JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Hard To Ask For Help/ Anyone Need A Guitar Demo?

This is the toughest thread I've ever started here. I'm not one to ask for help but here goes.

I had to pawn my Martin guitar 2 months ago to pay a bill. I have a small lawn care business that I share with my brother. We do OK during the summer, but business stopped cold recently and we aren't making any money. He has a small pension and I make a few bucks from selling ads on my blogs. We also have money owed to us from lawn clients that hasn't been paid yet. The problem is that the money we wait for comes in at the wrong time, which leaves us broke and waiting.

The default date on the guitar is Wed. 12/22. If I don't come up with a minimum payment, they're going to sell it. I called them today. Besides telling me that they will not extend the deal, they were delighted to tell me that the guitar will sell fast. I told them "Merry Christmas" before I hung up.

Here's my offer. If anyone here needs a guitar demo with male vocal, send me a PM. I can throw in Mandolin and/or Bass. cost is $30. I'll have to make the demo after I get my guitar back. If not, I can borrow a guitar. Let me know if interested. I want to earn the money needed. Thanks, Ben

Ben, I've PMed you.

Donna

Thanks Donna. I'm getting some good responses. Hope I can get my guitar back on time and go to work for you folks.

Ben and I did a song together last year.
I was pleased with the guitar and the singing.
This is a deal, I think.

Thanks for the plug Lee.

It's never wrong to ask for help Ben. I'll pray and hope you get the help you need.

Best to you,
Lynn

Ben is a damn GOOD guitar player! Ben, I'd jump on that deal myself, but I'm flat broke too, even had TWO of my cleaning customers screw me over this week! Anyway, good luck, hope some folks take you up on your offer! You're worth your weight in GOLD!

I'll do that Ben. No rush on the demo.
If you have Paypal I can send you an electronic check--how else can you get it fast enough??
I'll send you an E
Wy

Thanks a lot Lyrical Lynn. Your reply is enough to give me hope.

Thanks Polly, These "Pawn Star" people have no heart. Hope I can at least pay enough so that they can't keep my guitar and sell it right away.

PalPal address is benll@comcast.net

If I lose this fine guitar to these crooks, I will think less of the music business. Maybe just give it up and be a bum.

I don't get paid until Thursday but will send something thru your pay pal.....glyn

Hi Ben,

You didn't answer my PM but I went ahead and sent something to your paypal account anyway. We can discuss the particulars at a later date. Oh, I'll make you work for it, no problem!

Ricki

nevermind! Just got your PM. Cool!

Hey Ben,

Just bought 1 demo via Paypal. I don't need it till next year, so will PM you.

Good luck with the guitar.

cheers, niteshift

I can't stay on Ben but sent it earlier by PayPal and it looks like from the thread that you have PayPal so-----------
PLAY ON!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks folks. I can walk into the pawn shop with dignity and save my Martin. Still don't have enough to get it out.

how much to get it out....

You peoples is awsome. Can't say enough thanks.

I got enough to keep the guitar on hold, but not enough to get it back. That's OK, at least it ain't sold.

Gotta work on getting it back. Thanks folks.

You folks are awseome. good friends. Just need $100 to get the guitar free and clear.
And take it home.

ok then i'll send something Thursday...maybe it will help,glyn

You see how these things can be? It's just a snowball effect.
Hang in there Ben, one thing at a time to avoid being overwhelmed. Looks like you got one step by buying time, next to get the guitar back. If there's any work over here for you I'll send it like I do for Heather.

I was going to suggest when your get back on your feet and get your guitar back.... beg, Borrow or STEAL money and get a gas powered Snow Blower. They are not that expensive anymore business wise and since you already have customers with property it's the perfect thing to offer....

Then I remembered YOU LIVE IN FL
Does it snow there by you?

When I was really down I sold off practically the entire studio I sold my only bass, the one I played on all my sessions, and the one that got me to Paris France and all over, and I can't believe how much I miss it.
So I know how you feel, hang in....

Mike

P M ing you again Ben
Wy

Ben

"Where there's a will there's a way!" or in this case several different ways I guess. The spectrum of possibilities runs from getting all the money from one member (not me unfortunately, as like Polly I'm smashed), to selling your services to members for $30, or better yet Ben, a small amount ($5 or so) from as many members as possible - Hell Ben sell shares in your Martin to members! I'm a sh*t good guitarist when I want to be, but I've never owned a Martin! Even a share in that Martin would be something!

So Ben I'm thinking like you - there's strength in numbers! That's the key here! We're all broke but everyone has a couple of dollars especially around Christmas - Hell just one less drink or one less pack of cigarettes to help out a friend.

My advice Ben is re-think this proposal - offer shares in your Martin and rely on friends ...

Regards

ColmT

Thanks folks, I'm trying to respond to PM's but the pages are loading slow. I'll be here all day. Went to the pawn shop this morning and paid the interest to keep them from selling it tomorrow.

I thought Christmas was going to be a bummer this year but you folks cheered me up.

Sub, it only snowed here twice in my life time, only flurries. Tampa Stan can attest to that. I do have a snow blower attatchment on my mower though.

Thanks for the advice Colm. I wouldn't know how to sell shares of a Martin. It's not an expensive D-28. It's a cheaper model, but it's still a Martin. I lost my D-28 to a pawn shop in 1993. Never got over it.

I do have some lawn work Friday so maybe I can get my guitar back for Christmas.

Iffin any of my customers give me Christmas tips I'll definitely send you something! Keep your chin up!

Colm, when WE YANKS say "smashed" we mean "drunk"!

Ben,

I hope you succeed in getting your Martin back. I do think it is a little unfair to call the pawnshop people crooks......they are just doing what pawnshops do.

You may be right Colin but it is a seedy business. Does 25% interest sound fair? They also didn't have to sound so happy that I was going to lose it.

There's a human equation to every business. They don't show it. The holiday season does't mean anything to them. Business as usual.

Hi Ben,
That's a demo you owe me if I ever need it. Paypal on its way.
Vic

Thanks Vic.

So far, I owe 10 JPF members demos. This makes me feel good and made my holiday. I've been with JPF since 2006. It really makes me feel good that folks here have heard my music and guitar playing and think me worthy enough to record a demo for them.

This lonesome old boy feels appreciated. I can't wait to get started. Ben

How many more do you need to get your Guitar back?

Cheers

10 would be $300... he said he needed $100 more.. so it sounds like he's covered but I think we'd all feel better if he'd tell us it was "all clear"

Let us know so you can stop paying the blood money to the mobsters.

Brian

I had to pay $62 yesterday to keep them from selling it by the default date 12/22. Someone sent me a bonus this morning (you know who you are)which put me about $40 shy of the pick-up cost. I'll make a few buck tommorrow doing lawn work and maybe a few more bucks for Christmas. It's looking better every day. I hope to get it back Monday. They will be closed over the Christmas weekend. I'll post a picture of it when I get it back. Thanks, Ben

Count me in for a track some time

Cheers

Noel

Happy Christmas

Know what Ben! F**k it! If it doesn't work out! Just buy another box wood guitar my friend and with your skill make it sing better than the Martin!

ColmT

Thank you Noel,

Colm, I know what you're saying, I've even thought about that, but at this point I have to get it back.

People have been too kind to me and I can't let them down.

My main focus is to produce quality demo's. I want eveyone to be satisfied.

And no doubt, Ben, You will....glyn

Ben are you still short??

Linda

Well my lawn work didn't work out as I hoped. I did the work, but they won't pay till later. Gotta wait, as usual. Thanks Linda.

Uuurgh not fun.

OK Ben: Listen: NEXT TIME you do NOT GO TO THE PAWN SHOP, you come HERE and talk to us about demos next time you have to pay a bill!! (or eat, etc)

All right?
Plenty work here from people who can do it.
And none of us will take your baby & sell her off to someone else where she'll never be seen again. Or charge 24% interest.

OK. PROMISE US.

Linda

Linda is correct! That's a very good idea! With all of the lyricists here who need music done, this place alone should be able to keep you busy!

From my perspective... it's Thank You Ben...




Ok so you tell them " What the hey, it's Chrismas, the time of giving"... and charge them 24% interest....

Thanks Linda, Noel, and Polly. Gotta earn a reputation first. I need at least two more demo pledges and I'll be free and clear. Will pick up the guitar on Monday.

Got my work cut out for me this year.

Merry Christmas Ben!

Ricki, you just pushed me over the edge. Thank you.

I'll definitely pick up the guitar Monday morning.

What a good feeling. Can't wait to go to work.

I think you are an awesome gal Ricki Bellos!!

Well I picked it up this morning. For you folks who I owe demo's, please give me a couple of days to practice. I haven't played in over 2 Months.

I took a picture of it this morning, though the date on the camera shows 12/21. I had to change the batteries. That must be the reason.

Way to go, Ben! Good to see the "baby" looking good and glad to be back home.

I have several things up my sleeve for you, but none of them will be ready for another month or two anyway. Hence, you'll have plenty to time to practice.

Donna

What a great Christmas story! Wish I had seen it earlier, I would have donated just to see that Martin come back home.

Merry Christmas, Ben!

I'll be ready Donna.

Thanks for that Mark. I know you would have donated, but I really need to earn it. Since I have a hard time writing for myself sometimes, I'm content with doing other peoples songs for now.