[Gordon (NZ)]

Hi Zagzig.

Iwrite this with a friindly smile, rather than an admonishig frown....

If you are going to ask for discussion here on every sentence that Thorp wrote in his book on instrument servicing, then it will take tens of thousands of hours of respondents' time, and make the forum a very cluttered place. Although technicians offer their knowledge and experience amazingly freely here, this is not a technician training school, nor a forum for technicians, even though it is a place where players seek advice from willing technicians.

Carry on like this, and clued-up writers here will soon give up answering. (They actually do have lives to live, and work to do) The effect of that is that they will probably also stop answering the legitimate (and often desperate or urgent) questions by others.

I think the proper place to go through the intensive training you are seemingly seeking, is at a repair school.

This site should not be treated as a free substitute. It is abusing the generosity of the technicians here.

IMO. (BTW, I respect and admire your interest. You are welcome to come to NZ, and watch and ask questions while I work.)

 

[Zagzig]

New Zealand is a little far away from Montreal.

You are right:I am asking too many questions.

So I will calm down and let others talk to each other.

 

[hornfixer]

You might want to look up tdeane, he is in Vancouver, a very good repairman.

 

[Ferret]

Can compile all the questions into 1 thread and perhaps that will stop clutter and get your questions asked at the same time. I've never wanted to tell people to stop asking things, even if they're easy questions to answer.

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

"Can compile all the questions into 1 thread and perhaps that will stop clutter and get your questions asked at the same time."

That is not really viable either. I have already presented enough 'answers' in this forum to fill a significant book. To answer all the questions that zagzig could raise if he continues in his present fashion, would fill fill several more books. I, for one, would leave the place.

"I've never wanted to tell people to stop asking things"

Nor have I. And that is obvious from the way I have so readily answered such questions. But questions beg answers. The question is pointless unless answers ensure, and I for one am on the point of stopping answering, as it seems others of the few experienced technicians here may be. Perhaps you would like to take over the very time filling role of answering zagzig's questions. I tell you, they have taken a significant chunk out of my life. A guy's altruism can be pushed only so far.

"I've never wanted to tell people to stop asking things, even if they're easy questions to answer."

They're not as easy as you think. They're asked at a level above the answers given in probably the world's best reference book on the topic. You could say it is the equivalent of people asking about the most intricate details of how to do a hip replacement, in a forum on exercising the body.

I have not seen you answering many of them!

 

[Carl H.]

I think Gordon has a valid point. I read everything in the tech area and the sheer volume of questions is getting a bit "greedy". I'm sure Gordon would talk to you face to face at length to answer you to the best of his ability, but all these questions are a bit tiring, even keeping up reading the answers is time consuming, let alone composing and typing them out.

Thank you Gordon and I hope you don't leave anytime soon. You have helped me out several times and I appreciate your efforts.

Give the guy (Gordon) a break or send him some money for his time, or send Harri some money.

 

[Bernards20040]

"Can compile all the questions into 1 thread and perhaps that will stop clutter and get your questions asked at the same time."

That is not really viable either. I have already presented enough 'answers' in this forum to fill a significant book. To answer all the questions that zagzig could raise if he continues in his present fashion, would fill fill several more books. I, for one, would leave the place.

"I've never wanted to tell people to stop asking things"

Nor have I. And that is obvious from the way I have so readily answered such questions. But questions beg answers. The question is pointless unless answers ensure, and I for one am on the point of stopping answering, as it seems others of the few experienced technicians here may be. Perhaps you would like to take over the very time filling role of answering zagzig's questions. I tell you, they have taken a significant chunk out of my life. A guy's altruism can be pushed only so far.

"I've never wanted to tell people to stop asking things, even if they're easy questions to answer."

They're not as easy as you think. They're asked at a level above the answers given in probably the world's best reference book on the topic. You could say it is the equivalent of people asking about the most intricate details of how to do a hip replacement, in a forum on exercising the body.

I have not seen you answering many of them!

Gordon,
I for one have always found your information invaluable and it has aided me in fully rebuilding a horn. (ok so it took me about six months)
I don't belive I have ever asked you a question.
the search button really is a wonderfull thing
thank you for your input on this site. I am sure i speak for others as well when i say i hope you will continue to answer questions or maybe even point to the search button when appropriate

 

[gary]

I've never wanted to tell people to stop asking things, even if they're easy questions to answer.

Ferret - have you seen how many threads he's started? :yikes!: There's a huge difference between quashing inquiry and asking someone to show a little self-restraint and not take advantage of others' good will.

Gordon, you strike me as one of those folks who just naturally wants to help someone out if they ask a question and then, because of that, feel a bit guilty if you don't give them a hand. So what I'm going to suggest, I realise might make you a bit uncomfortable doing, but you can always just ignore his posts.

I get a bit annoyed when someone suggests that to me, because that, of course, doesn't solve the "problem" at hand, but it does allow you to disconnect from it. Ideally, of course, we should self-police ourselves and it seems like Zigzag is willing to do that, so kudos to him.

(Your post, BTW, is really tactful. So kudos to you, too.)

 

[Zagzig]

Zag zig here.

I apologizes for overdoing the posts!

Please don’t be afraid of me. I see that I have taken too much attention with my inquiries, some of which had spelling mistakes and other inaccuracies.

I wish to express my gratitude for the generous way forum members have been sharing their knowledge with me.

Of course the generous way forum members have been sharing their knowledge does not contribute permission for me to ask endless questions, all the more so since I have been asked in a sensitive and respectful manner by Gordon to calm down.

I am really sorry about the numerous questions.

I can not help but feel a great admiration for Gordon. He never fails to impress me with the his learning and bearing. His erudition is suffused with gentleness balance and warmth.

I love his impatience with some of the half- baked ideas I have expressed in the last month or so.

Gordon has the rounded magic of a teacher in the noble sense

Amongst other things, he is a first rate writer. He is right: His answers could be compliled into a significant book.

For the next while I intend study the answers given to my recent questions, past posts, the manual as well as new posts.

I appreciate what Bernards 20040 says about the forum helping him rebuilt his horn. In my case, I have been working on 3 horns over the last year, and they are still not quite finished.

Nevertheless I know much more about saxophone repair than I did a year ago, thanks to the forum and many hours of practice.

What I appreciate in particular about this forum is the articulate, knowledgable and coulourful way in which so many of its members express themselves.

I love the the way the discussion wanders into mechanics, ascostics, the history of saxophone fabrication and so on.

These asides contribute to the general education of the aspiring repairer. Without understanding these less than immediately practical matters, it is hard to see how you can develop the judgement that Gordon refers to.

When I have a few extra dollars, I will make a contribution to the forum. However –again- the fact that I will make such a contribution does not constitute permission to tire members with too many questions.

 

[CountSpatula]

Gosh so why not just marry him?

JUST KIDDIN'...

 

[Grumps]

Too many questions?
Usually, it's too many answers...

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

Too many questions?
Usually, it's too many answers...

... and in some cases, [cough, nudge, wink] irritating pedantic reactions to those answers, without personally contributing much at all? Not mentioning a name though.

 

[Grumps]

Exactly, but for more choice offerings, you gotta get outta the tech section Gordo...

 

[gary]

Zigzag. Dude. Paragraphs. I love you. A long post I can actually read without having to hold a ruler up to the monitor.

 

[DougR]

How many people here are old enough to remember Timeeeeeeh! and the horn-washing saga?

This was essentially the same tale as the current "can I wash my horn with the pads on?" thread - but back in the old days on the EESites version of the board.

Timeeeeeh - a young man of perhaps 14 years asked if he could bathe the horn - everyone and his dog said "NO!" - but the lad was persistent - clearly someone had told him that you could bathe brass instruments and since the sax was brass.....

I think it was Gordon who pointed out that actually the questions were the lifeblood of the board - all the expertise in the world would just stay where it was without someone asking the questions.
(I'm paraphrasing from, rather iffy, memory and it was a long time ago.)