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Subject: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: Allan C. Date: 16 Sep 00 - 03:11 PM First, a quick note for those who have no idea what the Adventure guitar is: Bill Sables and I took a trip earlier this year. After Bill left England to join me, we packed up my car and drove through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois Indiana, Michigan, Ontario, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and West Virginia. During those travels we met with and sang with about seventy-five Mudcats, each of whom put their signature on either the face or the back of a guitar we carried with us.
Some of you have been asking:
Answers:
The project has been something of a can of worms. Originally I had only planned to refinish the front and back which Bill and I had sanded to allow for the signatures. I decided to wipe down the other surfaces with some a mild solvent to get rid of body oils, wax, or any other stuff like that. Upon applying the solvent I discovered that a thin coat of something had been applied to those surfaces. As I cleared that away I realized that I was seeing drip marks which gave me to know that someone had made a poor attempt at refinishing the guitar at some previous time. My guess is that whoever it was applied some kind of coating without properly preparing the surface. The drip marks are evidence that they tried to do it all with one thick coat instead of with many thin ones. I further realized that the only way to do a complete job of removing this layer of stuff was to remove the tuning gears.
Once the sloppily applied coat was removed, quite a few worn places became evident. Some large gouges and scratches, which were already visible, were now vividly apparent. It became obvious to me that there was nothing for it but to totally refinish the entire guitar. All of this amounts to quite a bit more work than I had originally planned. Hours and hours of work, actually.
While I have been working on the guitar, I have been thinking. What my thinking boils down to is that I want to keep it. I really don't want to put it in the auction. It means a hell of a lot more to Bill and me than it possibly could to anyone else who might purchase it. I have talked this over with Bill and he agrees. We both hope that you folks will understand our decision and forgive us our indulgences (or at least this one).
Now, one of the reasons we had originally considered putting the Adventure guitar in the auction was to help to raise money for the Mudcat. I have decided that in order to make up for taking that away from the Mudcat, a generous contribution will be made instead. Thanks to all who have shown an interest in the Adventure guitar. I plan to bring it to every gathering I attend for all to see. Bill will try to do the same whenever he is on this side of the puddle. |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: Alice Date: 16 Sep 00 - 03:40 PM I think that is wonderful, Allan. I hope you can post a photo of it in the resources for those of us who can't travel to the music gatherings to see You and the guitar. Photos of the stages of refinishing would be nice to see (if that doesn't add too much hassle). Alice |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: katlaughing Date: 16 Sep 00 - 03:51 PM That sounds perfect, Allan. I would imagine it will serve as the best memento of the whole Adventure. I agree with Alice, too, it would be great to see pix. Thanks for letting us know... luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: BlueJay Date: 16 Sep 00 - 04:28 PM I think that's great, Allan. After all, you and Bill are the ones who took the initiative for the Great Mudcat Adventure. I know it kind of dragged me out of my cocoon. Eventually I will find the time to attend some of these far-away Mudcat gatherings, where I hope to see you and the guitar again. Thanks. That bears repeating...Thanks, BlueJay |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: SINSULL Date: 16 Sep 00 - 04:31 PM Allan, I am so happy that you are keeping the guitar. The thought of it going to the person with the most excess cash really bothered me. It belongs with you. Enjoy it! Mary |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 16 Sep 00 - 04:37 PM Enjoy it mate; and next adventure add more signatures to the carrying case.... Don't forget the Canadian Catters too! Yours, Aye. Dave |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: catspaw49 Date: 16 Sep 00 - 05:07 PM You and Bill have made a wonderful decision Allan. There is no way that guitar would bring the happiness and wonderful memories to anyone else as it would to you. The special significance it holds is tied to everyone here, but no one else could see it all as you can. I'm very happy you've decided to go this route and I can tell from these first answers that I am far from alone. Keep me posted on progress and let me know if I can help. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: Night Owl Date: 16 Sep 00 - 05:34 PM Allan...I feel the same as Sinsull...you and Bill carried a lot of us with you on the adventure...all the magic expressed by the people you visited etc.....and the night you two played and sang on the radio show was unforgettable! Although I understand the original intent with the guitar, you two have already given us LOADS of gifts. I'm applauding your decision here..it's JUST right...and please ...instead of our "forgiving your indulgences", when you play it, feel our respect, love and gratitude for the "adventure" and the music you brought to us. |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: MMario Date: 16 Sep 00 - 05:44 PM Bravo! I was another one bothered that such a stunning momento of your trip would be auctioned off. |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: Jeri Date: 16 Sep 00 - 05:48 PM Allan, I never understood how you could part with it in the first place. You were with the guitar, and met everyone who signed it. There's no better place for the guitar than in your or Bill's hands. I couldn't afford to bid on it, but if I could, and if I won it, I would always think I'd taken something precious from you. It's yours. |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: Allan C. Date: 16 Sep 00 - 07:19 PM Sorry, I would have posted a reply of some sort before now, but every time I read your remarks the tears well in my eyes so that I can't see the keyboard. This is my third try. You are such a generous and understanding bunch of friends! I will have to rely upon photos taken by others of the guitar as far as "before" pictures. But I will snap a couple of "during" and "after" shots and post them soon. BTW, when I discussed this with Bill, he told me that he was officially giving ownership of the guitar to me. I don't know who he thinks he is fooling. In my mind it will always be OURS no matter what. I should also mention that Rick Fielding had volunteered to donate a strap to accompany the guitar when it went to auction. Rick's generous offer has been rendered null and void due to this turn of events. I spoke with him this afternoon and thanked him again. Instead, Bill will be creating a new strap which will be properly indicative of the Adventure guitar's new status. |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: catspaw49 Date: 16 Sep 00 - 08:32 PM We're not generous and understanding Allan.....we just love you. The "Great Mudcat Adventure" took in so many of us and we rode along and listened and sang and sometimes worried.........but it was something that brought us together in the best sense. You and Bill are the generous ones for sharing the trip......and you especially for inventing it. Its a special thing you did for this place and all of us. Listen to the radio show and tell me that wasn't the best. It was a touching and binding experience that night for those of us listening and in chat. So don't thank us........We thank you. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: Alice Date: 16 Sep 00 - 09:13 PM Allan, I can see the echo of just what I emailed to you - that you and Bill have the memory of each signature, each person and the cicumstances you met on the adventure, and the guitar would never have as much meaning for anyone as it does for you and Bill. Mudcatters seem to all be in agreement on this. Enjoy! Alice |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: GUEST Date: 17 Sep 00 - 04:17 AM Thanks Bill |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: bill\sables Date: 17 Sep 00 - 04:24 AM Thank you for all your good wishes. It was a great trip I will never forget. Cheers Bill |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 17 Sep 00 - 02:27 PM I just want to echo the sentiments of everyone above. From the start I wondered how on earth you could part with such a wonderful memento of your journey. Any chance you could bring it to New Hampshire in November to show it off? |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: GUEST,Rex at work Date: 18 Sep 00 - 08:16 AM Glad to hear you are hanging on to it Allen. I just hope to see it again sometime. That is really, to sit in and play some songs with you again. Rex |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: dwditty Date: 18 Sep 00 - 09:47 AM Allan,
You know how I feel about the Adventure. If it helps, think of yourself not as the owner, but as the curator of the guitar. You and Bill are the only ones who can appreciate all of the memories it holds. I know you will care well for each of our individual memories that reside in it. I am sure that each one of us hopes that one day we will hook up with you and the guitar again and feel all the love that it holds. |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: Bert Date: 18 Sep 00 - 10:31 AM Well I think you're a rotten good for nothing sod keeping it for yourself 'cos I WANTED IT ;-) Seriously - I'm glad you're keeping it - there's no way that anyone else could pay for what it's worth to you. And now when you read threads about Martin being better than Gibson or Taylor or Larrivee - You'll know that you have the best guitar of all. Looking forward to seeing you soon and hearing you play it. Hey! why don't you bring it along to Mudcat Radio one night? (perhaps you'd better not 'cos I might steal it) See ya guy. Bert. (I'm gonna nominate you "Rat Bastard of the Week - *tee hee*) |
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Subject: RE: Bill and Allan's Adventure guitar From: Art Thieme Date: 18 Sep 00 - 11:59 AM Allan & Bill, Sounds good to me. Keep it and make beautiful music. It was great seeing and hearing both of you during our too short visit. Thanks, again, for coming past our cornfields. Bill, have you got any other recordings other than the CD with Sam--- you singing songs---? (I do hope Sam enjoyed my CD.) All the best, Art Thieme |
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