A Lesson learned

A short story about a recent adventure I had buying a guitar.

About a year and a half ago I was in Missoula. I stepped into a music store and played a black Gretsch Duo Jet Electromatic. Since I'd never played one before I enjoyed getting my hands on something new. I really liked the neck and loved the tone. It seemed like a leaner Les Paul. The neck was fabulous, and I really loved the dual cutaway and bigsby bridge. Then I looked at the price tag. It was half the cost of my "pro" guitars. Instantly I was surprised and slightly let down. Because that meant that either my "pro" guitars were over priced, or I had stumbled upon a rare swan that was intended to be a duck. Confused and conflicted I didn't buy it.

Later that day when I had gotten home I looked it up on the net and found out that is was from the less expensive asian built line as well. Instantly I decided that it must have been a fluke and let it go. It can't possibly be as good as I thought it was. It was from the bargain line, and didn't cost enough. Right?

Two months later I bought a Music Man Petrucci Signature guitar. Why? Because I love John Petrucci's playing, and it was an expensive guitar. I got it home and played it, took it to a couple of gigs then never touched it again. It was a very nice, and excellent guitar, but it wasn't my style. I bought it because I liked John Petrucci. I had let the price and status of the instrument dictate my purchase.

I put it up for sale and had a rabid buyer almost instantly. I got almost all of my money back from the purchase. So of course I went back to Music Villa to find something else. Of course it never occurs to me to just keep my money.

Low and behold there on the wall was a black Gretsch Duo Jet Electromatic. And sure enough it played and sounded great just like the one in Missoula. I bought it, and kept the rest of the cash. I took it home and started playing it at every gig. My only complaint was that when I switched to my Les Paul and back I had to make some gain adjustments for the slightly quieter Gretsch. Other than that I was jacked! I had learned my lesson.

Enter fate. The finish began peeling off the back. It was coming off at an incredible rate. Within 2 weeks it had almost completely separated from the edges. GAH! So I took it in to Music Villa and they graciously ordered me another. Unfortunately there were no more black ones to be had so they got me a silver one. This one was okay but not the same. The neck wasn't quite right and it wasn't that awesome black. I hung it up and never played it.

One day I was talking to Gerry Mullens at Music Villa about this guy named TV Jones who makes really nice Gretsch upgrade pickups. I looked him up online and actually traded a few emails with him. In no time I had ordered a pair of new pickups. The ones Brian Setzer uses. I was excited to upgrade the silver Gretsch and start playing it with the hotter pickups. When they came in I took it in to Gerry and left him to it.

Re-Enter Fate. While in the last few moments of the installation, Gerry's Dremel tool got away from him and he accidently scratched up the finish and neck. Gerry being the consummate professional immediately got ready to order me another. He must have thought I was insane because when he told me over the phone I just busted out in uncontrollable laughter. This guitar project was friggin doomed. It was laugh or cry. Gerry asked me what color I wanted and of course I said "Black!"

Within three days the guitar was in and upgraded and Black! This time it was not only the color I had wanted on the first guitar, but the neck was awesome and those new pickups sound beautiful. So needless to to say I'm finally a very happy Black Gretsch Duo Jet Electromatic owner.

Lesson Learned? Don't let the cost fool you. If it feels and sounds right. It's right. Buy it if you want it and are able. I could have saved myself a year of frustration if I had.