heymisterk Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 First, the guitar: A 1964, Kalamazoo-made Epiphone Bard 12-string... FT112. You can almost make out "Union Made" at the bottom left. Solid Eastern Spruce top; mahogany back and sides. Lots of finish checking and play wear, but still sounds fantastic. Has the original Kluson tuners. I didn't take a pic of the back of the headstock, but it is stamped with a "2"! No idea what for! Okay, the story in brief... My mom gave me this guitar yesterday. She bought the guitar used right out of college (the year she met my dad) in 1969 at a local music shop. She gave up a trip to the mountains to pay for it, and said she didn't remember how much it was, but that it was "expensive." But playing it sold her. She has owned it ever since, mostly playing it every Sunday at church in the guitar choir. My mom plays LOTS of instruments...Organ and piano for one church; guitar and bass for another; hammered dulcimer at various gigs. She's got the best ear I have ever known. A couple of years ago, it underwent some major work: new frets, repaired a big crack, and a new tailpiece, if I remember correctly. She also is stage 4 cancer, and while she has survived FOUR bouts with cancer in various parts of her body, it has taken its toll on her. Most recently, she had a tumor removed from her left arm. The tumor is gone, but the scar tissue has left some nerve damage. As a result, she has limited use in her left arm...which means, sadly, that forming chords on a guitar is impossible. It is hoped that she will regain sensation in her arm; in the meantime, she told me that I should have the guitar because I first learned how to thump out my first couple chords on this guitar as a kid. From there, I was forever a guitar player. I have this guitar - and my mom - to thank. Thanks for reading! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted June 28, 2010 Author Share Posted June 28, 2010 Sorry for the second headstock pic...my mistake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dleth Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Bittersweet indeed. Best of luck for your mom. I'm sure that guitar will be treasured 4 ever. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Nice, and may God bless you. I lost my Dad about 5 years ago, and not a day goes by that I don't miss him. If indeed, she falls into the final days, do yourself a favor and sit by her side playing that guitar to her. I'm convinced they can hear and reason until the last minute. Again, God bless you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowdiddley Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Best wishes for your mom, I have a friend in stage 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted June 28, 2010 Author Share Posted June 28, 2010 Will do, Murph. God bless you too. Thanks for all the well wishes to all. I am taking the guitar for a fresh set-up today. Still sounds amazing...great mids; good lows and highs. Has that sound that only old wood can produce! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 My sincere best wishes to you and your family. I know you will treasure the guitar no matter what. There will be a bond between you that will always be very special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Great guitar! Wonderful mom!! I wish her the best... Cherish the time you have with her... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeVeeWee Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 heymisterk, I wish your mom all the best and I'm sure you'll play for her some church songs on that lovely 12-string! All the best mate! Kris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LT ED Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Wonderful old guitar with great history and if its half as tough as your mum it will last forever. All the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepblue Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 All the best to your mom, and that 12 string is very nice indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swleary Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 best of luck to your mother. Play her guitar for her, it'll bring a lot of happiness to her. It's a nice 12 string too, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witmer Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Wow. Great guitar, and bittersweet story indeed. All the best to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Definitely a guit tar for the ages. Make sure you play it for her at every opportunity. Best of luck to your Mom, and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAS44 Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 That's exactly as you said, bittersweet. At least you get to continue making music, on a guitar she played herself. Good luck to your mother, I can tell she's a tough one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevef Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 My best to your Mom, to you and your family as well. That's a beautiful guitar, bet it looked great "on" her and sounded great in her hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 A few of us are privileged to receive something that had become part of a parent or friend; a few of us are privileged to pass such nearly-living useful things to yet another generation. In a sense you're lucky, my friend. Speaking as an older person whether I like it or even feel it in ways, I do know that passing forward that guitar may mean more to your mother than even to you, regardless of the tough but human circumstances. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Sorry to hear about your mom. Murph and I must be brothers because I lost my father 5 years ago too. You mom is special to give you her guitar. I'm sure it'll be passed down through the generations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted June 29, 2010 Author Share Posted June 29, 2010 Thank you to all who wrote. You are all so very kind, and I am reminded of the wonderful humanity present in this forum. My mom is clearly one tough cookie, and she tells me she can still play a mean bass since it only requires the dexterity of one or two fingers on her bad left hand to play the basic bass lines. Watch out, Paul McCartney! Once I get the guitar set up today, I will try to post a brief YouTube vid of me playing it...it's such a wonderful sounding guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Nice guitar. Keep the faith and best to you and your mom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Best wishes for your mom. That is more than just a guitar, it's a piece of family history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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