First up a 1961 Fender Stratocaster Burgundy Mist Metallic with a matching headstock. Got it back in late '93 I believe in California. I was hanging out with the guitar tech of the Beastie Boys as he was an old friend from school and was in the same studio I was working in ( more like make coffee and donuts and do occasional music stuff - let's be honest here
) So my friend was going out to get some parts and strings for the BB's and I tagged along to catch up. We were looking at a news paper and wondered into the music section. And found some guitars for sale. He thought wed go and look at some Gibson's advertised as they were selling cheap. This was at a time when Gibson was down and Fenders were up especially offset Fender's as a bunch of long haired sweater wearing individuals out in Seattle was blowing up. You guys know who Im talking about. So everyone and their mothers was Buying Fender Jaguars, Mustangs Jazzmaster like it was a fire sale.Anyways back to biz, so we called up the seller and went up to Van Nuys in San Fernando Valley in to this what look like a hippy commune but flashy in a way hill side home. I really got like an old rockstar vibe. Its a kind of house you would have for your mistress in a lovenest haha. Sure enough as we walked in we were welcomed buy a late 30s- early 40s blonde who looked like a model. She showed us to the music room were maybe 10 guitars was there on the wall and floor along with 4 amps and some musical gear. She didnt indicate who it belongs to but her bfs stuff who seperated with her. She sounded mad and detached and vindictive haha. She was selling the stuff as she was moving to Paris and he said sell the stuff and send him the money and she can take half of it. She had a list of the stuff for sale and the prices and she was negotiable too.All from the 50's and 60's and 70's gear. There was even a 50's white falcon but was too much at the time for $15k so we passed. So me and my buddy looked at the gibson and teles and Jazzbasses. So he bought 2 les paul juniors and a melody maker and a late 60's jazzbass with block inlays that the band might like.
While I looked around I notice a case that was not opened and found the 1961 Strat. I was surprised it was a weird color I wondered if it was a shell pink. Ive always wanted one after seeing Billy Gibbons play one the year before in Texas at a small club. He showed up un announced and we got a sure thrill. He brought along the pink strat that Jimi Hendrix gave him when he was a teenager. So I was in the hunt and didnt know they were so rare. So I asked the lady if the strat is for sale and for how much? I figured it looked cool with the matching headstock why not right? She looked at the paper and didnt find it there. Scratched her head and said well make me and offer. I was shocked and quickly said I have $450 in cash with me. She said ohh no thats a little too low. I said well thats all I have and I wasnt buying any of the stuff she had only my buddy. She looked at the guitar and it didnt look as mint as the others because of the cracks and and ageing. Luckily she said ok ill take your money but I will also take your smokes. She was eyeing my freshly bought whole packet of Marlboro Reds haha. My buddy looked at me and said DO IT. I said deal take it haha.
Soon as it was done we got the hell out of there we didnt even ask who her partner was as we were still shocked at what happen. We were driving down the drive way out and down the road and we stopped and asked a jogger if they knew any famous people that lived in the area. She said i dont know any actors but a couple of musicians live here. She said some guy named Mr Stills.
So theres a lesson here folks. You make up your mind. Ok thats it for now.
Adios Amigos.
