High Flying Bird

Man, I have been to K-zoo so many times I think I have worn out my welcome. I can't take long road trips like I used to. These days I am into side line photography for our local USAFL teams. I have to save my coin to fly to Austin in October to shoot the finals. I would love to be there. A lot of good folks show up. I have met some of my best friends in K-zoo. One year Big Bob and I were just north of Ft. Wayne on I-69. I-69 was a laugh but later we passed a lot of signs advertising, "Dick's Package Store." That just felt plain old vulgar.

I have owned 3 535s over the years. One I sold to Mike Novello. Another I sold to one of my best friends, Jim. When Jim passed away two years ago his sister said to take all of his gear and give it to friends. I sold the gold 535 to another friend, Joe. Originally I gave one guy a H-150, another a Gretcsh Les Paul style guitar and Joe got the Rick 12. I have the Ruby Rick. Where in Indiana do you hail from mate? I have people in Muncie. My cousin's daughter coaches the Daleville High boys basketball team.

Here is my 535. I forget what year it was made, close to '98 maybe? It is a rush when I can get this thing howling and feel the air coming out of the top f-hole on my forearm.

Both of these are Almond sunburst.

The old days were glorious!

You brought that guitar to Huntsville.

My 535 is my favorite guitar.

Exactly.

I don't like the tone of '59s at all.

I sold my HRWs to a "Guy" in Vegas for a fair price. I didn't take advantage.

I had HRWs in my 535 but thought them to lack flavor. I replaced them with SD Phat Cats and love it's tone now.

I think I will keep this one.

No it just something I did when learning Photoshop. It doesn't lie. You would be sorry to hear me play.

This looks like one of my old guitars.

Welcome aboard Mike! I have a 535 as well. Great tone machines. Guit, I have an old cheap pair of plastic calipers. Last week I checked them against a set like in the photo. The old cheap ones still were dead nuts on but the digital reading and controls were very nice. Under $50.00 at Lowe's.

I use one pedal while jamming with friends. Forget a pedal board. Too much to go wrong. Especially at a gig. At one time you would have seen me as a skinny man in a 220 lbs suit. I got tired of that life. Best of luck to you on both fronts.

I asked for the neck to be as thin as structurally possible.

http://ronwarren.com/firebird/

Brother! Marv built this guitar for me. He grew up across the road from this depot. I call this guy, "Wildcat Hopkins."

That's a lot of work. I hope it pans out the way you want. It isn't easy to get people to jam for fun so I can imagine how hard this is.

Sounds like your almost ready to go now. Good luck with it.

I have noticed that a lot of the bedroom guitarist never learn a whole song. They just want to learn enough so they can sing along with some chords. They have a book with a thousand tabs in it but never listen to the actual song and learn it right. If that is what one wishes to do more power to them but it doesn't work with a group.

Hey Pete. I have been to Kzoo for the last 6 years. I will say in any forum that the myth of southern hospitality has nothing on the fantastic people of Kalamazoo, MI. You may have well worked on several on the Heritage Guitars I have owned. Welcome aboard.