Posted 12 years ago
RobVee
(15 items)
1971 Les Paul Custom I pickup in 2002. It was converted into a "Ace Frehley" guitar in the 70's (cream pick guard and pickup rings, Dimarzio's and crazy electronics, see the holes). I wired it back stock but left the cream pick guard and pickup rings. Since the stock pickups were gone (and I didn't like them anyway) I put in some SD Alnico pros that sound great.
I was looking for an older Mesa/Boogie MK 3 to take on a tour that I was doing with 2 bands. I found one in practically new condition from this guy that had it on Craig's List in San Francisco. At the time he just lost his job and was selling off all of his stuff to get back to the east coast. I bought the Mesa without haggling because it was a great deal and I was making great money then and he really needed the cash. I noticed he had this Les Paul laying in his room. Being a lefty I had to have it! I started offering him some cash for it but I could tell he really didn't want to sell it so I respected him and backed off. I told him that I would buy it off him any time wanted to sell it at the price he wanted for it and left it at that. Fast forward to a few months later: I ended up losing my well paying job and to top it off I just got married and my wife lost her job as well (dot-com bust time). Of course, the guy calls wanting to sell the Les Paul, I told him that we lost our jobs too and I didn't have a lot of money saved. He said that he only needed $300.00 for his part of the rent before he left for the east coast. He also said that I was a nice guy about the amp and that he wanted me to own this guitar because I would use it and not flip it for a quick buck. So he give me the guitar for $300.00. Of course I found $300.00 (rent was a little late that month), I gave him my lefty Ibanez acoustic guitar so he would have something to play. I felt bad about only paying $300.00 for this beautiful guitar but at the time, $300.00 might as well have been $3,000. I'm glag that it didn't go to the scum bags at guitar center, it went to another musician to treasure . We were both happy and I will never sell it (unless my family needs to be fed) and I've had some great offers for it. Plays unbelievably well and is the lightest Les Paul I've ever held and played and sounds better than any guitar I've ever owned (and I've owned a lot).
One sold on Pawn Stars last night for a lot of money and similar in look . Les Paul and Mary Ford lived about 5 miles from me and stayed at the house . WE know have Les Paul park named after him . The master ! he really did start rock n roll. Fromm letters from family he did not like Gibson and was going to go to a different company with his guitars . Wonder if Gibson or Les would have lost in that deal ? Excellent guitar ! I bet it plays like a dream too !
Les Paul is buried about 2 blocks from me right near my parents burial site . Today must be my hometown week with les Paul and White Rock bottling posts :-)
Sorry I just realized I have some typo's :-(