Greetings, everybody
Just a quick update on the effort to get a guitar for a man recently diagnosed with terminal cancers
I did get a number of kosmails with a good bit of support for the idea and several people offering either some money ($20-$25), though a couple people offered $50 to $100. Super generous. (1 person offered to secretly give me somebody else's guitar. Evil. Humorous, but evil.)
2 people offered to send an entire guitar outright, a fabulous offer.
I have researched a few online stores to get a grasp of what can be had in the way of used guitars, the idea being to get the most guitar for the money, bypass list price nonsense AND because I want this man to PLAY his guitar, not sacrifice enjoyment just to take care of something shiny and new.
Last evening I went to a Guitar Center store (NE Expressway, for those who know Atlanta) and perused their guitars, because they have just about the largest selection I can drive to. (I had planned to go a couple other places, but even after 29 years here I continually am amazed at how long it takes to get anywhere. So I made it to Guitar Center.
There I saw a number of decent guitars many new and at a really good price.
I then found a used guitar hanging on the wall, a Schecter professional grade guitar with a fiberglass back and internal electronics, grovers and what appears to be a bone nut.
Very nice guitar, just under $200. Probably $700 - $900 new. Funky blue transparent finish, lots of abalone inlay work. It plays very nicely. It will need a proper case which is going to add about $90 or so.
Mulling just getting him that because of the quality and that it was somebody's professional-used guitar. It's been on tour.
I intend to pick him up a guitar by Friday evening, Saturday at the latest.
I'd like to arrange to take him to a guitar store but that's just a bit involved given where he lives and my relationship as a therapist. I am not really supposed to do this sort of stuff (ethics, dual relationships), but, dammit, I am a guitarist too and I just can't let this slide. It's a guitarist thing - some may not understand.
I am writing this at work and this evening I will follow-up with those who kosmailed me and we'll look at getting about $20 - $25 from a variety of people and maybe $50 from 1 person. Anybody else that wants to chip in a little, you're most welcome to do so. I think there is easily enough to get him a good used guitar and a proper case to protect it.
Once this is accomplished I will post a note about what exactly was spent and we'l figure out what to do with any leftover funds. I'll send leftover funds back to somebody or donate them as requested. I am not taking a penny from anybody. It's just how I am.
Thanks again for helping me help this man.
Doc