• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

adouglas

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
5,592
Location
On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
Earlier today, in another thread I cited Finagle's Law (aka Finagle's First Law):

The perversity of the universe tends towards a maximum.

Finagle's Law is similar to Murphy's Law, but it does not eliminate positive outcomes.

Oddly enough, I just experienced a perfect example of Finagle's Law.

When I bought my CR Bongo 5 H I also picked up a few sets of EB straplocks so all three of my basses could have the same system installed. Previously only my DG Bongo 5 HHp had locks (Dunlops).

Since Dunlops have larger screws, that meant I'd have to do the ol' toothpick-wood glue trick when installing the new locks.

No problem. Remove larger screws, coat flat toothpicks in wood glue, saw new screws over a candle to coat them in wax, stick toothpick pieces in the hole, assemble the new screw/strap button/washer and......

WHERE'S THE WASHER? WHERE'S THE FRIGGIN' WASHER?

omygod this is not a plain washer it's a special one that is half curved and half flat and the glue is already in the hole and starting to dry and if I let it dry in place I'm going to have to drill a new hole and I'll probably get it wrong and screw up the finish on my precious bass and I just can't deal with that and WHERE'S THE WASHER???????

WHERE'S THE FRIGGIN WASHER??!?!!????


Breathe.

The screw is covered with wax, so it won't be stuck. Therefore, I can install the new button, taking care not to tighten in too much, and let the glue dry. I'll call customer service for a new washer on Friday since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and all will be good.

Whew.

Fine. Clean up the room. Gather and discard the detritus of the string change I did at the same time, chuck junk mail, pull out the vacuum and start running it around....

...wait a minute.

There's something in my shoe, under my heel.

No. It couldn't be.

Could it?

Shoe comes off and...

Yep. The little bugger fell off and landed INSIDE MY SHOE.

I must owe a karmic debt or something. I was REALLY freaking there for a moment.
 

douglasspears

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
504
Location
Atlanta, GA
haha. I needed to get a new snare release lever for my snare drum. After 7+ years of putting it on the drum stool to sqtop the snare rattle when nobody was playing, I finally realized I could replace the lever!?! :D

Anyway, I bought a new lever, took the drum head off to replace the lever, including the nuts and locking washers (x2) that attached it to the shell of the drum. Sure enough, only 1 locking washer remained upon re-assembly!?! I looked in my toolbox, couldn't find a spare. I guess I need to check my shoe!

Strangely enough, I bought another (used, wooden as opposed to my current metal one) snare drum today too while in pursuit of said lever :cool:
 

sloshep

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
784
Location
111 miles NE of San Luis Obispo, Ca
Been there done that so many times. I found missing screws, washers etc... in pants cuffs and in between shoe laces. Usually at the end of the day when getting ready for bed. So I would say you have come out ahead of me on that one.:p

p.s. glad you found the washers. That would have caused great anxiety in my house.:eek:
 
Last edited:

Duarte

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
2,023
Location
Birmingham, UK
Excellent! I love stories like this!

What are those laws you're talking about? Actually don't answer that I don't want to anger you!
 

douglasspears

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
504
Location
Atlanta, GA
Update!

found the locking washer....downstairs in the kitchen, near the trash can!? Yep, found it AFTER I put the drum head back on and tuned it up. :mad: Crap

Have no idea how it found it's way downstairs and positioned itself in the kitchen. Strange.

haha. I needed to get a new snare release lever for my snare drum. After 7+ years of putting it on the drum stool to sqtop the snare rattle when nobody was playing, I finally realized I could replace the lever!?! :D

Anyway, I bought a new lever, took the drum head off to replace the lever, including the nuts and locking washers (x2) that attached it to the shell of the drum. Sure enough, only 1 locking washer remained upon re-assembly!?! I looked in my toolbox, couldn't find a spare. I guess I need to check my shoe!

Strangely enough, I bought another (used, wooden as opposed to my current metal one) snare drum today too while in pursuit of said lever :cool:
 

adouglas

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
5,592
Location
On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
found the locking washer....downstairs in the kitchen, near the trash can!? Yep, found it AFTER I put the drum head back on and tuned it up. :mad: Crap

Have no idea how it found it's way downstairs and positioned itself in the kitchen. Strange.

Finagle would be proud.

See the difference? What you just experienced was not Murphy at work. You found the washer, after it would do you no good at all.
 
Top Bottom