Punch on: Open thread 14/12/2011

Semi Concerned Citizen says:

06:18am | 14/12/11

sad face. delayed post.

neo says:

11:48am | 14/12/11

Apple, hahaha, they haven’t made one product which is better than the competition.

Bad company, bad products, extremely bad users.

sunny says:

09:36pm | 14/12/11

yeah I remember that picture, 1986 was the year they released the iFuckwit onto the market .. and the market was having none of it! The rebuke shocked them into letting go of any notions of coolness and forced them to concentrate on their strong points- building technology and gadgets.

nossy says:

09:11am | 14/12/11

@bad santa   bad santa! I am sure not everyone wants to “eat pussy” this Xmas bad santa - then again I amy be wrong!  hahahhhhhhhhhh ohhh thats naughty!

the_pseudonym says:

09:52am | 14/12/11

I believe there are plenty of ‘cat’ recipes available on the net, may even be some Chrissy based recipes as well.  Bon appetite.

ausspud says:

11:33am | 14/12/11

Oh nossy,you couldnt let that one just go through to the keeper.
If you keep this up us New South Welshman might have to ban you from entering the state

Ben C says:

11:53am | 14/12/11

@ ausspud

That’s OK, we’ll just settle him around the Cross.

James1 says:

09:53am | 14/12/11

That is so sad.  Why must parents use their children as weapons?  Why can’t they just treat them like the people they are?

John Smythe says:

11:49am | 14/12/11

Sorry Erick. You should be sensible enough to raise this “supposed” problem.

Erick says:

11:57am | 14/12/11

@John Smythe - What does that mean? I can’t parse your comment.

John Smythe says:

12:09pm | 14/12/11

sorry that should read….

sensible enough NOT to raise this “supposed” problem….

It was a dig at a response you got when last trying to raise PAS as a very real and concerning issue.

Erick says:

01:03pm | 14/12/11

Thanks, John, now it makes sense.

Coop says:

01:11pm | 14/12/11

I thought poor use of CAPS was an etiquette issue and is banned on the Punch

holden says:

01:41pm | 14/12/11

Gobsmack and I win the caption/comment prize. Joint effort.
“Put an Apple on their heads, then call in a myopic William Tell!”

ford says:

02:59pm | 14/12/11

@ holden.

You have also been awarded sole ownership of the days FIGJAM award.

gobsmack says:

03:49pm | 14/12/11

@holden
How dare you attempt to ride to glory on my original and witty caption by submitting a lame variation and claiming a “joint effort”.
Begone!

LJ Dots says:

06:35pm | 14/12/11

Well, I had my winning caption ready to send, but thought it wise to check out the opposition first.

[Hovers over the submit button]  Damn. I’ll give you this one iansand.

nossy says:

08:47am | 14/12/11

@chuck   we have a winner I do feel!

Elphaba says:

08:40am | 14/12/11

Fairs, has your workplace offered any kind of counselling?  Maybe going along to a couple of sessions might be good.  Or does your workplace have EAP?  You get a certain number of sessions (usually half a dozen) paid for by the company.  You just call the company, tell themm where you work and they’ll set it up, or you can go through HR.  It’s completely confidential.  I’ve used that service before at my last workplace.  It might help.

nossy says:

08:51am | 14/12/11

@fairsfair no easy answers I am afraid that I know of FF - a difficult time indeed. Best wishes.

AdamC says:

09:27am | 14/12/11

Fairs, that is terrible news. All I can do is echo Elphaba’s suggestions. I know I have not experienced anything like this, so have no advice of my own to give.

Shenanigans says:

09:33am | 14/12/11

You’re work should be able to offer some form of counseling fairs. other then that there really isn’t that much advise one can give in this situation, everyone handles death differently.

bec says:

09:47am | 14/12/11

I’ve experienced something similar (death of a student). Though superficial they are entirely practical suggestions:

*Forget wearing makeup for at least a week. Nobody is going to care and it gives you the opportunity to splash your face with water without worrying about smearing makeup if you do cry.
*Don’t forget to eat, and don’t rely on caffeine to keep you running. I lost 5kg in ten days by virtue of not wanting to eat.
*If there’s an asshole in your office who has a tendency to be inappropriately abrupt or make completely bewildering statements, avoid them entirely if possible. You don’t want to do what I did and tell that person to fuck a cactus. Employers tend not to like that on principle, although they do often empathise (and secretly sneak you chocolates for saying what they wish they could say).
*If the death itself was violent, unexpected or on-premises, by all means take advantage of counselling if offered. Even if you weren’t close to the person who passed away, it still has an impact.
*Dress nicely. You never know if the family/loved ones of the deceased or news cameras will pay a visit to the premises. It can also inflate spirits.
*Work as hard as you can during the day, but take your breaks. Steam-roll a bitch if they get in your way of taking those breaks. No, you don’t need that phone call made now, you *want* it done.
*See friends or family each night for at least two weeks afterwards.
*Make arrangements to go to funerals as soon as they are planned, so that your work can find cover for you.

fairsfair says:

09:57am | 14/12/11

Thanks guys. There has been no mention of counselling as yet - but I think that is probably because it is such a shock. So sudden and she was so young. Plus we don’t know what happened to her. Her direct team have been given time off (not that I think that would help) and I guess HR are working toward offering us all something.

Shocked is the word. I dont’ know what to say. I don’t know what to feel and I don’t know how to respond. It is just so sad. I haven’t cried, where as I feel I should - but then again I am thankful I am not a blubbering mess.

Plus, she and I both lead a fairly similar lifestyle. Single, lived alone, not uncommon to go a few days without talking to family or having someone drop by your house. It has kind of brought it home to me (selfish to be thinking like that at this time) as to how fast it can all be taken away and particularly in my circumstance, how you can not be missed for a couple of days. That is the saddest part of it all. She was not found immediately, she was alone when it happened.

Elphaba says:

10:23am | 14/12/11

@Fairs, it’s not selfish.  We naturally compare everything that happens around us to our own circumstances because it’s the only perspective we have.  Death is easier to accept when it’s someone old, or sick, or both.  We can prepare for it, if it’s a slow decline.  When it happens to someone not those things, it’s shocking and unexpected.

It sounds like you feel a little guilty.  Don’t.  There are things that are truly out of our control.  Don’t beat yourself up about the fact that you didn’t know much about her personally, because I’m sure the small chats she had with you were special to her.

This stuff is always a kick in the guts when it happens, because you can’t prepare for it.  See what HR do in the next few days and if you think you’d benefit from some counselling, go and tell them to provide it.

Simonious says:

10:35am | 14/12/11

Fairs I think you need to go to her funeral and say your goodbyes. Only time will heal the way you feel now and saying goodbye is a good start.

fairsfair says:

10:43am | 14/12/11

Thanks ladies. That is quite helpful advice and I appreciate it.

I just had a bit of a cry with the receptionist. The three of us were always gasbagging and we spoke about wishing we had tried to develop a friendship with her outside of work. Though not confirmed, it seems as though she has taken her own life and that is the hardest part of it all - I wish she had’ve reached out to someone.

Elphaba says:

11:17am | 14/12/11

@fairs, from your posts I was suspecting that.  It’s impossible to know what goes through someone’s head when they make that decision.  They naturally keep it to themselves because it is such a taboo subject.  For all the people that threaten to kill themselves to anyone who will listen, it’s never them that do it.  It’s the quiet ones, who have been able to fake being healthy so well, they have everyone fooled.

It’s certainly a reminder to always look out for others, but at the same time, realise that it’s impossible to save anyone.  She should have spoken out.  And yes, maybe a friendship outside of work might have helped, but it just as easily might not have.  Like I said, those that are on this path are really determined once the decision is made.  We have to be willing to ask for help.  You did what you could for her with the information you had.  Maybe this event will prompt your workplace to evaluate the culture there and improve it.  Some meaning can be gained from this.

Ben C says:

11:52am | 14/12/11

Sorry to hear that fairs. I can’t really offer much except to echo Elph and bec. It’s natural for all the “what ifs” to come out at such a time, but don’t let them consume you.

The funeral might be a sensitive area - her family may just want it to be a private affair. Keep a lookout for funeral notices though, and see if there’s any mention of hers. You might be able to find out where she’ll be buried - if you can’t attend the funeral, at least you’ll know where she is, and you can pay your own respects at another time.

ausspud says:

11:52am | 14/12/11

Their’s a couple of things you should be aware of during this situation,that is dont run away from the situation eg-Im not going to work there anymore because I keep getting reminded of her,and do not take anything to help you deal with it (grog,drugs).Plus find someone to talk to & confort you if you need it,it could be a family member, friend,councellor or a hotline.
Theres plenty of help out there when needed. Good luck

S.L says:

02:10pm | 14/12/11

Although not good either way if it was illness it can be expected but if it was sudden like you indicate I’m assuming an accident of some kind. Fairsfair the only cure is time. Counciling doesn’t suit everyone and her direct colleagues will be stewing over the subject on their time off. Best to just soldier on…........

fairsfair says:

03:16pm | 14/12/11

I have really achieved nothing today. Two ladies in particular are taking it quite badly, but we have been talking about it a fair bit and I think that is probably the best way to go. Just saying how lovely she was and what a cracking sense of humour she had and how she will be missed. The place really isn’t the same without her and even though she has been away for extended periods in the past, it is not the same. I keep expecingt her to stick her head over the partition and crack some random joke or bump into her in reception when dropping off my outgoing mail. 

I would like to go to the funeral if we are permitted.

Thanks for the chat guys. Strangely - this has been more helpful that actually chatting to my workmates.

Elphaba says:

03:30pm | 14/12/11

Hope you feel better soon fairs.

iansand says:

09:41am | 14/12/11

I drove around a corner going the right way on a one way street a couple of days ago, to be confronted by a cyclist going the wrong way in the middle of the road.  And he had the gall to lecture me about “going too fast” (as if 15 km/hr is fast.)  I am generally pretty tolerant of cyclists, but sometimes they are their own worst enemies.

gobsmack says:

10:10am | 14/12/11

I don’t blame the cyclist in this specific instance.  However, I think cyclists do need to be aware that pedestrians, who are used to dealing with noisy and visible motor vehicles when negotiating traffic, can be caught unaware by silent bikes snaking through the traffic.

Bill says:

10:40am | 14/12/11

Easy solution to the cycling menace - make them pay $100s in rego and wear number plates, otherwise ban them completely from the roads.

KungFu_Kimba says:

10:48am | 14/12/11

How about those gopher drivers? A few mere pedestrians nearly got cleaned up by one out of control gopher driver yesterday. She was weaving in and out between people with hardly a care in the world. That thing was going way over the speed limit.

fairsfair says:

11:03am | 14/12/11

Same could be said for Priuses. They need some sort of noise generator when they are operating on the electric motor alone. Dangerous.

neo says:

11:58am | 14/12/11

We need more regulation of road users on bikes. See Amsterdam for a good example of how it should be done.

KungFu_Kimba says:

12:11pm | 14/12/11

@fairsfair maybe Prius’s could play Greensleeves

fairsfair says:

12:26pm | 14/12/11

Lol KF_K! No way - they would then be associated with the excitement of the icecream van and not delivered the ire they deserve.

Anubis says:

12:35pm | 14/12/11

@ KungFu_Kimbo - wouldn’t it be fitting for the Toyota Pious to be playing the tune to Kumbaya rather than Greensleeves

iansand says:

01:17pm | 14/12/11

fairsfair - Didn’t your parents tell you that the vans play Greensleeves to let the kids know that they have run out of icecream?  It sves disappointment.

KungFu_Kimba says:

01:33pm | 14/12/11

@anubis - only if its a high pitched and tinny version

bec says:

09:33am | 14/12/11

Yeah! I want that link to that stocking page, which I am not intelligent enough to find in my browser history…

fairsfair says:

10:40am | 14/12/11

http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/tights-jeggings-leggings-theyre-all-pants/

There you go bec

fairsfair says:

09:21am | 14/12/11

As singer - I am confirming that my angelic voice would suit all of those. Well chosen Aitch. In addition I am going to suggest “Superstar” by Jamelia.

TimB says:

09:36am | 14/12/11

How about ‘Believe it or Not’ from The Greatest American Hero?

Oh and “The Air That I Breathe”

The quality may be questionable but they are air related

James1 says:

09:58am | 14/12/11

J S Bach - Air on a G String.

Dash says:

10:03am | 14/12/11

The answer my friend is Blowing in the Wind.

Max Redlands says:

12:02pm | 14/12/11

Anything by Spinal Tap - just remember to turn up to 11.

ausspud says:

12:13pm | 14/12/11

Heres a few suggestions-
Led Zepp-Rock’n'Roll
Iron maiden-Journeyman
Steelheart-Steelheart
The Angels-Mr Damage
AC/DC-Whole lotta Rosie
Rose Tattoo-Rock’n'Roll outlaw
David Coverdale & Fairsfair duet-I got u babe

Dash says:

12:23pm | 14/12/11

Somewhere along the line we seem to have lost the air/wind theme??? A fairsfair duet?

fairsfair says:

12:41pm | 14/12/11

nah durrr - I hadn’t even noted the air theme dash…don’t mind me…

Dash says:

01:07pm | 14/12/11

@Fairs - not pointed at you at all. I was just trying to work out how ausspud’s suggestions tied into the air/wind theme Aitch had started for his air band. Then ausspud suggests you are doing a duet? That aroused my interest

I have a few songs I’ve written. Perhaps i should send them to you to complete the vocals??

ausspud says:

01:28pm | 14/12/11

Oop’s I miss read it my bad,almost started a punch-up sorry guys.

ausspud says:

01:33pm | 14/12/11

I just realised all the songs are to do with ‘air’ .
Stupid,Stupid,Stupid.

Aitch B says:

02:12pm | 14/12/11

@asspud

No worries…. the ‘air’ songs are only for the first set. We’ll put your suggestions into the ‘kick ass’ final set.

Yours too, ff.

Dash says:

02:22pm | 14/12/11

ausspud - don’t beat yourself up man. There are some awesome songs in your list!

Rowdy says:

09:53am | 14/12/11

...got to learn to reply via the “reply” button…not generate a new comment…

*facepalm*

Tim says:

10:38am | 14/12/11

I like them.

It means I can spot the dickheads that I don’t want to talk to.

Bill says:

10:47am | 14/12/11

Red and white? The swans won’t challenge for the flag for a LONG time.

2012 - The year of the mighty Blues!

TimB says:

11:04am | 14/12/11

He could be a St George fan.

In which case I will echo Tim’s comment.

Stockinbingal roo says:

12:01pm | 14/12/11

Yes I’m a member of St George (Illawarra) and the Swans, the scarf is hand knitted and very daggy, prefer to wear old footy jumpers, 1977 St George or 1997 Swans…and Bill stick to what Carlton does best, pasta!

neo says:

12:03pm | 14/12/11

I only see two situations where a man has a right to wear a scarf:

1. -20 degree weather, under the jacket, to keep warm, not to show your gay side
2. football event, colours of your team

Apart from that, it may be a case of lost or stolen testicles.

neo says:

12:06pm | 14/12/11

Just to add to that:

Men wearing pink clothes, scarves or skinny jeans are all products of the females. My ex used to tell me to dress more metro all the time, the silly girl, and I know plenty of other girls who do the same to their boyfriends. If you want your man to look like a woman, maybe you should become a lesbian.

And no respect to the men who bend to these wishes, grow a set.

Shredder says:

12:09pm | 14/12/11

I feel I must clarify - Androgynous hipsters are not men and neither are metro douches that wear tight bright t shirts, pink shorts and wanky sandshoes.

Oh and anyone that is a Swans supporter should start following a real side or convert to thugby league.

Tim says:

12:29pm | 14/12/11

Shredder,
“Androgynous hipsters are not men and neither are metro douches that wear tight bright t shirts, pink shorts and wanky sandshoes.”

Wait, you mean AFL supporters aren’t really men? Who knew?

gobsmack says:

12:33pm | 14/12/11

This must be a suggestion from Sydney.
When the antarctic winds are blowing on a cold Melbourne winter day, fashion is the last consideration.
PS: The fashion statement is in how they’re knotted (not something I’d expect a troglodyte north of the Murray to know).

Shredder says:

01:08pm | 14/12/11

@ Tim -  I wouldnt know as I’m yet to meet anyone who supports the administrative body of a sport.  Seems kind of odd to me.

Tim says:

01:57pm | 14/12/11

Shredder,
so there’s no major football competition called the Australian Football League?
Yes It does seem kind of odd that you wouldn’t know that.

ibast says:

10:47am | 14/12/11

Way way too little.  If we wish to develop/maintain secondary industries in Australia we need population.  20M spread over this land is just too small of a market.

Breeding isn’t the solution as it takes too long and, given the world appears overpopulated, morally it’s not the ideal way to obtain population growth.

SimonFromLakemba says:

11:06am | 14/12/11

Its all fine, but needs to be planned. Most immigrants will go to the biggest cities just adding to the pressure on all the services.

Shane From Melbourne says:

11:14am | 14/12/11

Way too much. The limited ecology of Australia can only support around 15-20 million. I could go on about driving up the price of housing, pressure on capital city infrastructure (roads, schools, hospitals etc) and downgrading quality of life but you get the picture. Come election time both parties will spout the usual bullshit about supporting a small Australia while continuing large scale immigration policies.
Which is why I will be supporting the stable population party next election.

ausspud says:

12:22pm | 14/12/11

Too much,there’s no point if there going to move straight to the city.
It also depends where from.

holden says:

02:12pm | 14/12/11

Arturo and others. Flay me if i’m wrong, but are not you all talking of “immigration”?  Overseas migration seems to suggest those leaving, not arriving.
Not dogmatic, but if I’m right I can think of about 200,000 people, like Alan Jones, who I would happily sponsor for migration from here to say,
Uganda.  That would be enormously beneficial to this Nation’s ongoing benefit.

Arturo says:

02:51pm | 14/12/11

One of the biggest obstacles to a sensible debate on immigration is the race card.  And every time you try to have a sensible discussion on it the evil WHITE AUSTRALIA POLICY is rolled out as the trump card.  This is an SBS favourite.

Until there is a sensible analysis of the immigration control act of 1901 and the reasons for it, including a comparison on what was happening in the world at the time and still happens in some other countries around the world today then we will find it difficult to have a sensible discussion on immigration.

The intellectual ambush by our university academics on the founding Australian fathers has been so careful constructed and so complete that any sensible reasons for the Immigration Control Act other than rabid racism have been well and truly lost.  This is unfortunate because careful selection of people for immigration to Australia is a big part and probably the major part of what has made Australia such a successful country today.

Arturo says:

04:22pm | 14/12/11

holden,
emigration refers to people leaving a country.
immigration refers to people arriving in a country.
migration is a general term which refers to the movement of people, whether people leaving or arriving, people moving with in Australia or moving overseas.

I won’t flay you because that’s not with in our laws or our values, yet.  But given another few terms of office for Labor that could easily change….

Tim says:

11:24am | 14/12/11

I’m not surprised that someone could do this because there’s plenty of loons out there.
But I am surprised that someone willing to go to the lengths of killing another person in this way could be so stupid.

fairsfair says:

11:53am | 14/12/11

Clearly he thought it was the perfect crime. But tipping your wife down a storm drain in the early hours of the morning is just unbelieveable.  His undoing was the plea to the public - as soon as he did that he looked guilty as and since then the police have been all over him.

The poor lady.

SimonFromLakemba says:

12:01pm | 14/12/11

Bit of a cold act to be honest, dont understand how people can do it. Pretty sure the high majority of murders are committed by people known to the victim.

neo says:

12:08pm | 14/12/11

The dude was probably a Breaking Bad fan.

Erick says:

02:58pm | 14/12/11

Weird. This sort of thing usually happens in Adelaide.

John Smythe says:

04:34pm | 14/12/11

We do get the odd wierdo that’s for sure. Tehre was something many a year back about a killed who raped and killed some poor japanese tourist. Then unceremoniously dumped her in a wheelie and got caught wheeling it somewhere.

Examples like that is why I advocate we remove certain genes from the pool.

John smythe says:

04:45pm | 14/12/11

FFS….I am having just a shit of a day….

should be….wheelie bin…...

fairsfair says:

04:46pm | 14/12/11

Michiko Okuyama. Poor young girl. Send your child to Australia to university for a year and she never comes home.

We have recently had another murder too where a mother killed her 8 year old. I don’t know what is going on. For such a small town - there is a fair bit of serious crime.

Coupled with the 36.8 degree temp that it hit at lunch time (“feels like” app on the iPhone had it pegged at 44.3) it may be time to upstumps and bid Cairns adieu….

TimB says:

12:07pm | 14/12/11

LOL

Oh that’s gold. Nice find.

Dash says:

12:18pm | 14/12/11

Yeah but no pirated video Elph! - Gold

Elphaba says:

12:44pm | 14/12/11

Dash, what did you think of the Foos?

Dash says:

01:01pm | 14/12/11

Elph - Awesome, masterclass in Rock ‘n’ Roll. 2.5 hours of pure joy! I wish I was Grohl instead of a boring accountant!

Elphaba says:

01:15pm | 14/12/11

@Dash, yup, it was awesome.  Top 3.  I’d put it up there with Green Day (better, atually), but those boys put on a pretty awesome show too.

Dash says:

01:37pm | 14/12/11

Elph - I’m a Green day tragic. I love those guys!

I’m sorry I called you a Nanna last week! :-(

Elphaba says:

02:07pm | 14/12/11

Lol, I don’t care.  I was dry, and we weren’t the only poncho wearers!

Besides, it added and extra layer, it was freakin cold in the stands!

I saw GD on the 21st Century Breakdown tour.  Another band that does a 2.5-3hr set.  And actively encouraged stagediving.  Now that’s rock ‘n’ roll!

DAsh says:

02:45pm | 14/12/11

Elph - yeah it was cold. Still, I jumped around a lot - lol

GD are the best! Their last two albums are right up there with the classics and two of the best albums of the last 10 years IMHO.

Elphaba says:

02:57pm | 14/12/11

@Dash, I agree.  They managed to show they weren’t just another brainless band writing about masturbation (among other things), they actually managed to exercise some pretty scathing criticism of politics and American society.  I was blown away by American Idiot.  I almost couldn’t believe it was the same band that wrote Dookie (also a favourite) - the two were light years, subject-matter wise, from each other.

I like 21st CB, but American Idiot was a tough act to follow.  It was never going to be as good, even wih Butch Vig at the helm.  Still, both are amazing.

SimonFromLakemba says:

12:03pm | 14/12/11

You’re a fool, and an Australian born has never done this?

Labor Shark says:

12:16pm | 14/12/11

Labor don’t want to stop these boats, why would they want to stop all those future Labor voters, with Australia’s generous family reunion program in a few years the number of Labor voters will quadruple and with the baby bonus/generous welfare payments for low families on welfare well the sky is the limit for the number of future Labor voters. 

Unfortunately for Labor nobody appears to be falling for their offshore processing charades, its quite clear that their real policy is onshore processing despite what they said at the Labor party conference.  It would be nice if they could just be honest about their policy instead of trying to confuse the xenophobic voter by blaming the coalition.

Way to go Labor.

gobsmack says:

12:45pm | 14/12/11

This morning I was in the process of writing a similar complaint when I suddenly got (what I think is) a great idea for the caption.

neo says:

01:06pm | 14/12/11

Rednecks know how to sign petitions?

I could go on says:

01:06pm | 14/12/11

This is sad as a Muslim reality TV show could illustrate

1) the benefits of arranged marriages particular those where you return home to your ethnic homeland to marry a cousin that you have never met.  They show what the Americans do with the dowry or other payments that change hands as a result.

2) the benefits of having families with at least two wives and preferably more up to 4 wives.  The show should look at the relationship between the dominate wife and the other lower wives.

3) the benefits of having at least 8 children in each family…

Only in America…sigh

gobsmack says:

01:25pm | 14/12/11

Not banned, just Lowe’s has pulled its advertising.  Says Lowe’s:

“We believe it is best to respectfully defer to communities, individuals and groups to discuss and consider such issues of importance.”

Sure, and they wouldn’t want to lose any money if the looney far-right Christians start boycotting their stores.

SimonFromLakemba says:

02:21pm | 14/12/11

Sorry no idea why I said banned, and I read the article!

Arturo says:

03:02pm | 14/12/11

I could go on, you missed a point-

When the daughter defies the wishes of the father in relation to the first point, the reality TV could let everybody know the best way for the father and the brothers to maintain family honour.  Which I understand is so important in the Muslim faith, almost dare I say deadly important…

SimonFromLakemba says:

03:27pm | 14/12/11

Name the last honor killing in Australia?

Arturo says:

04:14pm | 14/12/11

Simon,  In some countries this is a daily occurrence.  The world is so connected with communication and close that people don’t magically change their values or the way they want to live their lives just because they cross a border.  And it would be nice to hear so Muslims admit to their fellow Australians and themselves that 7th century practices and barbarism are still firmly entrenched in some countries around the world.

simonfromlakemba says:

08:09pm | 14/12/11

Still didnt answer my question so ill take that as im right

ibast says:

03:15pm | 14/12/11

Expensive guitars are the biggest wank in the world.  Two bits of wood nailed together and a little hardware.

Yeah sure some are more sensitive to the touch, but the price difference is mainly wankery.

Then again diamonds are just rocks that the seller says are valuable and the buyer is gullible enough to believe.

Elphaba says:

03:20pm | 14/12/11

It’s not the prettiest axe.  It looks like they couldn’t decide on the shape so they just winged it.

TRBNGR says:

03:21pm | 14/12/11

That looks like a Jazzmaster just with a Tele neck and hardware.

I don’t mind the look of it, but try as I might I just can’t come to that damned unco tele headstock (the only reason I don’t own a tele).

So for me, yay to the body shape and hardware, boo to the headstock.

Dash says:

04:17pm | 14/12/11

@ibast - I understand where you are coming from, but do not fully agree with you. There are lots of things that add to the price of electric guitars.

Firstly, the timber used in production ranges from cheap pine to expensive timber like Indian Rosewood, Ebony etc. And it does make a difference to the sound.

Also, some of the finishes can be labour intensive. In particular, french polishing takes significant man hours and manual labour.

Binding, chambering, carving tops also adds cost.

And trust me, there are very crap components on the market. Tuning machines and pickups are very important and I’ve played Chinese guitars that I wouldn’t use as firewood, with aweful pickups and tuners that wont do the job.

Also, the nut is so important and there is a huge difference between a plastic poorly cut nut and a bone nut which has been hand cut and fitted.

Now made in Mexico vs Made in California, yes you are right. Some of the Japanese made Fenders are better than their US cousins.

In my opinion, there tends to be a huge difference between a Chinese made $350 guitar and a Standard Fender or Gibson guitar at say $1500. But the difference becomes smaller and less about playability the higher up the price scale you go.

Anyway, these guitars are only that expensive because they are reliced by hand in the custom shop. A process which takes hours. I don’t personaly like it but someone must.

I just wanted peoples opinon on how they look.

Dash says:

04:20pm | 14/12/11

@TRBNGR - What about with a Stratocaster headstock? Or even the Jazzmaster headstock?

@Elph, the shape is the fender Jazzmaster/Jaguar with Tele components. the shape has been around since 1958, just not with these components and neck.