sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

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sookwinder
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sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by sookwinder » Fri Oct 06, 2017 12:29 am

This thread is really picture heavy.... I mean heavy!

For the past couple of months and in particular the last 3 weeks my elderly mother has had severe medical issues, but is now in the hands of medical experts who are doing all the can to help her through this rough patch in the latter years of her life.

Two things I am grateful for are:
- the people who I have spoken to about this and the way these sort of issues are no longer pushed under the rug, as they may have years ago and
- the Australian medical system - not only did we have what seemed like a battalion of doctors, nurses, orderlies, specialists looking into my mothers' issues, but once a diagnosis was achieved and hospitalisation was agreed to, it did not cost us a single cent. (except for the parking and the sandwiches at the hospital luncheon area.)

So I eventually get home last Monday evening after only having barely 2 (broken) hours of sleep in the previous 40 hours and my PC was still on as I left it 24 hours before when the emergency came to a head.

I sat down and started reading the various emails that had come in while I was AWOL.
There was a sort of strange email from a guy from Reverb.com (turns out later it was actually from the Aussie section of REVERB.com) asking me about vintage Epiphones. I politely replied that it was a somewhat chaotic time in my life and maybe we could talk later.... not really understanding what the conversation would be about specifically.

The next day I receive another email from Nick at Reverb.com informing me that I had won the give away competition that had run a month or two back.
Competition ?!? what !?
I tried to claw back any memory that I had and then it dawned on me that prior to a business trip to Germany last month I had been reading Reverb.com while waiting for the taxi pickup. There were a couple of articles that were most enlightening and as I was finishing the second article I noticed a banner that said something about a giveaway, where to win you had to describe the first (electric ?) guitar you ever bought, why, how it affected you, etc.

I won't go into the personal reason/attributes of my story as such but the liner note bullet points would read:
- broke up with girl friend
- 2 days before leaving for a 3 week holiday to Tahiti (business class tickets) lost most of the $$$
- mentally devastated
- decided I needed to do something to get out of the stupor I was in
- bought a second hand '96 AmStd strat
- started to teach myself to play guitar
- somehow made it through the xmas holiday period with mind and body intact ... mostly due to the strat.

Anyway .. it seems that my "story" hit a nerve with the people at Reverb.com and I won the give away....
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Yesterday I met up with Nick who was able to hand deliver the vintage 1967 Epiphone Texan to where I work.
It was good to meet Nick and I thanked him and asked him to pass on my thanks to his management .
I joked about the fact that I never enter competitions ... at all ... and if I ever do, i never win. But to have won this guitar at such a bleak time in my life has truly lifted my spirits!

So before we get to the pics.... some details about the Epiphone Texan.
- From the serial no. I believe it to be actually a 1966 model
- It is missing the tuner ferrules
- the location mounting screws for the tuners are non genuine (slot head, not the Philips head used)
- maybe the nut is replaced
- I initially thought it was a non genuine truss rod cover. the standard 60s epiphone truss rod cover has the end cut out of it and the top mounting screw is lower than say on the Gibson equivalent. But once I removed the cover it was obvious that there had only been one top screw position, so maybe a Gibson style truss rod cover was fitted when it was originally manufactured
- has the adjustable Gibson bridge with ceramic saddle that I love
- The case is an original Epiphone blue plush lined case in great condition
- the nut width is on the thinner size, being 40mm but has a chunkier neck and so is easy to play
- has enough MOJO and ROAD WORN scares for 20 guitars and looks absolutely awesome
- the neck is worn and plays easily
- It sounds wonderful ... yes amazingly wonderful and is oh so comfortable to play while sitting on the couch
- It sounds to my ear it actually does sound like a well used, a well loved acoustic guitar ... I have no idea what it is, but smokey bars, drunks and women of ill repute come to mind as I play this Texan !
- harmonics are perfect
- stays in tune
- what can I say ? This 66/67 Epiphone Texan will be at arms length from now one anytime I sit down on the couch !

Next time I change strings I will fit some genuine 60s Kluson ferrules that I have in my stash of old parts and I will give the bridge and fret board a wipe with some rosewood oil.

Now just before the photos... let again say thank you to Reverb.com and Nick at the Australian office of Reverb.com for having this competition and giving me the opportunity to enter it. And hey ... what is cooler than a vintage 60s Epiphone Texan ? Nothing !

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relaxing alternative to doing actual work ...

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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by shadowplay » Fri Oct 06, 2017 12:40 am

Sorry to hear about yer maw David but it's good to hear she's getting the best care. I've been through this myself and takes a toll on everyone.

And congrats on the guitar, it really looks like you were meant for each other give your love of similar Kalamazoo aoustics.

D
Are you loathsome tonight?

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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by StevenO » Fri Oct 06, 2017 2:01 am

This contest couldn't have been won by a better guy. Congrats, David! :)

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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by kapepper » Fri Oct 06, 2017 3:14 am

Wishing your mother a speedy recovery and congrats. This is a beauty!!!

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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by Larry Mal » Fri Oct 06, 2017 6:01 am

Cool guitar and story, but the whole time I'm reading it I'm hoping that you still have the Strat...
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by sookwinder » Fri Oct 06, 2017 6:34 am

:)

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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by Larry Mal » Fri Oct 06, 2017 7:47 am

Now I'm happy! I know the feeling, sometimes things don't work out in any way, but you can forget about it all when you play your guitar, for a little while. I have that guitar also.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by HNB » Fri Oct 06, 2017 8:52 am

Glad your mom is getting good care and congrats on the beautiful guitar. :)
Christopher
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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by MechaBulletBill » Sat Oct 07, 2017 3:48 am

Such an amazing giveaway prize! I'm amazed it wasn't sold off through the Mothership.

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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by mezcalhead » Sun Oct 08, 2017 8:43 am

:)
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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by windmill » Sun Oct 08, 2017 4:00 pm

Congratulations

It certainly went to the right person and at the right time.


this is in the running for thread of the year.

:)

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Re: sometimes Karma works out ... in a good way

Post by PorkyPrimeCut » Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:34 pm

I'm with you all the way with your mum. My grandma is teetering on death at the moment but seems to be battling through it, bless her. Tough times for all concerned but it sounds like both our respective loved ones are in the best hands.

As to the guitar win....for fuck's sake!!! ;D This latest one's an absolute stunner. All the right wear in all the right places & I'm sure it sounds incredible!
You think you can't, you wish you could, I know you can, I wish you would. Slip inside this house as you pass by.

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