Guitar Story #20 Epilogue
Thinking back here on all the guitars I’ve owned and played was a fun romp down memory lane and I learned a few things about myself from it. First off, I learned that I’ve had more guitars than I would have guessed. Before compiling this list I probably would have estimated around 12 or 13. Secondly, I see a definite pattern here that highlights my love for “cheap” or “bang for buck” instruments. Nothing I have or have had is rare or super high end (outside of the Harmony H62 which have become quite collectable) but even that was a cheap fixer-upper when I got it. Some of my fondest guitar memories are from guitars that were considered entry level instruments when they were released like the Ibanez ST and the Gibson the Paul and Junior. To this day I often find myself window shopping on the used/vintage gear sites for 70s/80s budget guitars. Fender Bullets and LEAD series, Gibson Firebrand and early Studio models and golden era Japanese electrics.
Since I wrote about these 19 guitars I’ve recalled a few that I somehow missed that bear mentioning:
Danelectro U-1 reissue – In about ’98 or so a friend gave me this. This was the first run of these then Korean-made guitars and it was great. It quickly became one of my all time favorite couch guitars. These have a great hollow, twangy sound unplugged that makes them a joy to play while watching TV or generally noodling about. I really miss this guitar and the only reason it is not still with me is that my music production computer died and I needed to sell some things to replace it. I only had he Dano and the Tele at the time so the Dano had to go. I’d love to get another some day.
Late 50s Kay Archtop – Another gift I received in ’99. This was a funky, late 50s beauty that someone stuck an old Japanese P-90 in. It sounded great and played ok but at some point someone had done a neck reset that was a little too deep or too shallow (can’t remember) and it really needed to be done again to get the proper angle. I played and recorded with it less and less as the years rolled on and I don’t like to have guitars laying around that I don’t use so I used it as partial trade for my The Paul.
1980s Hondo II Strat copy – I only mention this one, which I got for 19.00 from a Capitol Hill thrift store in 2004, because it helped put humbuckers back on my radar. It was heavy, white and had a HSS configuration (humbucker, single coil, single coil). I took this home, cleaned it up and stripped the finish off the back of the neck. It had a big baseball bat neck and the cheap exposed coil humbucker sounded great. I sold it a few months later (for a bit more than 19.00) to help fund the purchase of my Aria Les Paul.
1990s Fernandes Stratocaster – I got this in 2010. This was a really decent guitar with just an OK sound. The build quality and feel were great for what these go for (this was 250.00 shipped) but for whatever reason (likely the pickups) it did not sound that great. Also, as superficial as it was, I could not hang with the headstock shape. I sold this on Craigslist for what I paid for it.
So, there you have it. I believe I’ve told the stories of every guitar I’ve ever owned…23 in total. This represents about 43 years of guitar playing. Can’t wait to see what the next 43 brings!
See all guitars I owned 1976 – present here
