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Joined:
April 2007
Posts: 225
Location: Stow, Ohio | The other day a lady called me about donating her brother's old guitar.
So as not to sound picky when people call or email me, I don't ask any thing about the guitar except is it a full size guitar.
Well yesterday she called me back an said I might not be able to use the guitar since some of the string thingies had broken. meaning the bridge pins.
I then started asking questions about the guitar. and found out it is about 60 years old.......hold the phone, stop the presses, insert any other cliche right here. I kindly asked her to read the name on the headstock to me...ok the thing that has the string windy things.......and it's said.... Martin & Co.
Ok now I am dumbfounded and at a loss for words...yeah right me speechless. So I told her I would see her Sunday as planned.
Now, I am off the phone and had a few minutes to gather my thoughts. and tried to call her back..no answer. Well I spoke with her today and told her I could not in good conscience accept her guitar donation without her knowing that her guitar may be worth alot of money. best guess right now is it is an early 40's Martin that has had a headstock repair at one time. however she doesn't know if the guitar was purchased new or used. used would possibly make it an even earlier date of manufacture. I am meeting with here tomorrow to take pictures of the guitar and any damage to see if I can get an appraisal on the guitar for here.
Sure that guitar would have funded my Guitars for Grunts project for a long time and sent many guitars to the troops, but at a severe cost to it's integrity. But then again......what if it is an old D-28
I can't wait to see this thing tomorrow.
Paul |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | aptly titled thread....... |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Doesn't sound like too big a dilemma ... you were honest with her and are doing the right thing. Get the pictures, and maybe have Mauvais Beal or Tim Kummer give you an initial opinion on what you've got on your hands. Maybe the lady could really use the money ... in that case, you can help her do that and you'll both have something to smile about for the rest of your life. Maybe she'll tell you to use the guitar to help the troops and be really happy that she could help far more than she ever thought possible, and you'll both have something to smile about for the rest of your life. Good things happen to people who do good things. You're a good man, Paul. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | pm sent and perhaps a solution |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | Gotta agree with bobbo. It's really not a dilemma for someone with integrity and it may be a blessing for someone (at least the lady and possibly more) as there are many out there without it. Hope Al can help you out, Paul.
And, yes, you are a good man. |
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Joined:
April 2007
Posts: 225
Location: Stow, Ohio | I'll be happy just to be able to hold a guitar of that vintage. I will post pictures sometime tomorrow. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Semper Fi Marine! |
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Joined:
January 2007
Posts: 146
Location: Japan | I just got out of a bar full of drunks, (happy drunks) but reading your post really made my day!
As I was reading I was wondering what you would do.
Looking forward to the pics! |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Elliot, I really don't think there is a dilemma at all. Judging from what I know of your moral makeup, I'm sure "what to do" will be a no brainier for you. :D |
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Interesting dilemma to have