk

Blues for Rich Arnold:

youtube.com/watch?v=LnFf9SRPKZM

DB ChimerOLD - Posted - 08/05/2018:  17:20:22

Wow Bill...I'm impressed not only with your playing ability but also the use of three metal finger picks on your picking hand.

If that's an Alkire, it sure looks like a Fender 8-string single neck without the logo. Enjoyed the youtube videos, keep 'em coming.

Thanks for posting.

billmccloskey - Posted - 08/05/2018:  17:24:42

10 string eharp. Just like this one on reverb (except mine has legs)



reverb.com/item/13310939-alkir...lap-steel



The eharp requires 4 picks. The tuning is basically 4 bass strings and 6 melody strings: bottom to top C# E F F# G G# A B C# E  . the tuning allows for 50 unique chords to be played without moving the bar

Edited by - billmccloskey on 08/05/2018 17:25:14

DB ChimerOLD - Posted - 08/06/2018:  07:36:30

Thanks for the Reverb link.

This is one fine looking instrument with the sound to match. Bet you can't wait to get your fingerpicks on that new 12-string you have ordered.

I know you'll give it a good home.

billmccloskey - Posted - 08/06/2018:  07:48:54

I'm looking forward to it. Sonny Jenkins is making it for me. If it comes out okay, I'm going to have him make me a 14 stringer. The eharps are really great instruments. I have 2 of them, (the other one is an older model with a completely different design but still sounds great). The guy on reverb has it WAY over priced. They sell normally for less than $500. I bought mine for $350. Certainly the best deal on a lap steel out there and one of the sweetest lap steels available. I play it more than my Clinesmith Aluminum Cast.

DB ChimerOLD - Posted - 08/06/2018:  09:58:05

Ten, twelve, fourteen...and the hits just keep on coming. I hope the fourteen stringer doesn't require a 4th metal pick on your pinky.

Can't wait to hear what it sounds like.

DB ChimerOLD - Posted - 08/06/2018:  09:59:54

Forgot to ask Bill...what tunings are you contemplating for the 12 and 14 string E-Harps?

billmccloskey - Posted - 08/06/2018:  10:27:30

It will be an extension of the current eharp tuning. with 2 lower strings on the 12 and 2 higher strings on the 14.

For the 14 it will be (bottom to top) E A C# E F F# G G# A B C# E F# G#

DB ChimerOLD - Posted - 08/11/2018:  10:23:12

How's that 14-string Alkire coming along? Have a due date yet? Don't forget to post a digital or two when it arrives.

billmccloskey - Posted - 08/11/2018:  11:34:07

Bill,

If you are interested in hearing what a 14 string eharp tuning sounds like, I've been archiving the work of the late Bob Schaefer, who played a 14 string sierra with 8 pedals and 5 knee levers using the extended 14 string eharp tuning. Bob was not a professional musician, but recorded himself and made the recordings available to friends. You can hear them here; youtube.com/watch?v=Bol3Kr3wfi...xCwYMa5BT

DB ChimerOLD - Posted - 08/11/2018:  13:43:12

That e-harp played by Bob Schaefer sounds great. I could only count 10-strings on the headstock, couldn't find the video of the 14-string e-harp.

What am I doing wrong? If that e-harp 14-string sounds like I have it pictured, I'm gonna' become a fan pronto.