I’ve come to appreciate that a lot more now.
I have an old 1950’s Gibson ES125, my only
At a rehearsal once my friend Ira came by and
jazz box now. I just used it on a song on my
LARRY: I love guitar. I never started out as
after a while he was almost yelling at Billy about,
new record too. It’s an awesome guitar… not in
a collector. In fact, growing up barely able to
“How can you take these guitars on the road?”
the best looking shape, but it sounds and feels
afford one guitar, I had no idea collecting was
Billy’s response, “This is what I play! Why have
great! It’s been played a lot. I like guitars with
possible. A collection can be so inspiring. Which
them if I’m not going to play them?”
a story, a past, that have some history. I don’t
player and then a necessary collector?
one do I play today? What’s the story behind
know this guitar’s history, but I can tell there is
this one? Can I add something significant to its
He does have some pristine condition vintage
history?
guitars he never takes out, but his everyday
In the 80’s I gave lessons to a very private
guitars are some of the most sought after
I have a few great reissues, like a 1958 gold
guitars out there (much respect to Billy).
top that used to belong to a good friend. It has
collector. When I asked him, “How come every
lesson you show up with a different Les Paul?”
one. It’s all over that guitar.
some nice tone. Also a ‘63 SG Jr.
VICTOR: What about your current collection?
His response was that he loves Les Paul’s
I have a couple of Nylon string acoustics that
(he had 400 at that point!). That’s just the Les
LARRY: I have a small but wonderful collection
pique my interest as well. A friend brought by
Paul’s! I think that might have been my first
of modern, vintage, and reissue vintage guitars;
a ‘63 all Mahogany nylon string she got in a
exposure to collecting in real life!
some vintage by accident. I have an old 1951
thrift store for under $75. It sounds great. I
National Lap Steel that a neighbor gave me
need to get the neck reset to lower the action
VICTOR: Tell us about your early touring and
after giving him part of a guitar lesson. He just
though. I need low action (laughs) and I just got
guitars.
left it for me. I tried for a couple