What else do you have?

[Sarah93003]

Here's my little family:


1966 Mosrite Celebrity


1961 Guild X-50


2003 Gretsch G6118-120LTV "Annie"


2008 Gretsch G5120 "Rosie"


2004 Gretsch G400


1977 Gibson MK53


Peavey Generations

[Sarah93003]

I think it's interesting how guitars come into our lives. Or maybe just how they've come into my life. I like a lot of different guitars (surprise!) and I don't favor any particular color and yet my collection is very heavy on Sunbursts. I've never intentionally sought out a sunburst guitar and yet each has it's own story.

I call this photo the Sunburst Gang. First is a Gretsch G400. In January I was looking to buy an acoustic. I found a Dean acoustic/electric at a used/vintage store that I could afford and brought it home. After about a week I called the guy and said I just wasn't happy with it as it was not the level of quality that I'm used to. He said no problem just bring it in and he'd apply the full price to something else. I took it back and fell in love with a Guild JF30 Jumbo. I had to add another $400 to the deal but that was fine. It had the word "USED" stamped on the back of the head. He said it was a factory 2nd but he couldn't find the blemish. I took it home and after a couple of weeks I realized that they remove the serial numbers on these guitars and therefore all traceability. Also, the body was so big it made my right arm go to sleep. After a couple of weeks I called him again. He said the same deal and I took it back. He had a Guild D4 acoustic/electric that I really liked but the price was inflated. He told me to take it home and try it out. I did and I really liked it but I could buy them on eBay all day long for about $400 less than he was asking. I like supporting small business and dealing face to face so I offered him $200 less than his price but he said he couldn't budge. So, I took it back. He didn't have anything else that I liked so I told him I'd wait until he got something better in. After about two months the Gretsch came in and we bonded instantly. I love this guitar and will likely keep it forever! They have an amazing sound that really carries and the craftsman ship rivals any other high end brand that I've played.

Second, is the 1961 Guild X-50 closet treasure. A gentleman that I know saw my guitars one evening and asked me to play. I did and he enjoyed it very much. He told me how he took lessons in 1962 but gave up and put the guitar in the closet. It had been there ever since. A month or so later I was visiting he and his wife at their home and mentioned the guitar. He brought it out so I could see it. I couldn't believe how "new" this thing looked. He said he didn't have any use for it and if I wanted to buy it from him just to offer a fair price. I watched eBay for a few months and printed off every sold guitar of the same make and model. We struck a deal. This single pickup (P90) archtop has such a pretty voice!

Next is the 1966 Mosrite Celebrity III. In 1987 I was living in Michigan and visited my Aunt and Uncle in San Francisco. My uncle to me to his friends house to listen to these "old dudes" jam. When we arrived there about five elderly gentlemen in the garage jamming. Talk about talent! I was blown away by the lick these guys were putting out. There was one guitar that stood out from the rest. I'd never heard anything like it, nor was I familar with the brand. I asked him what it was and he showed me the first Mosrite Celebrity I'd ever seen. Growing up back east I'd never heard of them. I decided right then and there to get one. I looked for years but when I did find one I couldn't afford it and they were far and few between. This year I finally found one that I liked and had the money to afford it. I love this guitar and it has become my main player. Being predominantly a rythym player I just love the speed neck not to mention the wonderful tones that come from this beauty.

The Gretsch 5120 is the low one on the totem pole but has major sentimental value. On February 20th of this year my father passed away unexpectedly. I went for a long walk all over Ventura trying to make sense of it all and cope with my emotions. Unintentionally I wanted into a local music store. The salesman knows me by name and as soon as he saw me he knew something was wrong. He asked if I was okay and I told him the news. He gave me a big hug, which was very sweet of him, closed the door to the electric guitar room. He turned on a Fender Deluxe amp and gave me a patch chord and told me to play everything on the wall. I did exactly that. I sat there for at least two hours just playing guitars. I picked up the 5120 and started picking on it and was playing licks I'd never done before. I loved this thing. He came in and said that it seemed to suit me perfectly. He took the hang tag and left the room for about 20 minutes. When he came back he offered me an incredible deal so I bought it. I also belong to the Gretch forum and folks love decorating these rockabilly style guitars with their favorite pin up art. I didn't want to put a bikini clad girl on my guitar and thought of other period art that I could use. I remembered Rosie the Riveter from WWII era and decided on her. I gave the image to a graphic artist who created the custom waterslide for me. I like it! Incidently, that lick I came up with on the 5120 became the intro to the song I wrote about my dad.

So, without further ado. Here is The Sunburst Gang!

[GattonFan]

Very nice group, Sarah. I have never taken the plunge on a Gretsch, although Chet was probably one of the greatest influences on my playing, and it's about the only guuitar that captures his sound. Maybe someday ...

Dennis

[Veenture]

That is so nice Sarah, ...it's easy to tell you love your guitars, know them well -like individuals- and take well care of them.
Thanks for sharing.

Oh, ...of course, excellent pictures too!

[bluther]

I presently own;
Hand made super strat style made from a one piece Mesquite body with a Carvin neck.
Fender Tele
Fender Strat
Carvin CS4
Carvin CT6
Carvin AE185
Carvin SH 550
Martin D-18
Hand made D-18 style made from Sitka spruce and Grenadillo.
My Amps are;
Fender Twin
Carvin X100b half Stack
Carvin Ag100D Acoustic amp.

[gplayer]

Here's some pics of a few of my "other" guitars.

[Sarah93003]

Those are gorgeous! What are they?

[dubtrub]

Love that blonde Maple block neck.

[gplayer]

Those are gorgeous! What are they?

Agile ST1000 (beats any MIM you ever played) Epiphone Elite Les Paul (better than most Gibson I've played) Epiphone Elitist '63 Dot (again=/>Gibson) JMO, Agile As820/p90 (This guitar is an amazing value for the money.

[Veenture]

Very nice gplayer...and all super clean!