Stephen Mejias

Good Work

Stephen Mejias  |  Jul 12, 2010

"I love hard work," John Atkinson had said earlier. "I can watch it all day long."

And there he stood, watching while I maneuvered the large Acapella High Violoncello II loudspeaker from corner to corner.

"Wanna take a photo of this, John?"

I hadn't meant it as a joke, but JB Stanton Communication's Bryan Stanton thought for sure that I was taking the piss.

"No, seriously. For the blog!"

On Saturday morning, I went to John Atkinson’s home to help pack up the Acapella High Violoncello II loudspeakers.

Here you see me tilting the loudspeaker to one side while Aaudio Imports’ Brian Ackerman gets beneath and covers the underside with protective plastic wrap. Round and round went Brian as I circled the speaker, tilting it from side to side, allowing Brian to cover every inch.

By this point, we had already removed and wrapped the speaker’s 100-lb horn enclosure, lifting it carefully from the large V-groove in which it sits. Once the 200-lb bass enclosure was thoroughly wrapped, Brian would lean the loudspeaker towards him while I got down on the bottom and lifted, carefully, up. We’d then carry the speaker, gingerly, up the few steps from JA’s listening room, out through the front entrance, and deposit it, gently, into a large wooden crate.


Hey, don't make me laugh! I'm about to drop this thing!

It was fun. Really! Lifting loudspeakers is the only real exercise I get—running is a drag and sit-ups hurt—so I sort of look forward to this. By the end of the visit, my t-shirt was drenched with sweat and hung down to my knees.

Good work.

Afterward, I tagged along on a visit to Fred Kaplan’s beautiful home in Park Slope, where we packed up the McIntosh MC275 power amp (review to come). There, we listened to tracks from a couple of Music Matters’ exquisitely reproduced, 45RPM Blue Note reissues. The sound of these treasures, played back on Fred’s VPI Classic, was wonderful.

It was a good day.

COMMENTS
Erick Lichte's picture
Submitted by Erick Lichte (not verified) on July 12, 2010 - 4:34pm

I hope someone, somewhere at least bought you a beer last Saturday for all your hard work.

Stephen Mejias's picture
Submitted by Stephen Mejias (not verified) on July 13, 2010 - 8:55am

Ha! Thanks, Erick. Later that evening, back home in Jersey City, I had a Tanner's Jack. Afterward, I caught up with a Polish street fair and enjoyed a Warka, followed by a Zywiec.

TIm's picture
Submitted by TIm (not verified) on July 13, 2010 - 9:43am

Or more importantly, does GEORGE have anything to do besides obsessively cyber-stalk Stephen's blog all day long with disturbed, borderline schizophrenic rambling? Apparently not.

Nick's picture
Submitted by Nick (not verified) on July 13, 2010 - 2:00pm

Oh I love Zywiec! As for George's post the only thing I can say is "Huh"?

Trey's picture
Submitted by Trey (not verified) on July 14, 2010 - 6:30am

Tim, did you mean borderline schizophrenic in terms of almost schizophrenic, or in terms of schizophrenic AND a borderline personality disorder? I think the latter is more accurate, but that is just me.Trey

tom collins's picture
Submitted by tom collins (not verified) on July 14, 2010 - 7:40am

i am so glad that an entirely new generation can experience dup/george. i think many of you must wonder was that guy really as bad as everyone said. now, just imagine such postings in each section of the forum. and, not once in a while, but pretty much one of every five postings per topic and you get the idea. welcome back dup or george or whatever.

michaelavorgna's picture
Submitted by michaelavorgna (not verified) on July 14, 2010 - 8:37am

One of my favorite GEORGE/DUP/Carl Engebretsen-isms is when GEORGE compliments DUP while pretending he doesn't know Carl. Fascinating.And while I'd imagine his comments draw viewers, like a car wreck, I look forward to the day when he can be exorcised from this blog.

Erick Lichte's picture
Submitted by Erick Lichte (not verified) on July 14, 2010 - 10:09am

If it looks like a DUP, sounds like a DUP, quacks like a DUP...

Trey's picture
Submitted by Trey (not verified) on July 14, 2010 - 10:36am

Where is Bob Marley when you need a Duppy Conqueror?

Jim Tavegia's picture
Submitted by Jim Tavegia (not verified) on July 14, 2010 - 6:58pm

Makes you want to love a pair of bookshelf monitors and a 15" or 18" sub, doesn't it?

buddha's picture
Submitted by buddha (not verified) on July 14, 2010 - 8:11pm

80,000 dollars?!?!

Couldn't you buy some sort of Audi vehicle for that kind of money?

:D


Moving speakers for JA is why Stephen makes the big bucks....plus, chicks dig guys who know how to properly handle a "10 inch woofer."

Peetr Kavanagh's picture
Submitted by Peetr Kavanagh (not verified) on July 15, 2010 - 12:50pm

Sorry, but George is making some very fair points, Stephen could do serious injury to himself lifting equipment. As far as I know hospital bills are huge in the States if you do not have insurance. By the way nice speakers. Wouldn't mind a photo or two of Fred Kaplans set up.

buddha's picture
Submitted by buddha (not verified) on July 15, 2010 - 4:16pm

"Sorry, but George is making some very fair points, Stephen could do serious injury to himself lifting equipment. As far as I know hospital bills are huge in the States if you do not have insurance."

Not to forget that Stephen could get killed on the subway travelling to JA's, or mugged on the sidewalk......

He could have been daggered in the dead of night.

He could have been gassed inside his car.

He could have been walking in the open fieldsand been drilled though the head by a shooting star.

Anything can happen....to put out the light.

Best to stay in and play Bruce Cockburn records and ponder the nine million names of DUP.

mchaelavorgna's picture
Submitted by mchaelavorgna (not verified) on July 15, 2010 - 5:03pm

It appears that the only person that doesn't know that GEORGE/DUP/Carl Engebretsen and now Rasputin's Rash are all the same person is GEORGE.

Dismord's picture
Submitted by Dismord (not verified) on July 16, 2010 - 1:45am

"Moving speakers for JA is why Stephen makes the big bucks....plus, chicks dig guys who know how to properly handle a "10 inch woofer."Stephen can handle mine any time he wants.

Peter Kavanagh's picture
Submitted by Peter Kavanagh (not verified) on July 16, 2010 - 6:25pm

Over in europe and in particular Ireland lifting equipment etc. is a serious matter. It requires training and an employer is obliged to provide same or risk being sued. I doubt if the position is any different in the States. Buddha imo is just a twat. Sorry Stephen.

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