On writing

The bout of insane creativity continues - that's 5 sets of lyrics in 10 days. (See previous LJ entries if you don't believe me)

Part of it is definitely down to having the Moleskine, and carrying it with me everywhere - being able to scribble down ideas, snippets whenever I can is really helping. I'm also sure that the quality of said little notebook helps - it's nice having something that looks and feels good to work in. And telynor is dead right about a fountain pen too. :) Having picked up a black Lamy Safari at Rymans yesterday, I've discovered two things:

• it makes me write slower and neater, because
• writing becomes a joy, above and beyond just a means of getting words down on paper. I find myself writing things down more!
  

I haven't owned a fountain pen since senior school (barring a few calligraphy pens at university), and I'd forgotten how tactile and pleasant the act of laying ink down on paper with a nib is compared to using a biro or even a gel or fibre tip.

New toy! and for sale notice :)

At last :)

deborah_c bought my Troubadour octave mandolin off me last month, which, while I enjoyed, isn't really big/deep/resonant enough for what I want (it seems to suit her perfectly, so life is good).

To replace it, I've acquired a Blue Moon large-bodied bouzouki from Hobgoblin, which I had them fit with a cheap and cheerful Belcat pickup -- normally this fits externally, but they've fitted it under the soundboard and drilled a hole for a jack socket. With the addition of some decent heavy strings, it sounds awesome - instant Steve Knightley.

(Note to anyone else eyeing one - they come in two versions, and the newer shipment have a truss rod - do not try putting heavy strings on the older ones, because you'll bow the neck!)

As for the for sale, I'm rationalising my collection of odd stringed instruments, and the following are surplus:

• Antoria electric mandolin - sunburst, single pickup, volume and tone controls, f-holes, pear shaped (not in the bad sense :) ). Pictures available on request and I'll restring it for you. £100 or near offer.
• No-brand (as far as I can tell it's a Gremlin or similar import for Hobgoblin etc) laud - basically it's a Spanish six-course/12-string mandolin. It should apparently be tuned AEBF#C#G#, but I keep mine in GCFBbDG (guitar capo 3) - sexybass has a similar one he keeps in DADGAD or a transposition of it. Quite light steel/silver strings, kinda mediaeval-looking. Again, pictures on request once I've bought it some new strings. (You can hear it on "Theoden King" on my 'The Oak, The Rowan and the Wild Rose'). £70 or near offer.
  

I wish...

... my GAS budget wasn't earmarked till October or later.

'Cause.... the things I could do with a Strat-zouki!!!!

Having said that, it does look as though it's just a Strat with two extra tuners, extra nut slots, and a modified bridge, and I'm not sure if the high and low courses aren't a bit close to the edge of the fingerboard.