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Joined: May 2001
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Hi Everyone

Seeing Tolkien’s post about buying his first guitar made me think about mine.

Many years ago in the early 70’s I remember having my eye on an electric guitar that was displayed in the window of my local music shop. Eventually I saved up enough to buy it, cost me £20 ($35). All I remember about it now was that it was a sort of red sunburst color and had ‘Top Twenty’ [Linked Image] on the headstock. A couple of years later I upgraded to a CSL Les Paul bright yellow sunburst £95 ($150). It’s a very good copy and I still use it today, mainly as a reserve guitar for gigs.

What do you remember about your first guitar? How did you get it? Have you still got it?

I look forward to hearing your stories.

Nige [Linked Image]

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I begged for about 6 months for my first guitar and finally got it for Christmas. It ended up being a Fender Squier Strat. I still own this guitar, though I tore it apart, replaced everything but the body, and had it custom painted.

It's actually one of the best sounding guitars for recording that I have. It's been recorded on about 7 CD's by me and several of my friends.

Jody


Jody Whitesides
A Funky Audio Lap Dance For Your Ears!
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My first guitar was actually my brother's first guitar. He couldn't carry a tune if you put a handle on it, so I inhertited it. It was a no-name brand from K-mart and the action was, like, 1/2 an inch. Just brutal. It was sheer hell to learn my first chords... but at the time I though that's what ALL guitars were like.

Then one day I played a friend's classical guitar and I couldn't believe it. It didn't rip my fingers apart and it actually felt nice to play. So I bought it... then I got another guitar.. and another guitar... and, well you know how it goes.

What happened to that first guitar: I threw it in a fire pit on a camping trip. Man, did it ever burn!

BB


Who says I can't play the banjo?
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My first guitar was a Nitingale resonator thing I bought second hand in Hamilton Victoria for 20 pound ($40) around 1964. It was strung hawian and had a high action. Came with all the picks , sldes and hawain guitar books etc. I tuned it to standard and drove everybody mad picking melodies of Ghost Riders In The Sky, Walk Don't Run and Oh Suzzanna and rhe like. Deuling Banjos really got their dander up.
never did get to do any chords because i didn't know enough to drop the action.
Bought an electric , a Tiessco tripple pick up thing in 1968 that had a nice low action and i still have that.
Sold the Nightingale around 1985 and got enough for it to buy a organ for my daughter, a bass and amp and a koprg drom machine.
Swapped the bass for 20 studio hours before I started recording at home, and the daughter never did do anything with the organ but i started leaning on it and it gave me a start as keyboard. It got a heap of dud notes in it and I still have it and hope to use it as a starting poiunt for a lighting show panel with a differance.
The bloke who bought the Nightingale restored it and used it when he was sober enough to gig and until it got stolen at a show he was too drunk to be at.
He hung himself shortly after that.
Still use the hawain books when i am figuring what to do on lap steel.
Sorta sorry I sold the darn thing though now I am realising what can be done on a resonator guitar.
Graham


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My first guitar was a Silvertone classical guitar. My mother bought it for me for my 14th birthday. I would have rather had a Martin D-28, but it was pretty cool. I gave it to one of my best friends. I had once screwed a white pick guard on it, it looked terrible. I visitied him for his daughter's wedding and the pick guard was still on it. That made me laugh.

A Silvertone classical with a white plastic pickguard.

Mike

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Mike Dunbar Music


You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music

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My first guitar was given to me by an uncle at age seven, I think it was a 3/4 Goya gut string. My Pop had a 6 string and 12 string that facinated me. Think my Dad got together with my uncle so I wouldn't beat up his guitars! Not sure what happend to it.....

rob


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Mine was a gift from my wonderful wife, who, back in 1976 heard me say that I wished to learn how to play a guitar. She got me a new Ibanez Concorde Dreadnaught for my birthday, and I still have have her...she's all Blonde, with gold tuners...just a $300 laminate guitar, with action too high, but I can't give her up or sell her...I have other, better guitars now, but every once in a while, I take her out and tune her up and, "Strum Away"!!! (Uh, I'm talking about the guitar, of course--but I still have the wife, too!!)

[Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by Bluepoet (edited 03-31-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Bluepoet (edited 04-02-2003).]


"No man is an island...
he's a peninsula...
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My first guitar was a Conquerer... never heard of it!?!? I was in 5th grade... loooooooong time ago... Didn't know it then but the action was soooo high... couldn't play those darn bar chords... got so discouraged I ended up quitting my lessons.. I thought it was me!!! I still have that guitar... I'm a sentimental fool.
Joanne

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i remember everything about mine i still have it, though it hasn't seen daylight in some time! maybe i should pull it out. it helped me write many a song.
keep pickin'
jt

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Hi JT! - You remember everything but ain’t sharing right? [Linked Image]

Nige [Linked Image]

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My first guitar was a EKO jazz acoustic. Had good action but not very good sound. I then bought a Hagstrom NK2 while living in Holland. Was a great guitar at the time and I wished I had it today, however, have moved up to Les Paul and Ovation so things are OK.
Dan

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I remember playing mostly to The Beatles and The Stones in my bedroom. It was burnt red,,,,,a Korvetts model,,,,(like a small Sears store).
I played it through my dad's little 1940's Fender. Ya know, their smallest model....Forgot the name for it. Got great fuzz tone between the cheap pickups and that amp up to 10! Had it around 1966. Played the fuzz bass part on it to "Think For Yourself"!

Wish I still had it! (boo who)

John Daubert


Actually a Member Since 1996 or 97 (Number One Hundred Something).
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My first guitar was a green Gibson SG I bought from my college roommate for $150 bucks. The paint was spider-cracked from being left in a car or something. It was an odd model with just one pickup at the bridge (no neck humbucker). I've never seen another one like it.

I sold it for $150 to another college student to pay the rent. [Linked Image]



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Clif Johnston
Clif@ClifJohnston.com
http://www.ClifJohnston.com

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My Dad finally broke down and got me a Suzuki classical when I was 15 (after trying to instill an affection for "orchestral" instruments in me for 8 years, I guess he saw that wasn't gonna be my milieu [Linked Image] ).
Great sounding box; very throaty and well-balanced. Spruce top and that deep red laquer for the body and neck. (Remember that?) The neck was (a lot) on the "thick" side, so I got it in my feeble brain to thin it down by sanding the back of the neck. Now [believe it or not] I asked my Dad first if it would be okay to do, and he said, "It's your guitar." He didn't think it would hurt it structually as long as I didn't go too wild. Like all teenage experiments, it didn't turn out to be the loveliest modification I could have made (bright orange stain and all on the sanded portion), but it did "work". In fact, it looked so strange that I immediately went to work on the back of it to match the neck! [Linked Image] I left an inch and a half of the red laquer around the perimeter and sanded out the middle. the beast looked very conventional classical from the front, but when turned over... BOING! Oh my!
Anyhoo, after other guitar acquisitions, I finally gave it to my sister.... who gave it to an erstwhile boyfriend!! (Damn, I was pissed; boyfriend gone; guitar gone. And here I was, hoping to keep that cheap [but sweet] ugly little puppy "in the family". Just goes to show; lust is a bust. But hey, I DID give it to her, so she could do with it as she liked. Here's the kicker: I did the same with an Ovation 12 some years later(since she was pining for a guitar), and the result? You freakin' guessed it! Same freakin' deal!! Boy, a brothers' love is sometimes squandered... "there are none so blind as those that refuse to see" [Linked Image] )

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Ozone
http://www.mp3.com/OzonePete

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Now ya got me writing soppy songs about this darn thing.
First draft folks. downloaded a real nice guitar and vox thing of Bubbablues out of SongRamp just before I came i here and theat looping and reading here sort of ganged up o me and this is the result. First take and the end isnot really there yet to me.
Format is how the headtune says it sings.
Graham
My First Guitar
© Copyright APRA Graham Henderson 2003
I recall.
My first guitar.
More clearly than all.
Others.
That came into my hands.
It wasn’t all that special.
Fact is.
It wasn’t special at all.
It had a crack in the top.
And a buzz somewhere.
As I recall.

But to me.
And at the time.
It was my greatest joy.
And its memory.
Is still with me today.
For at the time.
I was just a boy.
And it was a gift to me.
From my dad.
Before he went away.

Mom used to tune it for me.
In self preservation.
As I fumbled with chords.
And notation.
Then as I leaned to sing along.
She helped me write.
My first song.
About a lonely boy.
Who played guitar.

Instrumental

Now here we are.
Another year.
And another war.
And another son.
With another gift.
From a dad who’s going away.
This one is praying.
He’ll come home.
To hear his son play.

I watch my son.
Hold my old guitar.
And stroke its strings.
And try to hide the tears.
Memory brings.
My wife knows the story.
And what must be.
Going through my mind.
As I prepare for war.
And leave all I love behind.

There’s a lot to come home for.
In my first guitar.


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Wow, Pete, you are a cool brother. [Linked Image]


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A family friend, Father Quinn, picked up a guitar for me when he went to Spain. All I know is that it was a flamenco guitar, non glossy, very light and had a light airy sound. Very nice guitar. I played it for two years and used it at the folk Masses I played at. I loved my guitar.

Well, after one of those Masses, I had put my guitar in the case which was on either the floor or a kneeler, but hadn't locked it yet because I was gathering up some music which I usually slipped into my case.
Some grownup guy decided to help me. He said, " Here let me help you." and without waiting for my answer suddenly picked up my case, lifting it very high and out fell my guitar. Crash. I was stunned. He said, "Do you think it can be fixed?" and then walked off without offering to pay for it. I just remember staring at my poor guitar through tears. I don't remember what I had stammered when it happened.
I have had a few guitars more since then. But I will never forget that horrible feeling of seeing my poor baby hurt like that.

JeanB


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Interesting to note that many of us first had a positive experience with classical/flamenco guitars. They're great to learn on because the necks ARE wide so if you can learn your chords on a classical, playing them on an electic is a breeze. Also, the strings are nylon so you don't rip your fingers to shreds and get all discouraged.

BB


Who says I can't play the banjo?
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My first was a no name brand which lasted a few weeks...cost $15 in 1956. In the tropic heat it became a bow. LOL. I scrounged for it too!

Stan

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Having Fun!!!!
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You never forget your first [Linked Image]


Harmony six string....brandy new for my 15th birthday......high action.....razor like strings....but she was mine.....all mine....

I played that guitar for 7 years....
even had the action tweaked....

Some bastard stole it out of the barracks while I was in the Air Force....

I miss her dearly.... [Linked Image]...
but I,ve found another... [Linked Image]

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cool lyric Graham! [Linked Image]

Here is mine from 2001 in the lyrics Forum....never did do music for them....

Goodbyes (Ode to Marty)
© 2001 Joe Rogier

Verse 1
I remember the day we met, the magic of two, without regret
Holding you close to me, together in perfect harmony
Passing time the way it was meant to be,
true happiness, joined with tenderness, you and I

Verse 2
There was something in the way you made me feel
Your warmth, your touch, you made my dreams so real
But, now you’re gone, another bittersweet song
How will I, Oh, how will I, ever carry-on.

Chorus
Goodbyes, sometimes, can last forever
They fill our hearts with longing memories
Goodbyes can lead you to another
Sometimes that is just the way it has to be
Goodbyes were never meant for you and me

Verse 3
Nary a word was spoken, as our case was finally closed
My promise kept, never broken, has we headed down the road
I brought you back, to where we met, on that warm bright day last summer
Our silent farewells, as my eyes last fell, on the one, that belonged, to another

Verse 4
I will always remember, the way we used to be
In tune with one another, a perfect harmony
Perhaps one day soon, you will come back through my door
And on that day, I won’t let you go, you’ll be mine forever more

Chorus
Goodbyes, sometimes, can last forever
They fill our hearts with longing memories
Goodbyes can lead you to another
Sometimes that is just the way it has to be
Goodbyes were never meant for you and me


Here is a picture of dear sweet Marty....she did come back to me after all ! [Linked Image]
[img]http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/attachment.php?s=&postid=604882[/img]




[This message has been edited by joro (edited 04-05-2003).]

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Thanks Joro. Music is giving me a pain to this one.
Think we all got the odd one about our first guitar/dog/girlfriend/whatever somewhere either in our files or head.
The pic of marty didn't work. Tried copy and paste to my graphics but no go.
Graham

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My first guitar was a broom.

Then I moved up to a custom-made cardboard Rickenbaker. It was the best sounding guitar I ever owned (it had no strings)..

does that count? I bet a lot of you started out on similar instruments... come on, admit it!!

Mike

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My first guitar was a $15 special given to me for Christmas 1968. I don't remember asking for it, but thought it was cool. It was blonde on the face and dark brown on the rest of the body and neck. I brought it to a Girl Scout meeting where someone promptly dropped it, causing the face to come completely away from the body, curling up like a ribbon. My father glued it back together and reinforced the bond with two small nails. Needless to say, it never played quite right to begin with and played even worse after reconstructive surgery. The following Christmas my parents replaced it with a 3/4 size Univox acoustic. It's a reddish brown. I still have it although it is unplayable in its current state. I've thought about seeing if it can be rehabbed, but something else always comes up that needs my financial attention instead...

Donna Klein

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I was 12 at a yard sale - someone was selling some old classical for one dollar - my dad the beethoven opera freak wouldnt even lend me the dollar - somewhere I scrounged it up - havent put a guitar down since (25 years almost!)

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I just found this board, and it looks great. Good advice and positive people.

My first guitar was also a Harmony 6 string. My parents got it for me for Christmas, but I was too young to really get into it, I think. So I hung it on the wall above my bed.
When I started taking lessons, I took it off the wall and found that someone -- most likely my very young niece -- had poured what had to be a whole box of Cheerios into it.
That was 30-some years and lots of guitars ago.

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Hi Rich – Welcome to the board!! - Thanks for sharing that story, really made me laugh!! [Linked Image]
Were the Cheerios still edible?

Cheers

Nige [Linked Image]

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it was a baby blue kingston. electric,with a gibson tube amp. it was actually my brothers, (mom thought he was the musician)he never got much past twinkle twinkle.so when enough dust gathered on it , I staked my claim and was playing proud mary in a months time. Mom came home and heard me playing and the guitar became mine.I was nine. funny thing they never offered to pay for my lessons. like that stopped me....LOL. anyway.....that was it............Barry

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Well I'm the third harmony acoustic guy here. 6 strings, f-holes, archtop, sunburst... I wish I still had it. I sold it to buy a '67 gretsch anniversary in 1974. I still have the gretsch, don't use it much. I primarily use my '70 les paul custom and occasionally use a '78 335. About 2 yrs ago I saw the same harmony guitar in the window of Daddy's junky music in boston( priced at $250). I went back the next day to buy it but it was gone.

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Ah... I'll guess I'll chime in with the first Yamaha... a mid-70-s FG200, purchased new with funds gained from my first job as a dishwasher at a conference center. Was $125 with a cardboard case...all sold at a discount because the glue was failing on the pickguard leaving the edges of said to be curling up a tad. This proved to be quite handy as I stored a plethora of picks underneath the edge of the guard, yeilding a most cool and unique effect nobody else could copy.
Eventually, all the shoving of picks underneath the guard resulted in it becoming so loose that I removed it completely. I still own the guitar, and it almost has a full blown Willie-hole in the top. It's the loudest acoustic I've ever played, the laminated top has started to pull a bit at the bridge, action is high. Every now and then I drop my Guild and pick up the old booger. There's something about it... it still feels like home and I find myself playing things on it that I don't play on any other guitar. The "tanning line" which existed after the pickguard was removed is long gone, and you'd never know it ever had one.
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Mine was a piece of junk Les Paul copy. The stupid thing fried on me and I gutted it after I got a Strat. I still have the Strat and now I've got a Gibson SG-X in a color made in just 1 year.

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I forced my Dad to buy me my first guitar in August of 1963. We were visting relatives up in Hyannis, Mass. and my cousin had a guitar and had been playing for a few months. He was attracting all the neighborhood girls and I was in awe. So, I begged my Dad to buy me that $ 14.95 Stella in the window. Man, I thought I was hot stuff. It was kind of black with tiger stripes on the body. I could just about fit a Snickers Bar between the strings and the neck, but what did I know. I was 11 and figured that all guitars had that massive gap between there. My cousin taught me a few chords during that visit, consoled me on the bleeding fingers and I was off to the races. Almost 40 years and a few dozen guitars later I'm still in love.

Chris Kane

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My first guitar was a no-brand little beginner's guitar that my mom got at Montgomery Ward. It had cheap steel strings and an action so high that it shredded my fingers (of course, it was years before I learned what action was, and that it could be adjusted!). After about a year, I switched to nylon strings, and after another few months, I bought a Mayfair 12-string for $25 at a yard sale. I still have both guitars, although the Mayfair is in too bad shape to play. Both of my kids learned to play on that little beginner's guitar, and it's had the same nylon strings on it since about 1979 or so!

Of course, I've acquired a few more guitars over the years.......

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Memories...

1966 Harmony Acoustic: I was attending a Catholic grade school and they offered lessons during the day. After three lessons, the instructor told me that I had no talent for playing the guitar and that I should take up the yo-yo.

1970 Silvertone Les Paul copy: Bad fretboard and my parents took it back to Sears.

1977 Sekova ES-335 copy: A neighbor who played helped me tune it properly and I actually took pictures of the tuners so I could put them back in the same position again. I still have the pictures but traded it for an acoustic.

1977 Ventura Acoustic: I still have it and play it often. Many a gig and home recording was done with that nice guitar.

After that I went through numerous Rickenbacker's, Gibson SG's, Epiphone's until I reached the present with my Martin D-16 and my 1966 Fender Telecaster.

What a journey......

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Gary, LOL. Taking pictures of the tuners. LOL. It reminded me of this joke:

At a rehearsal, the conductor stops and shouts to the bass section: "You are out of tune. Check it, please!" The first bassist pulls all his strings, says, "Our tuning is correct: all the strings are equally tight." The first violist turns around and shouts, "You bl**dy idiot! It's not the tension. The pegs have to be parallel!"

[This message has been edited by AKA JeanB (edited 07-07-2003).]


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Jean,

1977 was the year I spent the Summer at home, in my room, learning to play guitar. I played night and day until my fingers blistered. I was so determined to play that by the time I started college in the Fall, I was good enough to play in a local band.

Many thanks go to Guitar Player Magazine, Frets Magazine and Mel Bay for all the help. Plus all of the guys and ladies who I watched play at about a half dozen music stores. Thanking God for my fingers too.

Take care

Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by AKA JeanB:
Gary, LOL. Taking pictures of the tuners. LOL. It reminded me of this joke:

At a rehearsal, the conductor stops and shouts to the bass section: "You are out of tune. Check it, please!" The first bassist pulls all his strings, says, "Our tuning is correct: all the strings are equally tight." The first violist turns around and shouts, "You bl**dy idiot! It's not the tension. The pegs have to be parallel!"

[This message has been edited by AKA JeanB (edited 07-07-2003).]
</font>

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My first guitar is easy to remember - I am looking at it right now. It's a Seagull S6.

It wasn't the cheapest one in the store,(and an order of magnitude or so down from the top-o-the-line) but the three accomplished players (one VERY much so) who have played it tell me it's a good one for the money. They say the action is good. I guess I was lucky I could afford a bit more; my fingers hurt but have not actually bled. Yet.

BTW, one reason it was a good value is because it's Canadian; that exchange rate is like a fire sale every day....

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I was in 6th grade when I went with my dad to buy my first guitar, a real cheap-o electric. I think we went to Two Guys, a K-Mart type establishment in NJ. I was orange-yellow in color, with white flowers etched into the black pick-guard section. I also had a cheap amp - I was jazzed about its "tremolo" knob, so I could play "Crimson & Clover."

In college, I traded the electric with an acquaintance, for an equally cheesy acoustic. I don't even remember the brand!

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Marian Mastrorilli
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http://www.projectmercury.net

[This message has been edited by mastrose (edited 09-11-2003).]


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My first guitar was a 1964 Gibson Melody Maker just like this one

[Linked Image]

I ended up trading it in for a new Ovation Celebrity (which I now really regret doing). But I needed an acoustic/elec. guitar and that was the only way I could get the funds. I think the neck was warped, but I wish I could have gotten it fixed. Trouble is I didn’t know anything about it then. I wish I still had the little gem.

Just bought a Martin HD-35 last Friday. Boy does that sound nice [Linked Image]


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John

http://www.nowhereradio.com/johnscott/singles

[This message has been edited by John Scott (edited 09-17-2003).]

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I got my first guitar er...about 9 or ten years ago; a black Ibanez E140. Bottom of the range. But it rocks like no other guitar I've ever played since and I still use it exclusively - largely because I can't afford another one, but also because it sounds better and plays more comfortably than most other guitars. The electronics have never been any good on it though, but I get around that by never altering the volume and tone controls.
I don't know if anyone else does it this way, but the method I use for buying guitars is to try as many as possible, then you KNOW when you've played the one you want, and it's always the last one you play; like you trawl thru all the crap, then the next one you pick up is like, 'this is the one' cos there is always one that stands out way above the rest. And from that moment, you can't bear to keep looking in case this one is gone when you return.

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Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Gary Gustin:
Memories...

1966 Harmony Acoustic:

Interesting. My first acoustic was, to the best of my recollection, a 60's Harmony archtop in a very nice chocolate sunburst. I sanded it down and painted it red, white & blue. The wrong paint was used and totally killed the tone. Wish I stil had it, I believe I know enough now to get the crap paint off and get it sounding good again. I do remember the action as being pretty darn tough, especially for a new acoustic player.[


1977 Ventura Acoustic: I still have it and play it often. Many a gig and home recording was done with that nice guitar.


I now also own a Ventura. It's a 12 string Bruno that's been really worked over. It actually came to me from a dumpster. I wouldn't get rid of it for anything. I'd never heard of Ventura until I got that beast.
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DakLander

[This message has been edited by daklander (edited 09-26-2003).]

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Daklander,

I really like my Ventura acoustic. The binding is turning yellow and the finish looks vintage now. I have it tuned to Open D to save wear on my Martin.

Actually, Ventura guitars from Japan were so close to looking like a Martin that it probably triggered patent suits.

I think mine is from 1969-1970 range.

I will never part with it either.

Gary

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My 1st was a "Norma", from the Edison catalog...truly a POS!...severely warped neck, plywood construction, but a decent tone.

After getting a playable guitar (an old Gibson J-45), it hung on the wall for abour 35 years, until about a year ago, when I gave it to a friend's son who's developed an interest in Hawaiian guitar...about all this one is good for any more!

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"Legalize Freedom!"

Thought for the day: To be loved deeply gives one strength; to love another deeply gives one courage - Lao Tzu


"Legalize Freedom!"

Thought for the day: To be loved deeply gives one strength; to love another deeply gives one courage - Lao Tzu
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Gary Gustin:
Daklander,

I really like my Ventura acoustic. The binding is turning yellow and the finish looks vintage now. I have it tuned to Open D to save wear on my Martin.

Actually, Ventura guitars from Japan were so close to looking like a Martin that it probably triggered patent suits.

I think mine is from 1969-1970 range.

I will never part with it either.

Gary
</font>



Ha!, Gary, I found a V-6 Ventura 6 string in a pawn shop this week and bought it so now I have a little brother to the 12 string. Pretty darned good shape, plays easy, sounds good, even with old strings on it. I can't wait to get a set of DR Strings Rare Phosphor Bronze strings on it in .011 gauge.
I'm smiling now...

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DakLander

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My first guitar was a Fender Classical my dad had around the house when I was growing up, but the first guitar that was mine was the solid ash Peavy T-60 that my parents bought me for Christmas when I was 11. The guitar weighed a ton, but was always very comfortable to play and gave interesting tones. It was stolen from a studio along with a whole slew of my gear 3 years ago. Also stolen was a pre-CBS Fender Showman head. Memories indeed.

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Although I did not write this song, it was brought to me and I regularly perform it. It has become one of the most requested songs in my show...and is, in essence, the story of my first guitar...Dennis also wrote Ace In The Hole for George Strait...

SILVERTONE
Dennis Adkins/BMI

My first guitar is a favorite memory
So early in my life it took hold on me
While other kids were fishin’ in the creek and skippin’ stones
I was skippin’ school and playing on my six string Silvertone

Twenty dollars was a lot of money then
For a hand to mouth Kentucky Mom and Dad to spend
So every night as I played in my bedroom all alone
I thanked God and Sears and Roebuck for my six string Silvertone

(Chorus)
Not much more than fiberboard and shiny strings
With imitation tortoise shell accessories
I front of Mama’s mirror with a makeshift microphone
Preparing for the big time on my six string Silvertone

Through high school that guitar meant more and more to me
It rode on the backseat of my first car with me
On Friday nights I could hardly wait to get the girls alone
And play for them the songs I wrote on my six string Silvertone

(Chorus)

My music stayed right with me since those early days
But my old friend disappeared somewhere along the way
Now I play a new guitar that’s worth it’s weight in gold
But I still wonder what happened to my six string Silvertone

I bet it’s hanging in some fancy music store
Or lying warped and dusty on some cellar floor
Or maybe it’s the prize possession of some 10 year old
Dreaming of the big time on his six string Silvertone

Thank God and Sears and Roebuck for my six string Silvertone

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I acquired my first guitar from a girlfriend. She used it as a "cage" of sorts for her hamster. It was an acoustic flatop no name. The strings served as little bars so the hamster could not escape. I accidently poisoned him and talked her into "loaning" it to me. I proceeded to install steel strings (it had nylons, not a wise move!) and as they say, it's been some thirty years and at least as many guitars since. I traded the guitar and the girlfriend left me for some other fellow. Haven't missed either one in years.
Regards, TJ Sullivan


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it was a cheap kay acoustic that was my dad's. when i was a kid i used to steal it all the time to try and pluck out metallica songs on it. (look -- i was like twelve)

he finally just gave it to me - and i treasured that old beater. kept it all through college -- it finally broke its neck in an auto accident (thankfully, nobody else was hurt).

damn i miss that guitar.



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I was digging through my grandpa's closet and found an old Epiphone semi-hollow which got me hooked on playing. Of course, that was the mid 80s and I was young and stupid, so as soon as I could I traded it for a pointy, V-shaped, blood-red guitar that could do justice to the Metallic and Def Leppard I was playing at the time. [Linked Image] Wish I had it back now!

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The first guitar I had (briefly) was given to me by my grandmother when I was 9. It was some cheapo thing (don't recall what brand) with high action which didn't last long because it hurt my fingertips. [Linked Image]

My next "first" guitar was some cheapo thrift store buy my mom got for me if I agreed to take lessons. The guitar teacher took one look at it and rightly said it was unusable, so my next "first" guitar, which I rented at first and later owned, was an Elger acoustic. {ears later I learned that the owner of the store where I took lessons (Medley Music in Bryn Mawr, PA) contracted to have this brand made. }t was a decent starter guitar,though I noticed quite a difference in sound and playability when I upgraded to a Takamine N-20 (jumbo acoustic) 11 years later. I gave the Elger (which by that time had a crack in the neck) to my brother, who did Lord knows what to it.

Peter

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