After visiting a G&L dealer last Monday and coming home empty handed (another story by itself), I logged into the G&L Buy-Sell-Trade Group on Facebook. There it was - a 1981 G-200 for sale. There was something special about this one, however. Barb Garrett had listed the guitar for her husband Larry (HLG). I slept on it that night and showed my wife the next morning. I explained what a G-200 was and her reply was "It sounds like you need it for the collection." Yes, I wanted and needed it. I committed to the sale the next day with Barb. Since we only live 5 hours apart and shipping a vintage nitrocellulose guitar in cold weather is risky, we decided to meet half way. We decided to meet at the end of the week. It was the longest 3 days ever.
Last Friday, I met Larry and Barb in person to complete the transaction. They showed me the guitar and it was as expected. I closed up the case after looking it over. Barb invited me into their vehicle to talk G&L with Larry. Larry insisted on opening the case back up to display the guitar on the back seat as we talked in the front seats. During the visit the SUV started to fill with the sweet smell of vintage nitrocellulose in a vintage case. Larry would look over at it from time to time during our visit. He reached over and ran his fingers across the strings one last time before Barb closed the case. I assured him that it would have a good home and be well cared for.
After our visit, we decided it was time to exchange my cash for his guitar and say goodbye. I promised him a picture of the G-200 with some of its G&L siblings (other guitars in my collection). I shared the pictures with Larry and Barb and thought I would share a few here as well since many of you know him.
Chip
