Thought the Pastor Was Gonna Cry

[Scratch]

Pam and I recently started attending a little Hill Country Bible Church not far down the road. We might have 60 worship on a given Sunday. It is down home and unpretentious as can be... The pastor and music director both play guitar gospel songs prior to service. Dr. Watts, is a very educated conformed hippie, quite a dynamic orator, and occasionally plays in a couple of country bands in the area. We discussed acoustics one Sunday morning following church and he said he loves the sound of a good 12 string, but doesn't like to play tuned down with a capo as many manufacturers recommend. I mentioned I'd bring in my battle tank, Bertha so he could play one in 'E' without fear of stressing the neck.

Well he played that morning with such a smile and I left it with him to enjoy for another week. Last Sunday, he played some great lead and before providing the sermon, went on and on about what a beautiful sounding guitar he had been blessed to play.

I'm heading out on a 10-day business trip this week, so I packed Bertha up after morning services last Sunday to bring her back to the house for safekeeping. I thought he was going to break out in tears as he softly patted her and said he had never heard such beautiful sounds come out of a guitar. I almost left her with him again, but hey... I'll only be gone ten days!!!

 

[West R Lee]

He played that big maple 12 and thought he'd died and gone to heaven Scratch.

West

 

[capnjuan]

... Dr. Watts, is a very educated conformed hippie....

Possibly describing millions of middle-aged people ... The 'Power' of the 12-pack...8)

 

[Scratch]

He played that big maple 12 and thought he'd died and gone to heaven Scratch.

West

Amen, brother West... Amen!

 

[bluegrass jubilee]

great story! guild: made to be played (by men of the cloth)

i play guitar in my church choir, and one day, our music director bumped into my collings and knocked it straight off the stand and onto the floor. scratches aplenty

i now have a GAD i bring on sundays

 

[Scratch]

I took a day off yesterday before starting my trip. Pam and I went down the road to Wimberly, TX. for lunch and a visit to Hill Country Guitars. Kevin runs a neat store; 3rd largest Collings dealer in the country (the plant is just up the road). When I asked him where all the Guilds are, he sheepishly replied he now carries Collings and Froggy Bottom only. And not a 12er in the store!!! Nice guy and he picks a good guitar. The Collings sure was impressive, but for 6K it should!!!

http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/35 ... itars.html

 

[West R Lee]

They used to carry a bunch of vintage Guilds there didn't they Scratch?

West

 

[Scratch]

They used to carry a bunch of vintage Guilds there didn't they Scratch?

West

Yes. His web site still lists Guild. Looks like we need a Guild shop here at the lake!

 

[West R Lee]

I can read the sign now....................."Scratches Axes"....Specializing in the Finest Flattops Known To Man".

West

 

[Graham]

I can read the sign now....................."Scratches Axes"....Specializing in the Finest Flattops Known To Man".

West

Hmm, may want to rethink the name just a bit. :shock:

Axe Scratcher. :mrgreen:

 

[Scratch]

You guys are onto something here!!!

I'm into the sceond day of my North Dakota/Minnesota trip. Nice weather in Grand Forks presently; I guess the heat wave broke a couple of days ago. I'll drive from here to Minot ND Saturday, then fly back to MSP next Wednesday. Glad I flew in from MSP yesterday rather than drive. The bridge disaster is all that is on the news here. What a shame...

How far away is Grand Forks from you Graham?

 

[Graham]

How far away is Grand Forks from you Graham?

It's a bit of a sleigh ride, about 20 hours there abouts. As the Canada goose flies anyway. :wink:

 

[West R Lee]

Minot? Retired Air Force? Scratch, you wouldn't happen to be doing contract work for Uncle Sam would you? Let me guess, you could tell me, but you'd have to kill me?

West

 

[sitka_spruce]

Glad I flew in from MSP yesterday rather than drive. The bridge disaster is all that is on the news here. What a shame...

What can I tell you? Disaster sells, plain and simple. One could only venture a thought had Guild become a bridge constructor they would have offered bridges twelve lanes wide with no sign of weaknes and would last forever. 8)

Sex also is a selling headline. Now, every reporter's dream is a story that contains both, so if you're having a great time in a twosome (or more people involved) do it safely or you'll cover the front of next mornings papers. :wink:

BTW, I've always though the sound of Guilds have been touch by something devine

 

[dreadnut]

Great story. I related one incident in a previous thread, a local music prof was playing standup bass with us in our church band, afterwards he strolled right by our music director who was playing a Taylor 814, to tell me what a beautiful tone was coming out of my old D-25M I took that as quite a compliment, this guy plays more different instruments than I can identify. Just something about those Guild acoustics, eh? 8)

BJ, what a sad story about your Collings Are you on speaking terms with the music director yet?

 

[bluegrass jubilee]

Actually, he didn't even try to pick it up or apologize to me. It was already an awkward relationship, further strained by this incident. The good news is that it looks like most of the scratches would buff out nicely.

 

[dklsplace]

Actually, he didn't even try to pick it up or apologize to me. It was already an awkward relationship, further strained by this incident...

:shock: Yikes! If you ever decide to move back to Michigan, I'm always looking for more instrumentation for our praise band.

 

[Scratch]

Just arrived in Whynot Minot. Beautiful afternoon drive across the northern plains with blooming sunflower fields galore. Temp in the 70s and lots of blue sky. What a pretty place in the summer, but I sure don't understand how you sturdy folks adapt to the winters up here. :shock:

I brought Guilda, but sure miss my 12ers

 

[Graham]

Temp in the 70s and lots of blue sky. What a pretty place in the summer, but I sure don't understand how you sturdy folks adapt to the winters up here. :shock:

Winter brings it's own pleasures and misery. In the summer heat, thinking about being bundled up in front of a fire with a pot of stew on and some warm apple pie with cheddar on top for dessert. Hmmm.

Of course going outside and trying to navigate around all of the folks that forget how to change their driving habits is a pain. As I get older I find myself less and less able to tolerate the heat and humidity.

 

[JerryR]

Sun's even come out here for a couple of days, and there's been so much rain its really humid - seems hotter than it really is