Stephen Packer wrote:

> > > And I'm currently learning to drive a bus.
> >
> > Genuinely why?
>
> I'm convinced it's a euphemism.

It must be.

--
Simon

On 12/11/2021 22:24, Bruce Horrocks wrote:
> On 12/11/2021 22:07, YTC#1 wrote:
>> I've considerd the PSV licence thing.
>
> Don't bother with coach driving (as opposed to bus driving) if your back
> is anything other than perfect - as loading and unloading suitcases will
> soon get you.
>

Noted. Back is dodgy. Along with knee.

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 13/11/2021 02:50, Stephen Packer wrote:
> On Friday, 12 November 2021 at 22:07:17 UTC, YTC#1 wrote:
>> On 12/11/2021 21:07, Champ wrote:
>>> On 12 Nov 2021 17:56:52 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibble...@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Life is short. Money doesn't matter as long as one has "enough"
>>>
>>> <applause>
>>>
>>> I drive a truck for a couple of mornings a week. And I'm currently
>>> learning to drive a bus. Turns out I don't need much money nowadays.
>>> Life is so much relaxed than the last 5 years (at least) of my full-on
>>> IT professional life
>>>
>> I've considerd the PSV licence thing.
>
> I could understand a truck. But a bus?

Ah, not for a bus. More for small ferrying people about stuff.

>
> Fuck that, I'd have to talk to people. Shudder.
>

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On Fri, 12 Nov 2021 18:07:59 +0000, Pete Fisher
<peter@ps-fisher.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>On 12/11/2021 14:14, Turby wrote:
>> On 11/12/2021 5:19 AM, Mark Olson wrote:
>>> Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> El Thu, 11 Nov 2021 22:41:48 +0000, Mark Olson escribió:
>>>
>>>>> Moral: Stop working. It's later than you think.
>>>>
>>>> Seconded. Unless you like working. I believe Neil enjoyed his work.
>>>
>>> A person is lucky if they can say they genuinely enjoy it. I enjoy
>>> certain parts of my job, but the overhead of all the stuff I don't care
>>> for generally overwhelms the good stuff.
>>
>> I did mechanical design using CAD. It was like playing games every day,
>> making very complicated shapes. I got a promotion. It turned out to be
>> nothing but paper pushing. I did it for 2 years, proved I was a good
>> boy, then went to a VP and asked for my old job back. And I wanted to
>> work evening shift. He said OK, and I could keep the pay raise. Great. I
>> could go surfing in the morning, then go to work with no one to bother
>> me. When I retired, it hit me how few people in this world enjoy what
>> they do for a living.
>>
>>
>
>Whereas I ended up hating what I did. That is until I took early
>retirement and was invited back just to play with the computer systems.
>Which I did for another 7 years. I even accrued a small additional
>superannuation pension doing it.

My very early work, research in the labs, was rewarding, enjoyable,
and productive, and I sincerely regretted it when we parted ways.
Since then I've gone through a succession of positions that while more
involved and responsible have felt less and less enjoyable, ending up
in post where I started to feel I was protecting people whose role was
not entirely positive in society. That, and a realisation of
sufficient funds, meant that I retired as soon as I reasonably could,
without leaving colleagues in the lurch, and I haven't regretted a
minute of it.

--

Pete
Garage vacancy now filled, N+1 incremented accordingly
F800R

El Sat, 13 Nov 2021 11:40:02 +0000, sweller escribió:

> I enjoy what I do - I always have. I liked driving trains and I like
> working for the trade union.

My next door neighbour drives trains (goods).

He loves it but is about to be retired (at 60).

He is probably the highest paid person in the village.

But here they have to pay for their own training (about 15000€, I
believe).

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

Paul Carmichael wrote:

> > I enjoy what I do - I always have. I liked driving trains and I
> > like working for the trade union.
>
> My next door neighbour drives trains (goods).

If I were to go back driving (never going to happen as my licence is
long expired) it would be freight

> He loves it but is about to be retired (at 60).

The normal retirement age for the UK railway pension scheme (final
salary) is also 60. However, there are sections where it is now 62.

> He is probably the highest paid person in the village.

SAMEF is an effective union.

> But here they have to pay for their own training (about 15000€, I
> believe).

Yes, Spain is the only country to do this. Not a good thing.

--
Simon

Paul Carmichael wrote:

> Life is short. Money doesn't matter as long as one has "enough".

Amen to that.

If someone had told me a few years back that I could live on what I do
these days[1] I'd have laughed at them - and laughed really long & hard!

> Having said that, I want a Cordoba C12 and can't afford it now.

Is that some kind of SEAT?

[1] Of course, it helps that most of our household & living costs are
covered by P's pension.

--
Chris

Champ wrote:

> The only thing is to have some balance. Have some plan for the
> future, but remember to enjoy today too.

This, in spades.

--
Chris

El Sat, 13 Nov 2021 13:55:56 +0000, CT escribió:

> Paul Carmichael wrote:
>
>> Life is short. Money doesn't matter as long as one has "enough".
>
> Amen to that.
>
> If someone had told me a few years back that I could live on what I do
> these days[1] I'd have laughed at them - and laughed really long & hard!

I did worry a tad leaving a job that paid well (about 54k + benefits 20
years ago). I thought I was skint then, so how was I to survive on less?

>> Having said that, I want a Cordoba C12 and can't afford it now.
>
> Is that some kind of SEAT?
>
>

https://www.thomann.de/es/cordoba_c12_cedar.htm?
ref=prod_variations_216778_2

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

On 11/12/2021 2:20 PM, WUN wrote:
> On Friday, November 12, 2021 at 9:07:32 PM UTC, Champ wrote:
>> On 12 Nov 2021 17:56:52 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibble...@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>> Life is short. Money doesn't matter as long as one has "enough"
>> <applause>
>>
>> I drive a truck for a couple of mornings a week. And I'm currently
>> learning to drive a bus.
>
> Mate... Mate... (How to put this delicately?). I remember being ferried from the
> pub back to Snetterton in Sweller's Sherpa, with you at the wheel.
>
> Are you *sure* about this?
>
Genuine LOL.

--
The erstwhile Thomas
FJR1300, R1200GS, ST1100 (in memoriam)

On 13/11/2021 14:01, Paul Carmichael wrote:
> El Sat, 13 Nov 2021 13:55:56 +0000, CT escribió:
>
>> Paul Carmichael wrote:
>>
>>> Life is short. Money doesn't matter as long as one has "enough".
>>
>> Amen to that.
>>
>> If someone had told me a few years back that I could live on what I do
>> these days[1] I'd have laughed at them - and laughed really long & hard!
>
> I did worry a tad leaving a job that paid well (about 54k + benefits 20
> years ago). I thought I was skint then, so how was I to survive on less?
>
>
>>> Having said that, I want a Cordoba C12 and can't afford it now.
>>
>> Is that some kind of SEAT?
>>
>>
>
> https://www.thomann.de/es/cordoba_c12_cedar.htm?
> ref=prod_variations_216778_2
>
>
>
>

I really must learn to play, one day.

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 11:08:17 +0000, YTC#1 escribió:

> On 13/11/2021 14:01, Paul Carmichael wrote:

>>>
>> https://www.thomann.de/es/cordoba_c12_cedar.htm?
>> ref=prod_variations_216778_2
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
> I really must learn to play, one day.

So must I. I've been dabbling on and off for about 2 years and I still
can't play a tune. My arpeggios and scales are pretty tidy though.

Thought I'd better make an effort and just started learning greensleeves.
The melody is a piece of piss if monophonic guitar floats yer boat.

Not mine.

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

On 14 Nov 2021 12:14:07 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
wrote:

>El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 11:08:17 +0000, YTC#1 escribió:
>
>> On 13/11/2021 14:01, Paul Carmichael wrote:
>
On 13 Nov 2021 14:01:11 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
wrote:

>>> Having said that, I want a Cordoba C12 and can't afford it now.

>https://www.thomann.de/es/cordoba_c12_cedar.htm?ref=prod_variations_216778_2

>>>
>> I really must learn to play, one day.
>
>
>So must I. I've been dabbling on and off for about 2 years and I still
>can't play a tune. My arpeggios and scales are pretty tidy though.

I would humbly suggest then, that your desire for an expensive guitar
is probably somewhat misplaced. It's almost impossible for a relative
novice to get any worthwile benefit, sound-wise, or indeed in ease of
playing, out of a top-spec instrument. (Sometimes the opposite may be
true),

It's all very well to lust after, but I'd focus that lust on the
desire to improve to the level where such an instrument would be
worthwhile, by which time, who knows? you might even be able to afford
it.

--
Ace
http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/

El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 14:18:51 +0100, Ace escribió:

> On 14 Nov 2021 12:14:07 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 11:08:17 +0000, YTC#1 escribió:
>>
>>> On 13/11/2021 14:01, Paul Carmichael wrote:
>>
> On 13 Nov 2021 14:01:11 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>>> Having said that, I want a Cordoba C12 and can't afford it now.
>
>>https://www.thomann.de/es/cordoba_c12_cedar.htm?
ref=prod_variations_216778_2
>
>
>>> I really must learn to play, one day.
>>
>>
>>So must I. I've been dabbling on and off for about 2 years and I still
>>can't play a tune. My arpeggios and scales are pretty tidy though.
>
> I would humbly suggest then, that your desire for an expensive guitar is
> probably somewhat misplaced. It's almost impossible for a relative
> novice to get any worthwile benefit, sound-wise, or indeed in ease of
> playing, out of a top-spec instrument. (Sometimes the opposite may be
> true),
>
> It's all very well to lust after, but I'd focus that lust on the desire
> to improve to the level where such an instrument would be worthwhile, by
> which time, who knows? you might even be able to afford it.

It probably won't surprise you to hear that I have actually thought about
this.

A. A C12 IS a low spec classical guitar. A luthier made guitar starts at
5k and can cost much more (as I'm sure you know).

B. A C10 is regularly recommended as an entry level classical. Largely
for ease of playing for a novice.

So a C10 would probably be right for me, but I've read/watched quite a
few reviews and mostly they say that one can grow out of the C10 quite
quickly whereas the C12 has the same advantages as the C10, but would be
a longer term thingy.

BTW, the guitar I have now (Takamine hybrid) would probably sound ok in
the hands of a decent player, but in my hands it sounds dead. It feels
and looks like plastic. It has a pickup so would make a good busking
guitar :-)

My future...

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

Ace <Ace@ch.com> wrote:
> On 14 Nov 2021 12:14:07 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 11:08:17 +0000, YTC#1 escribió:
>>
>>> On 13/11/2021 14:01, Paul Carmichael wrote:
>>
> On 13 Nov 2021 14:01:11 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>>> Having said that, I want a Cordoba C12 and can't afford it now.
>
>>https://www.thomann.de/es/cordoba_c12_cedar.htm?ref=prod_variations_216778_2
>
>>>>
>>> I really must learn to play, one day.
>>
>>
>>So must I. I've been dabbling on and off for about 2 years and I still
>>can't play a tune. My arpeggios and scales are pretty tidy though.
>
> I would humbly suggest then, that your desire for an expensive guitar
> is probably somewhat misplaced. It's almost impossible for a relative
> novice to get any worthwile benefit, sound-wise, or indeed in ease of
> playing, out of a top-spec instrument. (Sometimes the opposite may be
> true),
>
> It's all very well to lust after, but I'd focus that lust on the
> desire to improve to the level where such an instrument would be
> worthwhile, by which time, who knows? you might even be able to afford
> it.

When I was a beginner learning the Saxophone, I was amazed at how
much easier it was to play (especially the low register) once I got my
Selmer Mark VI. Sometimes, a poor instrument can hold a beginner back.

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

On 14 Nov 2021 13:51:22 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
wrote:

>El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 14:18:51 +0100, Ace escribió:
>
>> On 14 Nov 2021 12:14:07 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 11:08:17 +0000, YTC#1 escribió:
>>>
>>>> On 13/11/2021 14:01, Paul Carmichael wrote:
>>>
>> On 13 Nov 2021 14:01:11 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>>> Having said that, I want a Cordoba C12 and can't afford it now.
>>
>>>https://www.thomann.de/es/cordoba_c12_cedar.htm?
>ref=prod_variations_216778_2
>>
>>
>>>> I really must learn to play, one day.
>>>
>>>
>>>So must I. I've been dabbling on and off for about 2 years and I still
>>>can't play a tune. My arpeggios and scales are pretty tidy though.
>>
>> I would humbly suggest then, that your desire for an expensive guitar is
>> probably somewhat misplaced.

>It probably won't surprise you to hear that I have actually thought about
>this.
>
>A. A C12 IS a low spec classical guitar. A luthier made guitar starts at
>5k and can cost much more (as I'm sure you know).

Not really my thing, TBH. for reference my most expensive/valuable
guitar, a 1972 Guild 12-string, cost me about £900 when I bought it
30-odd years ago. Not kept track of values, but to me 5K sounds like a
crazy amount of money for a non-professional to be paying.

>B. A C10 is regularly recommended as an entry level classical. Largely
>for ease of playing for a novice.

Is there a size thing going on with the numbers then?

>So a C10 would probably be right for me, but I've read/watched quite a
>few reviews and mostly they say that one can grow out of the C10 quite
>quickly whereas the C12 has the same advantages as the C10, but would be
>a longer term thingy.
>
>BTW, the guitar I have now (Takamine hybrid) would probably sound ok in
>the hands of a decent player, but in my hands it sounds dead. It feels
>and looks like plastic. It has a pickup so would make a good busking
>guitar :-)

A steel string guitar is really a completely different beast from the
classical ones you're looking at, as I'm sure you know. If you're
trying to play spanish/classical style then it's not surprising that
you're not getting the best out of it.

Also, if it sounds 'dead' you should try replacing the strings, if you
haven't already done so.

--
Ace
http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/

El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 15:28:11 +0100, Ace escribió:

> A steel string guitar is really a completely different beast from the
> classical ones you're looking at, as I'm sure you know. If you're trying
> to play spanish/classical style then it's not surprising that you're not
> getting the best out of it.

Not steel string:

https://www.madridhifi.com/p/takamine-gc1ce-nat/

The original nut was plastic, so a luthier fitted a bone nut for me.
Unfortunately, said luthier only makes flamenco guitars (starting price,
5k) and ALL flamenco players have a capo on the 3rd or 4th fret, so
action at the nut is not an issue. I've had to file the nut as the action
was far too high on the trebles..

> Also, if it sounds 'dead' you should try replacing the strings, if you
> haven't already done so.

2 years? About a zillion times. By the time nylon strings have stopped
stretching, they need replacing.

The recordings on that page sound alright, so perhaps I'll try plugging
it in.

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 14:15:08 +0000, Mark Olson escribió:

> When I was a beginner learning the Saxophone, I was amazed at how much
> easier it was to play (especially the low register) once I got my Selmer
> Mark VI. Sometimes, a poor instrument can hold a beginner back.

When I bought my Takamine, I hadn't the slightest idea what I was buying
and I certainly didn't know that it was a bargain basement model. I
thought that 300€ was probably midrange and an expensive guitar would be
about 1000€. In the world of classical guitars, this is not the case. I
know several people that paid in excess of 3000€ and these are not
professionals. Professionals pay a lot more.

I know one bloke that went on a course so he could make his own. The
course cost 5000€.

Ouch.

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

On 14 Nov 2021 13:51:22 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
wrote:
>
>A. A C12 IS a low spec classical guitar. A luthier made guitar starts at
>5k and can cost much more (as I'm sure you know).
>
>B. A C10 is regularly recommended as an entry level classical. Largely
>for ease of playing for a novice.
>
>So a C10 would probably be right for me, but I've read/watched quite a
>few reviews and mostly they say that one can grow out of the C10 quite
>quickly whereas the C12 has the same advantages as the C10, but would be
>a longer term thingy.

I find that hard to believe. The only obvious difference between the
two is that the C12 appears to have an adjustable truss rod, which
IWHT was less important for a gut-strung guitar, and it comes with a
solid case. Both are mass-produced, so my guess is, if you could play
a lot of them, you'd find more difference between different C12s than
between an average C10 and C12! I'd not spend that money unseen, but
go to a shop, have a play of both, and only go for the pricier one if
I could tell the difference and thought it was worth it.

--
Colin Irvine
FJR1300A

El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 15:34:35 +0000, Colin Irvine escribió:

> On 14 Nov 2021 13:51:22 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>
>>A. A C12 IS a low spec classical guitar. A luthier made guitar starts at
>>5k and can cost much more (as I'm sure you know).
>>
>>B. A C10 is regularly recommended as an entry level classical. Largely
>>for ease of playing for a novice.
>>
>>So a C10 would probably be right for me, but I've read/watched quite a
>>few reviews and mostly they say that one can grow out of the C10 quite
>>quickly whereas the C12 has the same advantages as the C10, but would be
>>a longer term thingy.
>
> I find that hard to believe. The only obvious difference between the two
> is that the C12 appears to have an adjustable truss rod

I believe the C10 has a truss rod.

I like this guy's reviews.

https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/review-cordoba-c10-classical-guitar/

If you scroll down you'll see links to other reviews.

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

On 14 Nov 2021 16:03:28 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
wrote:

>El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 15:34:35 +0000, Colin Irvine escribió:
>
>> On 14 Nov 2021 13:51:22 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>>A. A C12 IS a low spec classical guitar. A luthier made guitar starts at
>>>5k and can cost much more (as I'm sure you know).
>>>
>>>B. A C10 is regularly recommended as an entry level classical. Largely
>>>for ease of playing for a novice.
>>>
>>>So a C10 would probably be right for me, but I've read/watched quite a
>>>few reviews and mostly they say that one can grow out of the C10 quite
>>>quickly whereas the C12 has the same advantages as the C10, but would be
>>>a longer term thingy.
>>
>> I find that hard to believe. The only obvious difference between the two
>> is that the C12 appears to have an adjustable truss rod
>
>I believe the C10 has a truss rod.
>
>I like this guy's reviews.
>
>https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/review-cordoba-c10-classical-guitar/
>
>If you scroll down you'll see links to other reviews.

Looks like the C10 is the one to go for. Mind, in my experience you
only have to pick up a luthier-made instrument and you want it before
you even strike a note. A properly made instrument is a thing of
beauty in itself!

--
Colin Irvine
FJR1300A

El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 16:16:02 +0000, Colin Irvine escribió:

> Looks like the C10 is the one to go for. Mind, in my experience you only
> have to pick up a luthier-made instrument and you want it before you
> even strike a note. A properly made instrument is a thing of beauty in
> itself!

I've heard this, but I haven't a hope of affording such a thing.

Still, I'm sure that all the Nova-boys lust after Ferraris.

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

On 14/11/2021 12:14, Paul Carmichael wrote:
> El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 11:08:17 +0000, YTC#1 escribió:
>
>> On 13/11/2021 14:01, Paul Carmichael wrote:
>
>>>>
>>> https://www.thomann.de/es/cordoba_c12_cedar.htm?
>>> ref=prod_variations_216778_2
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> I really must learn to play, one day.
>
>
> So must I. I've been dabbling on and off for about 2 years and I still
> can't play a tune. My arpeggios and scales are pretty tidy though.
>

Lost me now .... :-)

> Thought I'd better make an effort and just started learning greensleeves.
> The melody is a piece of piss if monophonic guitar floats yer boat.
>
> Not mine.
>
>

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 14/11/2021 14:15, Mark Olson wrote:
> Ace <Ace@ch.com> wrote:
>> On 14 Nov 2021 12:14:07 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 11:08:17 +0000, YTC#1 escribió:
>>>
>>>> On 13/11/2021 14:01, Paul Carmichael wrote:
>>>
>> On 13 Nov 2021 14:01:11 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>>> Having said that, I want a Cordoba C12 and can't afford it now.
>>
>>> https://www.thomann.de/es/cordoba_c12_cedar.htm?ref=prod_variations_216778_2
>>
>>>>>
>>>> I really must learn to play, one day.
>>>
>>>
>>> So must I. I've been dabbling on and off for about 2 years and I still
>>> can't play a tune. My arpeggios and scales are pretty tidy though.
>>
>> I would humbly suggest then, that your desire for an expensive guitar
>> is probably somewhat misplaced. It's almost impossible for a relative
>> novice to get any worthwile benefit, sound-wise, or indeed in ease of
>> playing, out of a top-spec instrument. (Sometimes the opposite may be
>> true),
>>
>> It's all very well to lust after, but I'd focus that lust on the
>> desire to improve to the level where such an instrument would be
>> worthwhile, by which time, who knows? you might even be able to afford
>> it.
>
> When I was a beginner learning the Saxophone, I was amazed at how
> much easier it was to play (especially the low register) once I got my
> Selmer Mark VI. Sometimes, a poor instrument can hold a beginner back.
>

I learnt to play Jingle Bells on the trumpet when I was 10.

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 14/11/2021 13:51, Paul Carmichael wrote:
> El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 14:18:51 +0100, Ace escribió:
>
>> On 14 Nov 2021 12:14:07 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> El Sun, 14 Nov 2021 11:08:17 +0000, YTC#1 escribió:
>>>
>>>> I really must learn to play, one day.
>>>
>>> So must I. I've been dabbling on and off for about 2 years and I still
>>> can't play a tune. My arpeggios and scales are pretty tidy though.
>>
>> I would humbly suggest then, that your desire for an expensive guitar is
>> probably somewhat misplaced. It's almost impossible for a relative
>> novice to get any worthwile benefit, sound-wise, or indeed in ease of
>> playing, out of a top-spec instrument. (Sometimes the opposite may be
>> true),
>>
>> It's all very well to lust after, but I'd focus that lust on the desire
>> to improve to the level where such an instrument would be worthwhile, by
>> which time, who knows? you might even be able to afford it.
>
> It probably won't surprise you to hear that I have actually thought about
> this.
>
> A. A C12 IS a low spec classical guitar. A luthier made guitar starts at
> 5k and can cost much more (as I'm sure you know).
>
> B. A C10 is regularly recommended as an entry level classical. Largely
> for ease of playing for a novice.
>
> So a C10 would probably be right for me, but I've read/watched quite a
> few reviews and mostly they say that one can grow out of the C10 quite
> quickly whereas the C12 has the same advantages as the C10, but would be
> a longer term thingy.
>
> BTW, the guitar I have now (Takamine hybrid) would probably sound ok in
> the hands of a decent player, but in my hands it sounds dead. It feels
> and looks like plastic. It has a pickup so would make a good busking
> guitar :-)
>
> My future...

I thought it might be handy to have a classical guitar lying around, but
my proficiency being what it is, I went for a £60 Harley-Benton - the
natural version of https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton.htm. OTOH, I
have half a dozen basses with new prices of £3k+ apiece (bought
second-hand, of course). Whether I could objectively justify that is one
question, however I like them, they're nice to play, and it makes me
happy having them.

Double basses go into a whole different territory though, when just a
bow can cost £5k. I'm just going to stick with an electric upright and
maybe try a £25 bow some time.