Homecoming - I'm getting back one that got away (for awhile...)

[Mikeymac]

In a couple weeks, if all goes according to plan, I'll be getting back a Martin I sold back in February, my Model America 1 dreadnought.

The back story is: I started thinking about getting another Martin dreadnought (I mean, "C'mon man!" it's Martin's flagship, right?). I was looking at D-28's.

But I also kept thinking about the one that got away, the Model America 1. After all, it's a known quantity - no wondering what it will sound like, etc.  And, I ordered it new, and I'm pretty sure it's the only lefty (or one of two lefties) of the Model America 1 that Martin built in its short run of around 75 guitars.

Finally, I know the woods and workmanship are top notch:

• Adirondack top/braces with nice grain
  Sycamore b&s that are gorgeous
  Solid Cherry Neck
  Black Walnut Bridge, Fretboard and headstock overlay

When I contacted the buyer, he was willing to sell, and said the guitar is in the same excellent condition it was when I sold it to him. Win - win!

So it will be coming home in the next week or so (he's out of town until early next week).

I'm looking forward to getting this one back!

[Manothemtns]

Great "Thanksgiving" story! Enjoy it when it finds its way home!

[Mikeymac]

Supposed to arrive Friday - with the cold, I may not be opening the box until Saturday morning. 

[ducktrapper]

Good for you. Maybe you'll hang on to it this time! I regret every guitar I've parted with over the years and there's been too many. The only thing close to getting one back was when I got another L-01 to replace the one I traded to my son in law for a nice Remington Wingmaster. Serial number says it was made in 2002.     

[247hoopsfan]

Great to hear.  The only guitar I have ever sold was my first Larrivee.  It was a D10 EIR, and I had already found my Brazilian D10 Flying Eagle, so no regrets. Every one I have now is a keeper, and I'll pass them down to my kids and grandkids.  I have been playing my trusty old 1972 Yamaha FG200 lately
which I bought brand new for $100 when I was 17.  Still sounds amazing for a laminate guitar.

[ducktrapper]

Great to hear.  The only guitar I have ever sold was my first Larrivee.  It was a D10 EIR, and I had already found my Brazilian D10 Flying Eagle, so no regrets. Every one I have now is a keeper, and I'll pass them down to my kids and grandkids.  I have been playing my trusty old 1972 Yamaha FG200 lately
which I bought brand new for $100 when I was 17.  Still sounds amazing for a laminate guitar.

Those Yammies were great. I'm still using my 1970ish FG180. Which reminds me, like the L-01, I sold it and then had to buy another.   

[Mikeymac]

The guitar arrived Friday, just like UPS said it would (!). We had family here, and it was cold outside... so, I let the box sit until bedtime, then took the case out of the box and let it sit unopened overnight.

The guitar is indeed in the same shape it was when it left - except for some dust and fingerprints...which led to a couple of observations/assumptions.

First of all, when I tuned it up, I thought,  "Man this guy likes light strings!" I just didn't know how light - when I got out my gauge and measured them, they were super light for acoustics - 0.009 - 0.044!!! I play heavier strings on my electrics than those!

And the strings were pretty dirty/dead. So my assumptions are: #1) this guy was primarily an electric player, and #2) he didn't play this guitar that much - I suspect it's been sitting unplayed a lot, and maybe when I contacted him, it was pretty easy for him to send it back to me.

After restringing/cleaning it up/tweaking the truss rod, it sounds really good. And I'd forgotten how light it feels - like a D-18. The Adi top hasn't even really opened up yet, so I'm looking forward to playing the heck out of this thing and listening to the process...

I'm glad to have it back if it was just sitting around unplayed and unappreciated (with those pathetic weenie strings on it); it deserves better than that. Since I'm the one who ordered this beauty, it really belongs here with me!

I'm pretty sure it will stick around this time...   

[ducktrapper]

Well done amigo! Hang on to it this time.