Of Guitars and Gold

[Bill]

I have a life long love of guitars, and have weaves them into my professional life occasionally. But as a family man with small kids, the idea of buying a high end guitar just is crazy -- we never have any funds ahead. But I've had a high school class ring sitting in a drawer in 1978. A couple of weeks ago I took it in to a local pawn dealer and walked away with enough to go to the local music store. I found a Recording King brand guitar...about $300 used. Solid top (great grain and "silk" for you wood lovers), mahogany body, very detailed faithful appointments ala a herringbone OOO Martin, 12 fret slot head, wide neck. Certainly not a custom level guitar, but WOW. Hats off to the march of technology and craftsmanship...as a kid player I'd have scoffed at a Chinese made instrument. But I've had it less than two weeks and have penned two new tunes on it! I love my Martin, and my Mossman, and so don't take them out around my small kids for fear of a toy gouging them. Nice to have a less expensive yet wonderful guitar! Thanks to a high school ring and the gold market!

[teherie]

Congratulations on a great find. Nothing wrong with Recording King Guitars.

I am thinking about doing the same thing with an old shotgun which I will probably never use to pick up another guitar.

[fezo]

Good move.

Years ago I had a friend whose 5 year old sat on his Gilchrist mandolin. Even back then - a good 15 years ago that was a $10K instrument. He had to ship it back to Australia to get it fixed. In his words, "What are you gonna do? He's five years old."

Fortunately this guy was making tons of money (software engineer of some sort) and had another Gilchrist (!) and a Flatiron F. I'd be happy to have one nice mandolin....