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Midori Traveler's Notebook - photo by Eclectic Psyche “Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only ...

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Midori Traveler's Notebook Companion

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
- Berthold Auerbach



The Mission:
Photo - Eclectic Psyche
Well it was time for a new electric guitar and I wanted something with a hint of rustic character and some toughness that would make it reasonably travel tolerant like my Midori Traveller's Notebook.  I didn't want something glossy and decorated with fragile trimmings that have no affect on the sound quality.  I didn't want a "pretty" guitar.  I had some key criteria I wanted it to meet - it had to be rustic looking (like the Midori); handle a few knocks and blemishes (like the Midori); wear well and change colour over time (like the Midori); and thereby have some character, but it also had to be quality materials and well made (like the Midori) and of course, being a guitar, had to sound good and play well.

Quite a challenging set of criteria for an electric guitar, I thought, and an interesting exercise.  So the question arose - could I find a guitar travelling and writing companion for my Midori (or at least something with equal character)?  I was curious to see if I could find something that complimented the Midori minimalist travel theme; a rustic, no frills guitar with the rugged warmth of a time gone by.



The Search
Photo - Eclectic Psyche
I spent some time trudging around guitar stores only to find most of the guitars I saw didn't quite fit what I was looking for.  They were either glossy, fragile trimmed instruments that I would never take out of the house or they were just poor quality and poor sounding.  None seemed to reflect the Midori spirit I sought.  Then I happened across one store where I found a relatively new line of 2013 guitars by Gibson.  The Gibson LPJ to be precise.  It met all the criteria I had set to the point it almost felt tailor made for the Midori.  It was even constructed with the old traditional 1950's chunky neck profile that further reflected the nostalgic journeyman reminiscence that Midori embodies.  A wonderfully constructed instrument without all the ostentatious coverings...a rough diamond, a good match for my Midori and my needs.



"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
- Michelangelo


The Finding:
Photo - Eclectic Psyche
The deep rich satin brown (chocolate) colour of the Gibson LPJ made it an ideal match for my brown leather Midori.  Two worn and rustic travelling companions finally meeting up.   Together they felt as comfortable and inviting as an old, worn-in Chesterfield and its accompanying ottoman.   Best of all the Gibson LPJ is a great sounding guitar, with a low action and the chunky 50's style neck I like.  It feels comfortable, it feels like I've had it for years.  The 498T and 490R humbucker pickups produce that wonderful deep muddy sound that resonates through the air of a room, fuelling the creative writing mind and inspiring the imaginings of a new journey.  Overall, a match made in travel/writing heaven.




I'll no doubt make a few minor mods to the Gibson LPJ but overall I am quite pleased with it as it is.  And surprisingly, it is one of the most affordable Gibson electric guitars on the market.  If you're in the market for a new guitar, then check out the Gibson LPJ.  It truly is an enjoyable guitar to play and has that unique Les Paul sound.  What I also like is how the guitar changes colour/shading the more I handle it, just like the Midori leather does.  It was a very dull, flat colour when I got it but now it has deeper shading with a natural sheen.  Absolutely perfect for what I wanted.  If you love the Midori Traveler's Notebook and, like me, you need a new guitar then you really can't go past the LPJ.
Photo - Eclectic Psyche

Photo - Eclectic Psyche
Photo - Eclectic Psyche




Mission accomplished:

Photo - Eclectic Psyche
I now have a good addition to the Midori.  I have no doubt that it will weather the tough rigours of time and travel quite well.  Any blemish will just add to its character in much the same way as it does for the Midori.  After all time, travel, natural wear and misadventure are all life's badges that should be worn as proud memento's of a life well explored, experienced and enjoyed.  Inspire it.  Live it.





"If music be the food of love, play on."

Shakespeare, Twelfth Night




The Future (crystal ball gazing):
Photo - Eclectic Psyche
Now I just need the good people at Midori to produce a Gibson/Midori Traveler's Guitar Notebook and then to send me one for free for conceiving the concept.  :)  Ah, I can dream can't I?!

Beyond that, I'll also be dreaming of a 12 string guitar with similar features and a new black Midori Traveler's Notebook.  In the meanwhile, I'm happy to see where these two companions take me.......








Friday, December 27, 2013

Noodler's New Konrad Flex Pen Colours


Nathan Tardif, founder and owner of Noodler's Ink, has been busy putting his creative and artistic talents to good use creating some new pen designs/colours again.  Nathan has released a new range of colours for his popular Konrad Flex Pen series.   Very eye catching colour combinations in the desirable Acrylic Acetate material used by many quality pen makers.  I'd love to get a hold of one of the Coral Sea pens to match my Noodler's Coral Sea ink but sadly, they probably won't be released in Australia.  Oh well,  such is the popularity of Nathan's designs back in the US (as well as elsewhere).

Image courtesy Goulet Pen Company

If you can get one of these pens, make sure you do; not only are they interesting colours but the Konrad pens are great pens to use.   And if the colours and pen design don't garner your interest then surely Nathan's exotic names alone make it worthwhile buying one.   Names such as Coral Sea, Appalachian Pearl, Emeralds of the Sun, Marbled Marianas, Ghostly Lapis, Olde Salem and Victory Garden (ah, love it).  Gotta love a pen with an intriguing name, sort of brings it to life.

For $40US, you can't ask for much more (if anything).   A great pen, brightly coloured, in a quality material with names you could put on a billionaires yacht (or race horse).  Shame I will just have to enjoy the videos rather than the real thing.

Brian from the Goulet Pen Company has posted a very informative video on the new Konrad flex pens and their bright new colours - check out his video below.  




And, no, I don't have any affiliation with Goulet Pens, Nathan or Noodler's or anyone else who may be connected to the manufacture or sale of pens.  To be honest I've never bought anything from Goulet Pens because the postage is often more expensive than the product (particularly for Noodler's products).  I just enjoy Noodler's pens and inks, when I can purchase them close to where I live.  They do occasionally pop up around here but not very often.


 Noodler's homepage at www.noodlersink.com