From: cmb@calmasd.prime.com
Newsgroups: alt.guitar
Subject: Re: The Unreplaceable Acoustic
Date: 1 Sep 92 20:44:41 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Computervision - A Division of Prime Computer

In article <92244.185544OPA@psuvm.psu.edu>, OPA@psuvm.psu.edu (Behrend AArea) writes:
> I am the proud owner of an Ibanez acoustic, Sure you are all saying big deal.
> Well you see it may not be a Martin or an Ovation but it was my Grandpa's. My
> Grandma gave it to me after my grandfather passed away.  It is around ten years
> old but looks like it was purchased yesterday.  The day I got it.....the case
> was old and dusty, the clamps old and squeaky, but when I opened it the guitar
> shined so bright I had to shield my eyes.  I'll never forget how I felt when I
> saw that the Kapo was still on it and the pick still stuck in the strings like
> he just got done playing.  My Grandfather might not be around any more but his
> music will always be alive in me and his guitar.  Anyone else out there with
> interesting stories of their guitars?

Yeah!  I have the same sort of affection for my Grandfather's old axe.  
He passed away in 1964 and left behind a 1941 Martin for me and my brother.  
I became a professional musician because of this event!  Out of sentiment, 
I've kept the old case, metal slide and accessories that came with the guitar.  
I only had it on the road with me once during a tour, so I usually play it at 
home.  Due to it's age, it's in the shop right now being looked after for some 
cracks that began to develope, and for overall maintenance...it's the first 
time I've ever had it out for repair.  I spent years looking for the best 
luthier I could find before trusting someone to repair it!  

Most of my favorite guitars are old.  I really believe that the "relationship" 
that one developes with an instrument is more important than the precise 
quality of of it's components.  I get more inspiration...more tone, from this
dimension than I do when I pick up some polished piece of fine artillary with 
all the latest gizmos.  I often tell people that it's like having a favorite
tool in the garage--a new hammer works just fine...but Grandpa's hammer talks 
to YOU personally.  The Japanese have wonderful words in their language that 
translate these connotations of affinity that one developes toward well-worn
and trusted possessions.  For instance, their w "shibui" tranlates to so 
something like "the beauty of aging" and it denotes the emotional power that 
one senses due to their relationship with this item of beauty. (Proust's 
REMEMBERANCE OF THINGS PAST was triggered by the taste of a cookie dipped in 
tea.)  This is what we sense when we see "Grandpa's guitar"... 

That's why I have a hard time relating to the sterile arguments posted here 
regarding "who makes the best guitar?" Martin? Guild? Fender?  Man...they are 
ALL good if you putthem into the hands of someone that knows who to RELATE to 
the instrument.  That's why people like David Lindley, Ry Cooder, Skunk Baxter 
and a thousand others can smoke a sound out of a $25 pawnshop special that most
people would die for!  It's not just WHAT you play, nor is it just HOW you play
--it's your relationship to the instrument and how well you can translate that 
emotionally to yourself and the listener...So there! : )

Mark Bonney