Jim McCulloch

E.Y.E.C.A.N.D.Y !<

I am a member of one of the most active prospecting clubs in Southern California. The members are pretty much equally divided on their choice of gold-finding equipment, dry washers and detectors. We have mònthly in-field outings, where we showoff the gold we found. When I sell a detector package to a customer I include at least some level of training. I have observed that almost 100% of my Club custers have found gold, whereas only about 10% of those who have purchased comparable machines from mail order companies have done so. In fact, most of these folks have reverted to drywashing to at least find SOME gold. Knowledge is power. Knowledge is success. HH Jim

I just got a message from my Garrett distributor, American Detector Distributors, that they are no longer a Garrett distributor. Does anyone know what happened?

As correct as your comments are, there is one thing you have failed to mention: counterfeits. Really. As one of White's top dealers, I cannot stress how much counterfeits from China damaged my sales. You can't imagine how hard it was trying to sell a GENUINE GMT, with accessories, and training, to a newbie, for retail, when they could buy a "GMT" from China for $169.95, Mind you, GENUINE GMTS sold for 679.95 oñ ebay, listed alongside the fakes. If the duped buyer wants a refund the return postage will exceed the cost of purchase. So they lost money, and usually ended up forgetting about becoming a nugget hunter. And white's and I lost a sale. .

This morning I am house bound due to the rain. My number is 760-401-7514. If I don't answer try again later today. I am trying to get my wife home safe. HH Jim

Raymond "Randsburg Ray" Galbraith found a 30 ounce solid nugget at Stringer.

Doubloon, several of the regulars here have taken plenty of the Most Happy Yellow Metal from the Big Bear, Rattlesnake Canyon, and "the Dale " areas. What do you want to know?

But, think of the all the excitement generated, all of the hopes engendered, all of the plans formulated, and all the energy expended.... "And I often grieve, and pine, for the Days of Old, the Days of GOLD, the Days of Fortynine..."

On the topic of finding large gold nuggets, and not reporting them, I have an interesting story to tell. At a Gold Show once, I made the acquaintance of an Arab guy from Dubai. He represented his Uncle, a very important and wealthy Sheik. Among his business interests was the White's dealership for Africa. During the conversation he received a phone call from Dubai, whereupon he learned that his office had just received a shipping container of 700 Goldmaster 24k White's detectors. These were merely BACKORDERS. He told me that nuggets the size of SOCCER balls where being found in Africa, but, due to extreme security issues, were not being reported. ALL large African gold nuggets get cut up, and smuggled out of Africa as little pieces.

One thing I have learned is success in the Goldfields is largely a matter of "location location location" and operator expertise. Both are important. Me, I have found loads of SMALL nuggets, so I guess I know what I am doing, but I fully admit that I have never, in 42 years of detecting, bagged a 1/2 pounder. Not for lack of trying, mind you, but those pesky "Mojave Midgets" just keep me preoccupied 😏.

Bill, 'ol Reg bagged a little "Aussie picker" a while back, named the Orange Roughie. It was a bit shy of 100 ounces.

Simon, any further info? Thanks. HH Jim

Steve, your posting was a nostalgic flash back to the early days of digital detecting. The field test report I did for "Treasure" magazine was the very first detector field test I performed. I spent a lot of time and effort trying to reconcile analog into digital. Thanks again buddy.

There be some pretty old houses in Nar'lens.

California, Arizona, Nevada?