Missed it by THAT much!

[schundog]

I don't frequent GC nearly as often as I used to, but the other day I was near the Peoria, IL, location, and dropped in. The first thing I noticed was definitely a "first" for me; a Heritage in GC! There, on a stand, was a used dark sunburst 535, $1150. I plugged it into a nearby amp, and, again, was blown away by how great any Heritage I play feels, setup, etc. I'm putting together my offer in my mind, as I'm listening to this beautiful jazz version of "Misty" is being played by the guy on the other side of the wall of amps. "He must be playing some jazz box through a great amp," I thought. I walked around the corner, and there was a big bald black guy in his late forties, looking totally like Ving Rhames,(Green Mile actor) right down to the voice! My shock at his instrument choice must have shown; He shot me a big, warm grin, and said hello. He was playing a Mexi Strat through a cheap Fender Solid State FM212, and sounded GREAT! He noticed the Heritage in my hands, and mentioned it. I started gushing about the company, PSP, the people, etc, when he tells me he just put the 535 on layaway. He had had one years prior, and had swore to himself that if he found another "right" one, he would buy it. He hoped to have the balance before Christmas.

 

Disappointed, but glad it was going to a great player, I asked if he played "out" at all. He said he rarely does anymore, but he used to quite a bit. "Now I just play for the Lord at my church." As I'm on my church's Praise Team, too, we talked about that for awhile, and shook hands as new friends. No new Heritage Day, but I left GC with a smile on my face anyway, and my wallet intact.

[GuitArtMan]

Great story. There'll be another 535 with your name on it.

[schundog]

Great story. There'll be another 535 with your name on it.

 

Thanks. I guess that's why I'm not TOO bummed out, I already have a Trans Red 535, a Gibson ES-335, a Heritage H-155 and a Heritage 525; I'm PRETTY well covered for semi-hollow/hollowbody tones! LOL. I'd have gotten the hairy eye from the MRS. if I'd brought this one home, anyway, and a great guy got it. All's well.

[golferwave]

Yep, A wonderful story. Funny how some guys can make a cigarbox/broomstick axe played through a homemade crystal radio sound great. Just jealous.

[DetroitBlues]

I don't frequent GC nearly as often as I used to, but the other day I was near the Peoria, IL, location, and dropped in. The first thing I noticed was definitely a "first" for me; a Heritage in GC! There, on a stand, was a used dark sunburst 535, $1150. I plugged it into a nearby amp, and, again, was blown away by how great any Heritage I play feels, setup, etc. I'm putting together my offer in my mind, as I'm listening to this beautiful jazz version of "Misty" is being played by the guy on the other side of the wall of amps. "He must be playing some jazz box through a great amp," I thought. I walked around the corner, and there was a big bald black guy in his late forties, looking totally like Ving Rhames,(Green Mile actor) right down to the voice! My shock at his instrument choice must have shown; He shot me a big, warm grin, and said hello. He was playing a Mexi Strat through a cheap Fender Solid State FM212, and sounded GREAT! He noticed the Heritage in my hands, and mentioned it. I started gushing about the company, PSP, the people, etc, when he tells me he just put the 535 on layaway. He had had one years prior, and had swore to himself that if he found another "right" one, he would buy it. He hoped to have the balance before Christmas.

 

Disappointed, but glad it was going to a great player, I asked if he played "out" at all. He said he rarely does anymore, but he used to quite a bit. "Now I just play for the Lord at my church." As I'm on my church's Praise Team, too, we talked about that for awhile, and shook hands as new friends. No new Heritage Day, but I left GC with a smile on my face anyway, and my wallet intact.

 

I hope you pointed him out to him the HOC!

[DetroitBlues]

Yep, A wonderful story. Funny how some guys can make a cigarbox/broomstick axe played through a homemade crystal radio sound great. Just jealous.

 

Did anyone catch the last Guitar Center King of the Blues finals? There was a guy on there I think should of won. He played a homemade cigar box guitar. Thousands of contestants and this guy walks in a homemade instrument and gets to the final five. If anyone gets a chance, check Pinecone Fletcher out! I'd give that man a Heritage, but it might carve it up to make a few more cigar box guitars!

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarCenterTV#p/u/9/uYEk-KbhUSY

[chico]

cool story, great price on the 535 too..

[Patrick]

I don't frequent GC nearly as often as I used to, but the other day I was near the Peoria, IL, location, and dropped in. The first thing I noticed was definitely a "first" for me; a Heritage in GC! There, on a stand, was a used dark sunburst 535, $1150. I plugged it into a nearby amp, and, again, was blown away by how great any Heritage I play feels, setup, etc. I'm putting together my offer in my mind, as I'm listening to this beautiful jazz version of "Misty" is being played by the guy on the other side of the wall of amps. "He must be playing some jazz box through a great amp," I thought. I walked around the corner, and there was a big bald black guy in his late forties, looking totally like Ving Rhames,(Green Mile actor) right down to the voice! My shock at his instrument choice must have shown; He shot me a big, warm grin, and said hello. He was playing a Mexi Strat through a cheap Fender Solid State FM212, and sounded GREAT! He noticed the Heritage in my hands, and mentioned it. I started gushing about the company, PSP, the people, etc, when he tells me he just put the 535 on layaway. He had had one years prior, and had swore to himself that if he found another "right" one, he would buy it. He hoped to have the balance before Christmas.

 

Disappointed, but glad it was going to a great player, I asked if he played "out" at all. He said he rarely does anymore, but he used to quite a bit. "Now I just play for the Lord at my church." As I'm on my church's Praise Team, too, we talked about that for awhile, and shook hands as new friends. No new Heritage Day, but I left GC with a smile on my face anyway, and my wallet intact.

 

Hey man . . . great story. I love it when shit like that happens. It just goes to show that a real player can make any guitar and rig sound great. At the end of the day, it's all about the music. By the way, get your actors and movies straight man . . . . The Green Mile was Michael Clarke Duncan. Ving Rhames was Pulp fiction, Mission Impossible, Don King, Undisputed, Entrapment . .. and many others.

[FredZepp]

Great story about someone that "gets" the Heritage magic and is about to experience it again.

 

It's hard to walk away from a good deal on one, that's for sure. I imagine your thoughts as you found this one.. unexpectedly.

[schundog]

Hey man . . . great story. I love it when shit like that happens. It just goes to show that a real player can make any guitar and rig sound great. At the end of the day, it's all about the music. By the way, get your actors and movies straight man . . . . The Green Mile was Michael Clarke Duncan. Ving Rhames was Pulp fiction, Mission Impossible, Don King, Undisputed, Entrapment . .. and many others.

 

Patrick remind me to NEVER play movie Trivial Pursuit with you!! LOL. Michael Clarke Duncan is who he reminded me of, definitely. And yes, I DID refer him to the HOC to learn more about his new find.

[Steiner]

Excellent story schundog!

[brentrocks]

yes, great story

[mark555]

Loved the story, I also agree that it's whose playing the guitar that counts. Here's another link to a guy who plays a less that great guitar. Seasick Steve is another American that had to come to England to get recognition.

 

[Patrick]

I don't frequent GC nearly as often as I used to, but the other day I was near the Peoria, IL, location, and dropped in. The first thing I noticed was definitely a "first" for me; a Heritage in GC! There, on a stand, was a used dark sunburst 535, $1150. I plugged it into a nearby amp, and, again, was blown away by how great any Heritage I play feels, setup, etc. I'm putting together my offer in my mind, as I'm listening to this beautiful jazz version of "Misty" is being played by the guy on the other side of the wall of amps. "He must be playing some jazz box through a great amp," I thought. I walked around the corner, and there was a big bald black guy in his late forties, looking totally like Ving Rhames,(Green Mile actor) right down to the voice! My shock at his instrument choice must have shown; He shot me a big, warm grin, and said hello. He was playing a Mexi Strat through a cheap Fender Solid State FM212, and sounded GREAT! He noticed the Heritage in my hands, and mentioned it. I started gushing about the company, PSP, the people, etc, when he tells me he just put the 535 on layaway. He had had one years prior, and had swore to himself that if he found another "right" one, he would buy it. He hoped to have the balance before Christmas.

 

Disappointed, but glad it was going to a great player, I asked if he played "out" at all. He said he rarely does anymore, but he used to quite a bit. "Now I just play for the Lord at my church." As I'm on my church's Praise Team, too, we talked about that for awhile, and shook hands as new friends. No new Heritage Day, but I left GC with a smile on my face anyway, and my wallet intact.

 

Kinda gives a whole new perspective to the term "stomp box". By the way . . . I wonder if that guitar was factory made or boutique luthier. I wonder if it was a laminated top or a solid carved one. I wonder if the neck was CNC'd. I wonder if he had bumble bee caps. I wonder if he was using flat wounds or round. Was that a Duncan PAF? I wonder if the body was finished in real nitro lacquer. At the end of the day .... it's all about the music.