Gator might make a good hardshell case that won't break the bank. I have a old hotrod '61 Melody Maker bought from an old friend in '82. He put a PAF in the neck and DiMarzio in the bridge. Not heavy like a LP.
In 2008 I had chemotherapy and this sounds a bit weird but my sweat reacted to the finish on the neck of my acoustic guitar and took it right down to the bare wood. I didn’t like the look and took it into the local guitar shop to get it restored and the guy completely changed my mind. He advised me not to do a thing and this is the second weird part of the story: a tradesman turning down work. He was the one who explained how chemotherapy can do this and he knew this because his colleague and friend of 30 years recently passed because of cancer. He told me that it was part of my story and the guitar’s story and he was right. So I totally get what you say about imperfections and about a connection with your instrument Otis. Nice story, keep ‘em coming.
Thank You for sharing your story. You had good energy in finding that tradesman…there are many honest ones out there, and thankfully you found one. If you restored your guitar, it would be tarnishing your history ! Hopefully it’s grown on you in time. Continued wellness and good fortune to you! Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you !
I have a 79 custom I paid $350 for back around 1985. Condition was great when I got it minus some buckle rash. Pointy pink guitars were all the rage at the time and guys were unloading used Gibsons and Fenders at fire sale prices to buy them which worked out great for me. Been my main guitar all these years and I still get a little smile every time I open the case and see it.
I know what you mean. I've got a '79 sitting on a stand five feet from where I'm typing this. It's one of the last few made in Kalamazoo and has the maple neck, and right behind is the first-generation chainsaw case for it. The only guitar I've ever liked better (and sometimes it's still in question) is the '77 Tele sitting right next to it.
yeah, i cant believe my dad actually traded his 64 Firebird for a shitty cheap Kramer and Gorilla amp, true story. The Firebird had a cracked neck or something but it was definitely a lopsided trade looking back, that said it was 1989 so it fits with what you're saying. If only I had a time machine I'd got get some gear in the eighties, though to be fair I love the better Kramers and love a lot of the eighties gear too now
As a teenager in the 70s, I stumbled out of the gate. As part of my redirection I agreed to take chemistry in HS. The deal with my parents was: do well get a Les Paul. My dad, a dentist, studied with me daily, including weekends. Got an “A” against all odds. I brought home the semester ending report card. My dad said, “we’ll think about getting that guitar….” My mom said differently: we’re going this weekend. She took me to Strings & Things in Memphis and said pick what you want. After I figured out she was serious I shopped. I settled on a late 1970s goldtop. It’s not the greatest guitar but I can’t fathom a figure that would cause me to part with it. My relationship with mom forever changed during this momentous event
"I am a very imperfect and flawed individual, but I like to embrace my flaws, its part of what makes me ME" Very wise words Sir. I subscribed immediately after hearing them.
My Les Paul is a heavily modified 1953 standard that had a stripped top with late 50's hardware and electronics that I assume were taken from a less desirable model. I sprayed the top cherry like George Harrison's. The mod happened in the mid 60's, so the parts could have come from anything. I paid $750 for it in 2001, and it felt like a war pension. Now it's in the shop getting its second refret. Truly a blessing to own and play. I love yours, Otis!
The guitar I've had the longest wasn't expensive at all. But it was the best I could afford at the time. It's a 1983 Japanese Squier Stratocaster, the one that looks like the 70's Fender, with the bullet truss rod and big headstock. I bought it new off the wall. I was only able to buy it because a local music shop owner took pity on me, and let me do an "in house" payment plan on it. I too was making about $3.50 and hour at the time. I traded my Fender Mustang in, and paid off the rest. It was my only guitar for a decade, and it's still my favorite guitar to play.
I had one of those as well--November 84--wore the frets right off.. A friend gave it to me, and it was in pieces. The neck had been installed on another guitar with extra holes drilled in it, the body looked like it had been carved with a butter knife to fit a single humbucker at the bridge. Originally it was Olympic white, but had been spray painted gold over the entire body, hardware included. Then pink paint was splattered over it---late 80s glam style. My friend had done the heavy lifting with sanding all the paint off taking it down to natural, but he never finished rebuilding it. I took it, put the pickguard assembly from my 86 Korean squire on it, and played it for years---then gave it back to my friend....I have no idea where it is now.
You traded a Fender Mustang for a payment plan for a Squier Strat? Are you sure it wasn't a Squier mustang? Or is because Mustangs used to be cheaper or something? I'd personally rather have a Fender Mustang over a Squier anything.
@@6bender you mean, like they we'rent considered "vintage" or "collectable" due to their age? I wish used guitars were cheaper nowadays. The only plus is that you can make a lot more money selling these days compared to before, I'm assuming. But it sucks for buyers. If used guitars were a bit, or a lot, cheaper, I'd by them all the time. It would make buying online a lot less scary.
@@Casey3-P-O prior to Cobain using Mustangs, they were extremely affordable. You have to imagine they were student guitars, and in 1983, a 1965 Mustang was 18 years old. It was equivalent to a 2004 used guitar now.
What a great story Otis!! I'll be 63 at the end of this month. I grew up with a guitar playing Dad who NEVER encouraged me to play the guitar. Why he didn't I will never know. But my son started playing in high school. HE was my inspiration and I started learning in 2014 at the age of 55!!! Well, I have two favorite guitars. One is a 1992 Les Paul flame top that was made in Japan by Terada under the Orville by Gibson license. It mimics a 1960 Burst pretty doggone well. It sounds and plays great!!!! The second is my Dads 1964 Gretsch Country Gentleman. I remember when he bought it as a used guitar in new condition in 1966. My Father's spirit and mojo is in that guitar!!! There you go. Better late than never!!!
I get my amplifiers repaired at "Ant Farm" up in the Poconos.Heard this story there. A lady walks in with a Les Paul ,claiming it was her deceased father's,and she wanted to have the strings changed. She said she would never ,ever part with it,it just meant too much to her, being her father's guitar and all.Upon opening the case the store owner finds out it's a "59" sunburst, in mint condition.The owner explains to the woman ,that her Daddy's guitar is a veritable gold mine,easily in the six figure range ..........The next week, Daddy's Les Paul was listed in Vintage guitar magazine for $250,000 !
“I like things that aren’t perfect.” Well said! Hadn’t thought of it, but turns out I’ve been playing the same bass for almost 30 years. And yeah there’ve been detours and other basses and other instruments, but that old Hohner 4-string PJ is still where it’s at for me. Still have the beaded necklace wrapped around the headstock that an old Jamaican guy gave me when I was walking home from college graduation. 30 years…
I picked up a Hohner L59 Les Paul copy for £15 out a local news paper when I was 14 years old. It has a super deep tobbaco burst top and all the gold hardware has tarnished now, I just enjoy looking at it sometimes. It went through school, college and uni with me, I still play it from time to time, I even take it camping with a battery amp... I'm 30 now and will never part with it, the only reason I dont gig it anymore is because the frets are worn down to the board... I'll get it refret some day, I must have run up and down blues scales a million times on that thing. I recently aquired a Hohner 335 copy, when I picked it up it felt like an old friend, except with plenty of life in the frets, i bought it on the spot... seriously underated guitars that will give you years of joy.
Your posts are relaxing and genuine. Youre the kind of cat Id like to be in a band or write songs with. Ive got a mid 70s LP Custom as well, but its a back breaker. Thanks for your YT presence and wisdom.
I’ve got a Gator for my les Paul. It’s quite nice. Not as high quality as the gibson cases. It’s about a year old and the covering is coming off. Definitely a lot cheaper than a gibson case though!
This video is a perfect example of why guitars should be played, loved, and modded to suit the owner, not treated like museum pieces to be stored away in the hope that, one day, you can sell it for millions! That guitar is beautiful, and sounds amazing. And, it has stories to tell.... Which is the most important part of playing guitar!! 👍👍
There's nothing wrong with both sides because it's awesome to see an untouched antiquing guitar. We need both collectors. I love mine too be played by me and any other guitar lover
I have a 73’ Gibson SG that I bought for $300 back in 1979. I put a new Harmonica style bridge on it in 1995 and a fret dressing in 2020. It always worked good since I bought it used. Plays great and sounds good. 👍🎸
That's funny. I went through the late 70's and most of the 80's playing Les Paul's, bridge pu, maxed treble till I realized I was trying for single coil tones from un-split humbucker pu's! Built my own parts-caster with SPLITABLE hums at neck and bridge. Never looked back. Sooo satisfying to find YOUR guitar! Happy for you, Otis!
When I was 15 I bought a Highway 1 strat. The next year, my best friend bought a Les Paul standard in Desert Burst. I envied that guitar, begged my parents for one, tried saving money - all to no avail. Years passed, our friendship stayed just as consistent and a few decades later, we were talking and I had mentioned that I was thinking about buying a LP studio. I knew he wasn't playing as much anymore but had no thoughts he'd sell me that Les Paul that I envied for so many years. I spoke about it with my wife and we bought it the next week. Even though he had paid about 2k 20 years ago, he sold it to me for 1300 bucks - a ton of money to a newly wed couple with a brand new baby.... fast forward several years, I have since bought an SG Special with P90's, and a 2020 LP Standard Goldtop with 50's neck, but if the house was burning down, I'd grab that Gibson I snagged from my buddy first. It has the 60s neck which I don't like and the back is painted black and shows none of the mahogany but it has a top to die for and sentimental value through the roof. Otis, this is the first video of yours I've come across, but damn - instant subscribe for me. This content is real man. Also, my paternal grandmother was a Gibbs from western NC. Maybe we're related a long ways back!
I bought a '71 SG at a pawn shop while on vacation in Arizona back in '93. I got it for $275. It needed some serious cleaning and fixing but I'm still playing it today. Probably my best purchase ever.
I have an 63 Harmony flat top I gave to my mother for christmas in 1972 then she loaned it back to me so I could self teach myself how to play guitar then through the years wound back up with it and I still have it today and play it every once in a while. amoung some 30 other guitars
This is fantastic. I love guitar stories. Thanks for posting. I love guitars and backline gear. I'm a rental backline guy by trade, and I remember once apologizing to a guitar player in Martina McBride's band about the high action on a rental Gibson Hummingbird, and he was walking around back stage playing it, and he smiled and said, something like "oh don't' worry about it, I like it when they fight back a little bit." I'll always remember that, and thought that was a cool way to look at it. I know it can't be easy doing fly dates and playing rental guitars, and I thought it was a really positive way to look at it.
around that time gear pricing was kind of backwards. My dad had a vintage 60s firebird that had a cracked neck and he traded it for a gorilla amp and a MIK neon green Kramer back then which he never ended up playing back in 1989. It wasn't until the nineties that some of that vintage gear became way more valuable to people. It's strange how all that stuff happens
Bought my 1986 Les Paul Standard in a vintage burst back in 92’ for $500. That was a ton of money to a young college boy. That thing has been nothing but gold to me. Been on the road, on albums, in church and isn’t leaving my hands anytime soon. I’ve played hundreds but not another like this one.
"I dig the imperfections in music" same here, absolutely. That's why I love improvising, because it's never the same, that ebb and flow based on current emotion/feel is always different.
I relate to this story, as a young woman learning to play guitar I always gravitated towards les pauls for their dark tone and sustain and just everything about them. Although I might have been better served with a telecaster or other lighter, more easily manipulated instrument, I always say carrying my big chunk of wood Gibson is the price I pay for tone and I believe in giving a little comfort up for that!
Sometimes, perhaps logic has nothing to do with it. I have a fake LP. Damn if that guitar doesnt feel great in my hands and sound wonderful. It came to me all beat up, pickup selector switch busted right off, nut isnt glued down, neck pickup crackled in and out and now has gone dead. I love it. Grateful Dead Steal your Face sticker to take it that extra couple of inches toward blessed.
I got an American made Stratocaster from a pawn shop, 1982 vintage, in Fullerton, CA. They had just hung it up on the rack. I bought it with case for $350.00! Now you can't touch one like it for less than $1500.00-$2000.00. I was 22. Now I'm 58. I have played many gigs with it. I have many other guitars. But that one has been with me the longest.
Otis all my guitars have great stories I got a 57 Les Paul Junior and a 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom that my father bought me with a PA system shure mics Vox AC 30 with blue speakers my old 1937 Martin 0-17 I’m playing in my photo in 1980 which I bought for $20…I’m 68 years old now…I never trade or sale old equipment lol I’ve still have my 1959 Vibro Lux with 12” Alnico Blue and 1966 Vibro Champ with 10” Jensen Otis I’m old and I’ve got stories 😆
I have a Yamaha G-60A which I "rescued." I was at a buddy's apartment and saw this thing in the corner. It had about two strings on it that were stained and tard black from all the smoke, The body was completely wrapped in duct tape with a bunch of permanent marker punk rock scrawlings all over it. Needless to say it was pretty messed up. So after I rescued it I spent several hours removing duct tape residue with some Goo gone, revealing A beautiful rosette on the sound hole as well as on the bridge. The front face of the guitar is pretty scratched up and still has a little bit of permanent marker scrolled onto it. I shaved down a custom-sized bone bridge, oiled the neck, and put some new headstock tuners on it. I even added a couple buttons so that I can put a strap on it. It is not the most incredible guitar. But I feel like I've made it incredible. It doesn't always stay in tune, but when it is in what I call "The sweet spot" I think it has a beautifully warm and gorgeous tone that resonates really well. And the resignation is partly due to the fact that a lot of the front of the wood has been worn down. All in all it's my favorite guitar I own. The wear and tear on the front end kind of reminds me of Willie Nelson's Trigger, But without so many holes lol
In terms of cases, especially for something you're not going to be taking on a plane, I would much rather use modern gig bags these days. I use the Mono Vertigo for general use or light travel. It's about as much as a Gibson Hard Case, maybe a little more depending on where you're buying. But it's much more convenient to bring with you when you're not concerned about it getting crushed or thrown around. Gibson also makes soft cases now, and they're actually very nice. Protective, light weight, and convenient for the reasons previously mentioned. Otherwise the Gibson Hard Cases are reasonably priced and do the job. Just my two cents.
I know the one I didn't get: I was in college back in '85 & my roomie went to a small music shop in the next town (South Jersey, small town, small shop) to get some strings for his '83 LP custom. I tagged along & while he was fiddling around, I saw an old beat up Firebird 5 in the back rack. It had seen better days, but damn if I didn't think it was the most gorgeous thing out there. The tag said $300, but back then I was so broke it might as well have said a million bucks. I just didn't have the funds & never got the guitar. Went back a few months later, and not only was the guitar not there, the music shop was gone, in its place a new hair salon. I never did get a Firebird, but I love my 2009 LP custom. Ah, the one that got away, never to be forgotten. Great story Otis, & a beautiful LP.
Love your channel Otis,You have some cool ass stories.I bought an 1986 Gibson les Paul standard last year for 1500.It’s 36 yrs old now and it’s also a boat anchor but I friggan love it.
I have a couple really similar guitars that I bought for a similarly ridiculously low prices. I was in high school and came across a 1974 Les Paul Custom 20th Anniversary for at a music store for $700. That the same model that Randy Rhoads played before he got the Jackson signature model. maybe 6 months later the same shop had a 63 SG Junior for $500. I was in high school, working for minimum wage at super limited hours, that was all the cash I had. I'm just glad I was in a spot to nab them at such ludicrously low prices. This was at a music shop too.. you'd think they would've known the value of them. They're still my favorite electric guitars
Cool story. I have a theory that the guitars find you. My best guitar deal/find happened about two years ago. I went to the goodwill in the Los Feliz neighborhood of LA, as I often did, to find a sparkling red maple neck telecaster behind the case. I asked to see it and surprisingly saw the price of only $149! It was missing strings and needed a setup, but that neck felt right in my hand. I bought and started fixing it up that day and it sounds amazing. It’s a Mexican made one from ‘97 that blows my American tele away every time. It’s become my work horse electric
Absolutely agreed. My number one guitar is a Takamine acoustic that a buddy of mine that works on vintage guitars and amps found in a pawn shop here in Alabama. It had one string on it, needed a nut, a tuning machine, and a set up. He said it was part of a lot the guy at the pawn shop had gotten after Katrina from New Orleans somehow (if this is true or not, I have no idea) but the body shows discoloration that would track with water damage. He gave the guy in the pawn shop 50 bucks and called me from his shop. Said he knew this was supposed to be MY guitar. I gave him 50 bucks, we fixed it up with parts from his work shop, and I have now written a couple of albums worth of songs and played countless shows with it. It always feels right to me, and it resonates just right with my voice.
Believe it or don't I was a regular costumer in a chain store pawn shop, I bought used imports usually. One day I walk in and there was a worn sunburst Stratocaster I ask to see it close; I see the saddles stamped Fender ,three-way switch nice patina and the price tag 175.00$ . I said I will take it ,I paid and ran like I stole it. At home I removed the neck it is marked sept. 65.
Lovely. As a guitar nerd I love to hear stories like yours. Yes, those 70s LP Customs are heavy. But there's something with old wood... It just feels better. I have a 1957 LP Junior that I play quite a lot. A fairly light one. I love its simplicity. It's a player, not a collectors item, so I can bring it to the sleazy joints I usually play at. But basically I'm a Tele guy. I have a few of them. The one I hold dearest is a blonde 1966 maple cap. I paid far to much for it. But that doesn't matter. The moment I first held it in my hands I immediately felt that this is my guitar. And it's not just a guitar. It's an extension of myself. I will play it to the bitter end.
What a cool guitar and story! Wabi sabi, the japanese philosophy of embracing imperfection, always leaves you happy because one can always find beauty--you just have to look....
Not the craziest deal but i've had an Epiphone Les Paul for 9 years, an LP-100 model. My parents bought it when i was like 13 or 14 and i wasn't into guitar specs at the time, so i just bought it because i wanted a Les Paul type guitar. Nowadays it is my go-to guitar and it sounds amazing. The playability on that thing is crazy and i've never felt as confortable with another guitar in my life. In a few years i will be able to buy my own guitars and i can't wait to own Gibson and Fender ones, but i will always have time for my Epiphone.
I'm 70 years old, been playing since I was 7. Always wanted a J45. I finally got one 5 years ago. I bought a Takamine in 1974, funny thing is, it's my go to guitar. The J45 is great, sounds great, but that old Lawsuit Takemine fits my hand and ear.
I can relate. I play my wife's "El Degas" most of the time (which as far as I can tell is a cheap copy of a Guild D-50) while the Gibson Custom Shop Southern Jumbo I bought several years ago sits in its case. I learned on a 1976 Yamaha FG-180-1 that my uncle gave me as compensation for babysitting, so I guess there is something about inexpensive but well-loved instruments that I am drawn to. In my hands, all guitars end up sounding the same anyway!
I enjoyed this very much, especially the part about imperfections. I love the personality that each guitar brings through its uniqueness. All seem to be alive to some extent, reacting to the elements. Like you, adapting to the instrument's personality or imperfections, if you will, takes you places you may have never gone. Some guitars seem to fight you, push you, pull you...some feel like an old glove, some never feel totally at home. In any case, I love them all. I have a 67 telecaster maple cap I picked up in a trade in the 90s that belonged to a very well known session player. As I recall I traded a 53 Goldtop with cash on my end. It was set up by Glasser and still plays unbelievable....intonation still perfect after all these years.
This is absolutely the best kind of guitar story! Thanks for sharing it. I don’t have a story this cool, but my oldest guitar is a 1993 Robin medley, hand made in Texas. Swamp Ash body and maple neck. I was gigging regularly at the time, it was hanging on the wall with a $1600 price tag on it. Got the guy down to $1000 including a hard shell case. Wrote a check for it, and then ran home and sold a couple other guitars to cover it. It was the most expensive and high-quality guitar I had ever purchased, and it changed my life. I still have it, and it’s still my favorite, even though I have several other really high-quality guitars now. Taking a trusted ax all over the road for years really creates a bond.
The guitar I have is a left handed Harley Benton telecaster copy. The reason it means something to me is because I learned to work on guitars with it. Also my best friend and my father both helped me on different upgrades on it so it has some of them in it as well and that makes it special to me. Thank you for the video I really enjoyed it!
I'm the same, I like imperfections in music - when people are playing inspired but so close to the edge of their capabilities that imperfections arise - for me that's more real than perfectly polished performance. Thankyou for sharing your personal guitar story.
The guitar I've had the longest is a Squier Bullet, I bought in the late 80's. It's quadrupled in value since then! The one I play the most is a Spectrum, cheap Strat copy, I got at a yardsale for $15! It has such an awesome neck, so i decided to put some work in it. I replaced all the hardware, leveled the frets, and gave the body and headstock a paintjob. I love that guitar and play it every day!👍😎🎸🎶
@@thebluesrockers Mine is awesome! Just got done jammin on it. It's freakin incredible! I replaced almost everything. My labor is free and parts aren't too terribly expensive, so I got a badass guitar for a little bit of money...and I freakin love it!👍😎🎸🎶
@@thebluesrockers yep, I've certainly grown attached to it. It means more to me, than if I just went out and bought a decent guitar. Can't wait to play it tonight!👍😎🎸🎶
I've had my LP special for over 40 years and it's the sweetest guitar I own. I replaced the original case with a SKB Les Paul version several years ago. It will hold up wether you tour or just gig around town. Nice video, put a mic on your amp and show off your tone. Thanks
Otis, thanks for the great video. I have an empty generic TKL Les Paul case. My guitar was stolen at a gig while it was out of the case, and this empty case has been sitting around for 10 years. If you want the case, I’ll send it to you for free.
Your philosophy is akin to my own. I bought a Gibson SG Standard in 1973 for $240.00. It was all natural wood by the time I got it. The pickup covers were removed as well and it had the best action on the neck you could ever ask for! I traded it for a mint Gibson 335 which was stolen a month later. Now, close to 50 years later, I splurged and bought a new Gibson SG Standard once again with a new Yamaha Wireless THR30ii amp and a Line 6 Wireless Relay Transmitter. Great sound and no more wires or cords! I bought that first SG Guitar as a teenager and now this new SG bought at 67 to celebrate making it to a Senior Citizen! It is an honor to make it to these golden years. One that most of my old friends never had the opportunity to experience. I'm just an old hippie I guess and I wouldn't have it any other way! Peace out!
Great story man. Lovely to hear you enjoy your guitar. I’ve had my ‘79 Les Paul Custom since 1984. It’s been my No. 1 ever since. Enjoy yours in good health mate.
Excellent guitar video Otis! I always enjoy your stories! My favorite guitar is my 1976 Aspen D28 acoustic which is one of the "lawsuit guitars" made in Japan. These were sold originally by a music company in Ft. Worth. It has incredible tone and rings out like a Martin. A friend of mine had one and it sounded great and I knew I had to have one. I actually found and bought 3 acoustics: Aspen D18, the Aspen D28 and an Aspen D28 12-string. I ended up selling the D18 to a friend (wish I had kept it!) All of these were from the 70s and all have that fantastic Martin tone and sustain! I think I paid a total of $500 for all three back in 2012. The two I have left are my favorites and I would never sell either. One day I might buy a Martin D28, but since I wouldn't want to disgrace a Martin D28 by trying to play one, for now I will just settle for the "Martin sound" of my Aspen D28s. They all show plenty of road wear, but Man, they sound great!
I was fortunate enough to have a buddy who didn’t want his Strat and he gave it to me. I gave him a wonderful 12”x12” photo of him and his daughter - it was brown and someone had stripped off the “sunburst”… it has an original STP sticker on it- when I cleaned her up she was a ‘65- the most amazing guitar I have and feel blessed to have her in my life!
Hey Otis , I also bought my first vintage guitar in 89 . My first pay check from a good paying summer job and bought what was back then a second hand tele , had been stripped to the wood with the most microphonic neck pickup . I couldn’t afford a new one so I settled for a 66 :) . I knew nothing about guitars but this one chose me. Still my baby . Sounds amazing . Took me 10 years to figure out that I stumbled on the best guitar deal of my life :) . FYI that Les Paul is beautiful , I think it deserves a travel case
I'm still playing my 1962 double cut Melody Maker. I paid $175 for it in 1972 when I was fourteen and it was 10. The sunburst was cracked and checked and me being a rock and roll kid and not knowing that I would "ruin" the guitar.... sanded it off and clear coated the mahogany which I thought looked cool as hell...and still do. I routed it out for a neck pickup and chopped up the back cavity and put in two gibson humbuckers that a guy took out of his sg...bought some pots and learned how to solder. I played the thing until around 86 when I had a few Pauls and just plain too many guitars. A left hander came by and offered me $300. He figured that he could just flip it over and he'd be good to go. I sold it to him. Around 1994 my wife saw it hanging up on the wall at Subway Guitars in Berkeley Ca. She knew the guitar on account of we were dating in high school and she went to all the gigs and most likely was around when I was working on it.. She bought it back for $350 and put it under the XMAS tree that year. Talk about blown away surprised. The guy had cut a new pickguard and put two single coils in...I ripped them out and found a pair of Bartolini HB's and cut another pickguard, then refretted her...those original frets were battered. Somehow when I wired the switch I did something goofy so in the middle position you get an almost telecastery kind of twang. Now it is my most played electric...gigs, recording, whatever wherever....I bring a Les Paul along for backup. I was lucky to get it back and it's not leaving my sight again....the personal history is deep and I can't help but think that is why she sounds so sweet. I'm going to pass it down to my son.
Just wanted to say I enjoyed your story. Funny part is in 1989 I bought my '72 Les Paul Deluxe for $275. I was in college had no money, was making $3.35 an hr tutoring math. It was my first real guitar( I had been playing a Lotus Les Paul copy). Like yours mine was far from original. It had a crazy giant pick guard glued to it. It was horribly routed or chiseled to fit humbuckers, one Dimarzio one Jackson. Like yours mine weighs a ton, it became my # 1 for years. I don't play it as much as should these days but its still one of my prized possessions. Mine came with a case ;-)
Thank you, Otis 🙏 The oldest guitar in my collection was my dad's mid-50s Stella Sundale. I don't play it too often, but it's the guitar I learned on. My high school choir/ guitar teacher told me if I could make the Stella sound good, I could make anything sound good. So here we are... Be good to you 🤍💛✌
She's a beauty! I found an old beat-up Martin guitar at the bottom of a pile of junk at a yard sale. It was marked two dollars, and I only had a buck on me at the time. The guy took it! I wrote a song about it called "Since 1917" because that's when it was made. As far as a case suggestion, I would still get a top notch case for your classic, she deserves the best!
@@garytrew2766 I found what Gibsons were from that year, anywhere from 40 to a hundred bucks. And that was with a canvas case. I imagine Martins would have been in that range.
@@johnfern when Gibson J200s first came out in 1936 the reason they gave it the name j200 was it cost $200 which was a lot of money during the depression years.
CTS pots probably....I learned the higher value pot you use the brighter it is.....a one meg pot is popular with les paul players who want a brighter sound....it's what the Merle Haggard tele uses....cool guitar Otis....I played a black and gold les paul all through the 70s that I bought for 300 bucks used and in the late 80s I traded it for a sunburst strat....wish I'd kept it. I had to have my back adjusted every 6 weeks when I played a les paul...never had that issue with my Casino or strat.....I'm too old for boat anchor les pauls or Fender Twins......Otis you've inspired me to start my own channel just to record originals and maybe recite some poetry.....always loved your story telling....I am Riverman Otis but I couldn't recover that youtube handle when my laptop died....been awhile! Keep tellin' these stories my friend....I'm a fan of Americana
Sweet LP and another great story, Otis. Thank you, as always. Luckily, I have my 2nd and 3rd guitars still; the 1st is long gone but no real loss (a 90's Ibanez elec.). The 2nd is a 461S Yamaha acoustic I worked all summer while in high school, to be able to purchase. The 3rd was a 2nd hand (90's) Am. Std Tele I bought off a guy in the dorms at college, that my mom loaned me the money for, when we really (and I mean really) didn't have it - but she found a way to make it happen. Yet another reason to be extra thankful on this last Mother's Day. I have fancier guitars now, but I could never part with either b/c of the sentimentality involved. The only one that would take prime of place over these 2 would be my main axe - a Gibson Woody Guthrie Southern(er) Jumbo (based on Woody's 1945 SJ) that my wife custom ordered 10 years ago as a combo bday/engagement gift. I clearly picked the right woman! Keep picking and tellin' stories, Otis; I'm here for it!
Otis, I bought a Silver Creek case from Guitar Center last winter. Good case. 5 latches, the description says 6, 2 neck supports too. I think they list for 109. I got mine on sale and used some reward bucks. I think it was 89 w tax. Free shipping included. I’ve got 2 others of this brand, a drednaught and 335 style. Not expensive and decent quality.
In the early 60s, I was on my way home from school one day and found an old electric Guild guitar in a garbage can. There was no electronics in it and it had been painted white with what looked like house paint. I thought I had won the lottery. I took it home and sanded the paint off and eventually got some cheap pickups etc to put in it. It never really sounded or worked right because I had no idea what I was doing but I loved every minute of it...Thanks for the reminder Otis...
I have 1973-74 Yamaha acoustic that my dad bought for $99.95 w/ case back when he was in high school in the late 70's. It still has the price sticker on the back of the headstock. It became mine around '97 when I started taking lessons. I had it set up recently and it plays absolutely fantastic and honestly sounds better than my Taylor acoustic. I also have a mid-80's American Strat that belonged to my stepdad that I love. My dad has been gone since 2009 and my stepdad is in a nursing home with dementia, so both guitars are really special to me. Plus, they were both 100% free. You can't get a much better deal than that!
1969-70 H53 Harmony single pickup I got at a yard sale a few years back. Time capsule, looked like it had never been played. Cheap, feather light, fun and plays very well for what was a Sears catalogue $89 dollar guitar. Sounds great...Great songwriter.....
Love my 1968 less paul Gibson paid 800 from some guy a year ago he and I both thought it was 70s but after I looked into it I was shocked! Sounds like a dream, beautiful undertones.
The guitar that's been with me longest is a 60 les paul junior bought in the 70's when vintage equipment was simply called "used". I have mid 70's standard tobacco sunburst that weighs a ton too. I rarely touch them anymore as I've been building my own since the 80's, specializing in small archtops that look like solid body guitars that I can wear all night without any effort. I don't think I could play that old paul of mine for more than a tune or two without feeling it the next day....
Hey Otis, I am with you on imperfections in music and guitars. I use so many no name guitars and amps. I like these no names because, one, they don't cost much and two, I can fix them up to how I like them without worrying about the value of them. Some of the best guitars I have played have been the cheaper ones. I had a blond Kay Les Paul copy and really didn't do anything to it. It sounded great. I don't remember what the pickups were but they were great. Had a bunch of Tele copies. I like guitars that you aren't worried if they get scratched up or fall and get a nick. That just gives it character, to me. I mean I don't toss them around, but I don't worry either. Keep cool man.
I have a blonde Kay Les Paul copy from the 70s. The model is K-30. Gorgeous natural finish, there’s a hollow chamber under the arch top, and the pickups look like humbuckers but are actually single coils with a dummy coil under a chrome humbuckers style cover. This may be the model you had as well. Pretty rare nowadays, and definitely unique. Will never be selling mine.
One of my all time favorite guitars was my '59 Les Paul Special double cutaway in TV yellow. The neck was beyond description even though when I bought it the neck had been broken 3 times. Yep. Once on the headstock, and once on the top and once on the bottom where the neck joined the body. Gibson on later models moved the neck PU away from the neck joint.. The repairs were mostly Ok but you could see it would need more work. I paid $800 for it in 1992. It played great and sounded incredible. But , a few years later we were moving and I couldn't dedicate $$$ for repair. Willies American Guitars in St. Paul sold it for $2400 in 1996. So, that was 26 years ago. Today, I have a good assortment of guitars. .But at a Christmas party somebody asked me what my favorite guitar was. And without thinking, I blurted out, 'oh it's a '59 Les Paul Special .' Knowing it was long gone my wife said 'oh really?' I sounded like a complete idiot backtracking on that one. " oh, I didn't hear you correctly". Anyhow, I think that means I need another one also from '59.... Sadly, They're out of my price range now. Thanks Otis Oh, and just in case I forgot..... Merry Christmas!!!!
I have a similar story. As a kid growing up in Eastern Oregon, my dad was a high school principal who didn't make huge money. He and one of the teachers we were friends with went in together on a cow to butcher. The friend ended up having some kind of unexpected expense and couldn't afford his half of the beef, knew that I played guitar but didn't have an electric so he offered up his '59 Les Paul Special (cherry red) along with a Kay solid state amp that he acquired new when in the Navy. I was always struggling to keep this thing intonated and in tune and offered it up for sale once right after I completed high school for $500 but had no takers. Fast forward to 2007 and I took it to Willie's to see what I could get in trade and got a Bad Cat Cub II, National Resophonic Replicon, and a '96 Les Paul Standard with ebony fretboard; which I took them up on. They listed it for $10k and I think it went for $7500. While the Special was nice and homey, I like my LP better. Not bad for a side of beef!
Awesome story, I really enjoyed hearing it! I love that you didn't baby it and just did whatever you needed to do it to make it serve your needs. I got a really good deal on my second guitar, a Yamaha SBG2000 from the 80's. It was in not so great shape and I needed to do a bit of work on it but it's a killer guitar and I still love it to this day.
I recently purchased a early 2000s Gibson Baldwin SG that is phenomenal. Plays and sounds like an SG should. It's an absolute favorite of mine. It's a Spirit series
Love stories like this, thank you for sharing. It is a beautiful guitar, and no matter what ppl say, it’s your guitar, sand down or whatever. Make it really yours.
3 years ago I got a used 2005 PRS SE Santana II from a guy that it turned out lived a block and a half from me, for $300. I own and have owned many much more expensive guitars, but this one just has a certain mojo to it that I can't find anywhere else. The shape and feel of the neck, and the way it plays, just has a magic that makes me want to play all day long. It's the oldest guitar I currently own, next to my Alvarez acoustic which I bought new in 1994. I even picked up an Epi Les Paul Custom last year that I'd been wanting for years, which I love and have customized a couple things on, but the SE Santana is absolutely perfect the way it is. Rock on man, thanks for sharing ♫
Some 40 + yrs ago my dad gave me a CMI Les Paul copy it was not expensive along with a 50 watt sound city amp and a Hammond organ foot pedal , all inexpensive. year's later I got a PRS and fender telecaster , new vox amp's and a Morley foot pedal ; all expensive for me " I ain't no rich man" but nothing comes close to the old gear I had the sound was amazing , I've played Gibson Paul's through high quality amp's but have never got that sound I once had ,just goes too show that an expensive tag doesn't make for a great sound ! Really enjoyed this posting and your guitar is a beaut ! Peace from the U.K.
My axe of choice? A 62 Melody Maker I bought from my father-in-law Ernie for $125 in 1976. It came with a Gibson Hawk practice amp. I loaned the amp to a friend and never saw it again or the friend. Like you I kept changing stuff around as my playing requirements changed. It just kept sounding better and better. It’s toured the US with me and I’ve worn the frets off it three times. Won’t step on stage without it.
What a great story, Otis. My oldest guitar is a '72 Gibson ES-335 with trapeze bridge that I've had since the late 80s. I paid $795 cash for it. As a lefty, it's rare when something like that crosses your path. As far as I can tell, it has the original pickups and hardware. I don't gig with it anymore, now preferring to keep it off the road. I've substituted a Gretsch Electromatic Jet, a surprisingly worthy instrument that's plenty versatile.
I love the stories associated with old guitars. I have an early 70s LP Deluxe with a Cherry Burst finish. It too is a boat anchor. The bridge PU appears to have been changed out to a full size hum-bucker and a coil tap was added. These modifications probably detract from the value of a totally original one. It sounds and feels awesome and I don’t plan on selling it. I love old guitars with some miles in them.
I bought and still have my 1974 Les Paul Custom Twentieth Aniversary for $480 brand new I was 18, I’m 65 and it still sounds and plays better than ever.
Lovely story 💖 As for cases, for kicking around as a songwriter/player, I Love the Mono Vertigo. It’s a soft case that’s both comfortable, practical and pretty much bulletproof 🧨
Hey, Otis! I'm checking in from inside the south split. Did you ever hear any stories about Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell? Those dudes really made some music and from right here in Indy. We always appreciate your time, Otis!
Recommend a SKB case [Very reasonable and well fitting]. Had one for my 70 Custom Les Paul Black Beauty. I paid $250 for it and a 60's Epi amp in 1996. It was player guitar so was not even close to perfect condition. Sold it in 2019 for $3300 to Rivington Guitars NYC. That included SKB and original case which was very scary! Was too heavy and had almost dropped in stand while vacuuming. Replaced it with $200 Korean Epi LP Standard and a $400 2017 SG Special.
My baby is a 1987 Les Paul Custom in Alpine white that my parents gave me for high school graduation. It's had a neck snap and been through any number of electronics configs, but still plays amazing and sounds great (and strangely, still on it's original frets despite 1000s of gigs)
Here's a fun video about my other vintage Les Paul. czcams.com/video/hFjxMBifjaw/video.html
How many cats 🐈 🐱 were there in this getup…
Can’t say I’m not jealous. Love the natural look
Gator might make a good hardshell case that won't break the bank. I have a old hotrod '61 Melody Maker bought from an old friend in '82. He put a PAF in the neck and DiMarzio in the bridge. Not heavy like a LP.
In 2008 I had chemotherapy and this sounds a bit weird but my sweat reacted to the finish on the neck of my acoustic guitar and took it right down to the bare wood. I didn’t like the look and took it into the local guitar shop to get it restored and the guy completely changed my mind. He advised me not to do a thing and this is the second weird part of the story: a tradesman turning down work. He was the one who explained how chemotherapy can do this and he knew this because his colleague and friend of 30 years recently passed because of cancer. He told me that it was part of my story and the guitar’s story and he was right. So I totally get what you say about imperfections and about a connection with your instrument Otis. Nice story, keep ‘em coming.
Beautiful. Wishing you the best for your health. Glad you kept the guitar intact.
Thank You for sharing your story. You had good energy in finding that tradesman…there are many honest ones out there, and thankfully you found one.
If you restored your guitar, it would be tarnishing your history ! Hopefully it’s grown on you in time. Continued wellness and good fortune to you! Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you !
Beautiful story. agree with your Luthier. Thanks
I have a 79 custom I paid $350 for back around 1985. Condition was great when I got it minus some buckle rash. Pointy pink guitars were all the rage at the time and guys were unloading used Gibsons and Fenders at fire sale prices to buy them which worked out great for me. Been my main guitar all these years and I still get a little smile every time I open the case and see it.
I know what you mean. I've got a '79 sitting on a stand five feet from where I'm typing this. It's one of the last few made in Kalamazoo and has the maple neck, and right behind is the first-generation chainsaw case for it. The only guitar I've ever liked better (and sometimes it's still in question) is the '77 Tele sitting right next to it.
yeah, i cant believe my dad actually traded his 64 Firebird for a shitty cheap Kramer and Gorilla amp, true story. The Firebird had a cracked neck or something but it was definitely a lopsided trade looking back, that said it was 1989 so it fits with what you're saying. If only I had a time machine I'd got get some gear in the eighties, though to be fair I love the better Kramers and love a lot of the eighties gear too now
"Pointy pink guitars" 😆🤣😂😝
As a teenager in the 70s, I stumbled out of the gate. As part of my redirection I agreed to take chemistry in HS. The deal with my parents was: do well get a Les Paul. My dad, a dentist, studied with me daily, including weekends. Got an “A” against all odds. I brought home the semester ending report card. My dad said, “we’ll think about getting that guitar….” My mom said differently: we’re going this weekend. She took me to Strings & Things in Memphis and said pick what you want. After I figured out she was serious I shopped. I settled on a late 1970s goldtop. It’s not the greatest guitar but I can’t fathom a figure that would cause me to part with it. My relationship with mom forever changed during this momentous event
"I am a very imperfect and flawed individual, but I like to embrace my flaws, its part of what makes me ME" Very wise words Sir.
I subscribed immediately after hearing them.
My Les Paul is a heavily modified 1953 standard that had a stripped top with late 50's hardware and electronics that I assume were taken from a less desirable model. I sprayed the top cherry like George Harrison's. The mod happened in the mid 60's, so the parts could have come from anything. I paid $750 for it in 2001, and it felt like a war pension. Now it's in the shop getting its second refret. Truly a blessing to own and play. I love yours, Otis!
Damn I wanna see that
The guitar I've had the longest wasn't expensive at all. But it was the best I could afford at the time. It's a 1983 Japanese Squier Stratocaster, the one that looks like the 70's Fender, with the bullet truss rod and big headstock. I bought it new off the wall. I was only able to buy it because a local music shop owner took pity on me, and let me do an "in house" payment plan on it. I too was making about $3.50 and hour at the time. I traded my Fender Mustang in, and paid off the rest. It was my only guitar for a decade, and it's still my favorite guitar to play.
I had one of those as well--November 84--wore the frets right off..
A friend gave it to me, and it was in pieces. The neck had been installed on another guitar with extra holes drilled in it, the body looked like it had been carved with a butter knife to fit a single humbucker at the bridge. Originally it was Olympic white, but had been spray painted gold over the entire body, hardware included. Then pink paint was splattered over it---late 80s glam style.
My friend had done the heavy lifting with sanding all the paint off taking it down to natural, but he never finished rebuilding it. I took it, put the pickguard assembly from my 86 Korean squire on it, and played it for years---then gave it back to my friend....I have no idea where it is now.
You traded a Fender Mustang for a payment plan for a Squier Strat? Are you sure it wasn't a Squier mustang? Or is because Mustangs used to be cheaper or something? I'd personally rather have a Fender Mustang over a Squier anything.
@@Casey3-P-O Most used guitars were just used guitars back in the early 80's.
@@6bender you mean, like they we'rent considered "vintage" or "collectable" due to their age? I wish used guitars were cheaper nowadays. The only plus is that you can make a lot more money selling these days compared to before, I'm assuming. But it sucks for buyers. If used guitars were a bit, or a lot, cheaper, I'd by them all the time. It would make buying online a lot less scary.
@@Casey3-P-O prior to Cobain using Mustangs, they were extremely affordable. You have to imagine they were student guitars, and in 1983, a 1965 Mustang was 18 years old. It was equivalent to a 2004 used guitar now.
What a great story Otis!! I'll be 63 at the end of this month. I grew up with a guitar playing Dad who NEVER encouraged me to play the guitar. Why he didn't I will never know. But my son started playing in high school. HE was my inspiration and I started learning in 2014 at the age of 55!!! Well, I have two favorite guitars. One is a 1992 Les Paul flame top that was made in Japan by Terada under the Orville by Gibson license. It mimics a 1960 Burst pretty doggone well. It sounds and plays great!!!! The second is my Dads 1964 Gretsch Country Gentleman. I remember when he bought it as a used guitar in new condition in 1966. My Father's spirit and mojo is in that guitar!!! There you go. Better late than never!!!
I get my amplifiers repaired at "Ant Farm" up in the Poconos.Heard this story there. A lady walks in with a Les Paul ,claiming it was her deceased father's,and she wanted to have the strings changed. She said she would never ,ever part with it,it just meant too much to her, being her father's guitar and all.Upon opening the case the store owner finds out it's a "59" sunburst, in mint condition.The owner explains to the woman ,that her Daddy's guitar is a veritable gold mine,easily in the six figure range ..........The next week, Daddy's Les Paul was listed in Vintage guitar magazine for $250,000 !
Daddy would have wanted his daughter to have the money I'm sure. 😉👍
How cool is that
@@BoltRM Her Mantra, lol
@@neil2550 What's cool ,is that the Ant Farm owner let her know what she had.
@@bluesrockguitaristmikesall2708 great story too
“I like things that aren’t perfect.” Well said! Hadn’t thought of it, but turns out I’ve been playing the same bass for almost 30 years. And yeah there’ve been detours and other basses and other instruments, but that old Hohner 4-string PJ is still where it’s at for me. Still have the beaded necklace wrapped around the headstock that an old Jamaican guy gave me when I was walking home from college graduation. 30 years…
I picked up a Hohner L59 Les Paul copy for £15 out a local news paper when I was 14 years old. It has a super deep tobbaco burst top and all the gold hardware has tarnished now, I just enjoy looking at it sometimes. It went through school, college and uni with me, I still play it from time to time, I even take it camping with a battery amp... I'm 30 now and will never part with it, the only reason I dont gig it anymore is because the frets are worn down to the board... I'll get it refret some day, I must have run up and down blues scales a million times on that thing. I recently aquired a Hohner 335 copy, when I picked it up it felt like an old friend, except with plenty of life in the frets, i bought it on the spot... seriously underated guitars that will give you years of joy.
Your posts are relaxing and genuine. Youre the kind of cat Id like to be in a band or write songs with. Ive got a mid 70s LP Custom as well, but its a back breaker. Thanks for your YT presence and wisdom.
Thank you, Nikolas! : )
Agreed Nikolas.
I just purchased a new “Gator” case-a pink lady for my gold top for about 150 bucks. Hope that’s helpful.
I’ve got a Gator for my les Paul. It’s quite nice. Not as high quality as the gibson cases. It’s about a year old and the covering is coming off. Definitely a lot cheaper than a gibson case though!
This video is a perfect example of why guitars should be played, loved, and modded to suit the owner, not treated like museum pieces to be stored away in the hope that, one day, you can sell it for millions!
That guitar is beautiful, and sounds amazing. And, it has stories to tell.... Which is the most important part of playing guitar!! 👍👍
There's nothing wrong with both sides because it's awesome to see an untouched antiquing guitar. We need both collectors. I love mine too be played by me and any other guitar lover
I love that him and his buddy took turns sanding it. I'd never give up that guitar
I have a 73’ Gibson SG that I bought for $300 back in 1979. I put a new Harmonica style bridge on it in 1995 and a fret dressing in 2020. It always worked good since I bought it used. Plays great and sounds good. 👍🎸
My goodness, that’s gorgeous.
That's funny. I went through the late 70's and most of the 80's playing Les Paul's, bridge pu, maxed treble till I realized I was trying for single coil tones from un-split humbucker pu's! Built my own parts-caster with SPLITABLE hums at neck and bridge. Never looked back. Sooo satisfying to find YOUR guitar! Happy for you, Otis!
When I was 15 I bought a Highway 1 strat. The next year, my best friend bought a Les Paul standard in Desert Burst. I envied that guitar, begged my parents for one, tried saving money - all to no avail. Years passed, our friendship stayed just as consistent and a few decades later, we were talking and I had mentioned that I was thinking about buying a LP studio. I knew he wasn't playing as much anymore but had no thoughts he'd sell me that Les Paul that I envied for so many years. I spoke about it with my wife and we bought it the next week. Even though he had paid about 2k 20 years ago, he sold it to me for 1300 bucks - a ton of money to a newly wed couple with a brand new baby.... fast forward several years, I have since bought an SG Special with P90's, and a 2020 LP Standard Goldtop with 50's neck, but if the house was burning down, I'd grab that Gibson I snagged from my buddy first. It has the 60s neck which I don't like and the back is painted black and shows none of the mahogany but it has a top to die for and sentimental value through the roof. Otis, this is the first video of yours I've come across, but damn - instant subscribe for me. This content is real man. Also, my paternal grandmother was a Gibbs from western NC. Maybe we're related a long ways back!
I bought a '71 SG at a pawn shop while on vacation in Arizona back in '93. I got it for $275. It needed some serious cleaning and fixing but I'm still playing it today. Probably my best purchase ever.
I have an 63 Harmony flat top I gave to my mother for christmas in 1972 then she loaned it back to me so I could self teach myself how to play guitar then through the years wound back up with it and I still have it today and play it every once in a while. amoung some 30 other guitars
This is fantastic. I love guitar stories. Thanks for posting. I love guitars and backline gear. I'm a rental backline guy by trade, and I remember once apologizing to a guitar player in Martina McBride's band about the high action on a rental Gibson Hummingbird, and he was walking around back stage playing it, and he smiled and said, something like "oh don't' worry about it, I like it when they fight back a little bit." I'll always remember that, and thought that was a cool way to look at it. I know it can't be easy doing fly dates and playing rental guitars, and I thought it was a really positive way to look at it.
around that time gear pricing was kind of backwards. My dad had a vintage 60s firebird that had a cracked neck and he traded it for a gorilla amp and a MIK neon green Kramer back then which he never ended up playing back in 1989. It wasn't until the nineties that some of that vintage gear became way more valuable to people. It's strange how all that stuff happens
Chances are the new pots were CTS or Bournes...bog standard yet exceptional quality! That Custom has f'n MOJO brotha
Bought my 1986 Les Paul Standard in a vintage burst back in 92’ for $500. That was a ton of money to a young college boy. That thing has been nothing but gold to me. Been on the road, on albums, in church and isn’t leaving my hands anytime soon.
I’ve played hundreds but not another like this one.
my best deal was 2 weeks ago. I bought a 2019 Fender Ultra Jazzmaster with case and candy for $1000. It looks like it has never been out of the case.
From 1968 on the stock pickups were T-Tops in my humble opinion were the best sounding pickup Gibson ever made
"I dig the imperfections in music" same here, absolutely. That's why I love improvising, because it's never the same, that ebb and flow based on current emotion/feel is always different.
I relate to this story, as a young woman learning to play guitar I always gravitated towards les pauls for their dark tone and sustain and just everything about them. Although I might have been better served with a telecaster or other lighter, more easily manipulated instrument, I always say carrying my big chunk of wood Gibson is the price I pay for tone and I believe in giving a little comfort up for that!
The Studios and Tributes are much lighter and sound great. I have a 76 Deluxe and it killed my back in the 80s.
@@thebluesrockers let's say i'm attached to it, then.
Sometimes, perhaps logic has nothing to do with it. I have a fake LP. Damn if that guitar doesnt feel great in my hands and sound wonderful. It came to me all beat up, pickup selector switch busted right off, nut isnt glued down, neck pickup crackled in and out and now has gone dead.
I love it. Grateful Dead Steal your Face sticker to take it that extra couple of inches toward blessed.
I got an American made Stratocaster from a pawn shop, 1982 vintage, in Fullerton, CA. They had just hung it up on the rack. I bought it with case for $350.00! Now you can't touch one like it for less than $1500.00-$2000.00. I was 22. Now I'm 58. I have played many gigs with it. I have many other guitars. But that one has been with me the longest.
Otis all my guitars have great stories I got a 57 Les Paul Junior and a 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom that my father bought me with a PA system shure mics Vox AC 30 with blue speakers my old 1937 Martin 0-17 I’m playing in my photo in 1980 which I bought for $20…I’m 68 years old now…I never trade or sale old equipment lol I’ve still have my 1959 Vibro Lux with 12” Alnico Blue and 1966 Vibro Champ with 10” Jensen Otis I’m old and I’ve got stories 😆
1937 Martin 0-17 I'm drooling and somewhat jealous. I can only dream about owning an old Martin , Ah well ! Peace to you from the U.K.
I have a Yamaha G-60A which I "rescued." I was at a buddy's apartment and saw this thing in the corner. It had about two strings on it that were stained and tard black from all the smoke, The body was completely wrapped in duct tape with a bunch of permanent marker punk rock scrawlings all over it. Needless to say it was pretty messed up. So after I rescued it I spent several hours removing duct tape residue with some Goo gone, revealing A beautiful rosette on the sound hole as well as on the bridge. The front face of the guitar is pretty scratched up and still has a little bit of permanent marker scrolled onto it. I shaved down a custom-sized bone bridge, oiled the neck, and put some new headstock tuners on it. I even added a couple buttons so that I can put a strap on it. It is not the most incredible guitar. But I feel like I've made it incredible. It doesn't always stay in tune, but when it is in what I call "The sweet spot" I think it has a beautifully warm and gorgeous tone that resonates really well. And the resignation is partly due to the fact that a lot of the front of the wood has been worn down. All in all it's my favorite guitar I own. The wear and tear on the front end kind of reminds me of Willie Nelson's Trigger, But without so many holes lol
In terms of cases, especially for something you're not going to be taking on a plane, I would much rather use modern gig bags these days. I use the Mono Vertigo for general use or light travel. It's about as much as a Gibson Hard Case, maybe a little more depending on where you're buying. But it's much more convenient to bring with you when you're not concerned about it getting crushed or thrown around. Gibson also makes soft cases now, and they're actually very nice. Protective, light weight, and convenient for the reasons previously mentioned. Otherwise the Gibson Hard Cases are reasonably priced and do the job. Just my two cents.
A gig bag will not protect that delicate Gibson neck. LesPauls need a hard-case.
Not to shabby a deal...I also remember making around that an hour, when we got 4.50 an hour we thought that was something..
I know the one I didn't get: I was in college back in '85 & my roomie went to a small music shop in the next town (South Jersey, small town, small shop) to get some strings for his '83 LP custom. I tagged along & while he was fiddling around, I saw an old beat up Firebird 5 in the back rack. It had seen better days, but damn if I didn't think it was the most gorgeous thing out there. The tag said $300, but back then I was so broke it might as well have said a million bucks. I just didn't have the funds & never got the guitar. Went back a few months later, and not only was the guitar not there, the music shop was gone, in its place a new hair salon. I never did get a Firebird, but I love my 2009 LP custom. Ah, the one that got away, never to be forgotten. Great story Otis, & a beautiful LP.
I got my Yamaha SBG500 at Music Museum in Pitman, NJ back in 1979/1980... It's nice to see that place still there all these years later.
Love your channel Otis,You have some cool ass stories.I bought an 1986 Gibson les Paul standard last year for 1500.It’s 36 yrs old now and it’s also a boat anchor but I friggan love it.
I have a couple really similar guitars that I bought for a similarly ridiculously low prices.
I was in high school and came across a 1974 Les Paul Custom 20th Anniversary for at a music store for $700. That the same model that Randy Rhoads played before he got the Jackson signature model. maybe 6 months later the same shop had a 63 SG Junior for $500.
I was in high school, working for minimum wage at super limited hours, that was all the cash I had. I'm just glad I was in a spot to nab them at such ludicrously low prices. This was at a music shop too.. you'd think they would've known the value of them. They're still my favorite electric guitars
Cool story. I have a theory that the guitars find you. My best guitar deal/find happened about two years ago. I went to the goodwill in the Los Feliz neighborhood of LA, as I often did, to find a sparkling red maple neck telecaster behind the case. I asked to see it and surprisingly saw the price of only $149! It was missing strings and needed a setup, but that neck felt right in my hand. I bought and started fixing it up that day and it sounds amazing. It’s a Mexican made one from ‘97 that blows my American tele away every time. It’s become my work horse electric
Absolutely agreed. My number one guitar is a Takamine acoustic that a buddy of mine that works on vintage guitars and amps found in a pawn shop here in Alabama. It had one string on it, needed a nut, a tuning machine, and a set up. He said it was part of a lot the guy at the pawn shop had gotten after Katrina from New Orleans somehow (if this is true or not, I have no idea) but the body shows discoloration that would track with water damage. He gave the guy in the pawn shop 50 bucks and called me from his shop. Said he knew this was supposed to be MY guitar. I gave him 50 bucks, we fixed it up with parts from his work shop, and I have now written a couple of albums worth of songs and played countless shows with it. It always feels right to me, and it resonates just right with my voice.
Sweet story.
Yes. Guitars find you.
Believe it or don't I was a regular costumer in a chain store pawn shop, I bought used imports usually. One day I walk in and there was a worn sunburst Stratocaster I ask to see it close; I see the saddles stamped Fender ,three-way switch nice patina and the price tag 175.00$ . I said I will take it ,I paid and ran like I stole it. At home I removed the neck it is marked sept. 65.
Awesome story, Otis. "Embrace the flaws " are words to live by my friend.
This is an amazing story. Beautiful sounding guitar. Those pickups looks like P94
Lovely. As a guitar nerd I love to hear stories like yours.
Yes, those 70s LP Customs are heavy. But there's something with old wood... It just feels better.
I have a 1957 LP Junior that I play quite a lot. A fairly light one. I love its simplicity. It's a player, not a collectors item, so I can bring it to the sleazy joints I usually play at.
But basically I'm a Tele guy. I have a few of them. The one I hold dearest is a blonde 1966 maple cap. I paid far to much for it. But that doesn't matter. The moment I first held it in my hands I immediately felt that this is my guitar. And it's not just a guitar. It's an extension of myself. I will play it to the bitter end.
What a cool guitar and story! Wabi sabi, the japanese philosophy of embracing imperfection, always leaves you happy because one can always find beauty--you just have to look....
Not the craziest deal but i've had an Epiphone Les Paul for 9 years, an LP-100 model. My parents bought it when i was like 13 or 14 and i wasn't into guitar specs at the time, so i just bought it because i wanted a Les Paul type guitar. Nowadays it is my go-to guitar and it sounds amazing. The playability on that thing is crazy and i've never felt as confortable with another guitar in my life. In a few years i will be able to buy my own guitars and i can't wait to own Gibson and Fender ones, but i will always have time for my Epiphone.
I'm 70 years old, been playing since I was 7.
Always wanted a J45. I finally got one 5 years ago. I bought a Takamine in 1974, funny thing is, it's my go to guitar. The J45 is great, sounds great, but that old Lawsuit Takemine fits my hand and ear.
I can relate. I play my wife's "El Degas" most of the time (which as far as I can tell is a cheap copy of a Guild D-50) while the Gibson Custom Shop Southern Jumbo I bought several years ago sits in its case. I learned on a 1976 Yamaha FG-180-1 that my uncle gave me as compensation for babysitting, so I guess there is something about inexpensive but well-loved instruments that I am drawn to. In my hands, all guitars end up sounding the same anyway!
I enjoyed this very much, especially the part about imperfections. I love the personality that each guitar brings through its uniqueness. All seem to be alive to some extent, reacting to the elements.
Like you, adapting to the instrument's personality or imperfections, if you will, takes you places you may have never gone. Some guitars seem to fight you, push you, pull you...some feel like an old glove, some never feel totally at home. In any case, I love them all.
I have a 67 telecaster maple cap I picked up in a trade in the 90s that belonged to a very well known session player. As I recall I traded a 53 Goldtop with cash on my end. It was set up by Glasser and still plays unbelievable....intonation still perfect after all these years.
This is absolutely the best kind of guitar story! Thanks for sharing it. I don’t have a story this cool, but my oldest guitar is a 1993 Robin medley, hand made in Texas. Swamp Ash body and maple neck. I was gigging regularly at the time, it was hanging on the wall with a $1600 price tag on it. Got the guy down to $1000 including a hard shell case. Wrote a check for it, and then ran home and sold a couple other guitars to cover it. It was the most expensive and high-quality guitar I had ever purchased, and it changed my life. I still have it, and it’s still my favorite, even though I have several other really high-quality guitars now. Taking a trusted ax all over the road for years really creates a bond.
I think.you've expressed the love for an instrument about as well as it can be done. Thanks for reminding all of us of that connection.
The guitar I have is a left handed Harley Benton telecaster copy. The reason it means something to me is because I learned to work on guitars with it. Also my best friend and my father both helped me on different upgrades on it so it has some of them in it as well and that makes it special to me. Thank you for the video I really enjoyed it!
I'm the same, I like imperfections in music - when people are playing inspired but so close to the edge of their capabilities that imperfections arise - for me that's more real than perfectly polished performance. Thankyou for sharing your personal guitar story.
The guitar I've had the longest is a Squier Bullet, I bought in the late 80's. It's quadrupled in value since then! The one I play the most is a Spectrum, cheap Strat copy, I got at a yardsale for $15! It has such an awesome neck, so i decided to put some work in it. I replaced all the hardware, leveled the frets, and gave the body and headstock a paintjob. I love that guitar and play it every day!👍😎🎸🎶
@@thebluesrockers Mine is awesome! Just got done jammin on it. It's freakin incredible! I replaced almost everything. My labor is free and parts aren't too terribly expensive, so I got a badass guitar for a little bit of money...and I freakin love it!👍😎🎸🎶
@@thebluesrockers yep, I've certainly grown attached to it. It means more to me, than if I just went out and bought a decent guitar. Can't wait to play it tonight!👍😎🎸🎶
I've had my LP special for over 40 years and it's the sweetest guitar I own. I replaced the original case with a SKB Les Paul version several years ago. It will hold up wether you tour or just gig around town. Nice video, put a mic on your amp and show off your tone. Thanks
I love to look at used instuments, yours is a beauty.
The relic-ing crowd would pay a small fortune to have their new guitaur look like yours. Thanks.
Otis, thanks for the great video. I have an empty generic TKL Les Paul case. My guitar was stolen at a gig while it was out of the case, and this empty case has been sitting around for 10 years. If you want the case, I’ll send it to you for free.
Your philosophy is akin to my own. I bought a Gibson SG Standard in 1973 for $240.00. It was all natural wood by the time I got it. The pickup covers were removed as well and it had the best action on the neck you could ever ask for! I traded it for a mint Gibson 335 which was stolen a month later. Now, close to 50 years later, I splurged and bought a new Gibson SG Standard once again with a new Yamaha Wireless THR30ii amp and a Line 6 Wireless Relay Transmitter. Great sound and no more wires or cords! I bought that first SG Guitar as a teenager and now this new SG bought at 67 to celebrate making it to a Senior Citizen! It is an honor to make it to these golden years. One that most of my old friends never had the opportunity to experience. I'm just an old hippie I guess and I wouldn't have it any other way! Peace out!
Great story man. Lovely to hear you enjoy your guitar. I’ve had my ‘79 Les Paul Custom since 1984. It’s been my No. 1 ever since. Enjoy yours in good health mate.
Excellent guitar video Otis! I always enjoy your stories! My favorite guitar is my 1976 Aspen D28 acoustic which is one of the "lawsuit guitars" made in Japan. These were sold originally by a music company in Ft. Worth. It has incredible tone and rings out like a Martin. A friend of mine had one and it sounded great and I knew I had to have one. I actually found and bought 3 acoustics: Aspen D18, the Aspen D28 and an Aspen D28 12-string. I ended up selling the D18 to a friend (wish I had kept it!) All of these were from the 70s and all have that fantastic Martin tone and sustain! I think I paid a total of $500 for all three back in 2012. The two I have left are my favorites and I would never sell either. One day I might buy a Martin D28, but since I wouldn't want to disgrace a Martin D28 by trying to play one, for now I will just settle for the "Martin sound" of my Aspen D28s. They all show plenty of road wear, but Man, they sound great!
That is a beautiful guitar with an incredible story.. Thanks for sharing. 👍
I've got a 74 strat i paid about 325 for. That joker is heavy too.
I was fortunate enough to have a buddy who didn’t want his Strat and he gave it to me. I gave him a wonderful 12”x12” photo of him and his daughter - it was brown and someone had stripped off the “sunburst”… it has an original STP sticker on it- when I cleaned her up she was a ‘65- the most amazing guitar I have and feel blessed to have her in my life!
A guitar with soul for a man of soul. Beautiful.
Hey Otis , I also bought my first vintage guitar in 89 . My first pay check from a good paying summer job and bought what was back then a second hand tele , had been stripped to the wood with the most microphonic neck pickup . I couldn’t afford a new one so I settled for a 66 :) . I knew nothing about guitars but this one chose me. Still my baby . Sounds amazing . Took me 10 years to figure out that I stumbled on the best guitar deal of my life :) . FYI that Les Paul is beautiful , I think it deserves a travel case
I'm still playing my 1962 double cut Melody Maker. I paid $175 for it in 1972 when I was fourteen and it was 10. The sunburst was cracked and checked and me being a rock and roll kid and not knowing that I would "ruin" the guitar.... sanded it off and clear coated the mahogany which I thought looked cool as hell...and still do. I routed it out for a neck pickup and chopped up the back cavity and put in two gibson humbuckers that a guy took out of his sg...bought some pots and learned how to solder. I played the thing until around 86 when I had a few Pauls and just plain too many guitars. A left hander came by and offered me $300. He figured that he could just flip it over and he'd be good to go. I sold it to him. Around 1994 my wife saw it hanging up on the wall at Subway Guitars in Berkeley Ca. She knew the guitar on account of we were dating in high school and she went to all the gigs and most likely was around when I was working on it.. She bought it back for $350 and put it under the XMAS tree that year. Talk about blown away surprised. The guy had cut a new pickguard and put two single coils in...I ripped them out and found a pair of Bartolini HB's and cut another pickguard, then refretted her...those original frets were battered. Somehow when I wired the switch I did something goofy so in the middle position you get an almost telecastery kind of twang. Now it is my most played electric...gigs, recording, whatever wherever....I bring a Les Paul along for backup. I was lucky to get it back and it's not leaving my sight again....the personal history is deep and I can't help but think that is why she sounds so sweet. I'm going to pass it down to my son.
Just wanted to say I enjoyed your story. Funny part is in 1989 I bought my '72 Les Paul Deluxe for $275. I was in college had no money, was making $3.35 an hr tutoring math. It was my first real guitar( I had been playing a Lotus Les Paul copy). Like yours mine was far from original. It had a crazy giant pick guard glued to it. It was horribly routed or chiseled to fit humbuckers, one Dimarzio one Jackson. Like yours mine weighs a ton, it became my # 1 for years. I don't play it as much as should these days but its still one of my prized possessions. Mine came with a case ;-)
As a non-musician I appreciate your channel for your stories and presence. Thank you.
Thank you, Otis 🙏
The oldest guitar in my collection was my dad's mid-50s Stella Sundale. I don't play it too often, but it's the guitar I learned on. My high school choir/ guitar teacher told me if I could make the Stella sound good, I could make anything sound good. So here we are...
Be good to you 🤍💛✌
She's a beauty! I found an old beat-up Martin guitar at the bottom of a pile of junk at a yard sale. It was marked two dollars, and I only had a buck on me at the time. The guy took it! I wrote a song about it called "Since 1917" because that's when it was made.
As far as a case suggestion, I would still get a top notch case for your classic, she deserves the best!
I wonder how much that Martin cost in 1917? Be interesting if it cost a buck but I'm sure it was more.
@@garytrew2766 I found what Gibsons were from that year, anywhere from 40 to a hundred bucks. And that was with a canvas case. I imagine Martins would have been in that range.
@@johnfern cool man
@@johnfern when Gibson J200s first came out in 1936 the reason they gave it the name j200 was it cost $200 which was a lot of money during the depression years.
CTS pots probably....I learned the higher value pot you use the brighter it is.....a one meg pot is popular with les paul players who want a brighter sound....it's what the Merle Haggard tele uses....cool guitar Otis....I played a black and gold les paul all through the 70s that I bought for 300 bucks used and in the late 80s I traded it for a sunburst strat....wish I'd kept it. I had to have my back adjusted every 6 weeks when I played a les paul...never had that issue with my Casino or strat.....I'm too old for boat anchor les pauls or Fender Twins......Otis you've inspired me to start my own channel just to record originals and maybe recite some poetry.....always loved your story telling....I am Riverman Otis but I couldn't recover that youtube handle when my laptop died....been awhile! Keep tellin' these stories my friend....I'm a fan of Americana
Thank you for posting this. I love people geeking out on guitars.
Sweet LP and another great story, Otis. Thank you, as always. Luckily, I have my 2nd and 3rd guitars still; the 1st is long gone but no real loss (a 90's Ibanez elec.). The 2nd is a 461S Yamaha acoustic I worked all summer while in high school, to be able to purchase. The 3rd was a 2nd hand (90's) Am. Std Tele I bought off a guy in the dorms at college, that my mom loaned me the money for, when we really (and I mean really) didn't have it - but she found a way to make it happen. Yet another reason to be extra thankful on this last Mother's Day. I have fancier guitars now, but I could never part with either b/c of the sentimentality involved. The only one that would take prime of place over these 2 would be my main axe - a Gibson Woody Guthrie Southern(er) Jumbo (based on Woody's 1945 SJ) that my wife custom ordered 10 years ago as a combo bday/engagement gift. I clearly picked the right woman! Keep picking and tellin' stories, Otis; I'm here for it!
Otis, I bought a Silver Creek case from Guitar Center last winter. Good case. 5 latches, the description says 6, 2 neck supports too. I think they list for 109. I got mine on sale and used some reward bucks. I think it was 89 w tax. Free shipping included. I’ve got 2 others of this brand, a drednaught and 335 style. Not expensive and decent quality.
Loved your comments about "flaws". Thanks for your wonderful films!
Amazing.funny I just a year ago put a bigsby b5 and some Seymours and CTS pots on a telecaster.I love it.that les Paul is sweet.
Otis, i love how you tell and weave your stories. You're like a guitar NPR show, always nice and comforting, except stories i really love to hear.
It turned out amazing. And the Bigsbys are the cherry on top on those old LPs.
In the early 60s, I was on my way home from school one day and found an old electric Guild guitar in a garbage can. There was no electronics in it and it had been painted white with what looked like house paint. I thought I had won the lottery. I took it home and sanded the paint off and eventually got some cheap pickups etc to put in it. It never really sounded or worked right because I had no idea what I was doing but I loved every minute of it...Thanks for the reminder Otis...
I have 1973-74 Yamaha acoustic that my dad bought for $99.95 w/ case back when he was in high school in the late 70's. It still has the price sticker on the back of the headstock. It became mine around '97 when I started taking lessons. I had it set up recently and it plays absolutely fantastic and honestly sounds better than my Taylor acoustic. I also have a mid-80's American Strat that belonged to my stepdad that I love. My dad has been gone since 2009 and my stepdad is in a nursing home with dementia, so both guitars are really special to me. Plus, they were both 100% free. You can't get a much better deal than that!
1969-70 H53 Harmony single pickup I got at a yard sale a few years back. Time capsule, looked like it had never been played. Cheap, feather light, fun and plays very well for what was a Sears catalogue $89 dollar guitar. Sounds great...Great songwriter.....
Gator cases are sturdy, holds les pauls very snuggly but are affordable.
Love my 1968 less paul Gibson paid 800 from some guy a year ago he and I both thought it was 70s but after I looked into it I was shocked! Sounds like a dream, beautiful undertones.
brilliant otis imperfections i also love ,Bolan made such an amazing noise on his les paul , cheers mate
SKB Les Paul case. Gig bag or hard case. They’re great.
The guitar that's been with me longest is a 60 les paul junior bought in the 70's when vintage equipment was simply called "used". I have mid 70's standard tobacco sunburst that weighs a ton too. I rarely touch them anymore as I've been building my own since the 80's, specializing in small archtops that look like solid body guitars that I can wear all night without any effort. I don't think I could play that old paul of mine for more than a tune or two without feeling it the next day....
Great story Otis, GOD bless you!
Hey Otis, I am with you on imperfections in music and guitars. I use so many no name guitars and amps. I like these no names because, one, they don't cost much and two, I can fix them up to how I like them without worrying about the value of them. Some of the best guitars I have played have been the cheaper ones. I had a blond Kay Les Paul copy and really didn't do anything to it. It sounded great. I don't remember what the pickups were but they were great. Had a bunch of Tele copies. I like guitars that you aren't worried if they get scratched up or fall and get a nick. That just gives it character, to me. I mean I don't toss them around, but I don't worry either. Keep cool man.
I have a blonde Kay Les Paul copy from the 70s. The model is K-30. Gorgeous natural finish, there’s a hollow chamber under the arch top, and the pickups look like humbuckers but are actually single coils with a dummy coil under a chrome humbuckers style cover. This may be the model you had as well. Pretty rare nowadays, and definitely unique. Will never be selling mine.
Yeah, brother! I do the same. Such a different feeling when you play with a sleeper.
Great story! Great sound! So interesting! Thanks for sharing.
One of my all time favorite guitars was my '59 Les Paul Special double cutaway in TV yellow. The neck was beyond description even though when I bought it the neck had been broken 3 times. Yep. Once on the headstock, and once on the top and once on the bottom where the neck joined the body. Gibson on later models moved the neck PU away from the neck joint.. The repairs were mostly Ok but you could see it would need more work. I paid $800 for it in 1992. It played great and sounded incredible. But , a few years later we were moving and I couldn't dedicate $$$ for repair. Willies American Guitars in St. Paul sold it for $2400 in 1996. So, that was 26 years ago. Today, I have a good assortment of guitars. .But at a Christmas party somebody asked me what my favorite guitar was. And without thinking, I blurted out, 'oh it's a '59 Les Paul Special .' Knowing it was long gone my wife said 'oh really?' I sounded like a complete idiot backtracking on that one. " oh, I didn't hear you correctly". Anyhow, I think that means I need another one also from '59.... Sadly, They're out of my price range now. Thanks Otis Oh, and just in case I forgot..... Merry Christmas!!!!
I have a similar story. As a kid growing up in Eastern Oregon, my dad was a high school principal who didn't make huge money. He and one of the teachers we were friends with went in together on a cow to butcher. The friend ended up having some kind of unexpected expense and couldn't afford his half of the beef, knew that I played guitar but didn't have an electric so he offered up his '59 Les Paul Special (cherry red) along with a Kay solid state amp that he acquired new when in the Navy. I was always struggling to keep this thing intonated and in tune and offered it up for sale once right after I completed high school for $500 but had no takers. Fast forward to 2007 and I took it to Willie's to see what I could get in trade and got a Bad Cat Cub II, National Resophonic Replicon, and a '96 Les Paul Standard with ebony fretboard; which I took them up on. They listed it for $10k and I think it went for $7500. While the Special was nice and homey, I like my LP better. Not bad for a side of beef!
Awesome story, I really enjoyed hearing it! I love that you didn't baby it and just did whatever you needed to do it to make it serve your needs.
I got a really good deal on my second guitar, a Yamaha SBG2000 from the 80's. It was in not so great shape and I needed to do a bit of work on it but it's a killer guitar and I still love it to this day.
I don't play, but I came here just to hear a good story. Cathartic.
I recently purchased a early 2000s Gibson Baldwin SG that is phenomenal. Plays and sounds like an SG should. It's an absolute favorite of mine. It's a Spirit series
Love stories like this, thank you for sharing. It is a beautiful guitar, and no matter what ppl say, it’s your guitar, sand down or whatever. Make it really yours.
3 years ago I got a used 2005 PRS SE Santana II from a guy that it turned out lived a block and a half from me, for $300. I own and have owned many much more expensive guitars, but this one just has a certain mojo to it that I can't find anywhere else. The shape and feel of the neck, and the way it plays, just has a magic that makes me want to play all day long. It's the oldest guitar I currently own, next to my Alvarez acoustic which I bought new in 1994. I even picked up an Epi Les Paul Custom last year that I'd been wanting for years, which I love and have customized a couple things on, but the SE Santana is absolutely perfect the way it is. Rock on man, thanks for sharing ♫
So much history, mojo and vibe in that guitar!
Some 40 + yrs ago my dad gave me a CMI Les Paul copy it was not expensive along with a 50 watt sound city amp and a Hammond organ foot pedal , all inexpensive. year's later I got a PRS and fender telecaster , new vox amp's and a Morley foot pedal ; all expensive for me " I ain't no rich man" but nothing comes close to the old gear I had the sound was amazing , I've played Gibson Paul's through high quality amp's but have never got that sound I once had ,just goes too show that an expensive tag doesn't make for a great sound ! Really enjoyed this posting and your guitar is a beaut ! Peace from the U.K.
My axe of choice? A 62 Melody Maker I bought from my father-in-law Ernie for $125 in 1976. It came with a Gibson Hawk practice amp. I loaned the amp to a friend and never saw it again or the friend. Like you I kept changing stuff around as my playing requirements changed. It just kept sounding better and better. It’s toured the US with me and I’ve worn the frets off it three times. Won’t step on stage without it.
What a great story, Otis. My oldest guitar is a '72 Gibson ES-335 with trapeze bridge that I've had since the late 80s. I paid $795 cash for it. As a lefty, it's rare when something like that crosses your path. As far as I can tell, it has the original pickups and hardware. I don't gig with it anymore, now preferring to keep it off the road. I've substituted a Gretsch Electromatic Jet, a surprisingly worthy instrument that's plenty versatile.
Now THAT is my kind of guitar. Beautiful. Thanks for telling us its story.
I love the stories associated with old guitars. I have an early 70s LP Deluxe with a Cherry Burst finish. It too is a boat anchor. The bridge PU appears to have been changed out to a full size hum-bucker and a coil tap was added. These modifications probably detract from the value of a totally original one. It sounds and feels awesome and I don’t plan on selling it. I love old guitars with some miles in them.
I bought and still have my 1974 Les Paul Custom Twentieth Aniversary for $480 brand new I was 18, I’m 65 and it still sounds and plays better than ever.
What a wonderful story, sanding the paint off.
Lovely story 💖
As for cases, for kicking around as a songwriter/player, I Love the Mono Vertigo. It’s a soft case that’s both comfortable, practical and pretty much bulletproof 🧨
Hey, Otis! I'm checking in from inside the south split.
Did you ever hear any stories about Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell? Those dudes really made some music and from right here in Indy.
We always appreciate your time, Otis!
love it man....great story Otis
Thank you!
@@otisgibbs your welcome boss from a fellow guitar junkie
Recommend a SKB case [Very reasonable and well fitting]. Had one for my 70 Custom Les Paul Black Beauty. I paid $250 for it and a 60's Epi amp in 1996. It was player guitar so was not even close to perfect condition. Sold it in 2019 for $3300 to Rivington Guitars NYC. That included SKB and original case which was very scary! Was too heavy and had almost dropped in stand while vacuuming. Replaced it with $200 Korean Epi LP Standard and a $400 2017 SG Special.
My baby is a 1987 Les Paul Custom in Alpine white that my parents gave me for high school graduation. It's had a neck snap and been through any number of electronics configs, but still plays amazing and sounds great (and strangely, still on it's original frets despite 1000s of gigs)