A big thankyou

[stelligan]

None of y'all are getting my Bud Select, dammit.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xglqe2UhJME

[sepulchre]

Ditto. What yall said. This place is amazing and about the only place I hang.

Thanks guys. You Rawk!

[rp]

Got an Amp Bro-Love Fest going on I see. I usually avoid such things but let me pull up to the virtual bonfire and tell my tale.

In the early '80s I looked inside my tweed deluxe and, eventhough I didn't know what a cap or a resistor did, said, shit I can build that, so I did. Then did a few more things guitar and hifi, a few worked great, a couple didn't squeal or smoke but didn't sound as I had hoped, too many were dastardly abortions, DOA. I left a trail of molested vintage Traynors and Dynacos I'll repent the rest of my days for. The bad builds broke my spirit, I had no one to turn too I threw everything into storage, including the beloved trunk of old tubes I'd amassed, and from about 1995-2007 called it quits.

In 2008 I got laid off and had time to kill, and needed to convert my amps for a possible move to 240V land, and decided to get the duds working right, and dragged all my amp crap back into my little NYC apt. Again quickly smoked an amp, but by now the Internets had been invented, I found TAG. The welcoming burly amp geeks here let me join the warrior tribe, built up my confidence - made me fearless. I know I can smoke all the amps I want and I'll get them running with help here. Funny thing is I haven't had a dud build since being on TAG, must have learned something too. So thanks all.

[Firestorm]

Imagine life without the interwebs. Imagine life without TAG

[kkregsg]

I'll jump on the bandwagon, too. Several members have given me a hand up despite the usual obvious questions in the beginning. Thanks to all of you, I'm moving forward as a member of the tube asylum. Now if I just had a bit more of a cash stash for components.

[Leo_Gnardo]

Just past my second anniversary here. Been a whole lot of fun. The good side mostly but occasionally shying a brickbat or 2 in the general directions of Airbloom & Laggard.

Missing some good folks lately. Renshen1957 where are you?

Cbass, you off fishin? I got a marshmallow roasting on the TAG campfire for ya.

I figure Jana's meticulously concentrating on her latest project.

See you in the funny pages! LG

[donzoid]

I stalked the forum for a good 6 months before joining. At the time all I wanted to try was building an Airbrake (and still use it at gigs). In spite of all my (extremely) dumbass questions, the genius-level-hard-core regulars here, were very patient and thanks to them and "a ton" of reading, I built my first amp, then my second, and now after being pretty quiet for the last 6 months to focus on my recovery I am 6 months sober, and back on my 3rd build.

It is rare to find a forum that has a deep sense of community even when we are scattered across the globe. The people here are what make it great. Many share our struggles and that is what makes it "human". I am eternally grateful to be involved, and to learn from the best! My hope is that I can give back as much as I have gained.

[KellyBass]

Congratulations on your six months, Donzoid! That's awesome!

[xtian]

Congratulations on your six months

Do we get a coin? Like the Al-Anon folks?

[rp]

You're all praising him for drinking backslider's wine! Some help. We need a support sub-forum for those trying to quit. I've got more amps than I'll need in three lifetimes plus I only really play acoustic for years now. I got two half finished amps sitting from lack funds, I look at them every day and get all fidgety. I build vicariously through the internet and already have a couple builds all mapped out. If there were still radio/TV repair places filled with tubes and HT parts I'd prolly turn to crime and start burglarizing them.

Don't build that third amp, hang tough, if you made it for six months you can go another six, I know you got it in yah.

[xtian]

I hear you. I had fourteen in the house a few months ago. Have been selling them off (which is irrationally painful, because, as you say, enough is enough) and am down to eight. Plus a build in progress.

[Leo_Gnardo]

I had fourteen in the house a few months ago. Have been selling them off (which is irrationally painful, because, as you say, enough is enough) and am down to eight. Plus a build in progress.

Fourteen !?! Reminds me of the scene in The Meaning of Life, when Papa John Cleese chases all his kids out of the house. "Can't afford to keep all of you, shoo now!"

Coin: Grant me the serenity to sell the amps I don't need, the knowledge to keep the ones I should, and the wisdom to know the difference. Something like that?

[xtian]

Grant me the serenity to sell the amps I don't need, the knowledge to keep the ones I should, and the wisdom to know the difference. Something like that?

Brilliant! But first 10 steps which include apologizing to all of the amps you've harmed in the past. Surrendering to the higher current, and so on.

[Firestorm]

I'd love to sell 8. Every month.

[donzoid]

Thanks all, and remember the first step is admitting we have a problem. Yes, I have traded one addiction for another. I like this one better.

And yeah, they give out coins...but not for having rid yourself of x number of amps!