Lunch Report Friday, April 4, 2014 Luck is golden

Hi gang,

There hasn't been a Lunch Report for a while nor have I posted a lot lately. But it just so happens I have something exciting to share. No questions, just a bunch of guitar porn and a good story.

It has been quite the month for me. I got laid-off 3 weeks ago, received a phone call 3 days later whether I wanted to come back, nevertheless decided to look around first and found a new job within a week with great pay and interesting roll to play within my new company. I start the middle of this month and enjoying a nice decompression vacation right now. Chances are this might be the best thing that has happened to me. Life is strange in that respect.

Lunch: Don't know yet. Had coffee with friends and ex-colleagues earlier today to maintain a longstanding Friday morning tradition. Had a so-called 'Morning Glory' muffin for breakfast. So maybe it is a BR instead of LR.

Now talk about luck. Right around the time of the lay-off there was this beautiful Z-3 on eBay with gold hardware. Together with a Will Ray Sig, ASAT Classic Custom, and (Savannah Collection) ASAT Classic Bluesboy 90, the Z-3 was still missing in my collection. And I have been lusting over Darwin's beautiful Z-3 SH with gold hardware up to the point of getting ready to send him a mail whether he wanted to part with it. But given my situation, I thought I'd have to pass on this one. Fortunately, the auction ended after I had secured a job and to commemorate that event I wanted this guitar bad. Suffice it to say I paid less than $1K for it.

When CLF20851 came in Wednesday, I started to take pictures to put up on my website. First, this is what she looks like front and back:


The non-G&L branded tolex hardshell case it came in missed its center latch but I happened to have a period correct case in surplus:


Taking the neck of revealed it was built in November of 2000:


She has a beautiful slightly flamed Tinted Gun-ooil Glossy Neck, some kick-ass gold hardware, and wood binding for the top:



Then I realized yesterday afternoon that I had forgotten to peek under the pickguard so off came the neck again. And that's when all the fun started. This is what I found:

You see the specs written out completely plus a mention of 'NAMM' in the upper left corner. This cannot mean anything different than that this guitar was intended to be shown at the Winter NAMM held January 18-21, 2001, in Anaheim, CA. Well, that is pretty cool. Explains the suberb workmanship on this specimen.

And then it occurred to me. I had been lusting over another Z-3 SH with gold hardware and had to jog my memory where I had seen that picture. I went through all my books, articles, and catalogs and this is what I found in the 2001 G&L catalog:

Click the image to see it bigger and than compare it to this shot of the body:


Yup. It is the same guitar; something I had not realized until that moment. Beautiful gift for my 50th birthday this April 6 (that's gold isn't it if it was a marriage?) As I said earlier, talk about luck! And a good start of the 2nd half of my life!

- Jos

beautiful and great find ... now you need the Blue Sparkle in the ad to have the whole page ... congrats on the new job and Happy Birthday !! , it's intersting how things work out in life

Jos, you have had quite a month! Great news about the new job. you had been putting in a lot of hours on the old one. This happened to me when I was 58, I made some choices and have never looked back. At that time in my life, I became self employed. I just had a good ham on wheat bread sandwich for lunch. We had 8 inches of new, wet snow this morning so I have everything shoveled out.

Thanks for the mention of my Gold Clad Z-3. It still drops my jaw when I look at it on the wall. The flamed neck on yours is wild. Mine has less flaming. You are very fortunate to have found a guitar with the history which you have discovered after the fact. These Z-3's are stunning and I know that Craig also has one that is beautiful. It's a good thing you didn't contact Ginny as she may have shipped it to you!

Happy Birthday and I wish I were your age. I knew that you were still a young pup! -- Darwin

beautiful and great find ... now you need the Blue Sparkle in the ad to have the whole page ... congrats on the new job and Happy Birthday !! , it's intersting how things work out in life

Thanks Fumble. You are right; life once in a while throws you strange, but interesting, curve balls. If I hadn't been laid-off, I would have felt blessed but then the opportunity would't have presented itself. I had 4 job offers to ponder over last weekend. It was nice to learn that my qualifications were in high demand.

- Jos

Thanks for the mention of my Gold Clad Z-3. It still drops my jaw when I look at it on the wall. The flamed neck on yours is wild. Mine has less flaming. You are very fortunate to have found a guitar with the history which you have discovered after the fact. These Z-3's are stunning and I know that Craig also has one that is beautiful. It's a good thing you didn't contact Ginny as she may have shipped it to you

Thanks for the well wishes Darwin. Another thing about my Z-3: it is absolutely feather light. I handed it to my wife yesterday and she almost pulled a muscle

- Jos

Hey Jos,

Life happens in funny ways sometimes, glad this turn appears to be a good one for you.

Now that Z3....she's a beauty

I love those and the semi hollow's in particular, mine has no f-hole but they all sound great. Sweet find and you guys with the gold hardware just make me want to go shopping. lol

Happy Birthday and enjoy yer new surrouundings, maybe there's a gitar player or two there as well.

Happy Birthday and enjoy yer new surrouundings, maybe there's a gitar player or two there as well.

Thanks Sam! At least I know there's a bass player down there. He's a friend of mine

- Jos

Nice, nice, nice! I still don't understand why G&L finished the back of an all-ash guitar in black instead of sunburst. Mine is little later and has a sunburst back and the pull-up pot switch for the neck + bridge pu combo.

She's a beauty! The stars are aligning in the yowhatsshakin house.

Thanks for sharing the story and happy 50th Jos!

GG, I noticed that too, but it sure makes it unique, one of a kind most likely. It is a great find. Here is the back of mine.-- Darwin

Congratulations on the new job and the Z-3! I had a flame top cherry-burst Z-3 for a month. Someone stole or lost mine and I've never bothered to replace it. The whole ordeal still pisses me off to this day. I ordered mine at the time they were doing the back black thing, and I had them burst the back.

Nice, nice, nice! I still don't understand why G&L finished the back of an all-ash guitar in black instead of sunburst. Mine is little later and has a sunburst back and the pull-up pot switch for the neck + bridge pu combo.[/img]

Greg, I don't know either. If I go through my ASAT collection and check for Sunburst finishes (Tobacco, 2-tone, and 3-tone), guitars prior to 2001 have black backs, those later have burst backs. But my F-100 and G-200 have Sunburst front and backs, as does e.g. your 1991 ASAT, so go figure. Was it something typical to Tobacco Sunburst finishes in the day? Don't know.

- Jos

She's a beauty! The stars are aligning in the yowhatsshakin house.

Thanks for sharing the story and happy 50th Jos!

Thanks fianoman! Much appreciated.

Congratulations on the new job and the Z-3! I had a flame top cherry-burst Z-3 for a month. Someone stole or lost mine and I've never bothered to replace it. The whole ordeal still pisses me off to this day. I ordered mine at the time they were doing the back black thing, and I had them burst the back.

Thanks Steve! And that is one major bummer. Has it ever been registered? What S/N should we be on the lookout for? If you know the S/N and it has not been registered, you should register it under your name and mention it was stolen. Would be very helpful for the likes like me.

- Jos

Nice, nice, nice! I still don't understand why G&L finished the back of an all-ash guitar in black instead of sunburst. Mine is little later and has a sunburst back and the pull-up pot switch for the neck + bridge pu combo.[/img]

Greg, I don't know either. If I go through my ASAT collection and check for Sunburst finishes (Tobacco, 2-tone, and 3-tone), guitars prior to 2001 have black backs, those later have burst backs. But my F-100 and G-200 have Sunburst front and backs, as does e.g. your 1991 ASAT, so go figure. Was it something typical to Tobacco Sunburst finishes in the day? Don't know.

- Jos

First, congratulations on all accounts!

This post in the G&L Knowledgebase will explain the reasoning used for their bursted finishes: Can you explain the Bursted finishes on G&L instruments? [hint: top wood binding ].

Edit: I just noticed that Greg's Z-3 has top wood binding, so that one does seem to be an exception. Perhaps a custom order.



Welcome to the Z-3 SH Gold hardware club!

Congratulations on the new job and the Z-3! I had a flame top cherry-burst Z-3 for a month. Someone stole or lost mine and I've never bothered to replace it. The whole ordeal still pisses me off to this day. I ordered mine at the time they were doing the back black thing, and I had them burst the back.

Thanks Steve! And that is one major bummer. Has it ever been registered? What S/N should we be on the lookout for? If you know the S/N and it has not been registered, you should register it under your name and mention it was stolen. Would be very helpful for the likes like me.

- Jos

I sent you PM

[First, congratulations on all accounts!

This post in the G&L Knowledgebase will explain the reasoning used for their bursted finishes: Can you explain the Bursted finishes on G&L instruments? [hint: top wood binding ].

Edit: I just noticed that Greg's Z-3 has top wood binding, so that one does seem to be an exception. Perhaps a custom order.



Welcome to the Z-3 SH Gold hardware club!

Thanks for the reference Craig. And I'm happy to be a member of the (rather exclusive) club Still too bad gold hardware is no longer offered as an option. It really looks good in certain configurations.

- Jos

Congrats all the way around, Jos!

Ken

Congrats all the way around, Jos!

Ken

Thanks Ken!

Just happens that mine also has the top wood binding. interesting details here! -- Darwin

Nice!

Congratulations on the new job and that fine guitar!

RickT

Great to read such a fine good-luck story!
And Z-3's are wonderful things; plus yours was born gorgeous.

Congratulations on the new job and that fine guitar!

RickT

Thanks Rick. One more week of decompression and then the new job starts. Really looking forward to it.

- Jos

Great to read such a fine good-luck story!
And Z-3's are wonderful things; plus yours was born gorgeous.

Thanks Nick. I'm still pinching myself at times wondering how it got to be a guitar with such discoverable history ended up in my collection.

- Jos

Congratulations on all accounts, Jos!

Congratulations on all accounts, Jos!

Thanks Jamie! Turns out she is not just the looker. Still have to wrap my head around how light she is. Very, very comfortable. And she know how to snap, growl, and wail …

- Jos

Hey Jos ,
Firstly , Happy Birthday . 50 is a ripper of a number. Not that I know but I will in a few years .
Sounds like you had to make a big decision regarding your work . From what I gather you're one smart dude so I'm sure you made the right decision.
Life is made up of decisions ,some have a big impact on our lives and others aren't so important .

So guitars , that's a cool guitar you just found .
What's your favourite ? If that's too hard to answer (favourites)
Importantly , what is the next guitar you are searching for ?
Congratulations mate

Hey Jos ,
Firstly , Happy Birthday . 50 is a ripper of a number. Not that I know but I will in a few years .
Sounds like you had to make a big decision regarding your work . From what I gather you're one smart dude so I'm sure you made the right decision.
Life is made up of decisions ,some have a big impact on our lives and others aren't so important .

So guitars , that's a cool guitar you just found .
What's your favourite ? If that's too hard to answer (favourites)
Importantly , what is the next guitar you are searching for ?
Congratulations mate

Thanks man! That is a tough question you're asking. The flippant answer would be: "the one I'm playing right now". While enjoying the last days of vacation, I went down this afternoon intending to play the new Z-3 SH. But for some reason I opened the case for my 1980 F-100 and started playing it and could just not put it down. But I can tell you the one I get back to the most is my 1999 ASAT Classic, the first ASAT I ever got. I also love every single student model, they are just wonderful simple tools to make beautiful music, and my ebony board Broadcaster. The only one I do not like is the hog ASAT Bluesboy: just not the right combination of pups.

The models I'm still missing are a ASAT Classic Custom (the ASAT Classic early version as Ken just found as well as the later version with the wide-bobbin MFD neck pup), Will Ray Signature, ASATCat, and (Savannah) ASAT Bluesboy 90. Which one will come first? Don't know. And of course, G&L will release some new version just when I get close

- Jos

Talk about stars lining up

...and for less than a grand?
That must have been the nicest board in the shop for that neck.
Namm guitars FTW


Happy 50th , your doin' it with style!

The gold looks good on G&L's , they are worthy .

I'd like to see some other hardware options .Gold and Black Crinkle .

Back to the burnin' the midnight oil,
elwood

Talk about stars lining up

...and for less than a grand?
That must have been the nicest board in the shop for that neck.
Namm guitars FTW

Hey Elwood,

Thanks for the well wishes!

The seller told me that the guitar had been bought new, had never been played, and that the original owner is suffering from Alzheimer. I must admit that after I discovered the history, I felt this weird mixture of being sorry for the seller and elation for myself but at the time of the transaction I didn't know any better either. And my entered amount was considerably higher than what it went for. I am still exceedingly happy it ended up here.

- Jos

Congratulations on the new job and the great looking Z-3. That appears to be the exact guitar featured in that ad and I would consider myself very lucky if I were to be able to buy such a nice guitar.
G&L does know how to dress them up for NAMM shows.

That doodle under the neck was done by some longtime G&L employee. Others may remember the guy's name but that is a true piece of G&L history that you now own.

That doodle under the neck was done by some longtime G&L employee. Others may remember the guy's name but that is a true piece of G&L history that you now own.

I've seen that on many of my neck heels now. Whoever this person is, (s)he would always write 'Neckwork' followed by initials and the year. Would love to actually the actual name so if somebody knows …

- Jos

Wow Jos. Special guitar, stellar story, and way to land on your feet like that. Enjoy your well-deserved break. I think I know how you'll spend quite a bit of it! - ed

Wow Jos. Special guitar, stellar story, and way to land on your feet like that. Enjoy your well-deserved break. I think I know how you'll spend quite a bit of it! - ed

Thanks Ed! Yes, I played a lot of guitar the last 2 weeks. Now it is the strange mixture of sadness that the vacation is over but also elation and excitement to get my hands dirty again next week.

- Jos

...The seller told me that the guitar had been bought new, had never been played, and that the original owner is suffering from Alzheimer. I must admit that after I discovered the history, I felt this weird mixture of being sorry for the seller and elation for myself but at the time of the transaction I didn't know any better either. And my entered amount was considerably higher than what it went for. I am still exceedingly happy it ended up here....

It is sad that the original owner no longer has the capacity to comprehend such things. If I were in his shoes I cannot think of any better stranger to gain possession of the guitar than a guy who is curator of a G&L museum. The man probably knew what he had. Someone acquiring a significant item like this would appreciate a fellow who cared to understand every detail. This is miraculous.

It is also wonderful to hear of someone bouncing through an employment hiccup with such grace.

Congratulations on the new ASAT and the new job and a belated Happy 50th Birthday! I celebrated my 48th the day after you. Beautiful guitar with quite a history. I've seen an ASAT Classic Custom for sale in Ontario on Kijiji but that would be quite a drive for you.

...The seller told me that the guitar had been bought new, had never been played, and that the original owner is suffering from Alzheimer. I must admit that after I discovered the history, I felt this weird mixture of being sorry for the seller and elation for myself but at the time of the transaction I didn't know any better either. And my entered amount was considerably higher than what it went for. I am still exceedingly happy it ended up here....

It is sad that the original owner no longer has the capacity to comprehend such things. If I were in his shoes I cannot think of any better stranger to gain possession of the guitar than a guy who is curator of a G&L museum. The man probably knew what he had. Someone acquiring a significant item like this would appreciate a fellow who cared to understand every detail. This is miraculous.

It is also wonderful to hear of someone bouncing through an employment hiccup with such grace.

Thanks Salmon, much appreciated!

Concerning your last point, this is the analogy I have come up with. Initially you feel like you're thrown in front of the bus. But for some weird reason they must not have thrown very accurately and the doors of the bus just happened to be open. Now mind you, the landing is still very uncomfortable: you bang your head into the gear shifter, the seat of the the bus driver, and are rolling around a bit. But after picking yourself up, stumbling to an empty seat, and staring out the window for a while, you all of a sudden realize the bus is taking you to wonderful places you otherwise would never have encountered!

And yes, I also hope that if the previous owner would know where the guitar ended up he would be content too.

- Jos

Congratulations on the new ASAT and the new job and a belated Happy 50th Birthday! I celebrated my 48th the day after you. Beautiful guitar with quite a history. I've seen an ASAT Classic Custom for sale in Ontario on Kijiji but that would be quite a drive for you.

Case24,

Thanks, and if I only would have know I could have spent my vacation on a road trip …

- Jos