Dad3353

It's Italian, and basically refers to the 'ideal' consistence of cooked pasta. Here, it's being used as a joke, comparing the boiling of strings to cooking spaghetti. Hope this helps. Edit : Ignore the fatuous posting from Frank, above; he's not taken his meds again.

Heel kneed more.

I'm far from expert in these matters (I'm a drummer, and I don't boil my sticks...), but I think that boiling strings has been largely debunked for a few decades now. Wiping the strings down after playing would be a better way of extending their life, or investing in longer-lasting strings, such as Elixir, if the initial cost can be born. If one is looking for the 'zing' of new strings, it just has to be accepted that it is really only available from new strings and that's that. The 'benefit' or extra 'zing' from boiled strings, if there is any at all, is very short indeed. I wouldn't bother, personally.

Helicopters..? Easy-peasy, chum. Paradiddles, though...

My issue with some (most..?) retractables was hitting the rim of the snare, which tended, over time, to crush, or even bend, the tube and they would no longer retract..! As I mentioned, I'm not a heavy hitter, but the cheaper brushes would end up as a metal shower at the most inconvenient times. I've not had a failure from fixed brushes, ever. Just lucky, perhaps.

Yes, wire. Is that not what you were expecting..? There are nylon-bristled brushes, too, such as ... Vater Nylon brushes ... ...or these, for a different 'feel' and sound... Vater Monster brushes... None of these will break or wear out in normal drumming use.

Meinl, from Thomann..? Don't go for retractables, and keep 'em (with all your sticks...) in a decent drumstick bag. I have ha the same pair from more than a couple of decades ago, with no issues (breakage, loss of bristles etc...). Disclaimer : I'm not a 'shed builder', especially with brush-work. Hot Rods are an option, too, if more 'oomph' is required, but they are always on the 'breakables' side, whatever the marque. If you're 'swirling' on the snare, be sure to use a textured head (Evans Genera Dry Coated are splendid...). Hope this helps.

I'm amazed at how many posters in this Forum have 'gold standard' hearing, despite the sometimes kilowatt rigs and shed-building drummers they apparently frequent, and the age groups of many. I'm pleased for them, naturally, and long may that last, but I'm still amazed.

Fixed.

I suppose now you're hopping for a swift recovery..? ...

Stacia..?

In moving to France, for some years my sole income was from playing drums, in a variety band, depping and functions. Then I married, bought a (ruined...) cottage and got a real job (technicien in a music shop...). I kept on with the gigs, but now had a salary as well. Happy daze.

No mean feet.

In the '50s and '60s there was much less exposure to commercial pressures, or even presence. We had no television, no music magazines, just the BBC's Home Service for radio (Listen With Mother, The Archers and the News...). I had no idea whatsoever when I bought my first guitar, no more when I bought my first bass, and still nothing when I bought my first drums. I have no childhood 'heroes', and would not associate any instrument with any player; my firm belief is that it's all in the fingers, not the instrument/amp/Fx or whatever. My 'idols' impressed me by their playing, whatever the rig, if I even knew what stuff they had. I've seen many of 'em, with many different set-ups, and they always sounded like themselves. (Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Spencer Dryden, Christian Vander, Joe Morello, Richard Thompson, Martin Lamble, Frank Zappa... to name just a few...).

When Blockheads meet Beefheart (sub-title 'Hit Me With That Trout Mask Replica...)

Elvis is dead..?

It was very common, in the rigs I've had to handle, to have two 'bass' channels anyway; one for the DI, the other for the mic on the cab. Two DI's wouldn't bother me at all; I'd simply pach the second DI in the stead of the cab mic. I'm not talking about a six-channel Peavey desk, of course, but I wouldn't call such a set-up an 'expensive PA'.

Yes indeed. Paganini has rather sunk from view, too. How fickle folk are.

You're entirely welcome, but I can't deliver. Collection only (but I make a pretty decent cuppa...).

Well, when you're next over here in France, depping without your usual instruments, pop in. I'll even brew a cuppa, with a ginger nut or two.

I'm not sure that many would ask often to borrow my n° 1 bass...

I, for one.

What..? Shirley not..! Was it not a 'super expensive PA'..?

Do you play Cream covers..? Asking for a friend.