Memphis Gibson Find

[drjuju]

Our lead guitar player has a musician friend in Memphis who agreed to help one of his buddies move a friend of his. That's a few degrees of separation from the Big Find, but all concerned are believable, at least when sober. The guy went to the house in question and was helping move stuff when he noticed a guitar head sticking up from behind some stuff, over in a corner. Pulling it out, he found a tenor guitar, great condition, with "The Gibson" painted on the head in silver paint. He brought it into tune and played it a bit. The guy told him it had been in his grandfaher's house for many years and this was the first time it had been played that he could remember. Long story short, he sold it to the mover for $30. The mover took it to Gibson in Memphis, where a long time employee looked it over and looked it up, saying he'd never seen one in his life , nor knew anyone who had. The extra peg-hole in the bridge and the painted name on the headstock confirmed it a 1927 model of a line made from '27 to '33, then discontinued until the folk music push of the 50s. The Mover asked if that might not make it worth two or three thousand, to which the chuckling reply was "well, yes, at dead rock bottom..." My friend and The Mover are off to Nashville now to have it appraised. As a working musician for more than 40 years I've done more than my share of pick-up jobs moving people for burger money. I never once found anything like this. What a lucky guy!

[WhiteSE]

Daaaamnn!

[motaboy]

That's the only way to come by those things...
A guitar from the 1930's, what a piece of history.

Plus, he's rich :D

[schoolboy]

I got a like new 1958 ES125 in the case for $40 at a yard sale last year. I couldn't haggle them down, but I can't believe I had the presence of mind to haggle, I was so excited - poker face. That 1930's job has me beat, but these kinds of finds seem to be not much better than once-in-a-lifetime (or at least once in a great while!).

[drjuju]

Over the years I've owned a 1930s National Steel guitar, a Dobro model 33D (from new), a 1947 Martin 000-18 (parlor guitar...not sure about that model #. Too long ago), and my current prize, a 1959 David Caro F-70 which I sort of inherited from a music partner who died a number of years back. It's one of the most incredible guitars I've evrer held in my hands...and light as a feather with this authoritative voice. Made in Michoacan by a fellow who's still working there, with his son, and getting $3k to $9k each for his instruments. Mine's still in the original hardshell case. I can't play any more. Got Parkinson's disease. Thought of selling this one, but being a musician, I've never bought or sold one except to another player (usually traded, actually) or a pawn shop. :cry:

[Wornears]

drjuju:

My thoughts go out to you on your Parkinson's. My mother-in-law had it for many years and that is one tough affliction; it took away her mandolin playing. I'm sorry it has robbed you of your joy and talent -- don't sell that David Caro F-70. Give it to a relative.

My MIL's family is incredibly musical, growing up on a West Texas cotton farm in the 30s, she and her sisters learned mandolin and fiddle tunes from the Mexican immigrant workers. Her sister still pulls a mean bow at 87, and that aunt's son is a studio musician in LA. The guitars (another aunt has a mint MArtin D-35 from the '60s) and mandolins, and fiddles come out when we all get together for reunions.

All the best to you and your health.

[drjuju]

thanks Wornears. It's not a total disaster. I still sing with my band (the Muddy Bayou Boys...said bayou runs through my back yard) and it's ok. I had a good 40 yrs of it and a couple trips to Europe. Still writing and pitching songs. Not rich yet but sitting out here in the country, just fed my horse, got dinner on, listening to Charles Mingus Montreux 1975, and waiting for the wife to get home. Kids are all between 23 and 37 and I'm a great grandfather. Lot of my former partners are no longer with us. Could be a heck of a lot worse. Cheers.