fortyearspickn

I'm beside myself in embarrassment.

Let's start an Obituary Sub-Forum.

No, not in a couple of years. I would not expect they have much of interest. They had only 2 or 3 Gibson Acoustics the times I went in. Not much in terms of 'high end' stuff. I'd guess half the floor stock that GC has. Prices might be better - and if you're potentially open to all types and brands - they may have gotten stock from their warehouses. But, if I were me, even living only 10 miles away - I wouldn't bother.

Grin and bare it !

Sign of the Times. 20 retailers shuttered nearly 3,000 stores last year. Bed Bath Beyond, CVS, Foot Locker, etc. I use to love visiting the Sam Ash when I was just getting into guitars on Long Island last century. We have one here, in San Antonio. Much less foot traffic than the GC a half mile away.

It looks great as is. DaveF pointed out a potential deal breaker on the question of adding a p/g on top of the sound hole: Which way would the stripes go? Would it be a major distraction? Never a fan of doubles, but never had one. Why double the amount of coverup on a beautiful guitar? I think it might have been more a marketing / packaging thing for the Everly Bros if you consider the size and shape of theirs.

I don't mind the cosmetic surface stuff. What I dread is the hard knocks. Always afraid it'll affect the bracing, joints, etc. Sort of like me - I don't mind cuts and scratches, just try to avoid broken bones !

Polishing with a compound, of course, removes some of the surface layer. Not enough to miss in your lifetime probably! Pure polish on the other hand temporarily fills in the scratches. Assuming it is brand spanking new out of the box, and not off a Guitar Center showroom floor and the scratches are yours - you need to decide if they are too small to bother with. Gibson guitar polish has, for me, seemed to permanently smooth out 'fine' blemishes without 'compounding' the nitrocellulose. Someone once opined it contained a small amount of nitrocellulose. As noted - that finish takes awhile to stabilize into a hardened surface. I'd guess a year, but others on here know for sure. Ask yourself if your previous gigger looked better or worse or wear and therein you will find a likely answer.

My first instrument was the guitar. I started my journey by discovering the notes/melodies to a half-dozen songs - riffs or choruses - on my own. I played them ad nauseam, (like the Theme Song to the TV Show "Bonanza" (20th century precursor to 'Yellowstone') to the point my parents sprung for a couple of years of weekly guitar lessons. To me, 'music' is like 'language'. You can talk, and listen without being able to read. Two different 'mediums'. But, being able to read (and write) doubles your ability to communicate. The point, well made by Sparky, for 'music' - few of us NEED to be able to actually read (and write) music. Only the 'professionals'. But I would have never gotten to the point of being a true 'amateur' if I had not learned how to read music.

We are exponentially more fortunate when it comes to healthcare than our grandparents. Spanish Flu at the turn of the century - they had no cure. Heat attacks? Couldn't predict them or prevent them let alone 'cure' them. Doctors were telling patients to eat bacon and eggs every morning for breakfast up until the 60s. I worked in a teaching hospital that had an internationally acclaimed heart program for 10 years and they never stopped research, improving quality and sharing their findings with other programs. You'll be fine, just look forward to how much better you'll feel this 4th of July than you did last year !! I had what would have been considered Major surgery 5 years ago - two different surgeons doing two different things at the same time endoscopically. Out in time to beat rush hour traffic home, and can't find the scars now. Wife, had lung cancer - lobe removed, out in 3 days. Fine still, 10 years later. Breast cancer 5 years ago, caught early through routine mammogram. Small lump removed - right as rain today. So - don't worry - be happy !!

Loose nut? Get a smaller size boxers.

Point well taken - you're right - some people buy them already beat up. Jeans with holes in them, etc. At the coast - you can buy ball caps with simulated Seagull Crap on them. I personally never bought any of those items new and beat them up to look beat up. Don't want the artificial wear and tear and age of my accessories to detract from what Willie Nelson sung about in "This Face of Mine" !

After a moment of introspection - I think Duane Eddy was the reason I picked up my first guitar. As others here have said - he was light years ahead on that style. But - he's in "The Angel Choir" now.

Is there a separate app for "Accessories & Lifestyle" ? For those here who don't have any Gibson guitars ?

Yeah, mine is "difficult to understand" not in the sense of logic or complexity of facts - but of human nature.