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The End of an Era

DrRobert

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2003
Messages
6,050
I should preface this with thanks to the folks who helped me with this stage of my life: Wittrock, Ganzler, Terry Mueller, Andy Yonke, Dave Rogers and many others. My thanks to you all for a LOT of fun!

More than 20 years ago, I stopped collecting oddball Americana (Microfets, Robin...) and started looking at vintage guitars. My first LP was a supposed 59 Custom from Ebay that was anything but (probably a 1968 Reissue with an added middle pickup rout but who knows) which I returned. Next was a Gruhn special, and LPC from 58 that had a wonky neck (triangular shape, wrong fretboard, broken headstock but cheap). Next was a pair of 54 Goldtops, very cool. That didn't really scratch the itch, so I found the LPF and went to a few Texas guitar shows.

We'd finally paid off the mortgage, and I sold a bunch of americana and went looking for a burst. Dave Rogers helped me ship my first, Kat, that I bought from Mike Reeder in Cincinnati. She was worn and faded but she SCREAMED. And I got the bug. 2 years later a 1960 (also ex-bigsby but much nicer finish) showed up, and in 08 a really early 60. At that point I needed to buy another house, so the second 60 went pretty quickly (BAD timing on my part), but a very nice 59 335 in blond came along to soften the blow. And things settled into a nice pattern after that. I nurtured them and kept them safe and they gave me many hours of pleasure playing. Lots of folks have come to the house and tried their hands at a real burst, and that's been fun, too.

But now I'm in my 60s and my hands hurt sometimes when I play guitar. And I'm partly retiring. It seems like time to float the idea of selling them... Weirdly, they've been on consignment at CME in a VERY low key way for a year or so, and last month someone bought Kat thru CME, someone else approached me thru TGP and ended up buying the 60 and the 335. In less than a week, both are gone! I've got a little whiplash. But I don't really need sympathy, I've still got the LPC, with a REALLY nice hand done neck from Terry Mueller in Illinois (don't ask, I think he's pretty much retired) wired up like a standard. And one of the 54s, a 61, a pair of Jrs and a pair of Specials... I get to keep my Les Paul card for now.
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ourmaninthenorth

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
What an utterly fantastic thread.

You win the internet this week Doc.

Whatever the future holds in retirement, may I wish you the very best.

And to the new hands, may the force be with you.

In the finest of health Gentlemen.
 

dwagar

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
4,451
Congrats on semi-retirement. Good that you have kept some great guitars. I'm 69, will be 70 at lot sooner than I'd like. And retired. Music has been a gift my whole life, and likely yours. As long as your hands can handle it, don't ever walk away from it.

And you're blessed with the memories of some amazing guitars you've owned.
 

goldtop0

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Messages
8,931
Heading closer to 70 myself(it'll be quicker than I'd like... lol) and know the effects of aging.
Keep twanging away for as long as possible Dr..............you've had some great gats :cool:
 

agogetr

Active member
Joined
Jan 22, 2019
Messages
451
guys we are the boomers that are suposed to be dying and flooding the market. i,m old too. we are coming up quickly to our final encore.
sure we are freeing up on gear we love but i personally dont feel there will be a tank in prices, theres just to many people getting hip to awesome vintage stuff!
 

akstrat61

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
1,845
Congrats on a great run! Keep the faith and spirit that kept you in the game so long!
 

DrRobert

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2003
Messages
6,050
Hmm. That one looks familiar! (So does that couch!) A dozen or so years later, my wife STILL gives me a hard time about letting that one go.
We had a good run together! The Teles are gone, too. The Rick and the 175 are still here, though.
 

58burst

Active member
Joined
May 11, 2002
Messages
2,176
Turning 71 in a few weeks- i just wanna offer two words from my own experience as a (formerly lol) rockin’ senior… LIGHT STRINGS(!)
 
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MapleFlame

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
14,044
Thank you for all your Contributions and your stories. Been a great ride. Thank God you kept some. 🙏
 

DrRobert

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2003
Messages
6,050
Thanks MF! Yeah, I'm not really short of vintage Gibsons. Still got the 58 BB with the Mueller neck, a single cut and SG Jr. Single cut and double cut Specials. 330, 335, 175. And a few reissues-Firebird, 335, 330. Plus Gibson inspired old PRS, Hamer and others. I'm happy!
 
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