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Topic: The Impracticable Gas "Guzzler" |
Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 7:49 am |
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| How badly band members are feeling the "pinch" at the filling stations is not known. It stands to reason.. paying out of pocket cash to fill vehicles that hold 20 gallons of fuel (more or less) at close to $3.00 per gallon, will leave a player with a few coins to rub together. |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 8:00 am
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Bill, that's still reasonable on a world scale.
Right now we are paying $3.50 US a US gallon here in Ontario
In Norway, I know for a fact that they are paying
$8.50US a US gallon..just about the same as in the UK
And you should see how the steel players tour all over even with those prices.
The arrangers want the bands bad enough that they are willing to pay the big buck. The audience demands the best and are willing to pay the big buck.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 8:27 am
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Bent,
When I was fully active with job offers from no less than 6 bandleaders, gasoline was reasonably priced, and club owners were much more compliant to the wishes of band members. I can't complain because I've been treated kindly in so many other situations. I'll manage to find enjoyment in my music, if situations don't improve. |
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Allen Peterson
From:
Katy, Texas
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 9:10 am
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Gasoline is still the cheapest thing you put in your car when you consider it's hard to get your car out of the shop for less that $400-500 these days. Then there's insurance.
I just had a solenoid replaced and it was nearly $300. You can't tell me that that little part and the labor to put it in the car was really $300. My power seat cost $500 to fix. Too much!! I would have fixed these things myself, but I don't have the tools or knowledge.
Still, I understand. When we are payed so little for the service we provide with our music, it's hard to justify the cost of gasoline. I think it will cause most players to remain home rather than make a long trip to the gig.
Allen Peterson
_________________
2008 D10 Rains Pedal Steel, 2000 D10 Carter Pedal Steel, BR-9 Lap Steel, Nashville 400, Nashville 112, '65 Fender Twin Re-issue, MB 200, Telonics Volume Pedal |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 9:45 am
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Bill, I think that prices go hand in hand. When you paid very little for gas, you also got paid for the gig accordingly. It's mostly apples to apples comparisons.
Allen also has a very good point. Allen, you can very well be correct saying that gas is maybe the cheapest thing. Repairs sure are expensive, regular maintenance ditto. Even a meal on the way to a gig is nothing like it was 30 years ago.
When people say "it's not like the good old days", I say the good old days are here and now. Look at all the things that are ridiculously cheaper now than they were 30 years ago, and also of a better quality (not all but some)
oops we're getting off the steel guitar content here 
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 9:53 am
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Allen,
Can you imagine that 3rd class, 2nd class, and 1st class dealers in new and used automobiles have apparently found ways to stymie the backyard mechanic. Those responsible have cleared out thousands of automobiles, making it next to impossible to obtain a good running auto that can be easily repaired by former mechanics. , |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 10:26 am
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| Allen Peterson wrote: |
I would have fixed these things myself, but I don't have the tools or knowledge.
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The tools and knowledge are what you're paying for. They don't make em like they used to. True. Cars last longer. You can go for 100,000 without even a tune up.
The music gig pay is what's dragging behind. Around here country gigs are still paying the same as they did 20 years ago. That is when they are willing to pay a band. Most would rather use a disc jockey for $50. You guys that have decent paying gigs are lucky, we don't have much here in East Tennessee. We don't even have much bad paying gigs. For some reason, the bluegrass gigs are paying better money than the country. I think it's got to do with the dancing and availability of cheap music with the disc jockeys...... and they play all the top 40 loud drums songs.
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Allen Peterson
From:
Katy, Texas
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 10:40 am
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Rick,
I agree. When you consider that most steel players have expensive tools, e.g., a good quality SD10 or D10 and amplification equipment, and at least a basic knowledge of how to play music, we lag way behind on the pay scale when compared to what an auto mechanic gets paid to fix our cars.
I guess it comes down to is music and entertainment a necessity or a luxury.
Most would consider music and entertainment a luxury item when compared to gasoline or automobile repair, which in most cases is a necessity.
Allen Peterson
_________________
2008 D10 Rains Pedal Steel, 2000 D10 Carter Pedal Steel, BR-9 Lap Steel, Nashville 400, Nashville 112, '65 Fender Twin Re-issue, MB 200, Telonics Volume Pedal |
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Shane Glover
From:
Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 10:46 am
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Bill,
With all due respect, The auto dealers have nothing to do with putting the back yard mechanic out of business. It is the technology the Auto manufacturers are using these days. And as far as older vehicles that said mechanics can repair being gone. Once again the Auto dealer had nothing to do with it. You can thank Obama for that !!
Shane
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Buncha CRAP !! But someday Ima get me some good gear !! |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 11:17 am
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| Shane Glover wrote: |
Bill,
With all due respect, The auto dealers have nothing to do with putting the back yard mechanic out of business. It is the technology the Auto manufacturers are using these days. And as far as older vehicles that said mechanics can repair being gone. Once again the Auto dealer had nothing to do with it. You can thank Obama for that !!
Shane |
Are you saying this new technology has only been around for the past 10 months? Where have you been? Nobody forced anyone trade off their older cars, if they didn't want to. I don't know for sure that Obama deserves all the credit, but I sure do thank somebody when I look at my 401K and see that it's recovered much of the 50% it lost during the past few years. I do agree with you, it's not the dealers fault that the technology has advanced beyond basic tools and mechanics. I'm sure they don't like having to buy all the advanced equipment, and pay for the training either, but it's a product of the progress.
My $02 anyway. Let's pool our gas money and go play some cheap music. 
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 11:31 am
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| in many cases i make the same amount as i did in the seventies...... |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 11:32 am
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What Rick said...Most of my 401 loss was way before Jan. this year...recovered nicely since.
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Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Stephen Silver
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 11:56 am
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I, too, have been playing for amounts that I turned down gigs for in the late 70's.
Musicians should get the recognition we deserve. So I have a bumper sticker that says:
Musician pay is inflation proof.
SS
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Life is mostly Attitude and Timing |
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Dennis Saydak
From:
Manitoba, Canada
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 12:00 pm
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I started in life with zero dollars in the bank, and I'm proud to say I still have most of it in spite of having to fill up the gas tank occasionally.
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Dennis
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race, the rats get faster. |
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Rick Schacter
From:
Portland, Or.
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 12:28 pm
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| Stephen Silver wrote: |
I have a bumper sticker that says:
Musician pay is inflation proof.
SS |
LOL!
Could you please tell me where I can purchase this bumper sticker?
Rick |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 2:16 pm
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| It is possible to save thousands of dollars by using extreme caution if you are shopping around for a used automobile. Actual mileage that the vehicle has traveled is valuable knowledge that will be reflected in the days ahead. Beautiful paint "jobs" by expert body shop personnel will throw many shoppers off the link of high mileage. An ace mechanic would know where to look to discover extensive mileage. Knowing the former owner of a vehicle, has always been the safest route to follow, when he/she trades for a newer model. If you ever become a victim of a fibber's lack of restraint, there is little doubt that it will involve a sales transaction of transferring ownership of a motor vehicle. My nickel's worth... |
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Robert Harper
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 2:20 pm It is all relative
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agree that these are or were good times. I grew up in the sixties and it seems life even with relative low prices Wages were low. Gas was twenty five cnts a gallon and we made 30 or 40 dollars a week. Then came inflation. We make considerably more, but it cost considerably more to live, But now there is two workers in the house. Of course that means both need new or newer cars nice work cloths and lunch insurance and gas. My only complaint is someone and I don't care which one needs to care for the childrem. . I think the loss of pay for muscians is more related to the death of the clubs due to harsh/strict DUI enforcement. I guess this is a good thing.> I would hate to loose someone just because they or someone else drink more than they should have
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"Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first begin to deceive" Someone Famous |
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Jim Park
From:
Carson City, Nv
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 2:43 pm
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| Allen, The amount of money most musicians have in their gear pales in comparison to what most mechanics have in tools. Over the last 30 years in the auto and heavy equipnment repair field I have invested over 50K in tools. The median for mechanics is probably between 10 - 15K, and that is just in hand tools and boxes. Diagnostic equiment is another story. Most repair shops and dealership spend in excess of 3k a year in diagnostic equipment,repair manual services and updates.it is insane! The Manufactures have tried in the past to lock the owners and independant garages out of the diagnostic portion of the ECM saying it is proprietary info, but have failed..........anyway my .02$ |
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Allen Peterson
From:
Katy, Texas
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 3:45 pm
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Jim,
$50K in 30 years. That's a lot. I had no idea the average mechanic had $10-15k invested in their tools. No wonder they have to charge so much to fix my power seat. I guess I should be more appreciative of my neighborhood independent mechanic. He's a good one, by-the-way. I rarely take my car to the dealer to get it fixed.
It's no wonder a good mechanic won't loan his tools.
If you take all the musical equipment that I have purchased over the last 30 years I doubt it would amount to $50k. However, with steel guitars selling between $3k and 5.5k and boutique amps approaching $2k most of us will have over $15k invested in our equipment over a 30 year period of time.
I wish I still had most of the stuff I bought over the last 30 years. I was trying to figure out where it all went.
Allen Peterson
_________________
2008 D10 Rains Pedal Steel, 2000 D10 Carter Pedal Steel, BR-9 Lap Steel, Nashville 400, Nashville 112, '65 Fender Twin Re-issue, MB 200, Telonics Volume Pedal
Last edited by Allen Peterson on 6 Dec 2009 3:46 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 5:28 pm
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I took care of gas problem, bought a new Nissan Versa, $10,000.00 and 34mpg (and I`m sure that is Obama`s fault, if McCane was a president it would be at least 35mpg) ... full coverage insurance $66 per month ...goes about 400 miles on 25 bucks (one tank)... I go to work every day, and 3 times per week twice a day (split shift) and I fill it up every 10 -14 days ... check it out...
and don`t make a mistake about the size of this car, I`m 6'5" and 320lbs and I do fit just fine in it...planty of room in trunk for a steel and amp`s, banjos and guitars...and big fat confortable seats...
Db
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www.steelguitarsonline.com |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 6:21 pm
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| what kind of word is 'impracticable'? |
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Dave Hopping
From:
Aurora, Colorado
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 6:34 pm
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We're constantly told how bad previous generations of American cars were and how they just wouldn't last....
Except that the Cubans have kept all of their American cars on the road since auto exports from this country to that were cut off.In 1959. |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 6:44 pm
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| chris ivey wrote: |
| what kind of word is 'impracticable'? |
hehe chris, you're funny 
im⋅prac⋅ti⋅ca⋅ble
/ɪmˈpræktɪkəbəl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [im-prak-ti-kuh-buhl] Show IPA
Use impracticable in a Sentence
See web results for impracticable
See images of impracticable
–adjective
1. not practicable; incapable of being put into practice with the available means: an impracticable plan.
2. unsuitable for practical use or purposes, as a device or material.
3. (of ground, places, etc.) impassable.
4. (of persons) hard to deal with because of stubbornness, stupidity, etc.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 6:48 pm
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| Allen Peterson wrote: |
Jim,
$50K in 30 years. That's a lot. I had no idea the average mechanic had $10-15k invested in their tools. No wonder they have to charge so much to fix my power seat. I guess I should be more appreciative of my neighborhood independent mechanic. He's a good one, by-the-way. I rarely take my car to the dealer to get it fixed.
It's no wonder a good mechanic won't loan his tools.
If you take all the musical equipment that I have purchased over the last 30 years I doubt it would amount to $50k. However, with steel guitars selling between $3k and 5.5k and boutique amps approaching $2k most of us will have over $15k invested in our equipment over a 30 year period of time.
I wish I still had most of the stuff I bought over the last 30 years. I was trying to figure out where it all went.
Allen Peterson
Allen Peterson |
Allen, I think many of us here are gear freaks. We've spent thousands on boxes in search of the tone that guys got in the 60's that didn't have much more than a guitar and amp. I think the craving for new and different gear is just part of the disease.
I've always looked at it as a hobby that does give a little money in return. Most hobbies like sports, fishing, etc.... are all spending and no return. The friends are worth it.
Last edited by Rick Campbell on 6 Dec 2009 4:54 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 7:15 pm
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I can tell you how we in the U.S. can get more miles per gallon quite easily...
...go over to the Imperial Gallon, which is 160 fl.ozs. instead of the U.S. Gallon, which is 128 fl.ozs.
In fact with imperial measures you get a much better pint of beer, at 20 ozs. instead of 16 ozs. Americans notice that when they walk into an English pub and ask for a pint.
Who cares about gas-guzzling? Beer-guzzling is much more satisfying. |
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