Here is the best way I can describe the feeling I had yesterday as my workday was ending... Do you remember when you were a teenager and were out way after curfew? You couldn't go home because you know it would be very unpleasant. But you couldn't stay out either and you were kind of sick to your stomach. I didn't want to come home because the night before I had packed my old friend, a 1961 Fender Stratocaster to ship it to a guitar store in San Francisco. It is going there to be consigned and eventually, sold. It is a valuable instrument and we are in a position to have to liquidate an asset or two to address some debt. Life happens.
I got home, looked at the box, puttered around the house, looked at the box, played with Ellena, looked at the box, got something to eat, looked at the box... You get the idea. So finally I put it in the back of the pickup and drove it to the UPS store.
I bought it at Whittier Music in California for $275. I have been telling myself ever since I decided to sell it, "It's just a thing..." But it was much tougher than I realized it would be to let it go after 34 years. I really very seldom played it and I have always said that it is way too good a guitar for my skill level. I felt OK when I got home though. I am sure I'll feel another twinge of pain when SF calls to say they have an offer. But I know that ultimately I will be grateful for the cash the sale will bring in to be able to do what we need to do.
My kids overall have been pretty supportive. They had hoped that I would keep it until my death at which time they could fight over who gets or sell it and split the proceeds. But they understand that things change. And at some point in the future, I can easily buy another electric guitar for a few hundred bucks if needs be.
My bay-area brother Rob has been great as a middle man facilitating this project, partly in just helping me stay calm!
So, goodbye old friend. Thanks for providing so much pleasure, fun and a little income over the years. I hope you find a home where someone will appreciate you and enjoy playing music with you. I will miss you.
