This is the first guitar I ever bought, way back in 1972 when I was 15. A 1964 Epiphone Riviera 12-String built in the Gibson Factory in Kalamazoo Michigan. It was used, and cost $240 with the hard shell case. I remember working real hard for it. My mom and I were extras in a Movie called Zandy’s Bride, down in Molera, which starred Gene Hackman and Liv Ullman. And then I helped my brother Ralph and Keith Vines with a very large patio in Carmel Valley. Basically eight days of what seemed like slave labor for all three of us. The whole time, all I thought about was buying that guitar. I bought it at Gadsby’s at the Music Company which was across from the Wharf. Ralph, my cousin David and Johnny Kellet were the ones who took me to get it. Ralph introduced me to Jimmy Dale who showed me how to tune it. Later, he gave me the 1 guitar lesson I’ve ever had in my life. ( Wait... THAT’S how come I still suck at it ... I only had one lesson!! ) I put new strings on it and it took about a month for the strings to settle down enough to keep it in tune! 12 strings was a lot of tension, so I played it with 9 strings for a while, and finally settled on 6. Believe me, it has been through a lot, ... and still feels and sounds great. Lots of stories associated with this guitar ... Some are down right hilarious, some are scary and some are tragic, but there are a lot of great, happy ones playing music with friends. Keith, David and Johnny are all gone now ... None of them played music, but somehow, their spirits are still with me when I even think about that guitar. I dont play it so much anymore, but it will always be a keeper, ... for many reasons.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 16:49:07 +0000
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