Guitars , Past and Present

Here are a few pics of one of my favorite guitars Ive owned. I've always been an Ibanez fan , but this guitar actually made the cut for me and the styles I play.Early Schecter Strategy . EXC+ condition according to the K B B Standard grading system , which is what I use to grade instruments I purchase or sell/trade . I've had this guitar since 1997 . I have not dated it . Its a great guitar . It is much nicer than the standard American Stratocaster . It is white with a solid maple neck and rosewood fretboard with small , low frets and the signature Schecter Tremelo which was used on these particular guitars. I am to understand that there is not too many of these strategys out there and not too many in the shape that mine is in . Original case included . Its a little dirty . I havent cleaned it properly for some time . Everything is there , back cover , original trem bar and lockdowns in place . Schecter tuning keys. There are no stress cracks around the volute or fretboard end . This guitar was apparently babied before I got it . I have taken good care of it also , never taken a spill while I have owned it. A neat example of a typical 80's guitar.

Heres an interesting story . I became interested in jazz guitar in summer 2001 . I thought I'd go out and get me a decent hollowbody . I had found a 7 string oval hole Victor Baker that I was interested in but I didnt have the $2500 he was asking , which was a very fair price . so I went looking for an entry level guitar like an Epiphone Joe Pass or Cort Coryell . I had just gotten rid of a Smaick Greg Bennette guitar , the 18" model . Big guitar . Played great for a $500 guitar . So I go looking and dont see anything in any of the guitar stores for a 75 mile radius , not one single archtop other than this Gretsch G400C , which was pretty cool and an Epi Joe Pass , which was crap. I asked the owner if he had anything else stored away and he informed me that the only other archtop he knew of he had , but I couldnt afford it . I asked what it was , he said an L-5 , and its $3500 . ... Jeeezz I could hardly contain myself . $3500? those things are 5 grand!!! easy!! So I coaxed him into letting me play it. Wow.. It was in the Original case with the original bill of sale and owners manual . I paid him $1000 on the spot to hold it . A few weeks later I took $1800 to him and counted it out .. he said its yours.. LOL $2800!!!!!!!! I do believe thats the best deal I have ever made in my life. The guitar was in EXC condition . No volute . Just a good find .

What can I say ... It was a romantic notion that I find the One TRUE love of my life , the oneguitar I would never need to replace . Maybe , hopefully some day I can get it back . This guitar brought my soul out when I touched it . I've never experienced anything like it in my life. A cruel reminder of just how random life is . I waited 6 months for this guitar and Lost my job 2 weeks before recieving it . I was broke . No car . No money . No where to live. So , after owning this guitar for 2 weeks , I sold it . Looking back now it sickens me . It sickend me then , but now .. jeesh .. I dont care about any other guitar I've ever touched . Just this one. I know its in good hands . A freind of Victors bought it from me . I did get to play one gig with it . Whata night!

Unfortunately , this is the only pic of this guitar I have , or can find anyway . What a guitar. I wish I still had it . I'm working on getting pics from some of the wedding receptions I used it on .

Best acoustic guitar I've ever played . Much better sounding than any Martin Ive ever played . Taylor? Schmaylor... forget it . I played a Bergeous once that was similar . I'd love to hear a D size Collings .

This is a fine old guitar. Sounds great and plays marvelously. Slim taper neck makes it a breeze to play and it sounds sweet and intentional, just like a Gibson. Serial 91150538 which will make the guitar a 1990 model made in Nashville . I picked it up for $500.00 . Lucky me . It went on eBay for $1400 .. LOL Don't you just love eBay >=) Sorry about the pics , the flash was broke on the digital camera I had at the time .

Pretty cool bass. Had Bartolinis . Not active though , and it really showed. Played well but... This one met the eBay fate too .

Played really well , sounded great , but had a huge flaw . TOTALY UNBALANCED!! As soon as you let go of the neck , plunk .. down it went .

Great little jazz guitar amp . Yes , it has that sound . I lucked up on this one and bought it from the original owner. He paid nearly $500 for this amp back in 1974!! Jeez!! They are a special amp . You should check into their history . Interesting .

Really cool , fast guitar . Probably my favorite metal guitar I've ever owned . Didnt care too much for the amp.

A very cool little mandolin , well worth the bux. Solid top back and sides for under $1G . picked this one up for $350