The Great Guitar Store In The Sky

A mostly chronological list of all the guitars I've sold, lost or smashed over the years (OK, I probably haven't lost very many).

1976 or so--Began noodling with my uncle's gut string guitar that he picked up on a trip to Mexico. Took it home one day, layed it down on the floor, and stepped right through the top one morning when I jumped out of bed. Guess I still owe ya one, Uncle D...

1978--Picked up a Yamaha FG-Series acoustic, though I can't remember exactly where. May have been Royal Oak Music in Royal Oak, Michigan. As you will see later on, I bought a lot of guitars in Royal Oak...

Played this right up through college until it was replaced by a Washburn acoustic/electric. Stuck a bunch of Avery polka-dot labels on it one day when I was bored. Lived in my parent's garage for over two decades until I got over my sentimental feelings for it and tossed it in the trash.

Somebody came by and pulled it out of the trash soon after and drove of with it.

1980--Bought my first electric--a new beige Magnum Les Paul Copy also from Royal Oak Music. Worst $208 my parents ever spent. Even though I was still just a kid, I knew this was crap even back then.

Never played right, or sounded good, and it was beige! Beige is not a rock and roll color! Had single-coil pickups hiding under humbucker covers. Did I mention it was beige?

1983--Traded in the Faux Paul for a real, honest-to-goodness, 1961 Gibson SG/Les Paul at Rock City Music, in, you guessed it, Royal Oak.

This was a very early SG that someone had routed out for humbuckers to along the way. Had the bright idea of removing the replacement "Badass" bridge and mounting a period vibrato unit instead. Guitar was never much good after that.

To be continued...