I'm new to guitars only having played for over one year! My first great moment was last August. I was given a personal tour of the Martin factory and I was allowed to play briefly a Custom Shop OM on it's way to Jon Garon of MFG! I had the best time that day learning how Martins are built and what differentiates the different Dreadnaughts. I'm not in the music biz, simply the Martin folks are just plainly that nice. When Scott took me to lunch I asked him why I was given a personal tour and he answered because I asked! My thanks has to go to Joe "Mac" for making that happen. On my return trip to NYC that afternoon I managed to get myself lost in the PA countryside for a couple of hours. I finally swallowed my pride and went into a Pennsylvania Highway Patrol office near Nazareth and explained my plight. The officer practically fell off of his chair laughing when I explained being lost as I let it slip that I have worked for AAA for 40+ years in California. On my direct trip back to the "City" I remember hearing "Made In America" on XM the Highway and Trace Adkins was being interviewed by Stormy Warren. When Trace was informed by Stormy that Toby Keith in the video of that song was playing a Takamine guitar, his comment was "that just ain't right". Prophetic given I was driving back from the Martin factory!
My next guitar shop experience was in NYC at Rudys Music one week later. I was going home that evening so I decided I would go to Rudys SOHO as I had heard this was the "Rodeo Drive" of guitar shops. IT WAS! When I walked up from the Subway there was a torrential rain. I found my way to Rudys and Gordon the store manager welcomed me. I made it clear to him that I was new to guitars and simply wanted to see and play some custom acoustics. I was the only customer in the store. Gordon spent the next 1 1/2 hours bringing guitars to me in the acoustic room, Froggys, Collings, H&D, Martins, and Santa Cruz. Gordon a former touring guitarist, played for me as well any of the guitars that I wanted. It could not have been more fun. I would have been thrilled to take home any of them! I did find the one and next year will buy it! Built in a California town with a great old rollercoaster!
My most recent great guitar shop experience was in January at L.A. Guitar Sales on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. Ted and Helene hosted a Martin Custom Shop presentation with Ed Golden the Custom Shop manager. Just as Ed was getting ready to start his presentation Laurence Juber arrived with his wife and at the invitation of Ed gave an impromptu concert for about 20 minutes. This was my first time hearing a signature artist live. It was great! Laurence played his new custom model OMC Adi/Koa (only 25 made) which he said had opened up after 6 months of play. I also got to see and play the new Custom Shop models that were at NAMM the week before. Ted and Helene could not be nicer or more helpful, having bought 3 guitars from them previously I can attest to their being no better place to buy a guitar. Ted made my experiences in purchasing guitars great. It was a great night with a lot of friendly people of all different levels of musicianship. My best skill with a guitar is taking it down from a wall and returning it without bumping it!
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Bob Millner
2010 Taylor 814 ce fall ltd. 12 fret
2011 Martin OM 15 Custom
2010 Yamaha LL16
