Lunch Report for Monday, June 6, 2011

[Boogie Bill]

Welcome to Monday! I hope it goes well for you. My name is Bill and I’m the Lunch Reporter for this week.

Today is a really special day. It was 67 years ago that Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy to begin the liberation of Europe from the Axis Powers. Take a moment to remember the sacrifices of those men.

To introduce myself, I am 60 years old, and I’ve been playing the guitar since 1964 or so. I’m actually a college dropout, I left college in 1971 to go follow my dream and play music. Of course I had bands in high school and college, and I was also active in drama. (So the rumors that I was once a thespian are true!) My first real paying gig was as a solo act, working the winter of 1971-72 at a ski resort outside of Seattle. I actually supported myself solely through music for about 12 years. I’m “semi-retired” due to some health issues, but I still play with my G/K/B/D classic rock cover band. It really is what’s keeping me young; and playing is probably what’s keeping me alive!

(And moving the gear makes me feel really O-L-D!!!!)

I live in a bedroom community of Portland, Oregon; but until ten years ago I had lived my entire adult life in Seattle, Washington. I was actually born in Hamilton, Ohio, and we moved west when I was ten. Southern Ohio is beautiful, and I have very fond memories, but the West Coast is my HOME. It is just spectacularly gorgeous here—I’m about two hours from the Pacific Ocean, and two hours the other way to incredible skiing on Mt. Hood (an inactive volcano in the Cascade Range.) And we have the incredible scenic Columbia Gorge. Wind-surfing and para-sailing are popular sports in the river, as the easterly winds can be fierce in the Gorge. But careful, those rivers are mostly glacier run-off—and they can be deadly due to the frigid waters.

I don’t really have a lot of hobbies, though I do like reading spy novels and police procedurals. I like Vince Flynn and Lee Child, John Sandford and James Patterson, and the adventure novels of Clive Cussler. I also read a lot of history—right now I’m reading a book on the Custer battle at Little Big Horn—which has fascinated me for years; and next up is an account of the WWII invasion of Sicily; and then a book on Lincoln. I also enjoy a good cop show on TV. But, my main hobby is music and guitars. I currently have 48 guitars (including a 5-string resonator banjo and a Precision “Lyte” bass) in my collection, which is totally ridiculous and unnecessary. But it is my only real vice, and I take them all out and play them. I have 16 G&Ls, two each of the Comanche, S-500 and Legacy Special models; nine Legacys, and a lone ASAT Deluxe.


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Since I live on the West Coast, I’m going to try to post my Reports the night before so the East Coast guys will have something to do at lunch! LOL! So since I’m posting at night, this might be time to inquire about late-night snacks. Got a favorite snack ritual before you go to bed? I’m usually taking a handful of pills at bedtime, so I really need to have something in my stomach before my head hits the pillow. Maybe you’re like Dagwood Bumstead, and raid the refrigerator in the middle of the night?

(That Bumstead guy—I hate him!!! Not only is married to the prettiest woman in the Comics section, but he never gains any weight!!! Not fair!!! He’s always taking naps, and he never does any exercise—and not an ounce of fat!!! No beer belly, not even love handles!!! NOT FAIR!!! I’m complaining because my body type is more like Hagar the Horrible! LOL!)

Do you read the comics, and if you do, tell us which ones are your favorites.


=====================

Went to the Portland Guitar Show yesterday (Sunday) and had a good time looking around. The big ticket item was one guy’s early ‘60s sunburst Gibson ES-345 with Stereo and Varitone; asking price of $20,000. I passed. My only purchase this year was Shubb capo that I snagged for $3. I also passed on a pair of unused Lindy Fralin Unbuckers that I could have bought for $100 for the set. I know I’m going to regret that—it was a great deal, but I really don’t have a guitar I would put them in at this time.

There were a lot of mid-priced guitars in the $350--$700 range—some of them bargains. I really liked the royal blue Fender Aerodyne ($450)—I’d never seen one in that color, and it played as beautifully as it looked. Miss Leslie came with me, and she fell in lust with an original 70’s Dean Explorer with a Silver Burst finish. The guitar was immaculate, but not quite a steal at $1,700. Deans of that era have beautiful fast necks—the fingerboard edges are rolled in, and they are extremely comfortable. If you ever see a vintage Dean, give it a try.

The two guitars that I fell in love with were a 2008 R7 Gibson Historic 1957 Re-issue Gold-top VOS ($2,400); and a 2004 Gibson ES-335 in black ($1,400). I wanted the 335 as it played very nicely. It had this “biker black leather” vibe to it; and well, everybody knows that black guitars sound better, LOL! It had an invisible and excellently repaired headstock break, which wasn’t a big issue for me. If it had been a little less, I might have taken the jump. So I kept my wallet in my pocket—a good thing, since I’m a little cash-poor at the moment, and I don’t want to spend the rest of my life without a girlfriend, i.e. HOMELESS! I did enter a contest to win an amp cover from D2F covers of Kirkland, Washington, so keep your fingers crossed. (You can register on their website for their monthly cover giveaway.)

I only saw three G&Ls at the show. I happened to run into James Fox, who is the G&L rep for the Pacific Northwest. I remembered him from the last Will Ray Clinic I went to. James is a really nice guy and we had a great chat. He had some samples of the BBE and G&L pedals, and an ASAT and a Comanche. Of course, I gravitated right for the Comanche and was showing this stunning guitar to Miss Leslie when I realized that it was a TRIBUTE!! WOW! Beautiful Amber Burst finish on flame maple—it was gorgeous.

The other G&L instrument I saw was a 5-string bass, a 2500 model. It was a three-color sunburst, and had an ebony fingerboard with the six-bolt neck and a matching headstock. Another gorgeous instrument, and I thought it was a good deal at $700 (with case), from a motivated seller willing to deal. I loved the neck, but I’m no bass player. Seemed like a very good value.


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So, some topics for discussion:

Ever been to guitar show?

What is the farthest you’ve ever traveled to a show?

Ever bought anything at a show, especially a G&L?

Anything you really, really, really regret NOT buying?

How would you rate your buying experience—and the overall experience of the show(s)?


=====================

Like I said, I was very impressed with the Tributes I saw.

Do you own a Tribute model?

Do you own both a Tribute and a USA G&L? How do they compare, and which one do you prefer and play the most?

If you were to buy a Tribute, which model would it be?

Would you like to see more finish colors available on the Tributes?


=====================

As for me, I find that I have trouble buying a guitar at a show—the atmosphere just isn’t conductive. It’s too noisy, and there can be a kind of “feeding frenzy” mentality. The Seattle and Portland shows are pretty small, nothing like the Arlington show. That’s a show I would love to go to someday. But I love going to them—and I’ll be heading for Seattle for the next vintage show in September. I thought prices were down this year, and there was not as much high-end stuff—a lot more in that medium range. I was there early and left early, so I didn’t see very many sales.

I don’t own a Tribute, but I am coming around to the idea that a Tribute ASAT Special or Classic might be a good thing to have in my collection. They are fabulous guitars for not a lot of money. I would like to see more colors available, but if that helps them keep costs down, then okay—I can live with it.

But a green Legacy HB just popped up on Craigslist. Forest green,….hmmm. That smoke you smell is from the wheels turning!


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I’ll check in throughout the day, so behave yourselves!

Have a good Monday—and remember out veterans.

Bill

[Dr B]

Hi Bill

My grandfather was in the British Army and was involved with the beach campaigns as well as being one of the first (if not the first) to arrive at Belsen and help liberate the camp (he took a wrong turn and arrived there 3-days early!!!!). He never talked much about that experience as it was quite traumatic. All i know was he saw the people left behind that were either dead or starving and he was involved in having to dig a lot of graves....I will be thinking of all the men and women that gave and continue to give their lives.

I own a Tribute G&L Asat classic and its an amazing guitar. The main difference to my USA Legacy is the neck. The neck is way better on the USA models. Now, that's not to say the necks are not good on the tributes - but to me, this is where the most noticable difference is. The fretwork on the USAs is bigger and better, the necks also feel smother and better. However, my tribute has a great neck as well and i would put it up against USA F**der any day of the week. I think all tributes employ one basic neck shape and radius (9.5'') but i am sure Craig will correct me if this is wrong.

Note - a tribute Legacy will have a 9.5'' radius whereas a USA legacy will have a 12'' radius as standard.

Great job my friend - speak soon

[blargfromouterspace]

Alright! Should be some goooooood stories this week - I always enjoy your posts, Bill.

I enjoy a late night snack. It's usually something simple like toast with vegemite. I'm always hungry after gigs, and more often than not will stop at a McDonalds or a kebab caravan on the way home . I stopped at one called 'Mr Funny's Kebabs' on Friday - how can you resist a name like that!!! It's an unhealthy habit but the hell with it - I don't smoke anymore so I can do something bad for me.

I used to own a Japanese made Tribute L-2000, but never got around to learning bass. It was a very nicely made instrument.

I've only ever been to one guitar show and I was there to attend the Redd Volkaert clinic, not buy anything. The clinic was great. There were a number of G&Ls at the show, but they were unobtainable - you had to go to a dealer. I think it was more of a trade show.


Bill - what is a bedroom community?

[sirmyghin]

Well I can't contribute too much today. I have not been to a guitar show, and I do not own a tribute. Seeing as I came to G&L long after my learning years, I don't really see myself going the tribute route. I have a top quality bass and guitar, anything new to the collection needs to be able to compete with them, so chances are an import just won't cut the mustard.

[CGT]

Hey Boogie,

My late night snack of choice is a grilled cheese sandwich on good multigrain bread. Yummy. As for the comics, I don't read the kind that come in the papers, but I do have a soft spot for the superhero genre (I am now reading the current run of Wonder Woman -- an alternate take on the character -- written by J. Michael Strazscynski) and the 1960s run of Captain Marvel), plus I have a soft spot for the Scott Pilgrim books, as they are set in Toronto.

I've never been to a guitar show. I don't even know that there is one in this neck of the woods, and I don't know that I'd want to, because I would probably explode from excess GAS.

As for Tributes, they don't really enter into the equation for me: the going rate for used USA G&Ls is in the same ballpark as Tributes, so unless I got a really good deal on a secondhand Tribute, it wouldn't even cross my mind.

[Boogie Bill]

Dr. B: Thanks for the story about your grandfather. I know the soldiers who entered the concentration camps at the end of war were deeply affected by the horrors they saw. I've talked to many veterans over the years--it's always difficult for them to talk about their experieces--but the camps especially so.

I hear you about the necks. I really like the 12" radius on the Legacy. After years of playing vintage 7.25" Fenders, it took me about 2.2 seconds to fall in love with the Legacy neck. It's nearly impossible for me to play the old style neck these days, but I find the Fender 9.5 difficult as well.


blarg: I KNEW vegemite was going to come up this week, LOL! I've never tried it; wouldn't even know where to find it around here. I like to eat about an hour, hour and a half, before a gig; and then I'm ravenous afterwards. Actually the kebabs sound wonderful--better than a Big Mac, for sure!

Oh, and a "bedroom community" is just a suburb of a big city. The people in the small suburb town get up and go to work in the big city all day, and come home at night to sleep; hence "bedroom community".


sirmyghin: Hey, just a follow-up on my comment last week about frets wearing divots in my strings: probably some contributing factors are that I play with a fairly light strings (9s or 10s), I grip hard, and I strum the strings hard with a heavy pick and a medium-to-high action. I do a lot of string bending, and I have this cross-ways vibrato, ala B.B. King. I know it's not the best technique. I know guys who use a lower action, heavier strings and a lighter touch who put minimal wear on strings. And one of my friends has body chemistry that can kill a set of strings in less than 20 minutes of playing--they just go completely dead. That gets expensive!

I understand where you're coming from with the Tributes, and I pretty much feel the same way. But there is that thought that if I needed a tele-style guitar, a guitar that I wouldn't probably use all that much, it might be better to tie up minimal money into a guitar like the Tribute; and not feel like I just bought a cheap, crappy guitar.


CGT: I HAVE to read the funny pages every day. It's the only way I can stay sane after reading the front page and the business section! I used to love the comic books I had as a kid. I hung onto them, but I wish they were in better shape. One of my favorites was the Green Lantern--you KNOW I'll be going to see the new Green Lantern movie with Ryan Reynolds when it comes out.

Grilled cheese sandwiches? Hey, I am down with that! I'll sometimes even add a thin slice of ham. There are endless variations to this treat, and the bread makes such a big difference. I like using dark or caraway rye; and we have a local bakery that does a cracked-wheat sourdough that makes an excellent grilled chees sandwich. We may have to revisit this topic later in the week--I need some recipes!

Bill

[bassman]

Hi Bill,
Yes, I have been to a guitar show a few years back. The only thing I bought was a tortoise shell pickguard for a Jazz bass. I think it cost me 20 bucks out the door. The really cool part of a guitar show is that there is no sales tax on anything!
I do own a tribute L-2000. I wanted one with a maple finger board and this one came up on craigslist for a very reasonable price.
It is a great bass.


You are off to a great start, Bill

[Brock]

: So, some topics for discussion:

: Ever been to guitar show?

Nope! All due to a lack of opportunity here in Boise, Idaho.

: Do you own a Tribute model?

No.

: If you were to buy a Tribute, which model would it be?

I doubt I ever will own a Tribute.

-Brock

[repoman]

BB-
I don't read comic books but when I pick up the Sunday newspaper the first thing I read is the comic section. My favs in our paper are Pearls Before Swine, Brewster Rocket Space Guy, and Dilbert.
CGT mentioned the Scott Pilgrim comic books. I just happened to catch the Scott Pilgrim v. The World movie on HBO the other night. Didn't realize there was a comic series but it makes sense.

Only been to 1 guitar show many years ago. Didn't buy anything but played a couple of really nice Rickenbacker quitars.

I own a Tribute SB-2. I'm not really a bass player (some would say I'm not much of a guitar player either ) but wanted a bass for jamming and home demos. So a tribute really fit the bill for me. Its a real solid guitar and was a great deal for the money. I haven't played too many tributes but once compared Tribute and USA Bluesboys in a shop. I actually preferred the neck on the tribute, I really liked the feel of the 9.5 radius, I wish that was on option on the US models. And oddly, the f-hole edges were finished on the tribute but not on the USA model.

jeff

[Dr B]

Seeing as I came to G&L long after my learning years, I don't really see myself going the tribute route. I have a top quality bass and guitar, anything new to the collection needs to be able to compete with them, so chances are an import just won't cut the mustard.

I think you are slightly guilty here of a bit of anti-tribute snobbery here. I know lots of musicians that use tributes for gigs and touring and save their USA models for 'special gigs' and the studio (and tributes for air-travel). If you need a guitar rig of say three or four units for travelling to some toilet venues for gigs Tributes make a lot of sense (top tone for a fraction of the price). Now, i dont mean that to come over as being against the quality of tributes, i am just putting it in to context. A tribute makes a lot of sense if you broaden the context.

I own a USA Legacy and its stunning, but I would never turn my nose up on a good tribute if it came my way. Keep an open mind and all that. I still play my Asat classic tribute, and alot of my friends that come around for the odd sing song all like it and notice it has a totally different vibe to a F**der - and they like that. Even more so when I tell them it was less than £500. Second hand USA does not make as mcuh sense in the UK due to shipping costs. So what you might think you are saving by closing the gap to a tribute - you lose in import.

UK dealers have loads of tributes so no problem there...

Tributes are great guitars and i like the G&L model of using them to get you into the brand (assuming you like them of course)

[sirmyghin]

sirmyghin: Hey, just a follow-up on my comment last week about frets wearing divots in my strings: probably some contributing factors are that I play with a fairly light strings (9s or 10s), I grip hard, and I strum the strings hard with a heavy pick and a medium-to-high action. I do a lot of string bending, and I have this cross-ways vibrato, ala B.B. King. I know it's not the best technique. I know guys who use a lower action, heavier strings and a lighter touch who put minimal wear on strings. And one of my friends has body chemistry that can kill a set of strings in less than 20 minutes of playing--they just go completely dead. That gets expensive!

I understand where you're coming from with the Tributes, and I pretty much feel the same way. But there is that thought that if I needed a tele-style guitar, a guitar that I wouldn't probably use all that much, it might be better to tie up minimal money into a guitar like the Tribute; and not feel like I just bought a cheap, crappy guitar.

Thanks for coming back to that one, I use stone picks, have a feather touch, play on 10-46s nowadays (9s were starting to lose some shine for me, and ring a bit easily in sympathy). I can kill strings like that sometimes, Ernie balls (uncoated) last me no time at all, even on a bass I kill them in a few days.

I think you are slightly guilty here of a bit of anti-tribute snobbery here. I know lots of musicians that use tributes for gigs and touring and save their USA models for 'special gigs' and the studio (and tributes for air-travel). If you need a guitar rig of say three or four units for travelling to some toilet venues for gigs Tributes make a lot of sense (top tone for a fraction of the price). Now, i dont mean that to come over as being against the quality of tributes, i am just putting it in to context. A tribute makes a lot of sense if you broaden the context.

Only slightly? I would say entirely. When I go to the store I bypass the imports and play the good stuff . If I like the good stuff, I am just going to save up until I can afford it either way. My entire gear collection, including my pedal board shockingly, is all made in the US (paired with all my instruments are made to order, the current build is a full out custom not option shop also, the dreaded 7 string guitar, scary I know). Albeit UK/EU have some very nice luthiers, the exchange rate kills any chance at them being lucrative as I can get the same here without the 1.5 multiplier.

In other words, I make no endeavor to disguise some level of 'gear snobbery', I expect quality so I am not going to go to a company and purchase their 'budget' line which is what import guitars are. Something like Eastman Arch tops however, I would gladly (and am quite interested in) buy, despite being made in china as they are not an import in the same sense. That last few hundred dollars for the USA G&L is likely what put that guitar slightly ahead of my go to axe, the superstrat C66 from Carvin. IF the guitar cannot exceed that level of quality, I probably won't play it much.

My first 8 years on bass and 6 years on guitar were on a 1975 MIJ import from sears, and a squire strat respectively. From there I went to carvins directly, and frankly speaking unless I absolutely had to (like when my bass was in for a refinish under waranty) I don't dig out the old ones, infact I gave the strat away (share the love and all that). I've put in my time on instruments that were less than inspirational, nowadays I don't fight the instrument.

[darwinohm]

Boogie, great start.

I have not been to a guitar show. I have also missed out on some guitars that I would have liked to had, but it wasn't meant to be and that works for me.

I have only one ASAT Special. a 2003 and it is really a nice guitar. I have replaced the tuners with American G&L Schallers and the action cannot be set as low as my American G&Ls, but it still is at .050 on the high E on the 12 th fret, lower than many like them. The frets on this particular one are not as perfect as the American models. It still is a very quality guitar and I believe this was built in Korea, but I could be wrong. -- Darwin

[Philby]

Hi Bill. Nice start to the week.

I went to the Melbourne guitar show once, but it was dominated (and sponsored by) the big retail shops i.e. there were endless 'clinics' pushing Fender and Gibson product. I was interested in some of the small point-to-point amp makers that turned up e.g. Ulbrick, but I went home with a leather guitar strap and was glad to be away from all the noise. There wasn't a G&L to be seen anywhere .

Do you own a Tribute model?

Yep, two of them

Do you own both a Tribute and a USA G&L? How do they compare, and which one do you prefer and play the most?

I have a USA S-500 too. It has better tuners and electronics, but I don't prefer it over the Tributes for that reason. The Tributes were my gigging guitars and they feel like a comfortable pair of jeans to me. Like Repoman, I prefer the 9.5" radius and medium frets on the Tributes. The bi-cut neck on the S-500 is a work of art though.

If you were to buy a Tribute, which model would it be?

If there was a Tribute SC-2, especially in vintage white or himalayan blue, I would buy one in a heartbeat.

As far as bedtime snacks go, my favourite is soft cheese e.g. camembert and crackers. If it's the weekend they're washed down by a medicinal ale or lager . There's a natural chemical in cheese and all dairy products called tryptophan which promotes relaxation and deep and restful sleep. It works a treat for me.

[Boogie Bill]

Some more followup:

Hey Brock, good to see you posting again from the wilds of Idaho! I'm surprised there isn't a Boise Guitar Show. I'd bet there are a lot of collector/dealers over there with some good stuff. Are you still dealing with the Ashbory basses? A show would give you some exposure. It just may take someone with the time and organizational skills to put it together. In your spare time of course.


Bill, the black Tribute bass looks great. Do you use it interchangeably with your other basses, or do you save it for the "special" gigs, like when your band is playing at the Knife and Gun Club, on the chicken-wire covered stage? I have guitars for those kind of gigs! Oh, Bill got to come to Oregon--we have an income tax, but one of the few states without sales tax. (And I still never have exact change for what I buy!) Thanks for the kind words, btw.


Repoman: I love the crocs in "Pearls Before Swine"! And if you have ever worked in an office, you have to love Dilbert. Other favorites of mie are "Zits", "Sally Forth", "Family Circus", "Bizarro", "Non Sequitor", and "Adam".


Philby: Good to hear more comparisons between USA and Tribute models. And I am totally in favor of medicinal ale or lager!!!


And as to Tributes: Here's something I've noticed, it seems our members from outside the US are the biggest fans of the Tribute. The one thing that tells me is that we have it good here in the States, with relatively easy access to the most desirable guitars. For many players here in the USA and around the world, the Tribute guitars are delivering good value.

Miss Leslie would be the first to tell you that I am a "Guitar Snob"!! Actually there are a couple of import brands that I like, but like Linda Hunt and Kevin Klein in "Silverado", I've developed a taste for "the good stuff."

Here's to the good stuff!

Bill

[Craig]

I think all tributes employ one basic neck shape and radius (9.5'') but i am sure Craig will correct me if this is wrong.

Note - a tribute Legacy will have a 9.5'' radius whereas a USA legacy will have a 12'' radius as standard.

The Tribute model has a 9" (228.6mm) radius neck.

Hope this helps.

[gitman001]

I am totally a cereal before bed guy.... nothing beats a big bowl of cereal after a gig.

I have a few students who have tribby's and i think they are great guitars. I am glad i am in a position to get the real deal, but if funds were tight i would not think twice about a tribute.

I have been to a few trade shows in toronto, but not an actual guitar show - i don't know if i could show restraint.

Here's to a great week
Scott

[zapcosongs]

I've never touched a Tribute, but I was at bassman's gig on Saturday night, and unless I'm mistaken, he was playing the very guitar posted above - and it sounded fantastic. Not that this had anything to do with the player... ;+)

Great start, Bill. Your posts, over the years, have been some of the most informative and heartfelt. Happy you are LR this week.

I just want to note that I went to college in SW Ohio, and my first "real" gal (as opposed to a blow-up;+) was a farm girl from Hamilton County.
Just delicious!

I have been to Portland (very cool, laid back community of a variety of very interesting and different people), and have also been to Seattle - which is a really beautiful place with great people also....

I have never been to a guitar show. Am considering a Tribby for my kid (though in a weak moment promised him my Leo-era SC-2 if he really practices and becomes serious [bassman is setting this one up for me as I write. The intonation as I received it vexes me]).

Regarding Tribute colors, I can't say I care. As long as there are one or two available choices that I like, I won't sweat it. I am a sucker for sonic blue and seafoam green, however..... Nice start. - ed

[Boogie Bill]

Scott: I used to do cereal at night, but found that all those B vitamins were getting me jacked up and then I couldn't sleep. But, I love Cheerios and Grape Nuts. And the trick to not buying anything at the guitar shows is to keep your hands in your pockets, your wife at your side and your wallet in the car!!!

Ed: Thanks for all the kind words; I'll try to keep it interesting all week. I love the G&L colors. I have a Baby Blue Comanche with a matching headstock, RW Board, tortooise guard and black pickups and knobs; and an S-500 and a Legacy that are identical, with RW boards and pearl pickguards--in Belair Green. The Belair Green and the Baby Blue look great on stage; and I once had this VERY interesting and funny conversation with a man who loved the guitars, but he had blue-green colorblindness. It was kinda like Abbott and Costellos routine about "Who's on first?" LOL! Eventually we figured it out.

You didn't happen to go to Miami at Oxford, did you? My sis graduated from Tallawanda HS in Oxford. The Miami campus is just beautiful.

The motto often seen on bumper stickers around here is, "Keep Portland Weird!", if that gives you any idea about Portland.

Bill

[zapcosongs]

Yeah, Miami U.

Beautiful campus, and Oxford is a pretty cool town. - ed

[sam]

Hey Bill,

Glad to see you on the LR, hope that means yer healthy, wealthy, and wise these days. Mainly the healthy!

Ever been to guitar show? Only two, Indiana and Georgia. Georgia twice in the 90's, don't know if there is a regular show in Georgia anymore.

What is the farthest you’ve ever traveled to a show? 2 hours to the Indy show in 1996.

Ever bought anything at a show, especially a G&L? Not yet.

Anything you really, really, really regret NOT buying? Almost really, really was a 75' tele in Indy for $400.

How would you rate your buying experience—and the overall experience of the show(s)? Overall experience has been just a good time to look for things I wish I had due to cash flow at the time.

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Do you own a Tribute model? Not yet.

If you were to buy a Tribute, which model would it be? Would really like an ASAT HB. Love the idea of the hummers and Floyd. Maybe will find one on the cheap soon. A Bluesboy is another potential.

Would you like to see more finish colors available on the Tributes? Always more colors are better.

[blargfromouterspace]

I went to the Melbourne guitar show once, but it was dominated (and sponsored by) the big retail shops i.e. there were endless 'clinics' pushing Fender and Gibson product....

This brought back a memory from the clinic I attended. Redd was playing a Tomkins guitar that had been built for him and two songs in he broke a string. One of the guys running it - a fat dude in a suit with a pony tail who works for Fender - ran out t the show floor and got a Custom Shop telecaster for Redd to play. He was offered it from side of stage and he refused it by screwing up his face and shaking his head. He carried on playing the Tomkins for another couple of songs before he stopped to answer questions and put a new string on. It was good to see.