Gasalcoholics anonymous? whoever said this was a help group?

[chuckjaywalk]

Yesterday was quite a gear roller-coaster. I had a massive panic attack overnight involving Dennis Rodman not liking me and my failures as a friend, sibling, father, and lover. He also ate my Pepperjax. Anyway, my partner and I headed to our local guitar store to get my beloved 06 American Strat setup for surf and look at used pedals. We got a Digitech Polara and EHX Canyon for $200 total, which was a real win.

Driving across town to the other location, I got a pretty devastating call. My Strat couldn't be setup because the neck was "dead." The truss-rod was almost stripped out, something I had never touched, and my Lola was heavily bowed. The tech, who I trust pretty thoroughly, told me that a replacement neck was likely needed and the price tag was devastating.

I got Lola 8 years ago in a pedals and a Squier Jaguar for an American Strat trade in the Daddy's parking lot in Kansas City. She was my only guitar for years. My only possession through homelessness and unemployment and leaving an abusive spouse. I carried that guitar through two divorces, 6 states, and more addresses than I can remember. I slept in my car and went to work hungry instead of selling her. But she's broken.

My partner immediately drove me right back to the shop and we talked to the tech. He said that he would put 9s on her after humidifying the neck over the weekend and doing everything he can. My partner's immediate solution was... unexpected. Lola will stay with us as a backup but I needed to try every Strat in the store. I played used Mexican Standards and Player Pluses. I tried Strats with Noiseless pickups and Strats with relic'ed finishes.

Ned, the head of the guitar department, went to the back and pulled out a Fender travel case. Inside was a brand new Professional II with a Rosewood board and a Miami Blue finish. He plugged it into a 65 Twin Reverb with the reverb turned way up. I fell in love. The satin finished soft-C neck, the bright and strong pickups, the push/pull neck pickup switch. I just couldn't stop playing it. He setup a JHS Morning Glory and it was just ecstatic.

I went home with a new Strat.

[friendship]

What a journey. The circle of life is as mysterious as it is profound.

edit: pics or gtfo

[Chankgeez]

[cosmicevan]

Enjoy! Would love to see pics

[sylnau]

Just got this... and I like it a lot!

[friendship]

sick, how's the orbit setting? is it a tremolo synced to the LFO?

[sylnau]

sick, how's the orbit setting? is it a tremolo synced to the LFO?

Yes... more similar to a trem and a rotary speaker. The mix knob is really a good thing on this pedal... It dosen't lack the lows like most modulation pedals.

[MrNovember]

I might order myself a Discoverer for my birthday. Very tempted by the chorus too though

[chuckjaywalk]

Cocaine

36BCCBCD-CE6D-4469-B51F-A5FC0B22E43A.jpeg (50.75 KiB) Viewed 3052 times

Cocaine Bear aka Coco
I played until my hands stopped working.

[MaxMaps]

Out of curiosity how much would have the new neck cost ?

Awesome guitar!

[codetocontra]

Oh shit, I know Ned. Was he wearing a Hawaiian shirt or one with flames that day? You never know with that guy.
And never let Rodman near your Pepperjax.
Congrats on the new Strat.

[chuckjaywalk]

The new neck would start at $400 for a Mexican made and would likely be more like $600 for an American. I'm sure it will happen eventually.

Ned was in a flames shirt. He's my dude, love that guy. He doesn't ever complain about me playing MBV in the amp room.

[friendship]

Gorgeous, love that color

[cosmicevan]

36BCCBCD-CE6D-4469-B51F-A5FC0B22E43A.jpeg

Cocaine Bear aka Coco
I played until my hands stopped working.

[MaxMaps]

The new neck would start at $400 for a Mexican made and would likely be more like $600 for an American. I'm sure it will happen eventually.

Ned was in a flames shirt. He's my dude, love that guy. He doesn't ever complain about me playing MBV in the amp room.

Completely agree with the call of simply buying a new guitar at that price, plus the mid range fender player stuff can be had for 600-800 used and they are all really good instruments.