I have sold 207 of my 213 stringed instruments. Thought I was going to keep just 41, but just couldn't make those final decisions. The ones I kept include 4 I have willed to good friends, three of which are members here, and 12 my two boys want.

Good news is, I have raised the funds I need to make a significant donation to the New Orleans Habitat project and enough to complete the wing (music-complete with studio, instruments and performance center/stage) at a youth center I'm working with in Lexington.

I'm rehabbing one of my B-3's and a 147RV to either put in the center for use in live performances or to ship to New Orleans.


The time is right. My hand condition forces less work on stringed instruments, and no one needs 300 plus stringed instruments, 2 B-3's, a C-3, and M-100, plus 15 other keyboards. Plus vibes, accordion(s) and lots more.

Of course, this week-end I saw a Godin A6 and thought it was something I HAD to have.

Instrument withdrawal is a BITCH!

Russ (RIA-Recovering Instument Addict) Lay

Off to a studio session in Louisville

Boy that has to be hard.....selling off your collection..

. Even on a small scale..there are things I refuse to sell...mostly emotional attachment

Hi Russ, I will pray for you that you do not regret letting some of this collection go.
But the bottom line is, the proceeds are going to a good cause and you feel good about it, and that is the most important thing.
Gee! I wish I lived a lot closer to you to see some of those wonderful instruments and possibly play that B3. Only problem is that I would have to adopt a new way of talking over there lol
Hope your hand heals soon.
See Ya!!

Ray

Thanks, folks. You know, after the "big unload" I feel pretty good. I kept all of the sentimental pieces and some of the key ones for specific music.

I had lots of dupes. For instance, I had 23 L-5's. I kept 2: the old, worn one I play all the time and a 1971 that is perfect and built by one of the best Gibson builders.

Same with Strats and Tele's. I kept 2 each and liquidated about 40.

Sale of the L-5's generated over $190,000.00 and the Strats and Tele's netted over $270,000.00.

The others were "one-offs"...things I bought just because I thought they were neat at the time.

I can tell you that the most valuable piece sold for $277,000.00. I won't miss it.

Hey, I have over 100 pieces left (still trying to cut down the number to 41). That STILL stands as a formidable collection, in most eyes, particularly when you look at what's left (Howard Roberts, 53 ES 295, Birdland, Barney Kessel, 175, 335, 345, 355's, Flying V, Les Paul's, My very first Strat (now worth $29,000.00), D'Angelicos, pre-CBS Jazz and P basses and lots others).

The end of my string instrument playing days is near, and I am feeling that I've been very stingy and self-centered to just let them sit around.


Just today, I decided to donate a cherry C-3 and a 147. It has the bass/percussion upgrade, so I'll give one to the Habitat project and one to the local center, where we are starting a music co-op for inner city kids.

That means I'll still have my B-3 at the club where I use it 8 or so jobs a month, and the C at the center, where I'll be forming performance groups of youngsters of different ages.

JAZZ-U is the name of the program. Because of where it is, we'll be concentrating on funk influenced jazz.


I feel GOOD about this.

We also sold the King Air, but that was just because we weren't using it. That effort funded a hospital upgrade in my home town from my family.

Still got the Cessna 180 and the gyro copter, though!

STILL enough toys!


Russ (big-OLD Kid) Lay

While it must have been a hard decision to make initially you know how much benefit the money will provide to the charities you support. That must be a great feeling.

I have been here in Los Angeles for 23 years ... still sound the same lol. Some things never change.

Folks, it has been called to my attention that the collection was 313, not 212....old fingers!

I STILL have over 100 pieces, although I'm trying to cut down to about 41.

Russ (gear head) Lay

Russ-
i used to have a Gibson Challenger III. It had an LP styled mahogany body with 3 single coil pickups and a 5 way switch like a strat. It indeed sounded like a strat but looked like an LP! Now I am finding out they are rare as they were only produced one year (1984) . Do you have one?

That looks great Sparky. I have never seen that model before. Is it a 5 way pickup select like a strat or a 3 way?

BTW, Nigel, with all the "shifting and selling", the 1964 Guild and Super Champ are still hear, with your name taped to them.

It will be my honor to pass them on to you!


Russ

It is a five-way. I found a collector (Scott Grove) that has a youtube video about it, and contacted him. He has 2, loves them, and they are not for sale. Of course I sold mine back when. It actually had a manufacturing flaw. I couldn't get the intonation correct, and a luthier told me the fret spacing was off from Gibson. This was common to him and he showed me his scale next to the fingerboard to evidence this. I didn't want to pay and sold it-foolish move now..

Gibson Challenger III -Scott Grove

Do you know if you have one of these?

Gibson Challenger III

My Gibsons are/were all pretty safe purchases. Lots of 335, 345, 355's, L-5's (23), Johnnie Smith's, Switchmaster (2-three P-90's),Barney Kessels, etc. Throw in a couple of Melody Makers, Flying V's (Yea my buddy Lonnie Mack), ES 295 (the Scotty Moore/Elvis guitar-circa 1952), ES 175 (a modern ES 295, with Humbuckers), a few Les Pauls and a couple of really cool 335 Pro's (same shape as a 335 but solid). Had/have no bolt-on neck Gibsons.

My intent was to purchase "proven winners" for investment purposes. I preferred to play Guild, but they didn'/don't appreciate as much as Gibsons.

Fender was simpler...as many pre-CBS Strats, Teles, P Basses and Jass basses as possible, plus early re-issue (82 reissue tele's, bringing close to $4,000 today).

Most valuable is a Broadcaster...think more than a medium priced home.

After almost 50 years of collecting, I REALLY LOVE GUITARS!

But, I'm perfectly satisfied with my choice of liquidating the excess and donating the proceedings and giving a few "treasures to family and valued friends.


Good to talk to you!


Russ
To see the old man play, Google RCL solo guitar (for a good laugh)!

I am the one that is honored to be remembered by you Russ. And you know I will give them the love and attention they deserve. Though I guess from a collectors point of view I am not the ideal owner because I will actually use these items. But I think that using them is the ultimate respect they really deserve.

Any accordions?

I have one...new in a box I bought at a summer NAMM. Looked it up after I got home. It's a beginner-small one...around $300.00 MSRP, I think. Found it on a bunch of sites. Probably wouldn't be of any interest to anyone here.

I'll look it up if anyone is interested. Opened the box once after I go it. Never played a note or even worked the bellows.

I know....I know!

Russ

Nigel, you happened to choose the ones I really put some miles on.

I played the Guild 6 nights a week for over 20 years. the little Super Champ was used continuously for about 10. Occasionally, I'd use it, along with a little battery operated mixer, for a sound system outside at a golf course.

Both are completely serviceable, but have some "miles" on them.


R.

Hello Russ,

Haven't been here for a long time so I am very surprised
you are cleaning the house, since I recently did the same.
(for another reason as yours though)
Just finished yesterday with writing down what I have left.
I still have exactly 41 guitars left (what a coincidence )
anyway I cannot decide easily which ones I will keep.
At least another 30 guitars must go.
Probably I keep 2 LP, 1 Strat, 1 Tele, 1 X175(guild), 1 es-335, 1 prs custom 24, 1 D55(guild)

Greetings,
Fred

So good to hear from you, Freddy! I LIKE your "keep" list. Mine would be very similar...I'd keep the old Guild you saw years ago, plus a neat little 150 I acquired recently. I like PRS, but I'll have an L-5, Barney Kessel and 335, 345, 355 (several in that category) on my final 41.

I like Parker, so I'll keep an acoustic/hibred) and a Custom.

Funny thing. It didn't bother me at all to sell my old Super Reverb, Dual Showman, Bassman...7 of my old tube Fenders.
I mostly play nylon string Godin Multiac thru a PA or acoustic amp now. I kept a couple of little tube guys, but mostly play a JazzKat PhatKat (12" with tube pre-amp) now.

Be well, and please keep in contact.

You're one of the good guys!


Russ

Hello Russ,

Just added 3 more guitars on the keeping list
I completely forgot.
Rodriguez FF (flamenco guitar)
Gibson SG (Bought this used in 1971 and was my first quality guitar and survived 10 years touring, not for sale))
Guild G212 (12 string guitar)

greetings
fred