New Acoustic!

[Blooby]

Seems like the only time I post here as of late is when I find the time to get drunk. I know how pathetic this sounds, but tonight, I'm totally okay with it. But I am also sorry I haven't been around much. Yes, I really am drunk... Glenfiddich 12 for anybody keeping score.

Answered a Craigslist ad the other day. Traveled way out of cell service zone and down multiple dirt roads to find some 74 year-old guy who "would rather croak out west if it's gonna happen soon." His home didn't have a square inch of free counter space, for it was all filled with all manner of musical gadgetry: pickups next to the kitchen sink, a capo collection on the counter, dozens of packs of strings on the coffee table, a fish vase full of picks on the end table, etc. He is selling off "everything" so as to realize his very personal dream of good ole American manifest destiny.

He had a beautiful Strat leaning against the couch alongside a wonderful-sounding Tele and 60's Martin. Had a back room with 35 or so other guitars and a dozen or so more in various states of decapitation. They weren't all pricey, but everything seemed vibey. There was a Blueshawk with the variac (haven't seen one of those in a while) and a Gibson L5 knock-off that played dynamite. There were semi-hollowbodies and several dobros. There were even off-brand heavy metal guitars.

As for amps, he had an old Fender Bandmaster, a Polytone (a solid state guitar amp with a cult-like following among older jazzers), a fantastic-sounding Blues Junior (the Blues Junior I had and sold years ago sounded nothing like this!), and the greatest-sounding amp to my ears...ever. He had an early 70's Fender Princeton that produced one of the finest sounds from an electric guitar I've ever heard. Not even any sort of holy grail year for this amp, but its dulcet tones have haunted me this week.

Wanted $1,200 for it. Completely reasonably in my mind...if only I had the money right now. Already sending back the SG (with the crazy-wide neck) but am also unloading a chopped Hammond, a guitar amp, a P.A. head, and some pedals to work toward this thing.

Ahhhhhhh!

But this isn't why I'm posting.

I originally went out there to check out a Blueridge 160. I read great things about these acoustic guitars but never had a chance to try one. In a nutshell, I heard they were basically in the Martin family but used better tone woods than other acoustics in its price range.

Well, I ended up getting a way better than good deal on it, and I have to say I'm so friggin' happy with it. This just beautifully slid into a sonic area I wasn't even sure I was missing. The playability on it is ridiculous as well. I am overplaying so much on this thing, and I just don't care. Taste be damned! Hopefully, I will calm down in the coming weeks.

I know you may be judging the controversial pickguard, but mine is actually clear (or perhaps peeled). Although it looks pretty cool, I am thinking of spoiling myself with some kitchey, custom-made leather pickguard for no logical reason than I can conjure.

In summation, I feel I've learned a bit about myself over the course of this message. I'm apparently fine with using "for" as a conjunction. When you think about it, there really is no in-between on this topic.

Blooby

[Hook]

Both your GAS and your drinking make me very happy!
Rock on!

[Greeny (No longer active)]

Nice. Very nice. And you need to get those leather pick guards. Desire isn't logical and shouldn't have to be.

[bruno]

Great story Bruce - loved the description.
You'll be back for more :-)
Super guitar, can't wait to hear it.
B

[Groundy]

Beautiful Guitar,
I think I will join you in a very large Malt....
Alex.

[Farrell Jackson]

Well done...on the booze and the Blueridge 160 acoustic! Your description of the guy's musical treasures made my mouth water. You probably know by now my thoughts on GAS.....if you want it, can afford it (that's an option), get it. Let us know if you go back for more.

Nice grab Blooby!

Farrell

[Redler]

It looks fine...and sounds good in your hands, it's for sure!

[guitarron]

beautiful guitar-I like that pickguard-but leather is cowboy cool

[Blooby]

I have an update. Ted, the aforementioned purveyor of musical pornography, showed up at a Museum of Oddities gig last Saturday. We talked for a bit about gear after the gig, I thank him for making the 30-or-so mile trip, and he then says, "Well, I'm gonna go downtown and see what kind of trouble I can get in."

I'm loving that he's seventy-four and saying this, but I say, "Ted, don't get in too much trouble. I still want that amp."

And he says, "Where can I get a hooker and an eight-ball?" He pauses and swats an imaginary fly and says, "Shit, that was thirty-five years ago."

[BrettBob]

This is wild, I just replaced my old acoustic with a Blueridge (found a great deal on reverb). I love it, sounds great.