Guitar Gear

I was reading a thread in a forum today entitled, “Help on choosing a high-end guitar.” I was going to reply that the guitar chooses the player, but someone beat me to it. After a chuckle, I recalled the scene from the very first Harry Potter movie where Harry went to Olivander’s to get his magic wand. The scene’s below…

I’ve always had this sneaking feeling as if all the guitars I ever purchased or got as gifts chose me. I didn’t choose them. Take my R8 Les Paul. Though I had purchased it used off eBay, when I saw the pictures and read the description, I felt as if the guitar called out to me over the Internet and said, “I’m yours.” And though several people were bidding on the guitar at the same time, I just knew that I’d win the auction. I implicitly knew that that guitar was going to be mine. It’s now my #1 electric and I will never part with it.

A similar thing happened when I got my Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster. I went to a local shop (Gelb Music in Redwood City, CA), saw that on the rack, and the moment I plugged it into an amp. I knew it would be mine.

I know all this sounds a little kooky, but I truly feel something elemental, spiritual is at play with my guitars. All the ones I’ve kept; they speak to me when I play them. I don’t fight with these guitars. When I play them they’re an extension of who I am.

All the ones I’ve sold – and there have been many – they spoke to me at some level, but I didn’t bond with them as tightly as the ones still in my possession.

I don’t know… Maybe I’m completely off my rocker. But with my guitars, definitely the wand has chosen the wizard.