Bit of potential TL: DR here….
Back in 2003, I was mostly playing my old ’61 RI SG in my main band, but was also doubling on duties in a heavier modern metalcore band which required me to have a second guitar I could downtune. I scoped out a few stores until I found an Ibanez model that was new that year, the AXS32. Very simple double cutaway, which was my preference but incredibly flat fretboard and super comfy neck profile. I was very close to buying one new, but a mate offered me an SG Special for a comparable price and I snagged it, but always slightly regretted my choice. (The SG special was good but not too memorable and didn't last long after the band dispersed a couple of years later.
Around 2008, I ended up seeing one go for sale on TM, which was owned by a local guitarist in a band I was fond of having seen them play a few times (New Way Home for those in the Auckland metal/punk scene). It was also selling for a great price, so I bought it and it became my main guitar gigging guitar from around then until about 2016, which I got a PRS and decided I had too many, so out this went. I didn’t miss it at first, but over the last few years, I recalled how good the neck and fretboard was, and low-key put out feelers to find one. A couple of them came up on TM between 2018 to present but they were always hideously overpriced…. not everyone's taste, but when you play one, most people find them incredibly fast and easily to sound like they’re a much better guitarist than they may be
Earlier this week, I went to pick up a guitars case I bought from a seller who’s got a store in Newmarket. Whilst perusing his shop, I noticed he had an AXS32 in stock. When I picked it up to check out, I recognised the worn pickguard with the scratches I had put in it, and the aftermarket V7/V8 pickups which it had that were installed prior to my ownership. Hadn’t seen it in nearly 8 years and it’s randomly for sale in a shop after I sold it on TM around late 2016.
Told the guy it was my old one and showed a few pics of me playing it back in the day. A little negotiating later and I now once again own what’s probably one of the top 3 instruments I’ve ever had and arguably, wrote some of my best songs on. I had huge regrets about selling it and although I don’t believe in signs, it’s nice to have something from my past come home again. My tastes have changed and the pickups are probably way too metal sounding for what I play these days, but this guitar vibes in a way that few have for me.
Here's me around 2013 with the guitar in question, and reunited a decade down the track (it's looking less aged than me, and I can tell the age due to the distinct lack of tats/sleeves
)
