America is such a great country, there are always treasures waiting to be rediscovered in basements and attics across the country. When I was in high school, I played in a cover band that regularly played house parties...I must say we were quite good; that young gunslinger thing was definitely in full gear for myself and the other lead guitarist. A friend who regularly had house parties enthusiastically invited me to check out his father's guitar which was in solitary confinement in a basement closet.
Low and behold the kid brings out a mint condition Gibson ES-335 Dot guitar in tobacco sunburst, all original...the same one Bobby Weir played in 1974. No guitar does its strengths better. I think he said it was a 1969 (years later I discoved he must have said/meant 1959). He offered to let me use it...needless to say I accepted!!! I ended up bringing that priceless gem around the country with me for the next 7 years or so; college, gigs, etc. In Chicago some idiot broke into my Uhaul and instead of stealing the $50k ES-335 or the LP, he took a bag of cd's and a camera I couldnt sell for $100. to make rent a year earlier; though the camera bag did have a big sac of kind bud in it
--I got that stuff back but thats a different story.
I already had a gorgeous Gibson LP Custom I had bought new, along with a Boogie .22 Caliber, so I was no stranger to quality gear even at 17. (I wish I had appreciated just how good I had it then! I ended up selling both those for chump change in a phase of despair years later; and I miss them everyday now). After college I just happened to run into the kid at the Post Office, and he said his father was really bugging him about getting the guitar back (I dont recall an amp so I doubt he even played it). Being the honest if sinful person I am, I brought it back to its true owner a few days later. I really liked the guitar...but youth being what it is I didnt appreciate just how special it was or how fortunate I was to have been given a good ear and passionate soul.