A REAL Gibson Les Paul Flametop

I found this item for sale on eBay and asked the owner if I could share the story here at The Ones That Got Away. This is an amazing true story. Check it out, man.

Story by Charlie

GIBSON LES PAUL "REISSUE FLAMETOP" MODEL FROM 1985, STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

I guess this is kind of an unbelievable story but it is all true. I left the house one day and my near mint 1985 Gibson Reissue Flametop was safely perched (or so I thought) on top of a another guitar case, in the corner top edge of my music room. When I returned home a few hours later I was not prepared for what I discovered. I walked into the room and the Gibson case was on the floor smelling of smoke. I looked up to see black soot marks at the top corner of the walls where the headstock end of the case had been sitting. When I turned back and inspected the case I was appalled at what I found.

First off, I noticed that there were three holes directly above where the bridge would have been sitting inside the case. I proceeded to open the case with the latches, even though much of it was disassembled. Upon opening the case I realized that the guitar had been struck by lightning . How could this have happened!!? I basically screamed. It seemed impossible.

I found out that when I was gone, a severe thunderstorm had come through. Outside of the house was a huge pine tree and, upon going outside and inspecting the tree, there was clearly a visible line coming down the tree until it came to an area directly across from the trim of the house. The lightning had struck the huge pine tree and traveled down the trunk until it reached the nails holding the trim to house. Then it jumped across through the nails, went through the drywall, and struck the top edge of the case.

It then went into the case and down the neck of the guitar, vaporizing the strings, (remnants of which can still be seen on the fretboard and frets) also apparently traveling down the truss rod inside the neck. Then it blew out the last few frets on the fretboard above the end of the truss rod before apparently melting the insides of the pickups. It then proceeded to explode some of the bridge saddles outward through the case. Apparently they are responsible for holes I initially saw in the case, which I had no idea how they got there.

I also found where the lightning had grounded into the carpet and cement floor of the room and blasted out a half moon size pocket in the cement about the size of the silver dollar. I have posted pictures of various aspects of the outside house damage and pine tree. The lightning strike also killed the tree.

As I said, before the incident, the guitar was in near mint condition. It remains as I found it, the day of the incident. I have not tried to clean it up in any way. As a one-of-a-kind collectible, I would be very surprised if there is another one of these anywhere one in the world. As a project, it will take some work but I believe it can be repaired with the proper parts and skill. I am including the frets and parts of the fretboard that blew out, as much as I could find. There is only one remaining bridge saddle.

Years ago, two of the original pots were removed, though the original knobs and pointers are still with the guitar. The tailpiece is gone, but the original bridge is still with the guitar. One of the features of this model is the "Thicker '59 Style Neck." In 1991 this model was renamed "The '59 Les Paul Fame Top."
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link to the auction
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Something New

Well, since I sold the Swamp Thang I haven't unloaded anything else and no one seems to be sending in their own stories (hint, hint people!). So I thought I'd share "before" photos of a guitar I have on the way. Yes, I've been selling some stuff off because of tight times, but I paid for this one way back in about October '08 and it's finally almost done. It's a resonator guitar hand built by Mike Franks at M.J. Franks Guitars.

Mike was nice enough to send me photos of the guitar just before it went out the door to get the finish done.

So, I thought maybe I'd share some photos and then, when it's all done, post the final beauties. I have a good feeling about this one...it's going to have a Fishman resonator pickup in it for playing live and I'm not worried about the rest...Mike makes 'em right. It's going to have a dark, dark stain on the back and sides and vintage sunburst top. Oh, and it's all solid mahogany. Just glad I paid for this back then so I could still get my hands on it. Mike suggested picking up the new Fishman Jerry Douglas Aura Imaging pedal at some point to go with it, so if Mike says so, I guess I'll have to start saving up again. Enjoy the photos and I'll post more when it's done.


In the meantime, please, send me your stories. I'd love to keep this thing rollin' and I know everyone who reads this has a story of their own.

I Just Threw Up a Little in My Mouth

I just did something I SWORE I wouldn't do. I just listed my Swamp Thang pedal on eBay. Dammit. Jump on it quick if you want just about the best sounding tremolo pedal there is...short of buying an old blonde Fender Tremolux. I will be buying another one some day...I think that will be the running joke on this site...how many Swamp Thang pedals will Jaimie buy in one lifetime?

Blech!
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UPDATE: Sold! But I'll get another some day. Man oh man. Can't believe it's gone.

Gretsch Way Out West Cowboy Guitar

Hey, long time no post. Sorry, but I have moved and divorced and lots of stuff and just have not had time to post anything. As always, I'd love to have more of your stories. Send 'em my way...I know you've got them.

Anyway, in the midst of all the change, one thing that has happened is I've sold a fair amount of gear lately. Not much in the way of guitars, but plenty of other stuff...digital recorder, monitors, etc. Friends of mine have actually been using Garage Band to record with, and I was really hesitant to admit that it sounded darn good. I wanted to justify my stand alone Korg digital recorder that I have come to know and love...a Korg D16XD. However, when times are tough you start to decide what is expendable. After visiting a recording session at my friends' house and seeing how well Garage Band was working, I decided to give it a go. I'll let you know how it goes.

Now, on to the guitar that got away.

I think I posted something previously about attending a Gretsch Guitars night at Buffalo Brothers guitars in Carlsbad, CA. Fred Gretsch IV was there in person and spoke eloquently about his rebirth of the family business. Although I once owned a Gretsch Sparkle Jet from just about the time Fred took over the company, it is now long gone (Hey, there's another story I can write) and the only Gretsch I owned was one of the really cool Gretsch Cowboy guitars from a year or two ago.

I took it with me in hopes of getting Fred's signature on it...which I did. He was semi-gracious enough to sign the back of the headstock for me. These guitars are super cool and bring back memories of some of the old stencil westerns from the '40s and '50s. However, what I liked best about them was that they were definitely updated in theme. Somewhat tongue-in-cheek tributes to the old guitars. The one I got was the "Way Out West" model, which featured artwork of aliens coming down and capturing cows straight off the plains to take back with them to, I'm assuming, probe and prod...or maybe they just wanted a good hamburger.

The boxes that came with the guitars were equally as well done, paying tribute to old line cut advertising complete with retro-style graphics. There were four different models and I'm sure many collectors bought one of each...they were seriously affordable. I believe I paid $150 for mine brand new, tax included out the door. Thanks Bob!

So, fast forward to a month or so ago and I see an ad on Craigslist asking if anyone has one of these to sell. I was looking for a few extra bucks at the exact moment and decided to take the guy up on his offer. I sold it for $80, which is one of the few times I've lost money on a guitar. I have to admit I've done well in that department. But this is not a guitar that is going to be super valuable I don't think, so I didn't feel all that bad about it. A cool guitar that played surprisingly well, but not one to necessarily feel bad about losing. Anyway, it's in the home of someone who really wants it and that's a good thing. Collect 'em all, trade 'em with your friends!
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Squier Classic Vibe Duo Sonic

Story submitted by Jackson D. Green

This thing did not have a long life in my hands, but for the time I had it, I loved every minute.

I purchased this guitar on Craigslist a few months after it came out for a relatively cheap 165 USD (especially because these currently sell new for 330). Now, I know a bargain when I see it, and I love the Fender Mustang, so I snapped it up in a heart beat. The seller was nice enough to ship the guitar to my house for no extra charge. A few days later, it had arrived. I can't even describe the feeling I got pulling it out of the box. It was just such an amazing moment, and I knew that this guitar was truly a special instrument.

I can't think of one thing I DIDN'T like about the guitar, other than the toggle switch which broke during an especially rigorous practice session and was easily replaced.

The aesthetics were great, the neck rivaled that of an MIJ Mustang, and the pickups rang rich and jangly, with plenty of warmth coming from the basswood body. Unfortunately, she never saw a gig.

I needed money to pay off some friends, so it was either get rid of the Duo Sonic, or get rid of the Fender Cyclone, the first Fender I ever owned, a birthday present from my parents, and an all around great guitar. The choice was made, the Duo Sonic had to go. I sold it on Craigslist a few weeks later (I was sick the day I actually sold it, go figure) for $200. I have since recovered economically, and recently purchased a red Squier Affinity Series Duo Sonic from the '90s, which I'm hoping will fill the void of the great guitar I let slip away.
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Squier Musicmaster Bass Vista Series Reissue

Damn, this one didn't last long. I just got this bass a couple of months ago from Craig's List in Orange County. It was actually listed once before and by the time I got around to contacting the guy, the ad was gone and it was sold. Or so I thought. Evidently ANOTHER case of Craig's List Flake-itis caused this one to come back up for sale a week later. This time I jumped on it.

I drove up to Orange County from San Diego...the guy was nice enough to meet me halfway...and met in the parking lot of a Guitar Center. It's always fun to do a transaction for a cool instrument within steps of a giant supermarket of a guitar store. I actually had a guy who wanted to meet me at a guitar store and then do the deal inside the store so he could try out the guitar through one of their amps. I drew the line there...just not kosher.

Anyway, so the guy meets me and he turns out to be a very cool guy with some great punk rock roots. He also knew a few musicians I knew and we ended up chatting about instruments and the weirdness of Craig's List for way too long. The bass was in excellent condition and we both had decided that anyone who is afraid of a classic shell pink Fender because it might mean they are gay is an idiot. This thing looks really cool and classic...yeah I know...I just used the word classic in the previous sentence. But it's true. Do not be afraid people.

I had the bass for a couple of months and really liked it. It's a short scale instrument and it was strung with flatwound strings, which I'd never had before. As my boss would say, "Me likey." Not sure why my boss says that. Even though the bridge is a pretty basic piece of hardware that was originally designed to be a budget student instrument back in the day, it stayed in tune just fine. Again, loved the instrument, but unfortunately I'm still in financial survival mode from the recent split with the wife, so it came down to Fender bass or refridgerator. I like my butter solid and my mayo unspoiled, so I went with...refridgerator! I have to say it was a good call too. I have enjoyed many a fine cool beverage out of the fridge but I really only used the bass once for a quick recording.

I sold the bass to a touring musician from L.A. who came down and practically did surgery on the thing right at my desk at work during my lunch hour. Maybe you'll see it out on the road somewhere.

I had loaned my nephew a '70s Memphis P-bass copy a couple of years ago, and I happen to know that he no longer plays it. So, I made the call and my sis is shipping it back to me as we speak. So, I will soon have a home recording bass that, if I remember correctly, actually sounded pretty decent for what it was. It was one of the made in Japan models from Memphis and they are pretty decent for super cheap.

In fact, just today, I took a chance and bought a Memphis Les Paul Junior copy off eBay. It's sort of a cross between a Junior and a Special...it's got the style of the Junior but with two P-90 dog-eared pickups. Sunburst with a tortoise guard. I've been wanting a Jr. since I became a fan of Keith Urban (the man can PLAY the guitar), but can't afford a real one right now. So I kept my eye out for either a Memphis (which are HARD to find) and were made in Japan in the Fujigen factory in the '70s, or an older Univox. The Univox Junior copies (the model is called the Limited Edition...here's one on eBay) are supposed to be really nice too. I see them for sale somewhat regularly, but they are a little pricier. Still much cheaper than a real one. If you are looking for a budget Junior, be sure to scour eBay for a Univox or a Memphis. I'll let you know if the Memphis was worth the chance.
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Another Successful Guitar Center Dumpster Dive

I'll make this one short and then tomorrow I'll finally have a new story for you. If you've read a lot of the stories on this blog you might remember that every time I go to Guitar Center I can't help but drive around back and check out the dumpster. Now I don't check the dumpster everywhere I go...you won't find me scrounging for slightly rotten apples at the grocery store. However, almost every time I go to Guitar Center I find stuff in the dumpster of value. I've found and sold everything from electronic drum parts to mic stands to Hartke bass cabinets.

This weekend, as we were driving past GC, my kids even got into the act and suggested I check it out. We pulled around back and, holy crap, sure enough...15 new or almost new guitar gig bags. I pulled out the large plastic bag they were in and tossed them all in the back of the Explorer and headed home. Once I got home I realized there were some nice bags in there, some still with tags on them. In one bag there was also a nice guitar tuner and a pack of nice Ernie Ball Slinky coated acoustic strings. They now reside on my '64 Epiphone Frontier. And the tuner works great.

I kept one of the nicer gig bags that was slightly smaller for my Gretsch cowboy guitar and then set aside the two Dean Flying V padded gig bags.

Who knew you could get form-fitting gig bags for Flying V's?

Anyway, I gave the rest to my oldest daughter who sometimes works at a band rehearsal studio and she's going to try to unload them for a little gas money. I put the two Flying V bags on eBay last night and they both sold in less than 24 hours for $20 each. I know, it's not going to make me rich, but that's basically $40 FREE MONEY to buy some new tunes on iTunes with or maybe pick up a cheap pedal on eBay. Maybe some strings. Again...FREE MONEY.

I don't know what's going on at Guitar Center, but please, keep it coming.
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