Is anyone as much of a cheapskate as am I?

Projects, repair topics, and Frankentubas
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bloke
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Is anyone as much of a cheapskate as am I?

Post by bloke »

For my drilled set of dent balls (a hundred of them from 1/4" - 3/4") I buy ten-at-a-time bicycle shifter cables (eBay - from China) for $7 (for ten of them, including postage). They are really long, so I cut them in half, use the factory ends (for half of them) and tie a TIGHT knot (and solder the knot) for the other half...so I end up with TWENTY of them (again: seven bucks)

They don't last nearly as long as (if even exists...??) a "prescribed" cable, but they last long enough...and (de facto: 20) cost less than two Stupbux cups of coffee, yes?

yeah...I could by them from a USA seller (still: Chinese) for $10 each. :laugh:
Last edited by bloke on Mon Nov 13, 2023 2:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.


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LeMark
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Re: Is anyone as much of a cheapskate as am I?

Post by LeMark »

I always do the DYI affordable option. That's why I play cerveny and Packer instruments and do almost all of my mods myself.

My Adams Euph is the exception, but it's a 12k instrument I got for 7k.

Speaking of which, my brass parts for building a MTS stick for the new BBb came in today
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bloke
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Re: Is anyone as much of a cheapskate as am I?

Post by bloke »

LeMark wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 2:48 pm I always do the DYI affordable option. That's why I play cerveny and Packer instruments and do almost all of my mods myself.

My Adams Euph is the exception, but it's a 12k instrument I got for 7k.

Speaking of which, my brass parts for building a MTS stick for the new BBb came in today
Well...
I didn't quite pay $23,000 for FatBastard-with-Jakob-Winter-case, either, :eyes:
(but I'm glad I did all of those extensive mods myself, because I wouldn't have wanted to pay me to do all of them.)
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Re: Is anyone as much of a cheapskate as am I?

Post by Tubajug »

I do as much of my own work as I can because I can't afford to pay anyone! :laugh:
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Re: Is anyone as much of a cheapskate as am I?

Post by Three Valves »

I only aspire to achieve your level of cheapskatery. :bow2:

But I am constantly honing my talent. :smilie2:
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Re: Is anyone as much of a cheapskate as am I?

Post by bloke »

Three Valves wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 6:52 pm I only aspire to achieve your level of cheapskatery. :bow2:

But I am constantly honing my talent. :smilie2:
Observe the maastah, glasshopper.
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Post by tofu »

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Last edited by tofu on Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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bloke (Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:44 am)
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Post by Dents Be Gone! »

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.
Last edited by Dents Be Gone! on Wed May 01, 2024 10:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Is anyone as much of a cheapskate as am I?

Post by iiipopes »

Bass guitars are notoriously neck heavy with traditional tuners. There are many expensive options: lightweight tuners, purpose made brackets, etc. I get a long brass bushing for a couple of bucks at the local hardware store, a longer screw for a few cents, install in place of the upper strap button, and voila, perfect balance.
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Re: Is anyone as much of a cheapskate as am I?

Post by bloke »

@tofu

I can't find a single thing in that fairly lengthy post with which I disagree even a little bit. Also, I believe I noticed that those who shake their fingers at us regarding the environment (as well as nonsense "the sky is falling in" issues) are those who are absolutely the most over the top wasteful and polluting. Further, those same (often: non-productive or anti-productive) elitists have absolutely no intention of altering or adjusting their ways in the least. Repurposing/scrounging/salvaging is/are a very significant way of not wasting resources and not polluting.

==============

The Perry Mason in me saw that bass guitars were brought up (ie. "introduced into evidence", or "the door was opened"). If I don't end up selling my 1974 jazz bass and 1974 tube Ampeg amp to go with it, I might be offering them for sale here.
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