The first is a 1975 Martin D-18 in very good condition. Mahogany back and sides as are all D-18's. Sure, you could spend twice as much for a signature mahogany Bourgeois that will sit in its case all the time because it was so damn expensive you're almost afraid to touch, or you could impress your friends with a confidently modest 36-years-old Martin.
Then a 1947 Gibson LG-2 that looks to have quite a bit of finish checking and general wear but no cracks. I can't wait to hear it. I'll have to go buy a new porkpie hat to wear along while playing this one.
Lastly what I fully expect will be an absolutely stunning 1999 Koa B/S Larrivee "Presentation" C-10 with one of Wendy Larrivee's "dancer" abalone/mother-of-pearl headstock inlays. She stopped taking orders on her beautiful inlay work years ago. I've heard that Larrivee has also stopped taking orders for Koa instruments. The C-10 is one of Larrivee's proprietary "L" body shaped guitars but this one features a sharp Florentine cutaway and abalone purfling around the top edge.
These will not be for sale immediately but instead will be used for much jolly music-making. They'll probably go up in a year or so.
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Presently for sale I have a black Strat with a rosewood fingerboard that I bought in 1983. The body is so pristine that I have to assume it's a replacement (though done at least as early as 1983,) making it a "frankenstrat." The neck is a beautiful old thing and its maple had assumed a golden glow. A few years ago I had it hot-rodded with new Texas Special pickups and improved pots. The cream-colored pickguard is new though it is meant to look as old as the guitar itself. New hard case. It's a player and it will hold its own against any new American Strat for about the same price. Play a Strat that's older than you!
Also up for sale is a mahogany L-05 Larrivee acoustic which I bought new about 5 years ago. I probably have the receipt someplace but I cannot readily find it. The instrument is pristine. It has begun to open up nicely. Larrivee doesn't stipulate where it gets mahogany anymore. A new L-05 will set you back $1,640. This one's perfect and it's already had years of seasoning for you. Original hard-shell case, and boy-oh, Larrivee gives you a great case.
I know, I know... mahogany. But it's getting more and more scarce and it certainly makes a nice guitar. Brazilian rosewood still rules the day but we all know about the decades-old restrictions. Koa is nice but harvesting it has also been severely restricted, and mahogany will be next.
Anyways, what this blog will basically be devoted to my deep love of all things guitar. I dabble in Renaissance lute too and I have an abiding love for all stringed instruments, primarily the plucked ones. I'll be endlessly searching the far corners of the internet multi-verse looking for all kinds of goodies.
Pictures soon! and as new arrivals come.
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I also intend to eventually hold a Guitar Auction for Charity, and I will be asking people if they can donate an instrument (or instruments?!) for this. Like that old Les Paul that your dad gave you for Christmas in 1971... heh.
Meanwhile Cat Pixels!
Moira, now in eternal repose. Such a sweetie!
