I've had "relationships" with 13 Guitars. Certainly I've had a bunch of Flings here and there where I flirted with another guy's Guitar. But I've only gone home with 13. I thought it might be fun to share the story of each relationship in my past and present. To keep it readable and interesting (to me anyway) and to keep the thread moving, every couple of days I'll post about a different liaison. Feel free to ask any questions or share your own stories.

My First Time.

We will call her Harmonie. Birthdate unknown. I think I was about 14. My step-brother had a nylon strung guitar and we'd been taking turns having some fun with her. Just learning how to treat a Guitar. I was starting to pick up a few tricks and decided it was time to go all the way and find a guitar of my own. A Stoner dude in my High School sold me an old Harmony electric for about $20. Basic Strat knockoff. She was originally a blond (Yellow), but I changed her to a brunette with a can of black spray paint. All other details have been forgotten. I used to carry her to the Music Store without any case or gig-bag for lessons. I didn't have an amp so I rigged a guitar cord with an RCA plug so I could play thru my stereo.

Status: Deceased. Donated her body to science. Used her as Parts for various Franken-Guitar Projects.

First Love.

Woody was a Fender Lead I, born in Fullerton CA - exact date unknown. Natural wood - no stain, just a layer of clear coat - and a maple fretboard. Purchased Used but I can’t remember the details of where we met, I think at the Music Stand guitar store in Berkley MI for around $150. Woody was basically a Strat with just a bridge humbucker. Not knowing anything about pups, I went to the Music Stand (that part I remember) where they had these used pickups that cost a TON (Probably $100 which was a "ton" to me back then!). They said they were a set of original 1957 Strat pick-ups. Being ignorant, that meant absolutely nothing to me. I figured that since they were expensive, they must be good. WOW. Don’t know if they were real 57s, but they were pretty great. My brother helped me wire a Strat 5 position switch and a couple of polarity toggle switches. I could get about fifteen permutations for different tones. Woody and I were partnered for years to come.

Status: Deceased. Alas, Fate parted us in a tragic incident which I shall only foreshadow for now.


Note: I'd always assumed she was born in Japan. But based on my research for this post I learned she was born in Fullerton. I also thought she was born with just a single coil bridge pick-up, but found a picture of her with a humbucker. And I also assumed she was older when we met.

I was Her First.

Skunk – Vantage something or other born in the late 70s or early 80s. Purchased New from some Guitar Store – again forgetting the details and not sure of price – I think around $200. Natural wood with rosewood fretboard. Two tone with a lighter stripe down the center. Two humbuckers. Good versatile Guitar.

Status: Deceased. She was subject to the same tragic fate as Woody. We were victims of a home break-in. Most of our gear was stolen. I've never felt so victimized in my life. I think I was literally in shock for several days. Just a horrific feeling of helplessness and anger. And knowing that the culprits would probably get about ten cents on the dollar for what the stuff was worth was even worse. My one of a kind guitar, special only to me, was either going to fetch a few bucks, or worse be abused and unappreciated by someone who had no idea what they had.

Life went on...

Pretty sad when people steel stuff, esp musical instruments. Sorry for your loss

Old Reliable.

My first Acoustic. I call her "The Acoustic". Clever. Now that I think about it, she may have predated Skunk. Dark wood of some sort. Washburn Unknown birthdate – late 70s early 80s. Purchased Used from a music store in Berkley MI along with my first decent amp. Still some of the best natural harmonics I’ve ever been able to get out of a guitar. We've traveled and moved together any number of times.

Status: We’re still together. She survived the break-in that claimed Woody and Skunk because she rarely spends time with with the other girls. Longest tenure in the current Harem. She sits in her stand, loyal, on call for when I need her.

My Harem (years and dates may be a little off but are close):

First was a hand me down EKO sparkle blue with tortoise pick guard pile with tons of pickup switches that I had no idea how to use.

Two years later around 1988 I purchased a used 1985 Fender Mexico Stratocaster Rosewood board in candy red from a music shop. This girl lasted me a few years but I could never really get the heavy distortion that my Metallica covers demanded with the single coils. I traded her in for an...

Ibanez RG550 1989 maple board in some weird orange color. I can't remember if it was 2hb or 2-1-2 with a single in the middle. I think it was a 2-1-2. I really liked her, very fast neck to tap out Steve Vai and Satch phrases. I liked Ibanez guitars so much then the next year I blew a huge amount on my dream guitar that I would have for the rest of my life...

Ibanez Jem 77 Floral Print - 1991 ordered new from the factory she was just a beauty in all aspects. In a perfect world I would probably still have her, but college, chicks, and partying took over for a few years here and I sold her on consignment in 1993 for $600 to make a repossession saving car payment. Alas the car was repossessed anyway and for the first time since I started playing I was without a guitar.

Took a year to get the next one. Solid pawn shop $150 USA Peavey Patriot no idea on the age but I still have parts from her on a homemade strat sitting here right now. These guitars were not popular and had no value back then but they were really solid playing and the necks are like butter. This guitar morphed into...

Homemade strat/ibanez style 2-P90 fixed bridge. I say P-90 but they are really these Peavey Super-Ferrite Pickups that are a P-90 style. This girl got years and years of use playing in many bars and in many bands in my former life. Even made the move to the west coast for a coffee shop stint. Still have her today although I can't remember the last time I played her, it's been well over 2 years. But I keep up her maintenance and get new strings here and there. She would probably be gone but with the homemade stuff she has no value so I keep her around for visitor jamming. She still plays like butter although she looks abused and road worn. A wife in hookers clothes.

During this time I also picked up a Washburn F-21 acoustic (Parlour Size) new from a music store somewhere in Missouri. My new non-music related job now has me traveling more than staying home so I needed something for the rooms at night. This kept me out of the bars for the most part. Still have her although she is relegated to Open C tuning (thick ass strings) and would probably snap in 2 if i tuned her to standard.

Recently had a short stint (about a year) with a G&L ASAT Deluxe Semi-Hollow F Hole in Cherry Flame. Played her for a year and separated on good terms. Got exactly what I paid for her back. Liked her but I just wanted to try something different.

Current guitars are a Godin Summit CT and Martin D-15M. Still play the Godin nearly everyday at least for a little bit. Looking into getting a Myka Custom.

TLDR

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.


...just noticed my fail at thread titles.

My First Redhead.

Marilu was born in about 1970 or 71 (Gibson Serial Numbering for that time is inexact). Red/Orange Sunburst Les Paul. When we met she was with some Wedding/KofC Hall Band dude who needed cash and I needed a Guitar to replace the gear I lost in the Burglary. I think I paid $250. She has the original mini P-90 Humbuckers which just freaking ROCK. Even in played condition this guitar is today easily worth more than all of my other electric guitars combined.

Status: I’ll never leave her.

My First Quack.

Around the time I was in Grad School, I sort of stopped playing. Old Reliable was still around, but she was mostly ignored. A few years after getting married, I started getting back into music again. My wife is a singer and supports my interest. I went thru this Stevie Ray Vaughan phase and decided I HAD to have a Strat. I was driven by lust, but never made the commitment. Then my wife took the initiative and introduced me to Rioja - a wine colored MIM Fender Strat born in 2002. Maple fretboard. Have I mentioned how cool my wife is? Immediately replaced Rioja’s pups with a set of CS Texas Specials. Very nice guitar. Took me a while to get used to single coils again after so many years with the mini P-90s. My ears just weren’t ready to accept that tone, but I retrained my ears. Recently nearly traded her and some cash for a used Eric Johnson Strat – I really should have made that deal.

Status: Still in the Harem but very neglected. Rarely given any attention.

Any photos?

Getting robbed is one of the most hideous experiences.

I still have every guitar I ever bought except the very first (and that was a piece of shizzle, so no great loss).

I find it really hard to let them go for some reason.

My first guitar as mentioned was a cheap as Strat Copy - Black with White Pick Guard.

I purchased it in 1987.

I can't even recall the brand name, but it was absolutely horrible.

It had around a two inch high action and as I had no idea about guitars at all I tried to learn on it and it put me off playing guitar for 10 more years.

It is funny. I've got a couple of guitars that I haven't played in years, but haven't gotten rid of them. I just can't be bothered with listing them and negotiating with someone.

My First Twang.

Rita is another redhead. She is a Fender Nashville Telecaster born in Mexico in 2003. Maple. Again, we were introduced by my wife. Have I mentioned how cool my wife is? I was still in my SRV phase and didn’t think I could make the jump to a “real” two pick-up Telecaster. So I went with the 3 pup Nashville which has a Strat configuration. Very nice guitar. Doesn't give the full Tele Twang but some very interesting tones. I may convert her to a two Humbucker Tele at some point.

Status: Still in the Harem. I play her usually when I want to play in a non-standard tuning or with a Capo.

A Love So Rare and True.

Still chasing the SRV Tone and thinking I’d be a Strat Man, I’d long lusted for an American Vintage Re-Issue 1957 Fender Strat. A friend on a guitar forum alerted me to a two tone burst AV57RI at Elderly Music - really the best "independent" stringed instrument store I've ever seen. I made the 90 minute drive to Lansing only to find a “SOLD” tag hanging around her neck. My Peggy Sue was betrothed to another man!!! I played her anyway and of course she was everything I ever wanted. As I handed her back to the sales dude he said: “Ya know… the guy had 24 hours from yesterday. He only has a couple of hours. If he doesn’t come back, you can have her.” Guy never showed and my Peggy Sue came home with me. GREAT Guitar. I still love her, but the unthinkable happened. A hot blonde eventually came between us.

Status: Still in the Harem. Not given much attention but I do generally take her out when I play in public.

Any chance you can post pictures of the guitars as you go? I would love to see them if possible

I bought my guitar at Elderly, that place is indeed awesome.

I'll see what I can do about at least a "Today's Harem" Photo.

More Twang.

I’d been looking for a Telecaster with more twang than the Nashville. Like I've said elsewhere, I love Nitro instead of thick Polyurethane finishes - So the Fender American Vintage Re-Issue guitars are great for me. I’d started looking at AVRI 1952 Fender Telecasters. There was a new one I was considering at Motor City Guitars. The sales guy asked me if I’d played the one on the wall next to one I’d been flirting with. Turns out she was a used guitar that had just come in on consignment. Debbie (even though she isn't really a Blonde and should probably be named "Candi" since she is Butterscotch) was perfectly set up and had almost zero wear. She was born in roughly 2004 and was about half the price of the new one. I said: “SOLD!” Awesome guitar. I'd officially broken out of my SRV phase. As my style progressed with my playing partner, this guitar became my #1. I get more compliments on her tone than any other guitar. Sure my playing has improved, but she is just a great gal.

Status: Until recently usually in the stand next to me and given daily affection.

Still working on some photos.

My First One Night Stand.

Before I’d completely settled in on Debbie being my #1 for playing in my Two Piece, we were working on being an acoustic Duo. I needed a good acoustic with an on-board mic and/or pick-ups. I was taking forever to get around to buying a guitar, and my wife was really enjoying my play in the Duo, so she took it upon herself to buy me an acoustic guitar. She introduced me to a very nice Martin. I'll take this opportunity to mention yet again how cool my wife is. Like any good one night stand, I never learned her name. I liked, but didn’t love the Martin so we took her back and I tested just about every acoustic in a 50 mile radius. I narrowed it down to either a Gibson J200 – I love big hipped girls – or a Taylor 714ce - a refined lady. The Gibson had the superior unplugged acoustic tone, especially the big booming bottom. But the Taylor was the best thru an amp. The Expression pickup system is amazing. Since I needed a guitar specifically for playing in a live duo usually thru a mixing board, I went with the Taylor. I am guessing that some day I’ll have that J200 in the Harem.

Status: Taylor is still in the Harem. Rarely played.

The Story of My Grandfather's Guitar
A while ago I posted this on the Martin Forum as well as a couple of other places I'll also post some updates to the original story.

A few years ago, my father asked me to contact my Aunt to pick up my Grandfather's Guitar. About 20 years before this he made the same request and my Aunt declined to let me have the guitar - I wasn't "ready" - so I was a little reluctant to try again.

Besides, so many stories like this conclude as a disappointment - the guitar winds up being a disaster or some off brand plywood junky thing...

...this, fortunately, is not one of those stories.


When I finally made a date with my Aunt to pick up the guitar, I could sense her apprehension. Twenty years ago she had balked at giving me the guitar because she feared that no one but she could be entrusted with this family heirloom and it was still an emotional moment for her to allow me to take responsibility for her father's guitar. I assured her that I took the responsibility as an honor. Now, as she handed me the battered case she gave me a brief history of her treasure. My grandfather was born (we think) in 1900 in Santiago, Chile. In 1926, he ordered the Guitar directly from the C.F. Martin Guitar Company in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Imagine a 26 year old man in Santiago, Chile ordering such an instrument.

When he came to the United States my grandfather brought little more than a suitcase and his guitar. Tragically, he passed away in a construction site accident in the 50s. The guitar sat in a case in my grandmother's house for years. At some point my uncles were cleaning out my grandmother's house and had a large fire pit to dispose of "junk". My aunt happened to see the pile of stuff destined for the fire pit, and at the top of the heap was the guitar case. She snatched her father's guitar almost literally from the flames of destruction!

The guitar continued to sit in its case, in attics and back rooms until this week when my Aunt finally handed it over to me to be the caretaker for my generation.

Before opening the case I realized that the condition of the guitar and even the "collectability" of it were irrelevant to me. I never met my Grandfather nor have even seen a picture of him - now I was about to get my first real link to the man.

Inside the case was an actual 1926 Martin 0-18 Guitar. It has Hawaiian Koa wood top and Mahogany Sides and back. All of the tuners are straight and intact - including the knobs themselves. It has the classic pick wear on the body and groves in the frets, indicating many many hours of play. It is in unrestored "Good" condition. The only things not 100% original seem to be the Bridge and Bridge Pins

Before giving the guitar to me, My Aunt had it inspected.

The guitar was personally inspected in 1994 by George Gruhn of Gruhn Guitars of Nashville TN. There was a signed inspection sheet in the case with the Guitar.

Here is his description...

Needless to say, I was thrilled.

Many things still intrigue me about the provenance of this guitar - and I look forward to researching the instrument as well as learning what I can to help me understand the potential story behind my Grandfather acquiring the guitar. I may have to take some "poetic license" as I piece together the back-story. I am curious as to how someone in Santiago, Chile in 1926 orders a Martin Guitar from Nazareth, Pennsylvania. The sheer logistics of the transaction alone boggle my mind - not to mention the personal decisions that must have been behind my grandfather doing so. For example this must not have been his first guitar - you don't buy this sort of guitar from America as an "entry level" instrument. This was also certainly not the most simple way to purchase a guitar in Santiago - there were clearly other Guitar makers and even local Luthiers that would have been easier and less expensive. In 1926 you didn't just hop on the Internet and research/order a guitar - heck, you didn't just pick up a phone either. Foreign currency exchange, slow communication, language barriers, unreliable shipping across multiple continents - this was not a "walk in and buy a guitar off the shelf" transaction. Were there even Spanish Language Catalogs? How many weeks or months or even years did it take to save the money to purchase such an instrument? Or did he win the cash in a single night of playing cards? I've bought several fine guitars and could barely contain the excitement of the purchase and transferring it home in my car. Imagine the anticipation of a 26 year old in Chile in 1926 waiting for his guitar to arrive from America!

I've spoken with a helpful woman @ Martin and based on the SN she was able to confirm the basics about the guitar itself. She again confirmed that the guitar was made in 1926, apparently in December, and that it is indeed an 0-18K ("K" for "Koa Top, Back, and Sides" as opposed to the standard Adirondack Spruce Top with Koa back & sides.). They started production of the model in 1918 and ended in 1936. A total of 3,132 were made, 330 in 1926. They don't have numbers for the "K" units produced, but apparently it was a pretty rare option. I'd wondered about the frets which seem very short and she confirmed that the production specifications for this guitar indicate "flush frets" so they are very likely the original frets. Further confirming my reluctance to replace them.

Unfortunately she was unable to provide any information about the transaction in 1926. She had no information about who ordered the guitar and where it was shipped.

I know very little about my grandfather, and our family's history is poorly recorded and relies heavily on "oral documentation".








An update to the original story.

I took a trip to Costa Rica with my Father. One night after dinner and drinking a bunch of Imperials, we started talking about the Guitar. It turned into an opportunity to get him talking about his father. He opened up a bit more than I've seen him do in the past and I learned a few new tidbits. Apparently my Grandfather came to this country earlier than what my aunt had implied. Either she embellished or I misunderstood, but he came here in his very late teens or early twenties.

Meaning, of course, he was here when the guitar was built in 1926.

So the most problematic part of the provenance is solved. He didn't order the guitar from Santiago as a 26 year old man.

Apparently he joined the Merchant Marines and the guitar accompanied him on some of those trips. Still trying to verify these new items.

Thank god you put pictures up with this one!

I love Koa so much it hurts!!

Such a rich history in that guitar. Thanks for sharing.

Any idea how much your grandfather would have paid for it?

The 0-18 Koa listed for $45 in 1926
http://www.gansz.org/David/Guitars/028k/028k2.htm

..and yeah, it is pretty much a requirement to share photos of this guitar when sharing the story.

Actually, that is $43, not $45

Cool, thanks for that.

Do you think you'll be able to avoid replacing the frets?

It would obviously be nice to keep something so special in original condition.

Also the tuners, do they tune up well?

Just think of some things built today lasting 80+ years!! Not likely in a throw away world, not even in situations where things should be built to last.

I just checked out a table of average manufacturing wages for 1926 and it ranged between $22 and $30 (unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled).

So $43 seems pretty reasonable.

Just think though, the Great Depression and Stockmarket Crash were just around the corner.

That guitar has been through that, plus plenty of recessions and the GFC. Plus a lot more I would think!!