Everyone Loves Vintage Gibson Guitars

I own a pawnshop. It is called the Green Country Trader. I bought the pawnshop about 9 years ago after I had worked for the previousl owner for about 3 years. I had opened an Auction business just after retiring from the U S Army ran it sucessfully for a few years but decided it was a lot more work than I wanted to do all by myself. I owned part intrest in a security company in Arkansas for a couple of years, the CFO of the company got us closed down as he found making payroll by diverting quarterly taxes a great way to cover payroll. The IRS however, did not seem to appreciate the bennefits of this practice and closed down our company. I decided I need a break from the coorporate world and moved to Dewey, OK and took a job at a mom & pop pawnshop.

I have always been quite the pawnshopper, love finding bargains at pawnshops and garage sales or auctions. I think it is in my blood along with my love for music and musical instruments. Having played in a country band during my eight year stay in Europe, I especially enjoy guitars. I've been around guitars and guitar players all my life and have come to understand that there are many very fine brands of guitars. I would not be so narrow minded not to lust after other brands, but Gibson is my favorite. I am convinced by their sound, craftsmanship, style, and their feel. Gibson Guitars have been around a long time and are honored and sought after by muscians and collectors alike. I personally, am not a great guitar player, I would be considered a singer more than a guitarist. I have used my guitars as accompaniment for my voice and did not take the time to learn the guitar for much more than that. Yet with all that I must say that I love and appreciate the feel and everything else of a Gibson Guitar,

My days in the band and learning about guitars both as a kid who had a desire and a buyer - seller - trader of musical intruments, have brought many a fine guitar to my hands. The most memorable guitar of all guitars not just the Gibsons, was a 1972 version of the Gibson Dove. I bought this guitar from a fellow who came in the shop one day needing money to get home to Houston, TX. He said he had another one at home that he liked better. He just carried this one around to play when he was on the road. I think I gave him about $600.00 for the guitar and original case. It was in perfect condition as far as I could tell. I played it some just to see how heavenly it sounded and I was not disappointed at all.

I put the guitar back in the case and stuck it in the back room. I later called a friend who is musician and at the time was a sales person for a company (don't remember the name) to gloat about my recent acquisition. My friends dream was to retire from his company and open up a music store and just play music with his band. He also collected gibson guitars, which I knew as I had sold him several for his collection. He was very excited hearing about the Dove I had purchased and drove 30 miles from Tulsa that day to take a look at it. I recieved his arrival with mixed emotions as I was contemplating keeping the guitar for myself if only for a while. I hadn't really even got to play it much.

My friend took the Gibson Dove out of its case to try it out, i knew he was going to want it. In fact it turned out to be the only Gibson Dreadnought that he didn't have in his collections. Now my friend John is one fine guitar player and I was in for a treat. He adjusted the tuning on the Dove and started in and I was astounded at the tone of that guitar. It is one thing to plunk around and play a few cords maybe pick out Wildwood Flower or something, and entirely another to hear someone else like John really do some pickin. John playing that guitar and sounded phenomenal there in the shop, like no guitar I had ever heard up close and personal. It was worth the $600.00 just to have heard that sound.

I didn't want to sell the Guitar at all at least not that day, but John had come armed to the teeth with trading material. Worse yet he knew me too well brought the right stuff and cash too, the dirty rat. Next thing I knew John was on his way home with my beloved Dove and I was left holding $650.00 and a like new Les Paul Double Cutaway which I later sold for $1600.00 .. Oh well win some, lose some, some get rained out.

John now owns a Music Store called "All About Music" Still plays in his band they play oldies rock mostly, but are quite popular in the Tulsa Area a very successful man that John. I'm happy for him.

As for me I love Gibson Guitars. From time to time I make a little money because of that affliction.