merrylander

[merrylander]

Hardly a newbie having been here for some time. Seventy-six going on seventy-seven, opinionated old fart and really don't give a damn who that upsets.

Got into vintage quite by accident while looking for a microfiche reader and was pointed at eBay. Found the reader but also saw the home audio section. Tried a few makes and settled on Yamaha and now I primarily buy non-working vintage if only to keep them out of the landfill. A hobby that rapidly got out of hand. I also enjoy cabinetmaking and often veneer the cases of those same receivers. In fact the cabinetmaking is more enjoyable than the electronics. Over the years I have hung onto a few Yamahas;

Family Room CR-2020 with Polk Monitor 7Bs

Bedroom CR-1000 with NS-670s veneered in Cherry to match the CR-1000 with a Yamaha K-1000 cassette, Pioneer PL-88FS TT and Onkyo CDP

Fun Room CR-2040 with stacked Original Advents, CDP-505 and K-350 cassette PX-3 TT

Shop CR-800 with Polk Monitor 10Bs, Pioneer PL-05 TT Pioneer CDP and half a dozen 6 CD holders.

Spare two pair Polk Monitor 5s, pair NS-670 T-10 tuner and Sony FL7 TT.

Workbench full of test gear and too damn much land to look after.

The name? Saw a chap with a T-shirt "The Merryversity of Uniland" and it just popped into my head when I needed a handle. Got to meet a lot of good AK folks at the last Fest, probably went there just in time as my travelling days are done. Oh yeah, all of the above equipment just ensures that there is always music (classical) playing where ever I happen to be since that is what it is all about.:music:

[Sandy G]

Don't let Rob's modesty fool you. His woodworking skills are nothing short of masterpieces. Ask him to send some shots of his dollhouses...

[Vitopanch]

That is a very nice introduction Merrylander. I have enjoyed your posts and it is nice to know more about you. Best wishes,

Vito

[cableguy]

Rob your work is always first class and your knowledge of Yamaha gear has been a huge asset to me as well as many others. Thanks for everything you do for AK....


Bill

[pmsummer]

A true PRINCE among men, and one of the reasons I stuck around AK long enough to feel at home.

[ozmoid]

Don't let Rob's modesty fool you. His woodworking skills are nothing short of masterpieces. Ask him to send some shots of his dollhouses...
...or get him to real-wood veneer a receiver case for you. Absolutely beautiful work, a real master. :thmbsp:

[tentoze]

And a hell of a nice guy, to boot.

[bordeno]

Nice to meet you, Rob LOL :D

[jcmjrt]

Don't let Rob's modesty fool you. His woodworking skills are nothing short of masterpieces. Ask him to send some shots of his dollhouses...

Yep, some of those old receivers etc have come out looking gorgeous! :thmbsp:

[pmsummer]

Don't let Rob's modesty fool you. His woodworking skills are nothing short of masterpieces. Ask him to send some shots of his dollhouses...

But I can't help but think what a nice Doll House/Yamaha receiver he could produce. :banana:

[merrylander]

Sounds like an idea but I think that would be carrying electronic miniaturization a bit further than these old hands can manage. I looked out the window this AM and said "Lo, the morn." but the grass said "Mow the lawn." so I'm off to sit on the tractor for a few hours.

[KeninDC]

Hot as Hades today for lawn mowing, Rob. If I were you, I'd head down to the basement with the stacked Advents.

[nosirrah]

Good to hear that 7070 is singing again, your woodworking skills are legendary here, take it easy on that lawn.
Casey

[analog addict]

What you say your name was again???

:D

[Scorpion8]

merrylander :thmbsp:

[merrylander]

I am down in the basement cooling off with my buddy Sam Adams then I am heading for the showers. Just wanted to take time to dress down that wannabe telephone company Verizon, made two appointments and they didn't keep either. I would write to the PUC but they are such a bunch of wusses it would be about as useful as shouting up a dead horse's arse, if you'll pardon the expression.

[pbda]

Rob is a gentleman and a scholar. And he looks at least 10 years younger than he states his age to be.

[JJJimmy]

Seventy-six going on Seventy-seven!?!?!

Better get my stuff to him quick for spruce up....he's prolly booked into his EIGHTIES!!!;)

[rickr15]

Glad you ended up here Rob. The site is an awful lot better for your presence.

[Teron]

I am down in the basement cooling off with my buddy Sam Adams then I am heading for the showers. Just wanted to take time to dress down that wannabe telephone company Verizon, made two appointments and they didn't keep either. I would write to the PUC but they are such a bunch of wusses it would be about as useful as shouting up a dead horse's arse, if you'll pardon the expression.

The amount of witty(more often than not hilarious)remarks with their often valuable insight are many coming from this guy! Along with those great writing skills can also fix anything and can dress them up so very very nice!

Glad to have you around as not only the upstanding guy you are, but also as the Dr. to my sometimes ailing gear.

:thmbsp:

:music: -) powered by merrylander repaired(and beautifully dressed) gear (-

Beautiful CR-2040 purchased from Rob in Black Walnut.

[merrylander]

Well our gardner is here now spreading mulch, he also does the hand mower trimming just because I'm too damn old. Here is the smaller side yard, all nicely mowed. The other side is half as wide again.

[Teron]

Seeing the one pic of the porch work many moons ago and now, this one...looks like a beautiful yard! Wow you have green grass? Been sort of dry round these parts so it's a mix of brown and green. Water is pricey here so watering is usually out of the question.

Ariens, eh? Had a zero turn myself back when I had some land. Workhorses they are, snapped belt from running over who knows what was the only work that thing ever needed. Ariens even provided me with a free PDF service manual too(which was necessary for the belt replacement). Regular maintenance of oil changes and grease and it was otherwise hassle free.

I miss the zero turn(current yard is a 20 minute ordeal(instead of 2-3 hours).

What kind of newer tree is that there? I just planted some arborvitae to replace an ugly old fence and a few other evergreens myself recently.

[Urizen]

Dr. Yamaha.

I had the pleasure of owning one of Rob's restorations, a CR-800.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/Urizen_2006/cr8002.jpg

It was one of the best sounding, and looking, receivers I have yet to own and hear. A good friend of my fawned over it, and he is now enjoying it, along with a minty pair of EPI-100 I recapped for him.

Rob is one of many who make this a great place.:thmbsp:

[GordonW]

Well our gardner is here now spreading mulch, he also does the hand mower trimming just because I'm too damn old. Here is the smaller side yard, all nicely mowed. The other side is half as wide again.

OK, that lawnmower is just too clean. Did you just have it detailed? :scratch2:

Regards,
Gordon.

[wajobu]

I hope to have the pleasure of meeting Rob someday...and seeing that shop and workbench of his!

[hakaplan]

Rob, just want to thank you for all the help and advice you've given me. It's great having you here. :thmbsp:

[merrylander]

...
What kind of newer tree is that there? I just planted some arborvitae to replace an ugly old fence and a few other evergreens myself recently.

That's a sugar maple but I'm afraid it is dying, fortunately they guaranteed it for a year. Further down there is some kind of oak at the right. Dug it out of where the garden bed is in front of the grove when it was about four feet high. To the left is a willow oak that nearly died, silly college kids working for the landscaper planted it complete with wire basket and fiberglass burlap. There is also another sugar maple further down and of course the thirty white pines Florence and I planted, make a great wind break in the winter. All told I guess we have put in near about 100 trees.

That Ariens is eleven years old, had a leak in the power steering cylinder because the shaft got pitted and would keep wearing out the seal. They wanted $400 for a whole new cylinder, don't sell just the shaft. Asked the dealer if he could find a local engineering shop to fabricate a new shaft - they did just that - parts, labor, pickup and delivery under $250.

The green grass is courtesy of three thunder storms in three days.

[alexkerhead]

I am glad you are here, Rob.

I think you've been responsible for several hundred(if not thousand) pieces of advice that led to people like the average "DIYer" to repairing our great vintage gear. :)

For that, I am grateful.

[RichPA]

Rob's not only a great guy, he got up early enough that I had a breakfast buddy at the Fest :thmbsp:

[bordeno]

The green grass is courtesy of three thunder storms in three days.

At least you're getting some rain, Rob....dry as the desert up the road apiece in Carroll County.

I spend about an hour each morning watering.

[Drybasement]

I'm sure glad you made the trip to this year's AK Fest Rob as it was a pleasure to meet you. I'll hoist a Sam Adams as soon as I get one. ;)

[Mark B]

My CR-3020 and I salute you sir!

[merrylander]

Well, I finally found the right button, they showed up Friday and fixed the phone. Nothing like the threat to go to Comcast voice to get action.

[luvvinvinyl]

Rob, it was my pleasure to meet you at the Fest.

Not only is Rob an excellent tech, thorough and exact in his work, but he is truly a gentleman, gallant, and ever ready to come to the aid of a lady in distress.

Linda says Hi! Joanne says Hi, and thanks!

[Retro Stereo]

I guess I've known Rob ever since I got here a loooong time ago. I've always just referred to him as "The Yamaha Guru" and left it at that. It was great to finally meet Rob at the last AK Fest and to see him being presented with the last AK Member of the Year Award! Now that I've met him, and seen the kind of gentleman he is, I prefer to call him "friend."



Retro

[merrylander]

I am glad that I was able to make it to the fest and meet all the people that I did. As I have noted elsewhere, that was possibly my one and only Fest as travelling has become a bit more than this old bod can stand. It is with a great deal of humility that I realize how many friends I have here in AK. Ernie a big hello to Joanne and Linda, I guess I had a senior moment earlier as I did not mean to forget her, I spent rather a lot of time with them both at the Fest.

Florence feels quite gratified that I have gotten so much friendship sent my way, of course her opinion of me might be a tad biased. My opinion of her is not at all biased, she is simply the best thing that ever happened to me.:D

[opt80]

Rob is class in my book,bar none

Alan

[Eric Clark]

As I have noted elsewhere, that was possibly my one and only Fest as travelling has become a bit more than this old bod can stand.


What if I drive?

[Mark B]

....As I have noted elsewhere, that was possibly my one and only Fest as travelling has become a bit more than this old bod can stand....
Traveling by train with a berth in a sleeper car is an enjoyable way to travel.

[Yamaha B-2]

Yes.....except for having to schlepp one's own luggage and also getting up to catch the train (at both ends) at 3 a.m.

But, Rob's da man. Thanks for all your help.

[merrylander]

I looked into the train as a way of getting there, but the $$$$ Ouch. At my age a berth with the john at the end of the car doesn't quite work.

[cheon57]

Glenwood...Glenwood...Glenwood... I lived in MD for the first 30 and it took me forever to place Glenwood. Then it dawned on me. Out Georgia Ave past Olney.
What I have seen of your work with veneers is wonderful. Many "craftsmen" could only wish to have your touch and eye. I hope to see many more pieces, there are far too few true craftsmen left.:smoke::smoke::smoke:

[merrylander]

That's us, three miles north of Sunshine. We are not really Glenwood but that's what they gave us for a postal address. We are on a small cul-de-sac with just 21 homesites ranging from 3 to 6 acres. We are in the middle of the pack with 4.5.

[cheon57]

My first real summer job after 10th grade was doing site landscaping on Highlands of Olney(right there by the leaky water tower), Norbeck Meadows and Winters Run. Lunches every other day at Olney Ale House, swilling Bass Ale on tap before I was old enough to drive and then having to drive back to the site.:D Every house in Highlands had to have French Drains put in the basements and we had to do something to deaden the sound of that blasted jackhammer going in the basement.
I still have some family back there but most of them are gravitating to either the Eastern Shore or like my dad to rural Delaware.
Those were the days. Summers on either the Severn River, Dare Beach on the Bay and of course the standard week in OC.
:smoke::smoke::smoke:

[Jack Lord]

Rob is one of the more fascinating people around. A visit to his workshop is always alot of fun.

[Harvey/ Ga]

Don't let Rob's modesty fool you. His woodworking skills are nothing short of masterpieces. Ask him to send some shots of his dollhouses...

As is his expertise with th elecrtonics...many thanks for fixing my old original owner) CR-820. One day the 2020 will find it's way to you. :yes:

[whyaskit]

opinionated old fart and really don't give a damn who that upsets.

:thmbsp: nice

[spaceman]

I've never had the pleasure of meeting Rob, but I could tell right away that he's a class act. :smoke: Not only is he smart & skilled, but he's also genuinely friendly, & he's quick to help other people. That says a LOT about a person. :thmbsp:

[cason]

merrylander,
Nice to meet you. Have read a few posts of yours while lurking in the background. Opinionated old farts aren't so bad, I rather like myself - most of the time.
Bob

[Strangeband]

Great intro that captures the spirit of AK. I always take time to look at any pics Rob posts of his amazing handiwork.