Gone But Not Forgotten
This section is devoted to the many guitars I've had pass through my hands over the past several years. I am admittedly a better buyer than a seller, but sometimes I let a few go to fund my desire for something else. Each one of these guitars has a story... some I miss more than others, but every one found a new home and a happy owner. As they say, you can't keep 'em all! -JB
2008 American Standard- Blizzard Pearl
This one was one I hated to see go... but someone posted a want ad looking for this exact guitar, and as you may have noticed, I have quite a few other American Standards and decided to do my good deed for the hobby and help someone else fulfill their own Stratocaster dream. I could have probably sold it for more money, but the offer made was fair, and I honestly can't play all of these as much as they deserve to be played... so with that said, I passed this one on to a new owner who I know will enjoy it as much as I have. It's a good one, weighing under 7.5 lbs, and very lively. Over the years I have swayed between rosewood and maple fretboards, and have really taken a liking to the gloss finish on the face of these 2008-present USA Strats. Oh, and that Blizzard Pearl finish? Photos don't do it justice... it's got a pearlecent glow that cannot be captured in photographs. A really nice color that is destined to be a future classic.
1989 Strat Plus Deluxe
This was the second Strat Plus to be added to my collection. I already had the red one shown on the previous page, and decided that if i could ever find another as nice as that one I would buy it. Well this one is that guitar. I have a soft spot for Pewter, and it's my person favorite color for an 80's era Stratocaster... While I already had a Pewter Strat in my collection, it has a rosewood fretboard and is not a "Plus" model. This one is not only a Strat Plus, but it is a first year "Strat Plus Deluxe, which features a Gold, Silver, and Blue Lace Sensor pickup combo. As with my other '89, the build quality on this is perfect, nice tight neck pocket, flawless finish, and a neck that is simply a joy to play.
Fiesta Red Stratocaster w/ Gold Hardware
'Fiesta Red' Stratocaster with Gold Hardware
This was a partscaster I put together several years ago to fulfill my desire for a Strat with Fiesta Red with gold hardware. I searched for a long time to find all the appropriate bits and pieces to create a replica of the famous "Hank Marvin" Strat. Although i did end up taking some liberties in it's accuracy, the influence was definitely that guitar. I thought I'd love it, but when i finally finished it up I decided it was a bit gaudy for my tastes... A very nice guitar, and played well, I just decided the gold appointments were "too much", and almost swapped it all out for standard chrome when someone showed interest in buying it. All in all I'm glad I owned it, but I'm glad it found an owner who appriciated it more than I did!
60's Danocaster Strat
This was my second Danocaster. I bought it used about 30 seconds after it was listed for sale. It was probably one of the lightest Strats I've ever played, likely due in part to the one piece ash body. Dan told me this was the first ash bodied Strat he ever did, and I was a good one. The neck was chunky, very similar to my '62 AVRI Hotrod, but with a much more "worn-in" feel. The Rocketfire Total 60's pickups were fabulous, and the lightly relic'd finish was cool, I just couldn't help but yearn for a different color. Silly I know, but when I got the chance to buy my Sonic Blue Danocaster Strat, I decided to let someone else enjoy this one. I really wish I could keep every guitar I've ever owned, but the fact is I already have more than I need! I tell people the only thing more difficult than trying to buy a Danocaster is trying to let one go!
Surf Green 60's style Stratocaster
Surf Green 60's Style Stratocaster
This was one of the first Strat I ever built. I would probably still own this if not for the fact that I built a near twin to it. That one is still in my collection and is identical, the only difference being the pearloid pickguard. I've always loved Surf Green, and this one was a stunner. Solid ash body, AVRI hardware used throughout, and a nice tinted amber 60's style neck. I took these pics the same day I sold it. The guy who bought it was thrilled when it arrived, and has been playing it regularly ever since. While I hate parting with guitars, It always makes me happy to hear from a satisfied new owner. The fact that I still have it's twin brother doesn't hurt either!
60's Relic Stratocaster
This one was one of my first online Strat purchases... It was an Alder Fender body, finished in aged white nitro with plenty of bumps, bruises, and weatherchecking. The hardware was all AVRI Fender, and had an amazing slab board neck on it from AllParts, with real clay dots and side markers. The pickups were "Chubtone 69's" and were possibly the best sounding Stratocaster pickups I've ever had aside from my personal favorite, Rocketfire total 60's. The "green" guard was a very authentic replica of an original mid-60's piece, and the tuners were original Kluson double lines. Overall just a really great sounding and playing strat. I sold it in a moment of weakness, but I'm sure the current owner is enjoying it every bit as much as I did.
Ash Bodied Sunburst Custom Build Stratocaster
2 Color Sunburst Stratocaster
I'm generally not a huge fan of Sunburst finishes, but this one had such a nice ash body it was hard not to love it. I put it together from parts, and it actually had 2 different necks on it during the time I had it. Although the finish was more of a 50's style 'burst, I prefer the looks and specs of the 60's Strats, so I ultimately ended up using a rosewood slab board, and a mint green Fender pickguard. The pickups were from an American Standard, and the hardware was all Fender AVRI. It had some weight to it, probably over 8 pounds total, but it really sustained well and was well balanced. It wasboth a great player and a great looker... I probably should have kept it, but at the time I had several other projects in the works, and decided to advertise it for sale. it sold within 48 hours, and the buyer loved it.
Eric Clapton Signature Series Stratocaster
2003 Eric Clapton Signature Series
This was the only "Artist Series" Fender i've ever owned. While I am a Clapton fan, I must admit the color is what drew me to this model more than the "Slowhand" connection. Candy Green was only ever offered on this model, and this particular one had a brighter, more vivid green than any others I've seen before it or since. I still dig the color, but never really was a maple neck kinda guy. The pickguard was upgraded to a white pearloid, simply because I believed it looked nicer than the single ply solid white one it was delivered with. This one was a 2001, and featured the Fender Noiseless pickups and active boost. It sounded great, it looked great, I even liked the profile of the neck, I just wish there was a rosewood option. This one went to a very happy customer who was gigging it regularly the last I heard.
'62 American Vintage "Hot Rod" Stratocaster
1962 Vintage 'Hot Rod' Reissue Stratocaster
Of all the guitars I've owned and sold, this one was probably my biggest regret. I only owned this a short while, and bought it at a time when I shouldn't have spent the money. I had a bad case of buyers remorse and sold it within 2 weeks of opening the case for the first time. It was an absolutely amazing guitar though, with the best neck profile I've ever felt on a Strat, period. I loved the pickups, the thin skin Sherwood Green finish, and the flamed maple on the back of the neck. I'd buy this one back tomorrow if I could. I'm not sure if every one of these is as good as the the one I had, but I must admit I've been tempted to seek out another one just like this again. I doubt I'd ever find another one with a neck this pretty. I should have just kept it!
"Danocaster" Whiteguard Telecaster
Blonde 'whiteguard' Danocaster Tele
Speaking of regrets... I still haven't figured out why I parted with this. I had a long list of people who regularly hounded me to sell it, and the answer was always the same... "no way". Well one afternoon I sat and played this one back to back against my Danocaster Esquire, and was so impressed by how the single-pickup guitar could do as much or more than the Tele... Now don't get me wrong, this is an amazing guitar, and the best Telecaster I ever owned, but I decided in my head that day that if I ever had to choose between my blackguard Esquire or this blonde Tele, The Esquire would get the nod. Well, it wasn't 2 days later someone inquired about this, and in a weak moment I agreed to sell it. I had seller's remorse almost instantly, but I kept my end of the bargain and shipped it off to a thrilled new owner. I hope to own another one of these someday, but I would buy this one back in a heartbeat.
Edwards Les Paul P90 Goldtop
Edwards Goldtop Les Paul with P90's
Here's a bit of a change-up from the norm... (At least for me!) I had been reading a lot lately about P90 pickups, and from the descriptions and testimonials I've heard, they sounded like something I definitely would like. I've ALWAYS had a secret lust for goldtop Les Pauls, and decided I wanted a '56 Reissue or "R6" and they are commonly referred to by LP enthusiasts. I'll admit I was shocked to discover they retail for close to $4000.00USD, and even a nice used example can often reach close to $3000.00USD. Alot of money for a guitar I "might" like! I searched around at local shops and online, and came dangerously close to buying a nice used R6 for a little over 2 grand. It was indeed a "good deal", but I still couldn't justify spending that much on it.
By chance, during an internet search for something similar, I discovered that ESP of Japan had a line of guitars that were marketed solely in Japan, and had many of the same features of a Gibson R6, including the fabled "long neck tenon", real P90's, solid maple cap, non-chambered, full binding on a solid mohogany body. Heck, even the Gibson signature "open book" headstock shape was identical! My search then shifted from finding a nice R6 to instead find a nice Edwards goldtop that was already imported from Japan, as I was antsy about attempting to order one from overseas myself. My search ended when someone responded to an ad I placed, explaining that they had the exact guitar I was looking for, in virtually unplayed condition. We settled on a price, and within 2 days I had it in my hands!
Now I admittedly have never actually played a "real" R6 Gibson, but I can tell you that this guitar is absolutely flawless in construction, has a tone that is unmistakably "Les Paul", and the P90's are everything I hoped they'd be and more. The guitar is set up perfectly, is a nice weight at about 8 pounds, and has totally exceeded my expectations. I won't say I don't still lust after a Gibson '56 Historic, but this one has definitely earned its place in my collection!
By chance, during an internet search for something similar, I discovered that ESP of Japan had a line of guitars that were marketed solely in Japan, and had many of the same features of a Gibson R6, including the fabled "long neck tenon", real P90's, solid maple cap, non-chambered, full binding on a solid mohogany body. Heck, even the Gibson signature "open book" headstock shape was identical! My search then shifted from finding a nice R6 to instead find a nice Edwards goldtop that was already imported from Japan, as I was antsy about attempting to order one from overseas myself. My search ended when someone responded to an ad I placed, explaining that they had the exact guitar I was looking for, in virtually unplayed condition. We settled on a price, and within 2 days I had it in my hands!
Now I admittedly have never actually played a "real" R6 Gibson, but I can tell you that this guitar is absolutely flawless in construction, has a tone that is unmistakably "Les Paul", and the P90's are everything I hoped they'd be and more. The guitar is set up perfectly, is a nice weight at about 8 pounds, and has totally exceeded my expectations. I won't say I don't still lust after a Gibson '56 Historic, but this one has definitely earned its place in my collection!